Trader sold me a burnt out 22-250 ???

[Crowsfeet]

So, the timeline is a bit long on this but bear with me.

I bought a 22.250 Sako 75 III heavy fluted stainless model from a well-known trader in Feburary 2022. So 14 month ago.

My first centrefire rifle. Since then I've never really managed to get a good grouping of less than 2" at 100yds.

It's difficult for me to shoot that calibre more than once or twice a month due to the distance of my permissions.
However, over time, I've tried 3 different scopes and a couple of different mounts but no real improvement. I found the recoil lug loose at one point and thought that was the issue. But no, still the same.

Last Weekend, The brilliant people at Malmo Guns (esspecially Gary) had a look at the gun for me and bore scoped it. They found that the crown is perfect, as is most of the barrel. However, the first 3 to 4 inches from the Lands is severely fire cracked and worn out. To such an extent that they wouldn't even consider a px the gun if I wanted to, and definitely wouldn't sell it in that condition.
They did get in touch with their gunsmith for a price to rebarrel and it came in at just less than £1K

After looking at my license for purchased ammo, I've bought 160 since my licence was reprinted in May 2022 and I have 23 rounds in my safe. If I bought and fired a further 60 through it between my purchase date of Feb and reprinted licence of May that's a total of less than 200 shots in my ownership. I don't do target shooting. Just fox and trying to Zero it.

I'm yet to go back to the shop to discuss this and will do so this Saturday morning.

So, my friends.........

Legally ??
Morally ??



Any/all advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Geoff.

 

[VSS]

22-250 is the most accurate calibre I've ever shot. If it wasn't putting shot on shot at 100yds I'd be thinking something was wrong long before I'd had it for 14 months.

 

[Crowsfeet]

22-250 is the most accurate calibre I've ever shot. If it wasn't putting shot on shot at 100yds I'd be thinking something was wrong long before I'd had it for 14 months.

Yeah I get that. But, it's my very first centrefire. I've tried different ammo thinking it was fussy etc. Changed scopes etc. The last thing I was thinking was a problem with the rifle after buying from a reputable firearms shop.

Is it possible the barrel was good? Highly unlikely given the accuracy issues from day one and the state of the barrel now

 

[ashray]

i imagine the dealer will say they can not help ,within 3 months possibly but after that then no. too many things could have happened to the rifle. he may offer you a low price to px it against some thing else. my advice ,for what its worth ,walk away from that dealer go and buy a new rifle from a decent dealer/rfd and have many,many years of fox shooting with the new rifle. put this unpleasant event behind you. but please post the sellers name and location so no one else gets caught out .!!

 

[HonestJohn]

They can be barrel burners, esp if run hot and strings of fire. The shop who sold it should have properly inspected it and sold it as a re barrel project or deep discount. If they didn’t properly inspect it, they should declare that Pre-sale.

Also do bear in mind that every borescoper will recommend they fit you a new barrel

Always be wary of a heavy barrel/varmint used gun, they were likely bought to be used!

Legally - move on, been too long..buy a new rifle and sell this as a re barrel project. It’s a great action, should fetch you £350 ish I’d imagine.

Life lesson learned, keep walking.

 

[Will the chippy]

I had exactly this problem with a sako 85. Apparently only had 200 shots before the previous owner died. Being my first centrefire I assumed I was a rubbish shot. All groups around the 2" plus mark.
I took it to a different gunshop with a look to reloading for better accuracy. I had a go at a target and the results were poor, so I said to the owner for him to have a go and the results were much the same, but he did say the comb was low.
We scoped it and it was rough inside. I decided there and then I was to get a new rifle. Whilst waiting for the new one to arrive I had someone suggest it might be parallax error and me hovering my head over my low comb.
A bit of pipe lagging and tape and I shot my first 1" group of 10 shots.
Take a look at that before you try anything else as it will only cost you 10 rounds of ammo.

 

[EMcC]

Failing any of the above suggestions get in touch with James of JagerSa, he is doing some re-barrel jobs at the moment at a very good price and is turning them round a lot quicker than before.

 

[308tikka]

So, the timeline is a bit long on this but bear with me.

I bought a 22.250 Sako 75 III heavy fluted stainless model from a well-known trader in Feburary 2022. So 14 month ago.

My first centrefire rifle. Since then I've never really managed to get a good grouping of less than 2" at 100yds.

It's difficult for me to shoot that calibre more than once or twice a month due to the distance of my permissions.
However, over time, I've tried 3 different scopes and a couple of different mounts but no real improvement. I found the recoil lug loose at one point and thought that was the issue. But no, still the same.

Last Weekend, The brilliant people at Malmo Guns (esspecially Gary) had a look at the gun for me and bore scoped it. They found that the crown is perfect, as is most of the barrel. However, the first 3 to 4 inches from the Lands is severely fire cracked and worn out. To such an extent that they wouldn't even consider a px the gun if I wanted to, and definitely wouldn't sell it in that condition.
They did get in touch with their gunsmith for a price to rebarrel and it came in at just less than £1K

After looking at my license for purchased ammo, I've bought 160 since my licence was reprinted in May 2022 and I have 23 rounds in my safe. If I bought and fired a further 60 through it between my purchase date of Feb and reprinted licence of May that's a total of less than 200 shots in my ownership. I don't do target shooting. Just fox and trying to Zero it.

I'm yet to go back to the shop to discuss this and will do so this Saturday morning.

So, my friends.........

Legally ??
Morally ??



Any/all advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Geoff.

you needed to have inspected at time of purchase... how is the gunshop expected to stand over a sale 14 months later?

Rebarrel - you can do so for less than quoted price

 

[norma 308]

If the crown is decent would accuracy be that poor ?? My 22/250 is 20 yrs old hardly cleaned I bet it’s probably similar inside after 1000s through it still shoots 1” crowns was redone when threaded as it was bought pre mod !

 

[Tuck]

I have to say me personally I don’t see how you can take it back after 14 months… very frustrating I’m sure but 14 months is a long time to question a purchase.

 

[Will the chippy]

I have to say me personally I don’t see how you can take it back after 14 months… very frustrating I’m sure but 14 months is a long time to question a purchase.

In my case I went back to the shop and explained everything and said I don't expect anything. But they gave me a very good price for a trade in and I bought a new tikka and GRS stock. Which is awesome. More than happy with the outcome. I'd left it too long to expect them to sort under warranty. Just put it down to experience.

 

[75]

Malmö’s gunsmith is good. Very, very good.

For me, that action is worth a rebarrel. See if you can get something out of the original seller towards it (I doubt you will) then ether buy something new or have that action rebarrelled. Life’s too short to lose sleep over these things - easier said than done, I know!

Have a chat with @Ronin on here if you want a “second” opinion

 

[Tuck]

In my case I went back to the shop and explained everything and said I don't expect anything. But they gave me a very good price for a trade in and I bought a new tikka and GRS stock. Which is awesome. More than happy with the outcome. I'd left it too long to expect them to sort under warranty. Just put it down to experience.

Yeah that is very fair and possibly the best outcome for both parties, hopefully the vendor can come up with some solution to help tge op out..

 

[Bo Diddley]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Walk back into the gunshop and ask them what they feel they can do, the worst is they will laugh in your face, and the best is a full refund, simple.

 

[Crowsfeet]

Thanks for the comments. I feel my only hope is the small amount of rounds purchased on my licence and some good morals getting the gunshop.

I know 14 month is a long time, but I have to try.

I'm not asking for something for nothing. I think it's obvious that it must have been worn pre sale. £800 too

 

[Utectok]

I think a lot of us have bought shot out rifles it’s pretty annoying but also the is often not a lot you can do if you get a bad dealer. I suggest rebarrel if it’s a decent action or buy a new rifle and move on…. I’m pretty cautious about second hand rifles these days…..

 

[DavyG]

Go down your local high street and buy a pair of shoes. After 14 months, take them back because they don’t fit.
Do you see where I’m coming from…?
DG

 

[Crowsfeet]

Go down your local high street and buy a pair of shoes. After 14 months, take them back because they don’t fit.
Do you see where I’m coming from…?
DG

Erm, no!!

 

[viking90]

Failing any of the above suggestions get in touch with James of JagerSa, he is doing some re-barrel jobs at the moment at a very good price and is turning them round a lot quicker than before.

No no you can't mention him on here. You'll stir up this septic tank and trigger all sorts of "isms"

 

[enfieldspares]

Thanks for the comments. I feel my only hope is the small amount of rounds purchased on my licence and some good morals getting the gunshop.

Yes, but, by counter argument if you fired ALL of the rounds your FAC shows that you have expended in just five minutes the bore would be pretty much the worse for wear. I think I'd have to say that you've not much of a chance I fear. I am assuming also that you looked down the barrel when you bought it and, on that examination, went ahead and purchased the thing? All I could suggest is take it back in, all nonchalant, don't mention the bore, and ask is he'd like to buy it as you've your eye on a new motorcycle, car, kitchen or whatever and need a deposit and see what rises to the bait.