This thread made me smile today, thanks for starting it!
Having installed hundreds of barrels over 30 years of competitive shooting (for myself and others), I have had the chance to evaluate a lot of blanks - both smallbore and rimfire, and I absolutely concur with the OP. Not saying it has to somehow be a flawed blank to shoot well, but I have found that there is absolutely no way to gauge a blanks performance except for actually shooting it.
On VERY rare occasion you will find something like taper issues (which can't be worked around IMHO), but I have slugged and fitted some blanks that I thought had no chance - only to find the same results as the OP.
I have also had rifles with a pedigree in the shop that after inspection you wonder just how anyone won anything with them (be it the blank imperfections or gunsmithing / wear). I am convinced there is just a little bit of magic involved! LOL.
Great thread though, wishing all a great 2025 shooting season!
kev
Having installed hundreds of barrels over 30 years of competitive shooting (for myself and others), I have had the chance to evaluate a lot of blanks - both smallbore and rimfire, and I absolutely concur with the OP. Not saying it has to somehow be a flawed blank to shoot well, but I have found that there is absolutely no way to gauge a blanks performance except for actually shooting it.
On VERY rare occasion you will find something like taper issues (which can't be worked around IMHO), but I have slugged and fitted some blanks that I thought had no chance - only to find the same results as the OP.
I have also had rifles with a pedigree in the shop that after inspection you wonder just how anyone won anything with them (be it the blank imperfections or gunsmithing / wear). I am convinced there is just a little bit of magic involved! LOL.
Great thread though, wishing all a great 2025 shooting season!
kev
