3 groove or 5 groove rifling?

[gldprimr]

Hi,

Please don't throw rocks for asking a dumb question that I don't know the answer to.

I have a hunting rifle that I want to get rebored,yeah, I know it's not as good as a new tube) from 30 to 35 caliber.

There are not a lot of folks doing this work, but there are some. Of those I've checked with the one I'm first inclined to go with is producing 5 grooved barrels and the other,with a significantly quicker turn a round) is producing a 3 grooved barrel.

Is there any inherent difference in accuracy potential that I'd see with a sporter weight hunting rifle?

Thanks in advance.

 

[LHSmith]

First, I don't understand why anyone would re-bore a barrel. A Shaw CM blank could be had for ~$150, an A&B from Midway ~ $100, or even a new factory take-off for ~$75 or less. Fit and chambering ~$150.
What's the fee to go the re-bored route? What's the chambering now, and what's the new round going to be. What make/model rifle?
You will be reducing the amount of steel in the barrel.....thin barrels can be problematic.
30 cal cartridges tend to be much more accurate than 35 cal.
FWIW 3 groove bbls are noted for their ability to resist fouling, albeit we're taking about premium barrels that are hand-lapped, none of which are listed above.

 

[treeman]

heeeeeeeey! don't rain on his parade!

 

[clowdis]

The difference is there's no difference. Take either one.

 

[Preacher]

There is a difference if you can count
The 3 groove should be a bit better with pressure over the 5 groove.. I use a lot of the 3 grooves and don't see much difference in accuracy between them.. A hunting rifle will never see the difference..
A quality rebore is lots better than a A&B or Shaw barrel and they are both the same maker just different names..
Jim Dubell Delta Gun Shop--,509) 684-5855-- has done a few for me and they shoot as good if not better than the originals. If there is not enough steel in the barrel he will let you know before you send it.. Nice to be able to use the same stock with out needing to redo it... Prices will be close to a new GOOD barrel, and it will be a new barrel as far as longevity is concerned..... No real good reason to not have one rebored that I can think of.....

 

[butchlambert]

I agree with Preacher. Jim Dubell does an outstanding job. He did a 9.3 for me on a worn out barrel that had a full rib and nice intregal iron sights. He uses cut rifling.
Butch

 

[gary blankenship]

I have 3 custom lija barrels all 3 groove, 22-243 (1:12 twisr)22-250ai (1:8) i like they are so easy to clean and accuracy is great, last one is 28 inch ar10 in 260 remington with adjustable gas block di action. Still working loads for the ar.

 

[jsn]

Ummmm.....is this the guy you are referring to?

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesmanexaminer/obituary.aspx?pid=175296853

There have been multiple issues with the 5 groove in .358 that another rebore firm did where apparently the finished diameter was more like .354" and the person who did the work will not acknowledge his foibles. I haven't run across this in a while, maybe he's fixed it and his condescending attitude.

I have a torched 22-250 that I feel is a good candidate for reboring to .257 and would be interested in options.

If you had examined some of the factory takeoffs for non-concentric chambers you would think twice before doing any major long distance target or F-Class rifles with them.

 

[watercam]

Yes it was a pity when Jim left us. He was a good guy. He had done two barrels for me and both are outstanding - one is my .308 Palma barrel and it outshoots me pretty much every time I pick it up.
Classic Barrel and Rifling (www.cutrifle.com) is still up to it but wait time is just as long as ordering a new barrel. Others seem to have long wait lists (or not taking work).

 

[scooter]

There is a guy in North Dakota who rebored/rerifled a .300 Win Mag to .340 Weathgerby Mag, hand cut rifling, for the money invested, I made out great, and it shoots extremely well to boot. His outfit is called High Plains Reboring and Rerifling. Guy by the name of Norman Johnson.

 

[Ironworker]

Ummmm.....is this the guy you are referring to?

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesmanexaminer/obituary.aspx?pid=175296853

There have been multiple issues with the 5 groove in .358 that another rebore firm did where apparently the finished diameter was more like .354" and the person who did the work will not acknowledge his foibles. I haven't run across this in a while, maybe he's fixed it and his condescending attitude.

I have a torched 22-250 that I feel is a good candidate for reboring to .257 and would be interested in options.

If you had examined some of the factory takeoffs for non-concentric chambers you would think twice before doing any major long distance target or F-Class rifles with them.

Died after complications from a successful back surgery ? Doesn't sound very successful to me .

 

[akajun]

I have a 38-55 model 94 that was rebored from 30-30 by JES with the 3 groove rifling. Granted that its not a target rifle, But it shoots well and does not foul at all. I mostly shot cast lead bullets from it but have run a few jacketed, all good. Running my hawkeye through it shows the bore to be a quality bore.

There are a few advantages to a re bore. First if there are other critical fit parts like on a Semi auto or Lever gun or odd taper bolt gun , or finishing to the barrel, you dont have to repeat it. Second, and this is only theory, the bore may be straighter and stress relieved after re boring. All the rounds of firing have stress relieved the barrel, and running a reamer to follow an established hole will lead to a straighter bore than gun drilling ( this of course depends on operator skill).

Last, an employee from a barrel maker let it slip that on their barrels that fail inspection, they are sent to be reamed out and turned into the next higher caliber possible. His explanation was that there is no difference in the finished product and that often times when a gundrill breaks or goes dull in middle of a hole they will do that anyway.

 

[Stephen Frith]

First, I don't understand why anyone would re-bore a barrel. A Shaw CM blank could be had for ~$150, an A&B from Midway ~ $100, or even a new factory take-off for ~$75 or less. Fit and chambering ~$150.
What's the fee to go the re-bored route? What's the chambering now, and what's the new round going to be. What make/model rifle?
You will be reducing the amount of steel in the barrel.....thin barrels can be problematic.
30 cal cartridges tend to be much more accurate than 35 cal.
FWIW 3 groove bbls are noted for their ability to resist fouling, albeit we're taking about premium barrels that are hand-lapped, none of which are listed above.

Not much effort required to come up with valid reasons for re-boring a barrel. Too many blanket statements thrown around for happiness in this camp.
S

 

[Judd]

Not much effort required to come up with valid reasons for re-boring a barrel. Too many blanket statements thrown around for happiness in this camp.
S

Especially when you take an 11 year sample sizing