Machining barrel

[white van man]

Hi All

 

I have been on the lookout for a Stalking/foxing rifle in .223. I have been offered a nice set up but it has a very heavy target type barrel.

I was thinking what the hiccups might be to have this machined down to a slimmer weight and shortened.

The rifle is a Savage so the barrel is detachable.

 

Cheers Steve.

[gbal]

Steve: mainly just cost-shortening will lose about 20fps per inch(very ball park-and wont matter), and you can choose weight/length etc.but not too pricey,fluting will be at least a couple of hundred,maybe more (?). Add crowning/threading.You might be looking at £350 ,and maybe a fair bit more.Just shorter might be fine-you should retain accuracy,weight loss proportional to shortening.(you can google for approx weight loss figures-depends on profile)

There may be a case for a replacement lighter Savage factory barrel,easy if it's a barrel nut savage fixing. But that won't be much different cost-wise compared to fluting and shortening.

gbal

[white van man]

Hi Gbal,

Was thinking more along the lines of a varmint barrel, Doesn't need fluting just turning down to make it narrower and shorter.

My concern is: by machining the barrel would stresses be set up resulting in inaccuracy, I believe a new barrel is turned down after it has been rifled so why not an older barrel.

Had thought about going a new barrel route who would be the dealer to supply one.

Cheers Steve.

[gbal]

Steve- you are right-turning down would be cheaper-but risk stresses-it's not predictabe with certainty if/how much accuracy might suffer. I've had a very light 223 that was made by turning down a barrel-don't knw how much if any deterioration,and a sako 222 med heavy barrel shortened-still .25moa but not quite so light as the 223,though the two were not done to compare....

I suppose you could shorten,see how it handles,then reprofile if not satisfactory....or pass,and buy just what you actually want-for me,that would be about how much I wanted that rifle,and the total costs...

Worth checking the new barrel replacement...it would of course have no wear,but a 223 foxer takes a bit of wearing out(do you know the 223s history/performance as is?)-savage dealer,maybe Osprey,who won't think cutting barrel is odd...if you want that too)...overall for a foxing /carry/cab rifle ,short and light has merit.....

unless you use a big spacy cab white van,with cammo net !

g

[white van man]

Hi G.

 

We should start a new topic ( the origins of forum names) I am "white van man" because I'm a dealer not cause I drive one.

Often thought about buying one of those transits with Range rover 4x4 drive and suspension and a cherry picker on top as a high seat seat spray it in camo and convert the back into a chiller.

 

Anyway back to real life, the rifle is a known gun as it's a friend who is giving up. I have a gun smith mate so the work will be at the right price but he is sceptical about skimming a barrel, hence my asking on here,shortening is not a problem.

 

Thanks again for the input.

Steve

[gbal]

Steve,gotcha...."A rose by any other colour would smell as sweet'*....though those Yorks and Lancs folks took a while to get sorted...I'm a Scott (thanks,Mum) and a Scot (pre snp, just luck) by birth.

OK, you need more informed metallurgical/smithing experience than I have second hand,shorter should pose no issues,absolutely worst scenario is new savage barrel,if disaster ensues.'Skimming' prob ok-a foxing rifle does not need to be a Bench Rest queen-though of course Charlie needs a clean exit from 'his mortal coil.) *

Your Vulpicide Special Edition would sell,though commercially,I suspect the market is perhaps limited,no doubt specialised-would you do Ceracote specials?**

 

g

 

*all quotations by/inspired by Shakespeare,W

** first shot I fired from inside ( yes I know-sliding door was too tempting) my (VW) RV left me deaf for an half an hour- welcome to the 17Rem,though I assume any other cartidge would give similar effects.

Concept was ok,though-windy days were for windsurfing-now I can't,can only shoot,but it's quieter than it once was.