Possible Barrel Bulge

[Riflecat]

Hello, I just picked up a “new to me” rifle today and spent a few minutes cleaning it before putting it away. As I was wiping down the barrel, I could feel it enlarge about 3” from the muzzle. It felt like the diameter increased a bit, and I could feel this all the way around the circumference of the barrel.

This made me nervous about a possible barrel bulge. I have only seen these bulges or barrel rings in Rimfire rifles and shotguns before. This is a heavy barreled center fire Varmint rifle so I was really not expecting to feel this.

My next step was to clean the barrel. I did not feel anything unusual with a brush or with a fairly loose patch. When I pushed a very tight patch it was hard to tell if anything was wrong, as it moved erratically throughout the barrel. I tried to visually inspect the bore after cleaning by eyeballing from the breech end, but I could not see anything unusual with my naked eye.

So my question is how likely is it that what I’m feeling is a bulge or ring in the barrel? The only other alternative I could think of is that maybe I am just a feeling a spot where there was a step down or up at that point during the machining of the outer barrel profile. I would like to get some thoughts before I decide what my next step should be with this rifle.

 

[TTE]

What make model (etc) of rifle
Post a pic's detailed and overall
measure the barrel both sides of where you think the problem is and where you think the problem is.

I'm not a smith or much knowledgeable on stuff like what you are asking, however that is what I would do in posting here about your question.

Good Luck

 

[7887mm08]

Get a micrometer to measure the barrel. If there is a difference in diameters?
Could be just poor machining, stuff happens or could be worse.

 

[KMart]

Is this a factory barrel or an after market replacement?

 

[DaveTooley]

It's not a safety issue. So what does the target tell you?

 

[Bill K]

My thought also, if it shoots nice little groups, what does it matter if there is a slight spot in the bore ?

It's not a safety issue. So what does the target tell you?

 

[jelenko]

It's not a safety issue because the possible bulge is not near the receiver?

 

[Alguapo]

I have a Remington .243 with a Rock Creek Barrel. Same issue . Gun was checked out by the Smith and it turned out to be crap machining from the Smith that built the rifle. Rifle shoots just fine. I'm keeping it the way it is.

 

[MGYSGT]

I just had 3" cut off my barrel for the same reason. I was a machining defect. I had to do it to another barrel a couple of years ago. If you have enough barrel, cut it off.

 

[hpshooter]

See how it shoots let the target tell you if anything needs to be done.

 

[Riflecat]

I got a chance to do some rough measurements of the outside barrel diameter. The good news is that at least with my crude tools and technique, I did not see any serious anomaly in the barrel diameters. It tapers gradually up from the muzzle through the remainder of the barrel length. What I was afraid to find was a smaller diameter behind the “bulge”, but I did not find that. Now does the rate of taper change in that area? Possibly, but I can’t define it for certain.

My first concern when asking the question was if there was any potential safety issue. In my limited research prior to posting, it looked like there might be some concern with high pressure centerfires, and this is a .223.

My next concern was accuracy. I know that the slightest anomaly in bore diameter, taper, twist ,rifling, etc.can keep a .22 Rimfire benchrest barrel from being competitive. Now this is a factory barrel and the standards may be different, but I do not want to compromise accuracy as I do intend to use this rifle for local competition.

I have not shot the rifle yet, and wanted to make sure it is not a serious issue before doing so since I just bought and received this rifle. As for cutting the barrel back, it is 26” long so many might be willing to do that, but I cannot because I wanted to keep this rifle eligible for shooting in a local factory class category.

I appreciate all comments so far and welcome any additional advice or feedback.

 

[Riesel]

Shoot It

 

[Ggmac]

Shoot it .

 

[jonbearman]

Is it a Remington or what? Many mass produced rifle barrels have little anomalies in them.

 

[JMayo]

I've seen them lumpy on the outside and fine on the inside.

 

[Riflecat]

Ok, sounds like I should shoot it and see. Hopefully it will just prove to be a normal manufacturing imperfection.

 

[mauser284]

I have seen it be a real issue and I have also seen it as an optical illusion. Sometimes seeking the advice of a local barrel maker or gunsmith is a good idea!

When in doubt air on the side of caution if you can afford to do so!

 

[mauser284]

In fact my mother taught me something that I apply to other things as well. When it came to food she used said " When in doubt throw it out!" my dad is just the opposite! LOL

Some caution never hurts but some moderation is also a good thing at times. You have to take the risk into consideration when talking about a high pressure vessel!

 

[divingin]

Back in the 80's, I had a couple of friends follow squibs with a live round in their revolvers. Barrels bulged but no detectable fractures or anything. They continued to shoot as well as they had been. A smith told me the same about 22 target rifles.

If your barrel continues to shoot, don't worry too much about it. It will resolve itself when it's time for a barrel change anyway.