I've been trying to get some sort of sensible performance out of my MSch M1903 Takedown for a good while now. The rifle is 1922 proof date and I wasn't expecting anything exceptional in terms of groups.
But, I cannot get any kind of consistency at all using the Hornady #2640 160gn RN bullet, nor from the 140gn SST.

I was hoping for at least 2" @ 100yds consistency, but NO! Not a chance. At first I thought so, but no, it's just not happening. I maybe get three within 2-2 1/2" then flyers out to 4 & 5" away.

So I've checked the rifle thoroughly and the scope and the iron sights and cannot find anything obviously wrong.
The bore, while worn, is clean & clear still showing reasonable rifling and it's neither pitted nor rusted. The crown looked somewhat dubious, but not ridiculous, but I thought what the hell & had it recrowned last week. So now it's sharp and clear.

I had the idea maybe more 'bite' between bullet and lands might help and measured the Hornady 160gn bullets @ .258" not the .264" I'd expected to see.
Now I notice the Hornady Carcano bullet is listed at .267" so I'd expect it's real life diameter to be .006" less @ .261" if it follows the #2640 bullet dimension pattern.

Is it too much of a risk to try it?
While I have an idea how to slug a barrel, I've never done it and don't know any gunsmith within striking distance of me who has, so what to do???
All suggestions welcome ..
Other than that, the rifle goes into my cupboard and I get on with a different project, forgetting completely that this one is un-huntable and just a nice piece of engineering .. or, re-barrel?????