w0rks2much Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 Hi Folks, I would like to share with you a re-barrel job that has been completed by James Clark (Jager SA of Colchester). My Remington 700 .308 was a custom build that I used primarily for target shooting and a little hunting (fallow from a high seat), recently the group started to open up that cleaning, soaking and cleaning couldn’t fix. In the back of my mind I knew this was a serious problem. There is nothing more frustrating than being unable to diagnose a fault. A friend recommended James, we spoke on the phone and James offered to take a look with his bore scope, the result was the barrel was knackered. Disaster! James took the time to discuss my options, I never once felt pressured, he just got that the rifle meant a lot to me and after a while we ended up on re-barrel job. Numerous barrel options were discussed from his stock and alternatives that could be ordered in. I left my rifle with James while I did a little research and settled on a True Flite Ultra Match. I wanted the barrel screw cut 18/1 with a hidden thread protector, polished, fitted back into my bedded action and proofed. I couldn’t believe how little he charged for the job, very reasonable indeed. James even took the time to repaint the action, not only to improve the look but to protect and extend the life of the action. Of course the true test is at the range and I must say it doesn’t disappoint incredible accuracy and a tighter group than the previous custom barrel. Once re-zeroed I couldn’t wait to go hunting, three Fallow and one Muntjac later I can confirm the rifle is spot on. A big thank you to James Clark – Jager SA for turning my failing rifle back into a precision instrument, outstanding workmanship at the best price around. Any and all future rifle work will be headed to Jager SA. Thanks, Jeff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brown dog Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 Gosh. Although that's written like an advertorial; Jeff assures me that his praise is entirely unsolicited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106uk Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 James has an excellent reputation for both the quality of his work and his prices over on The Stalking Directory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotch_egg Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 What was the cost of the labour for the re-barrel? For some reason most rifle builders websites don't list their prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krabryn Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 An excellent example of true professionalism by Jager SA. Thank you for sharing real talent. A privilege to read Thank you Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted December 30, 2015 Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 How long was your rifle with James from start to finish and was this done very recently? Good to see you are happy, that matters more than anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w0rks2much Posted December 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 Hi big al, I'm trying to PM you but your inbox is full? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunner Posted December 30, 2015 Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 Great to hear , out of interest , what was the round count on old custom barrel if known ? Taa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted December 30, 2015 Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 Hi big al, I'm trying to PM you but your inbox is full? Why not share the info with everyone? Im sure others would be interested in the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gun nut Posted December 30, 2015 Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 Hi w0rks2much, I'm truly glad that you had such a great experience with Jaeger SA,unfortunately that has not been the experience of 2 people I know quite well, one quite a while ago and one quite recently. I'm not intrested in bad mouthing anyone but I fell victim (to the tune of £500) of someone else who came with glowing references on here because no one posted a balancing side to the glowing reports.(names withheld because it would serve no usefull purpose) Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DL. Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 In the interests of balance, I've had an example of his work re-done by another gunsmith too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17 Rem Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Is it just me who wonders what the fascination with lathering everything with paint is all about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCetrizine Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Dulux seem to be doing OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Pimp Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Is it just me who wonders what the fascination with lathering everything with paint is all about? Most firearms have some sort of 'factory' coating - bluing for example. These coatings help resist corrosion and improve appearance. If an RFD fits you a new barrel, it will be 'in the white'. Some shooters are happy with this (me for example) but some like a polished barrel etc. Polishing and bluing and similar chemical processes are tedious and can be expensive. Then they invented Cerakote. It's more than just a paint - the coating is so thin - and tough - that close-fitting components (like threads) will still work even after painting. A fair bit of prep. is still required - total strip-down, media blasting, chemical cleaning - prior to spraying and high-temp baking. And there is a vast range of colours. What's not to like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradders Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Most firearms have some sort of 'factory' coating - bluing for example. These coatings help resist corrosion and improve appearance. If an RFD fits you a new barrel, it will be 'in the white'. Some shooters are happy with this (me for example) but some like a polished barrel etc. Polishing and bluing and similar chemical processes are tedious and can be expensive. Then they invented Cerakote. It's more than just a paint - the coating is so thin - and tough - that close-fitting components (like threads) will still work even after painting. A fair bit of prep. is still required - total strip-down, media blasting, chemical cleaning - prior to spraying and high-temp baking. And there is a vast range of colours. What's not to like? Yes, I think it's entirely down to the shooters preference as to what he wants, in that same way some will be happy with a plain black stock, some like the Marbleised McMillan ones, some like tan or green and some like camo. Some even like skeletonised aluminium ones. Some people are happy with a stainless finish, be it machined, bead blasted, shot blasted for a matt appearance, vapour blasted or with or without contrasting colours in the flutes....if they have flutes. And talking about flutes, some like shallow, deep, spiral, interrupted etc I think you get my drift, it really doesn't matter like it doesn't matter to me what colour someones car or bathroom suite is. What Cerakote and Duracoat do is offer the builder an alternative finish to offer customers. It's not so easy to get a barrel and action blued or phosphated unless they a) have their own RFD, 2) are willing to do it, 3) willing to do it while you wait, with you standing over them Variety as they say....... 17Rem, i could paraphrase you and say "Is it just me who wonders what the fascination with lathering everything with paint sticking a big daft bipod on your gun and spending all and every evening trimming your meplats is all about?" But I won't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbal Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Mark,with you on taste/lack of it etc etc-it's all very subjective-pretty close to Oscar Wilde's comment-not critical really,just true- about fashion... But wrt Rem,and your reply.....there are some things that improve shooting accuracy,and some that improve it a lot-a bipod is one of the big improvers for most shooters-I know I can't shhot so well offhand (I find it difficult to allow precisely for the coreolis effect :-) ). I understand the rationale for not using such aids sometimes- I like to offhand the lever actions,eg and pretend I'm....well,it doesn't matter...but let's say Craig Boddington in the Pensylvania deer woods....). Some practices though-and I'd agree about meplet trimming are for serious afficionados of ultimate precision only- probably don't make much difference unless you are a podium contender at national competition level,as far as accuracy goes (accuracy is what the shooter gets from the rig's engineering precision),but it may well improve shooter confidence,or remove another little niggling doubt. So why not. It's a bit like target size-and indeed relates to that. The offhand l/a is fine for fig 11s to 500; I'd need something'better'-but not meplet uniform-for golf balls at that distance,and definitely including a secure rest. As they say,horses for courses,and as the great Warren Page added-'It's differences of opinion that make for horse races." And since it's seasonal,'God rest ye,merry gentlemen'...or not.... "as you like it". :-) gbal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradders Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 What are you on about George? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbal Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Core ideas,Mark: Bipods useful to many,but not all,shooters;here to stay,not a fashion or a joke. Meplet trimming appeals to only a few,a passing fad perhaps. Implication: You are unjustly intolerant of bipods. Optional : Oscar Wilde nails fashions; Warren Page nails opinions; Gun Pimp nails Ceracote. g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradders Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Happy New Year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finman Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 What Cerakote and Duracoat do is offer the builder an alternative finish to offer customers. Perhaps a more cynical view would suggest that it also offers the builder a way out from bad machining marks etc...but, that would be cynical... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradders Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 Perhaps a more cynical view would suggest that it also offers the builder a way out from bad machining marks etc...but, that would be cynical... I wouldn't say so as I think they would show through. Neither of them go on very thick.....unless you know differently Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17 Rem Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 17Rem, i could paraphrase you and say "Is it just me who wonders what the fascination with lathering everything with paint sticking a big daft bipod on your gun and spending all and every evening trimming your meplats is all about?" But I won't I think you are confused. I don't care what a meoplat is and certainly don't know how to trim one. Perhaps you cover it in paint and wait for bits to come off? I don't have a 'big daft bipod', just the normal Harris version which many people who use normal sporting rifles favour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brown dog Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 Hmmm. Would it be a good idea for everyone to have a go at typing with big, beaming New Year smiles on their faces? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbal Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 Good will all year round is a good idea,Matt. Preferences should be respected,at least tolerated,if not admired or followed. I got a tripod for my black rifle,but it's staying black. The latest PRS survey (PRS is first shot cold barrel 1-2 moa steel targets at 200-1200y,from varied positions): Meplet trimming and bullet repointing (remaking the hollow point more uniform essentially): Of the top 100 PRS shooters,only 19 did so ...... .....but 7 were in the top 20.... go figure ....(remember most used Bergers,already pretty good from the box....and this really relates only to PRS type shooting...but these guys are good-the top in the discipline.) I don't think there were many candy coloured tangerine dream rifles,cammo seems popular,but color wasn't surveyed.... :-) gbal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradders Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 Happy new year everyone, even if your rifle is painted or you're prone positionally challenged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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