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Barrel Damage

I have an older Sako that I inherited and haven't had much luck finding factory ammo that is capable of grouping less then a 1-1/2 @ 100yds. I figured I would cave in and finally buy a bore cam. Anyone have any idea if this damage is effecting accuracy? What could have caused this?

Also ive done a cleaning session with iosso and still have these dark lines starting about midway through the barrel and all the way to the crown.

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Good detailed pictures. What bore cam did you use ??
 
Isn’t 1-1/2 the accuracy guarantee of new, nice sporter rifles from that time period, like the Weatherby Mark V?

If you rebarrel a vintage Sako, that market’s interest in your rifle diminishes. Plus, as others said, it may not shoot your test ammo better, anyway, if you do.
 
All above posts are good but check the crown....I have a 222 in the 788 that the barrel looks like 5 miles of bad road and it will still shoot very good...check the crown !
What he said!
I got a cheap deal on a Sako once that has some pitting in the bore. It shoots fine so don't discount the crown. I've saved a couple of bad shooting rifles with just having the crown redone.
 
Just give it to me,I'm only shooting at 50 yards max,,1 1/2 at 100,,oh hell that's great.
 
I have an older Sako that I inherited and haven't had much luck finding factory ammo that is capable of grouping less then a 1-1/2 @ 100yds. I figured I would cave in and finally buy a bore cam. Anyone have any idea if this damage is effecting accuracy? What could have caused this?

Also ive done a cleaning session with iosso and still have these dark lines starting about midway through the barrel and all the way to the crown.

View attachment 1113804
View attachment 1113805
View attachment 1113806
View attachment 1113807
View attachment 1113808

Most of the people that have replied to this post have far more experience then me when new high end rifles are involved. I read there posts and I learn quite a bit. When it comes to old rifles that have seen better days, I have worked on my share. The farmer on the end of the road where I grew up had a 1950s vintage Sako .222 that spent a lot of time outside. When he passed I know how long the line was to get hands on that rifle.

It's bore was nasty, it was a tool for controlling varmints and it was used as such. It was a solid moa rifle, but more importantly it never changed zero. It shot factory 55 gr flat bases very well, and very consistently. I think Remington made a Power-Lokt HP at one time that older rifles liked. +1 on the crown, a rifle left muzzle down in a pick up truck can get a nasty looking crown.

I have reloaded for several Savage 340 222 rifles over the years, bores look less than perfect but they shot great with 55 gr flat bases. In my experience, less than perfect bores like flat bases. Helping people get 1903 Springfields shooting again I have found the same thing.

If you want a 1/2 inch rifle you should probably buy a new barrel and have it bedded. If you want a nice old walking varminter, try some flat bases at less than max velocity. Whatever you do, take it out and have fun with it.
 
Most of the people that have replied to this post have far more experience then me when new high end rifles are involved. I read there posts and I learn quite a bit. When it comes to old rifles that have seen better days, I have worked on my share. The farmer on the end of the road where I grew up had a 1950s vintage Sako .222 that spent a lot of time outside. When he passed I know how long the line was to get hands on that rifle.

It's bore was nasty, it was a tool for controlling varmints and it was used as such. It was a solid moa rifle, but more importantly it never changed zero. It shot factory 55 gr flat bases very well, and very consistently. I think Remington made a Power-Lokt HP at one time that older rifles liked. +1 on the crown, a rifle left muzzle down in a pick up truck can get a nasty looking crown.

I have reloaded for several Savage 340 222 rifles over the years, bores look less than perfect but they shot great with 55 gr flat bases. In my experience, less than perfect bores like flat bases. Helping people get 1903 Springfields shooting again I have found the same thing.

If you want a 1/2 inch rifle you should probably buy a new barrel and have it bedded. If you want a nice old walking varminter, try some flat bases at less than max velocity. Whatever you do, take it out and have fun with it.
Sounds to me like you have plenty of experience. Good advice.
 

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