Big Dog Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 Guys I seems to have developed a problem, maybe even just today. Was at the range this morning with my son where we had a great time shooting my .22lr, .222 and 6.5x55. We came home and I started the task of cleaning. I noted as the put the jab down the .22lr barrel there seen to be a free section, like as if you had exited the barrel but then it would tigthen again like the rest of the barrel, it was a 1 1/2 section. I check the outside of the barrel and oh no! there is a bulge in it. The rifle is Ruger bolt action I think is 77/22 or something like that in stainless. The only think I am aware of that could do that is to fire a shot without cleaning out any previous oil. What do you think, is there other reasons??? Big Dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 Did all your shots detonate properly, or did you have a squib and a bullet lodged in the barrel? You clean a .22LR? BTW sounds expensive to fix! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 sounds like it had a blockage mate, bloody bad luck, at least it wasn't one of your c/fires, they'd have blown up :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 best to get it checked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad93 Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 New barrel by the sounds of it fella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 (edited) I can't see oil residue would cause it to bulge, I'd say it would have to be a decent blockage. Any chance it could have got some dirt/mud stuck in the barrel, or any rounds fired that sounded different, possibly leaving a bullet lodged in the barrel? Just be glad it hasn't gone bang anyway, I don't think there is likely to be any way of mending it, probably new barrel time. Edited May 27, 2012 by bedwards1966 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 I dont think you can sell it either, as i suspect it is now out of proof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham M Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 The gun is scrap because it will be a lot cheaper to buy a new one than it will to re-barrel it. Oil can cause a bulge in a rifle barrel, but I suspect a bit of patch was left in there. Your only real option is to hand it in (minus the stock, trigger unit etc) and apply for a 1-4-1 for another .22rf. G.M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1066 Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 Almost certainly a bullet stuck up the tube, probably a round with just the primer giving it enough umph to get it started. It depends how far up the barrel the bulge is. If it is well up the barrel then it would be an easy job to chop it off, thread it and re-crown it. A .22 rifle will shoot perfectly accurately with quite a short barrel and if it looks a bit odd you could always fit a shroud or moderator. I'm sure there are many .22 rimmys being used every day with bulged barrels with no problems. The only reason you knew was because you did the unspeakable thing and poked a rod through it. :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 It could have been caused by oil or water in the barrel ,causing a ring bulge . This happens when a bullet is traveling down the barrel and there is oil or water on the walls of the barrel . Liquids are non compressible and the bullet will have to pass the liquid and will force the barrel out wards causing a ring bulge . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 Almost certainly a bullet stuck up the tube, probably a round with just the primer giving it enough umph to get it started. It depends how far up the barrel the bulge is. If it is well up the barrel then it would be an easy job to chop it off, thread it and re-crown it. A .22 rifle will shoot perfectly accurately with quite a short barrel and if it looks a bit odd you could always fit a shroud or moderator. I'm sure there are many .22 rimmys being used every day with bulged barrels with no problems. The only reason you knew was because you did the unspeakable thing and poked a rod through it. :o If the barrel is bulged then it will then become an inherent weak spot and should not be fired under any circumstances . As you say if the bulge is well up the barrel it could be chopped out . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted May 28, 2012 Report Share Posted May 28, 2012 (edited) It was almost certainly a stuck bullet. My guess is it will be about 4-6" from the breech. Oil bulges happen with centrefires but not usually .22s. It is actually much more common than you think. Loads of .22s espescially older ones have them. Most people don't even know they have one. Actually my advice is just carry on shooting the rifle, it wont make any difference and it won't be dangerous. I wouldn't say that for a shotgun or a c/f but a .22 is OK. You will have a problem when you come to sell it though. On the other hand, replacement barrels for Rugers will be available if you talk to a proper gunsmith and not some toy town dealer. The stainless ones are $110.25 from Numrich in the States. (thats £70) The ordinary blued steel ones are $75 (thats about £50) Both are listed as out of stock at the moment but thats not unusual with Numrich. It doesn't mean they are not available. Or one should be available from Viking Arms You can't order one but a gunsmith can. I would talk to Rimfire Magic about it. Its not very convenient for where you are but I would trust them to give you sensible answers. All this talk of the rifle being scrap is not correct. Just carry on using it Edited May 28, 2012 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRDS Posted May 28, 2012 Report Share Posted May 28, 2012 I would have a ring round Riflecraft and similar, you will have a good chance of dropping on a take off barrel at very little money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1066 Posted May 28, 2012 Report Share Posted May 28, 2012 All this talk of the rifle being scrap is not correct. Just carry on using it Excellent advice Vince. Finding an old Martini actioned .22 without a bulge could be an interesting hobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham M Posted May 28, 2012 Report Share Posted May 28, 2012 OK carry on using it if that's what you wish. As for a barrel being sent to you from Numrich for £50.......I wish you luck G.M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted May 28, 2012 Report Share Posted May 28, 2012 I personally after checking out the suspected bulge would quite happily shoot it in .22 lr. If it still shoots ok keep it. Most barrels have tighter and slacker areas and even tightly lodged dirt can give faulse impressions on a buldge. When shortening a barrel a good smith should always check he aint about to cut it at a slack spot. Slugging the very well cleaned barrel will show how much and were, depth should be measured and confirmed with measuring the OD of the barrel wall around that point BTW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted May 28, 2012 Report Share Posted May 28, 2012 SYSS were advertising screw cut stainless barrels for £90. They may still have some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted May 28, 2012 Report Share Posted May 28, 2012 well i would want it checked out.feel that it would play in the back of my head every time i pulled the trigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marky123 Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Its a 77/22.Or something.You can fit a 10/22 barrel,try rimfire central. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 I ring bulged a 22 once. The thing shot tighter groups after that. Honest. U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dog Posted June 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Guys thanks for all you comments. I will try the gun out agaon myself to see how it shoots. I will also look into replacing the barrel. I was thinking of changing it before this happened but I don't think I will now. I will let you know what become of this. Went to the pistol range today, took my daughter, we had a lot of fun, no worry about bulged barrels. Update you soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted June 3, 2012 Report Share Posted June 3, 2012 I remember it well for 20+years ago. A remmy 527 pumper and fooling around with Russian shorts shooting from the hip, during the fast shooting failed to notice one round never left the barrel! The following shot pushed the lodged one out and sounded funny. Checking the barrel by holding it up to the light the sky's light did reveal a bulge in the shiny blueing. I did not panic but got down to shoot some serious groups. I shot better groups with it! I also just happened to read an article about the same time in an old magazine about a target shooter whome under different circumstances the same thing had happened and to his amazement his rifle then shot tighter groups! You are correct to not to panic. Nothing is going to let go in your rifle due to a bulge! The tiny case rim would let go before any standard profile 22 barrel ever will. Best wishes. U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 A .22lr has relatively very little pressure, whatever round you fire. Bulges in barrels on these are rare, and will almost always relate to a blockage, but not even that is a sure way to bulge them. Someone mentioned bulges on the Martini, well, many of these were "club" guns and neglected, but the barrels are so thick and heavy there would have to be some serious problems to screw them up, that's why they were a mainstay for so many years and why there are still so many about! Just the same, a bulge on any barrel is a concern and a weaker spot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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