Relined barrel on my Stevens model 44 is way off.

[13Bravo]

I had a reputable gunsmith reline my Stevens Model 44 .22lr and also a Stevens Favorite that was originally a .25rf. The Favorite came back shooting pretty well, the Model 44 shot about 10 inches high and 10 inches right. I've drifted both front and rear sight to the max on the model 44, but it looks ridiculous and poi is still way up there.

Can relining it again correct this? I have to confess that it's been over a year since I got this rifle back, I got sidetracked and never got around to seeing what the gunsmith could do.

I'm wondering what others have experience with relining of barrels and if anyone has had a similar issue.

Thanks. Jon.

 

[Kp321]

I have relined several 22's and have not had a similar experience. When drilling out the old rifling, a piloted bit is used which keeps the hole straight and is sized to provide minimum clearance between the liner and the barrel. Something does not sound right, is the liner manufactured properly (concentric)?

 

[13Bravo]

Thanks for the feedback Kp321. My hole was drilled crooked I guess or you mentioned faulty liner. I'll get her back to the gunsmith. I saw west Texas on the news. It looked a little windy.

 

[boom boom]

First, did you try alternative .22 LR ammo--for me, it seems that rifles firing .22 LR are a bit fickle in what they like which is why I still keep some awful dirty Thunderbolt ammo because I have a .22 that likes it best accuracy wise. You might find something that it likes.

Did the gunsmith epoxy the liner or solder it? Soldering is easier to fix but harder to do right initially which is why a lot of gunsmiths switched to using epoxy which is a bit more involved to redo.

 

[krs]

How's that off shooting 44's crown? A crown that's nicked, off square, or in any of several ways not good can play hell with accuracy as well as change the point of impact.

I can imagine some of the "gunsmiths" these days not even knowing the importance of a barrel's crown when doing a reline, but obviously know nothing about your guy's work practices.

 

[13Bravo]

I realize I left out a few pertinent facts in my original post. First I guess is that 10" high 10" right is at 15 yards. The target crown they put on looks good but I don't think my framing square will tell me much, I would guess a degree off would probably translate significantly downrange. Also, I see no evidence of solder so I'm thinking epoxy.

This was my first time getting a rifle relined so I'm learning.

 

[boom boom]

I realize I left out a few pertinent facts in my original post. First I guess is that 10" high 10" right is at 15 yards. The target crown they put on looks good but I don't think my framing square will tell me much, I would guess a degree off would probably translate significantly downrange. Also, I see no evidence of solder so I'm thinking epoxy.

This was my first time getting a rifle relined so I'm learning.

Brownells has a diy guide for it that has useful information about the process. Redman's also has a bit about it.
https://www.brownells.com/userdocs/learn/Inst-143 Barrel Liner.pdf

 

[Jim K]

A simple fact of life is that lined barrels sometimes just don't work or ever shoot straight, but it sounds like the smith might have messed things up. That is not hard to do and is one reason why barrel liners and boring bits are sold together so that the liner will be as close a fit in the hole as possible. If the barrel is not a tight slip fit it can be actually bowed in the middle and even if the rifle is accurate (in terms of group size), the point of impact may have little relationship to the point of aim. Also, don't overlook the possibility that the gun was never right; many rifles, especially inexpensive ones, are simply bored crooked. In its original form, the sights may have been adjusted or the barrel bent to get the gun to shoot where it looked, but lining the barrel would eliminate the "fix" and the gun would be back to shooting "crooked."

Jim

 

[13Bravo]

Thank you, Jim. Before the reline this bore was terrible and key holed bullets all over the place, so it was pretty bad. If it can't be fixed I won't be too upset, it is an old model 44 with a brown patina and no finish left whatsoever. I may start looking for a replacement barrel if the smith can't do anything.

 

[boom boom]

Thank you, Jim. Before the reline this bore was terrible and key holed bullets all over the place, so it was pretty bad. If it can't be fixed I won't be too upset, it is an old model 44 with a brown patina and no finish left whatsoever. I may start looking for a replacement barrel if the smith can't do anything.

Try a variety of .22 LR ammo varied by velocity HV and regular, bullet type (lead/copper plated/ hollow point/weight), and maker, first before going back to the gunsmith. From my experience, .22 LR seems to have more variance in how well it shoots in particular rifles. You just might find a type it likes.

A lot of times, far more than centerfires, a change in .22 LR ammo can magically "fix" a firearm.

 

[Jack B.]

Don't reline anything . Don't know why you would.

 

[BBBBill]

Don't reline anything . Don't know why you would.

Relining is a proven process for saving old, sometimes valuable guns in .22 rimfire and some other low pressure rounds, especially when period correct barrels are not available to refit. Nothing new or hinky about it. I've done several with good results.

 

[Jim Watson]

14" off at 15 yards is awful, a very crooked liner job.
I would see what the original gunsmith has to say.
After that, shop around. John Taylor has a good reputation.
You might could find a takeoff barrel or parts gun and just turn the shank to fit. I have seen a few "mixmasters" like that.

 

[LoonWulf]

with it being THAT far out at such a short distance, id think youd be able to see a miss alignment on the liner either at the breach or muzzle. If there was curvature in the liner in the middle then looking down the barrel into bright light should show some distortion?

 

[13Bravo]

Looking at the muzzle end the sleeve may have a miniscule gap while the 1915 Favorite sleeve can barely be seen. Looking down the barrel I may see a curve but it's hard to say for sure. I should be able to get to the smith this Friday and I'll let you all know the outcome. Thanks for the replies, I can in there with a bit more knowledge than I had before.