Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

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Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by dando223 » 02 Sep 2019, 1:35 pm

Hi all, just after a bit of advice. My old man's first centrefire, an old sporterised Sportco 303/25 is quietly rusting away in his safe. I tried to clean out the barrel as best I could, but the bore was corroded so badly that it wont even stabilize 75gr Vmax let alone 100gr soft points. He takes his 270 along when we go out for pigs now and often talks about the ol 303/25 and how much he loved it. I know that financially it makes no sense at all, but the old man is getting on in years and I would give anything to see the old boy drop another pig with it (like I'd seen him do so many times when i was a kid). Short story is, dont really care about the cost, just want a new barrel so we can actually put a round on target nose first and with "minute of pig" accuracy.

I have asked a few shops around me and they said they'd ask around but no replies received from any of them. I'm based in Melb. Anyone know of any gunsmith that might have a 303/25 tube lying around that could re barrel for me? Have a couple of hundred Super cases and dies, and would really like it in 25 rather than standard 303. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by SCJ429 » 02 Sep 2019, 7:13 pm

For $660 Maddco will have a top quality barrel that will have it shooting like it never has before.
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by marksman » 02 Sep 2019, 9:46 pm

SCJ429 wrote:For $660 Maddco will have a top quality barrel that will have it shooting like it never has before.


this is how I would go,
it would be priceless seeing your dad drop a boar with it, I'm sure it would make him a happy man and it will be yours eventually
the memories are worth way more than the money :thumbsup:
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by deanp100 » 03 Sep 2019, 5:38 pm

A sprinter brawl will be a lot cheaper and more than enough for what you want.
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by SCJ429 » 03 Sep 2019, 9:25 pm

deanp100 wrote:A sprinter brawl will be a lot cheaper and more than enough for what you want.


What is a "Sprinter Brawl" and where do you get them?
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by deanp100 » 03 Sep 2019, 9:32 pm

SCJ429 wrote:
deanp100 wrote:A sprinter brawl will be a lot cheaper and more than enough for what you want.


What is a "Sprinter Brawl" and where do you get them?

A sprinter brawl is quite obviously the argument you get into when you realise spellcheck messed with your post and you didn’t notice.
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by SCJ429 » 03 Sep 2019, 9:44 pm

Are they an Australian barrel or from overseas? I have never heard of them. How much do they go for?
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by marksman » 03 Sep 2019, 10:09 pm

deanp100 wrote:
SCJ429 wrote:
deanp100 wrote:A sprinter brawl will be a lot cheaper and more than enough for what you want.


What is a "Sprinter Brawl" and where do you get them?

A sprinter brawl is quite obviously the argument you get into when you realise spellcheck messed with your post and you didn’t notice.


:lol: :lol: :lol: :drinks:


here is a second handy that may be worth a look :thumbsup:
https://ssaagunsales.com/listing/13680
https://www.rebelgunworks.com.au/produc ... 25-shb0070
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by deanp100 » 04 Sep 2019, 5:54 am

SCJ429 wrote:Are they an Australian barrel or from overseas? I have never heard of them. How much do they go for?

Sprinter are Australian made out of Adelaide. Been going for years. Make a good hunter quality barrel. Fair chance the original barrel on his 303/35 was probably a sprinter.
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 04 Sep 2019, 11:00 pm

Swan I think i have the most booring 222 compliments to Grant thing just shoots everything well.
Sako Varmint 243,Marlin 917, Lithgow La101 .22 , 1917 BSA 303 (ted), Finnish Vkt 1944 M39,T3X Super Varmint 223, Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 Howa 1500 308, BSA CF2 222, 1911 9mm, Adler 12G, Sako 7mm rem Mag,Ruger m77 mk1 22-250AI, Rem 700 17 Rem, BSA No 5 303
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by dando223 » 05 Sep 2019, 8:29 am

Thanks a heap for the advice gents!!! I'll be looking at all of the options you have suggested and hopefully will post a before & after of the old man's gun when its had a new lease on life!!! Can't wait to see him shoot it again. Much appreciated and cant thank you all enough!
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by SCJ429 » 14 Sep 2019, 11:03 am

Did you find out anything about Sprinter? How much are they?
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by deanp100 » 14 Sep 2019, 11:43 am

No real proof, but I sort of had an idea that they were in the 4-500 mark where the top barrels were in the 7-800.
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by gunnnie » 15 Sep 2019, 9:54 am

Theres a No1MkIII barrel in 303-25 with a bore condition listed as 8 out of 10, on firearmsales.com.au
They're asking $50 for it.
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by bigpete » 15 Sep 2019, 1:19 pm

You've never heard of Sprinter Arms company ? Seriously?
He charges $550 to supply and fit a blued barrel,and $580 for a stainless. If left alone to do things at his own pace he does a very good job. I'd be pretty darn sure he has plenty of 303-25 barrels laying around even. That may even make it cheaper. If not,he'll build one from scratch for the above prices....and it usually only takes him a a month or less to do it,unlike some of the other gunsmiths I've heard of....
He will also do 6 groove fluting for $160....if you're interested....
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by SCJ429 » 15 Sep 2019, 2:46 pm

Yes seriously I have never.

Perhaps he specialised in 303 barrels which I have never been in the market for.

The second hand one for $50 is hard to beat. Off to the gunsmith with it and you will be shooting again in no time.
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by pomemax » 15 Sep 2019, 3:11 pm

"I know that financially it makes no sense at all" apart from a bit of meat for the table can you tell me what does about shooting/reloading in any way.
Short story is, dont really care about the cost, I think thats shooting all in one sentence
you could get a donator rifle and swap the barreles around something like
http://www.owenguns.com/ads/lee-enfield ... ot-195-00/
Last edited by pomemax on 15 Sep 2019, 3:19 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by bigpete » 15 Sep 2019, 3:17 pm

No,he doesn't just do 303 barrels lol.
One of the only people in Australia who build squeeze bore barrels for 22 rimfires.along the lines of Arthur Langsfords designs too. Builds all sorts of target and hunting rifle barrels,will go up to .577
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by SCJ429 » 15 Sep 2019, 7:20 pm

Interesting, I have used Maddco mainly but also Tobler, Hardy, Benchmark, Pac Nor and Kreiger. I have never come across anyone with a Sprinter barrel. Funny thing is I have stayed in Hahndorf for a week and didn't come across his shop. He has a very limited online presence which would not be helping.

I am yet to have a Maddco that wasn't impressive so I cannot see any reason to change.
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by bigpete » 15 Sep 2019, 8:23 pm

He hasn't been in Hahndorf for many years,and when he was,he was in one of the back streets and it just looked like a regular house
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Re: Need advice: New barrel for old Sportco 303/25

Post by Elmer » 17 Sep 2019, 3:56 pm

I have heard about Sprinter Arms too, in fact I had a .22lr barrel made by him centuries ago....this guy does a good job with HUNTING BARRELS, so dont expect target grade accuracy from his work .
He is more than happy to churn out 1moa barrels but if your expecting his barrels to put bullets on top of each other well then you will be disappointed.
He once told a friend that he does not do target grade (bench rest grade) barrels, and to be honest he is a bit rough when it comes to not damaging the finish on your barrel.
I have had a couple of barrels crowned by him and he left long (up to 1inch and longer) deep chuck jaw scratches along the barrels finish.
By all means get your rifle re-barreled by him but dont be surprised if it comes back with more scratches and marks than you had when you dropped it off.
cheers,
Sean.
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