Bull Nutria
Member
A friend has subject with a slight bulge about 3 in. from muzzle. He said it is about 20/1000s. He said doesnt recall any obstructions. The gun is only a few years old. Browning told him not to shoot it. what say you?
Bull
Bull
Bulge in Browning SA22 Barrel
- Thread starter Bull Nutria
- Start date
Not enough info. First I can't imagine how. Has anyone seen a 22LR barrel bulge. How did he find it. When. What made him measure the outside . Is the hole bigger right there.
More to it than that. Of course browing said don't shoot it. I bought a python one time with a bulged barrel. First revolver. I was shooting it and my uncle took and got my money back.
More to it than that. Of course browing said don't shoot it. I bought a python one time with a bulged barrel. First revolver. I was shooting it and my uncle took and got my money back.
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,171
Yep, I have a bulged 10-22 barrel myself, somewhere. Can feel it as you run your hand down the taper. Also a few inches short of the muzzle.
It actually still shot ok for a stock 10/22...
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,171
Probably not by looking at a photo of it, its hard to photograph it with auto focus/exposure.
The bulges in this 10-22 barrel FEEL about like a rock in your shoe.
They are dark rings, looking down the bore.
Scooter22
Member
If the accuracy is ok for him use it. It,s not dangerous. I have several old .22 rifles with a ring or slight bulge that shoot fine. A ring is easy to see in the bore but the barrel may not seem bulged. But if you close your eyes and run your finger tips along the barrel you'll feel it even if it doesn't look like it. Using a pull through patch will also let you feel a ring/bulge from the loose spot. They were never target guns and accuracy is on par for those models. If the damage is very close to the muzzle it can effect accuracy more than several inches or more down the barrel. When the bullet jumps the loose spot it has more chance to stabilize in the remaining barrel to the muzzle. Thats my experience. All are semi autos except for one bolt action. It's easier to miss a squib when rapid firing. Good luck.
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OP
OP
Bull Nutria
Member
my friend sent the Sa22 to browning yesterday for examination.
I have an original flat top .44 Ruger from about 1961, had countless rounds thru it, has a bulged bbl just about even with the ejector rod screw.................no idea when or how I did it but I have never had an issue with it. I first discovered the matter while cleaning the bbl.........tight patch slips suddenly when you hit that point.................accuracy is unaffected and the bore appears as smooth as a new S&W, less that shadow ring. I SURE wouldn't worry about a .22 with the same condition.
sign216
Member
I'd like to hear what the factory will say. I agree with others, that in a .22 it's probably safe and should shoot okay.
I'm curious how there are so many bulged barrels "for no reason."
I'm curious how there are so many bulged barrels "for no reason."
Blue68f100
Member
All it takes is drop of water to cause a barrel bulge. Those that hunt in wet conditions will put a piece of tape over the end of the barrel. This blows off when fired not hurting accuracy but keep the water out.
Riomouse911
Member
I have two Remington 12 ga shotguns my Dad gave me, a Sportsman 58 and an 1100. Both have bulged barrels near their muzzles, he claims they were from “reloaded shells” he fired.
Both have nearly identical bulging, both about 1” from the muzzle. I think he got a bit of brush or debris in them while chasing quail and chuckar around the desert southwest. (He was a fanatical bird hunter for many decades.)
The 1100 also has a dent in the rib. There are no nicks or scratches on the metal, it looks like something heavy fell on it and struck the rib. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened while it was bouncing around in a soft case in the back of our old Jeep Wagoneer on the way to a hunting spot, that poor old beast was his favorite hunting rig.
Stuff happens. Hopefully the SA-22 gets fixed, or the barrel replaced, so the owner can go out and enjoy it again.
Stay safe.
Both have nearly identical bulging, both about 1” from the muzzle. I think he got a bit of brush or debris in them while chasing quail and chuckar around the desert southwest. (He was a fanatical bird hunter for many decades.)
The 1100 also has a dent in the rib. There are no nicks or scratches on the metal, it looks like something heavy fell on it and struck the rib. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened while it was bouncing around in a soft case in the back of our old Jeep Wagoneer on the way to a hunting spot, that poor old beast was his favorite hunting rig.
Stuff happens. Hopefully the SA-22 gets fixed, or the barrel replaced, so the owner can go out and enjoy it again.
Stay safe.
Scooter22
Member
And snow.
FROGO207
Member
I also have an old Savage bolt .22 that has a bulge about mid length on the barrel. It still shoots as accurate as my other .22 rifles. Got it used for next to nothing because of the bulge but previous owner had no idea how it happened.
sign216
Member
Riomouse911,
That rib should be easy to bend back. As for the bulges near the muzzle, a gunsmith could cut the barrel back, and thread for replaceable choke tubes, so the bulge is gone.
Joe
Riomouse911
Member
That’s the someday plan for them. The bluing is badly spotted-worn thin, and the stock finish is nearly rubbed off the 1100 from hard use, so it will probably get a cerakoting and stock refresh to go along with the barrel work. She still operates, but just as ugly as a mud fence.
Stay safe.
It's worth noting that if the gun is a valuable one that it IS possible to swedge the thing back to very nearly it's original configuration. I recall a demonstration of that process with an octagonal bbl............on an old Winchester lever gun that turned out undetectable.