Guys,

For your information, just received a quote from PacNor regarding a chambered (10.75x68), contoured barrel in their standard match grade chrome-moly. Price US$230 (AUD$300) plus shipping, US$180 for the barrel, US$50 for chambering. No problem shipping "steel tubing" to Australia. Might be worth a look if you've got a wildcat or exotic caliber in mind and can't locate a reamer as their chamber listing is quite extensive. Website is www.pac-nor.com

Cheers...

Con

Gadge,
No sweat, if I go down this path I'll be doing it the right way to avoid any hassles or delays. Original post was primarily to inform people that PacNor is an affordable option in comparison to say Lothar who will charge an additional $200 for the same service, and don't offer anywhere near the same caliber or barrel choices.
Cheers...
Con

Pac-Nor does a very good job.

.416,

my .585 barrel is a tobler....good to herat hose cast .50 cal projectiles showed up !!

I know I'm going to cop it from a lot of you for saying this, but, shouldn't we be supporting our own Aussie barrelmakers??

Con,
No worries mate, just didn't want anyone to land in the shite.

One point on cost though, find out what Pac-Nor want to do the export paperwork first. Some US suppliers charge high for this. Brownells want USD20 min [for up to USD1000 order value] for the full export license works. And they're about the cheapest on this. They also say it's a 30-40 day delay to get the license.

Trev,
Con had two problems here to overcome. 1. Getting a .423" groove diam barrel; 2. Chambering it in 10.75x68 - he hasn't been able to track down an Oz smith with the reamer etc, though at least one is known to have come in recently.

Doubt that many of the Oz barrel makers would do this bore size - though Sprinter Arms in Hahndorf SA could be worth trying.

Some info for barrels alone-

Sprinter can do up to .600 nitro and 50BMG last time I talked to them.

Tobler did my 585 barrel as well but last time I talked to them .50 may be their limit due to new machines.

MAB engineering probably does 458 by now. They were stuck at 416 max for a while.

Pac-nor were the best quote for 700 nitro I found although one of the few they do not have chambre reamers for.



Karl.

Gadge,
I'll ask Keith at Sprinter Arms about a .423 barrel this week (I'm ordering a .358 barrel), as my worst case scenario has me putting together a 404 Jeffery and loading it back to 10.75 velocities. Regarding the 10.75 reamer, one has been located but I gather the owner isn't willing to part with it yet. I'm pretty sure he bought the reamer and at the completion of the job the 'smith will go halves and purchase it. Now just to find out who the 'smith is !! Must be some other 10.75 reamers about as well because someone chambered my original rifle (built circa. late 80's, early 90's on a Sprinter rebored 8mm barrel) and I know Greg Matthews imported a reamer for an article in the Shooter's Journal in the late 80's. The harder to find the more fun the project will be!!
Cheers...
Con

Trevofcal
how do you think the price/quality equation stacks up against the US made barrel's ??
last time I looked it was'nt very good.
I like to buy localy to but only if the price and quality are comparable.
cheers
Pete

Well if we dont support our local barrelmakers, the price/quality equation will NEVER get any better, will it?
Last I heard, some of Australia's barrelmakers were among the best in the world( Maddco, Tobler, ect).
Its just like my view on gunsmiths.If we dont give the "average" gunsmiths a go , and keep racking up work on the "best" gunsmiths racks, we will be the ones responsible for turning gunsmithing into the next dead trade. The "best" gunsmiths aren't a growing quantity, and we aren't necessarily helping matters.(neither's the government, but thats another story)
Thats my view FWIW.
Professionalism and quality aren't always "gifts" to most people, most of us have to develop it!

Trev
as to the quality of the best Australian barrels you are correct although I have seen one crap barrel from down south and it is an absolute pos. The price of Australian barrels is a mystery , there cost structures are similar to the American makers as to the price of material and labor but there prices don't reflect this, add to this that the exchange rate is at least 30% in the Aussi's favor and it does'nt add up.
I don't know about you Trev but if I think I am being screwed I take my buisness elswere.

cheers
Pete

Con,

I bought my Lothar Walther .404 barrel from Bob who has a bloke who imports them for $450AUS it is a .423 barrel chambered for the .404 J. Contour is #1450......thing is Lothar also do a chambered 10.5x68mm any way, it is a Euro chambering and Lothar are German Barrels. Give Bob a ring and see if he can't order one.

Or just give in and get a .404 Jeffrey.....Bob's favourite chambering I think

Con have you tried Alan Swan who has an extensive reamer list for the big stuff?
Don't have his number anymore but Rebel Gunworks in Brisbane 07 3391 6744 should be able to direct you.

Karl.