Shootin' the Renegade

sabotloader · 05-20-2006, 08:03 PM

Sharp Shooter - Don't look...

As some of you know I have an old Renegade (1/48 - 54 cal)that I bought off e-bay 3 or 4 years ago - it really isn't what I thought I was buying but I got it. It was a kit - inletting was OK, but I have always hated the barrel. The "really good" barrel came "really dirty" and "pitted." I just have never been able to adjust to the fact that I have apitted barrel.

Right after I got it I did go shoot it and I'll be darned - the darn thing was really accurated. I remember one time even lobbing XTP's at a pie plate 150 yards down range - can not say I got a group but I hit the plate. Well over time I have polished it with JB's -lapped it with a lapping compund - fire lapped it - but still thesmall lumps of oatmeal remain in the bore - and that continues to haunt me. Well last week I bought another barrel (Renegade 54 cal 1/48) - it was advertised as "almost new" - I thought ok here I go again - well I ended up getting it for $60 and low and behold - I can not really tell it has ever been fired - I am happy.All of this leads to today's excursion to the Strychine Gravel. I have swung a deal with the guy I bought the latest barrel - he is going to pay shipping and I'll send the barrel to him to resale the pitted barrel again... I told him no one will pay much much for a used pitted barrel butthe sights and orignal ram rod alone should cover shipping. I then told him I would go out and shoot a target with the barrel so he could show that the thing still shoots great. He could use the picture as part of the advertisement.

Well - hereare the pics - I tell you it will still shoot - pits or no pits - but in few days I will not have to worry about it any longer....

cayugad · 05-20-2006, 08:11 PM

I'm not so sure I would get rid of that barrel. Now I have to get some .54 caliber sabots so I can try mine. I shot some sabots out of mine but they were OK to say the least. I got them on a clearance sale for $3.95 for 20 of them and bought them because they looked lonely...

Nice shooting there...

Sharp Shooter · 05-21-2006, 06:05 PM

Hey now... Why can't I looke. I'm not saying I looked

... but I was just asking.

alleyyooper · 05-22-2006, 06:38 AM

Shooting groups like that I would have a hard time giving that barrel up pits or no pits.

I guess it just goes to show you beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. My eyes be hold the targets group, can't see any pits at all

.

Al

sabotloader · 05-22-2006, 09:03 AM

yooper

Quote:

Shooting groups like that I would have a hard time giving that barrel up pits or no pits.

I know, I know, but it bugs me - it is one of those thingsI just can not let go...And I am not a perfectionist by along ways - but it bugs me. I have not even shot this new barrel but I am hoping it works as well. I changed sights yesterday took my fiber optics off and install stock sights back on the oatmeal barrel. Have not got it packed up yet to send off but I will - I want the my problem gone.... let it be someone elses...

mike

alleyyooper · 05-22-2006, 11:57 AM

Some one elses problem that is funny. Just stick the load data in the barrel when you pack it and some one is going to be one huge happy camper. After all some one is going to over look the pits to buy it.

Best of luck on the new barrel. Hope it is a shooter like this one for you. Well how about better

although I think that will bee hard to do.

Al

Tahquamenon · 05-23-2006, 09:26 AM

I've got several ML's that came to me with pitted and rusted barrels and after some elbow grease and bore polishing they all shoot really pretty well and some shoot just as well as anything including new.

I've been laboring on an 50 cal Cabelas/Investarms Trade rifle that I picked up cheap butwith a really terrible bore. Since, I've got it shooting 5-6" groups from locked bench at 100 yards. I think with some more polishing I can squeak a little better accuracy out of it.

I'm with you though, I can't stand to see a neglected arm.[

]

I would hang on to the barrel. You have it and you know it's a good shooting barrel. Perhaps you may find a time that you would rather have a not so perfect barrel on the rifle.

Like if you loan it out to someone or for training a new shooter or if you are going to hunt in poor weather.

M2C,

Tahquamenon

sabotloader · 05-23-2006, 04:37 PM

TQ

Quote:

I would hang on to the barrel. You have it and you know it's a good shooting barrel. Perhaps you may find a time that you would rather have a not so perfect barrel on the rifle.

You know you really make a good point - I work with a lot of kids and your thought about a loaner really makes the idea sound solid

thank you