Thought "ODD" Land/Groove Numbers was a New Fad

[CaptainMal]

Do have a 5R Broughton in 22-250 AI that's awesome and a 5R Krieger in 260 AI that's a problem child. Kept thinking that odd land/groove number was something new until I thought of clearing out the safe a bit and selling something. That "somethng" might be my old (1952 J ) Marlin 336 in 35 Rem. Never shot it. It may never have been fired. I don't know but after looking, thought this was "odd".

7 lands/grooves.

This post may be a big stupid but I really did think that odd number was a relatively new thing. Dug into other rifles and handguns I have. Did not find another "odd" rifle but did find multiple handguns, like a S&W Chief with 5.

They say those older ballard rifling Marlins were very accurate. I have no clue about mine and doubt I would ever shoot it as it's not drilled and tapped. Maybe an old Unertl, Fecker or Colmorgan could be found.

No. Just curious in case I sell the thing at some point. Is odd-numbered rifling common in ordinary production rifles?

 

[Minesweeper3433]

Odd number rifling has been around since rifling itself. I have pictures of some really old target flintlocks that are like that. If you are interested i can email them but I don't get along with photoshop programs for adjusting size.

 

[CaptainMal]

Thanks for answering the question. I Googled the question and did not get an answer. Just read Ned Roberts' book, Muzzle-Loading Cap Lock Rifle and it spoke lots about early rifling. Just don't remember anything about odd numbers.

Guess the new fad is related to that Russian deal with odd numbers and rifling that's "cut" at the edges.

Thanks again.

 

[nicholst55]

Both Lee Enfield and 'U.S. Enfield' (and P14 Enfield) rifles have 5 groove barrels, and they date to pre-WWI. So no, it's not a new concept.

 

[people]

The number of lands also varies within the same caliber. Some barrels during war time some 30 cal were only made with two lands. They shot pretty well. I shoot a three land tube on my 300WM.

Now many 22lrbr guys shoot two land tubes and they are doing quite well.

 

[butchlambert]

It ain't a 3 legged or 5 legged chair. The winning barrels are either 4 or 6 lands and grooves. A good barrel is a good barrel. Doesn't matter the lands and grooves.