Numrich has a bunch of Apex "match grade" barrel blanks. They are advertised as broach cut.

Does anyone have any experience with these ?

Thanks

No experience with them but, they are probably older than the hills (not usually a problem). I think Apex went out of business many years ago but, they did broach cut there barrels. In their day, they had quite a good reputation. Depending on the price, I would buy one just to say I had one.

I own an Apex .308 caliber barrel. The rifle is chambered in 300 Apex. It's my go to rifle. Very accurate!

I remember them from years ago too. As I recall their top end barrel was cut-rifled. At least they had a lot of text in their brochure talking about the various ways to make a custom barrel, and why their barrel was best.

jim

There are several iterations of Apex barrels. Originally they were made in California, and ads for them describe two different forms, both found (for example) in the pages of the 1957 'American Rifleman' magazines.

Sam May (the proprietor/barrel maker) made both very nice custom barrels, and semi-mass-produced barrels which were put on Mauser actions and sold as inexpensive barreled actions through one of the surplus marketers (Interarms).

Later, in the 80's/early 90's they were made, still by Sam, in Flagstaff, Arizona. Originally, I believe they were all cut-rifled. I wouldn't be suprised if he then went to broaching and eventually even to button rifling. Not saying he did, but it would have made it much faster, easier, and cheaper to provide the barrels which were sold en masse on the barreled actions.

Still, I wouldn't be afraid of ANY barrel Sam May made, any more than I would be afraid of a Krieger today. He really WAS a master barrel maker. Certainly as good (or better) than any of his peers.

Just curious about the purpose of the OD collars on the larger caliber barrels. Recoil and rear sight?

Any idea how old the barrels are? As of 2 years ago Apex was a going concern in Flagstaff, AZ. I assume they still are. EVERYTHING from them is cut-rifled on some really cool old Pratt machines. Steve something is the guy that owns the outfit, but they seem like more of a fun business than a full-time business. Steve has a day job, but is there every night.

I have a heavy sporter barrel chambered for 260 rem that is ok. Not sure I would go with them again unless I wanted something that I could not get somewhere else. I got my barrel there because a friend "worked" there, and I could watch the whole process.

If you want something like gain twists, really weird contours, odd-ball milling, they seem to have fun with that. Steve also has found some way to make titanium barrels work (according to him). I saw and handled a few, and they were remarkable. I asked about them and he mentioned they are not for general public- too expensive and he does not want the big boys to see his titanium barrels. I figure sheep hunters would pay 3 grand for one, but he was not interested.

I do not have a phone # for them, but they are probably listed. If not, call Ruff's Sporting Goods in Flag and ask Eric for a #.

Doug

quote:

Originally posted by dougk:
Any idea how old the barrels are? As of 2 years ago Apex was a going concern in Flagstaff, AZ. I assume they still are.

I am glad to hear Apex is still going. After Sam died a few years back, I have not been in contact with them. Nice to see someone took over his shop and equipment, rather than having it end up disused and rusting away in the back corner of some machine tool resale warehouse.

Even if the barrels from Flagstaff are all cut with a classic one-cutting-edge tool set up, some of the older barrels may be broach cut. Obviously you understand that or you wouldn't have asked if he can date when they were made.

Could be that when Sam made the move to Flagstaff any broach cutting tooling he had did not make the trip with him, so only the "cut-rifling" was still possible on his machinery as located in Flagstaff.

And, too, all broached rifling IS a form of cut-rifling...just uses multiple cutters simultaneously, in a deeper, one-pass cut, rather than a single "scrape-cutter" in multiple passes.

If they are older barrels, I am with the fellow above who said he's buy one just to have one. If they are new current production, then they may be called "Apex" barrels, but to me they are not really so.

It's just like C&H, and a lot of the classic British & American gun names. Using the name without the original artisan(s) doesn't make it the real thing.

That doesn't mean the new guns or the new barrels aren't just as good, possibly even better. But, it does mean they are not the classic item the name suggests.

When I first got my 300 Apex, I call Sam in California and had the great pleasure to talk with him. I too am glad to hear that Apex is still up and running!

Cool thread. Good memories. I loved the originalApex barrels. Sam worked for Pfeifer Rifle Co. in Sun Valley, Ca building barrels for the (right after WWII). There are numerous mentions of him in Monte Kennedy's checkering book. He late bought W. Sukalle'sbarrel making equipment and moved them up to Flag. The last job he did for me was a rebore with genuine cut checkering. In the end he sold out to Randy Brooks and Lex Weberneck, in some order. They subsequently sold to another fellow whom I can't recall, although I have spoken with him. I'm glad to see the Apex brand is back out there, especially if the quality is as good as it used to be. I'll always keep an Original Apex barreled rifle just for nostalgia, just like keeping an original Bliss Titus barrel.

Sorry about the spelling. That should have said genuine cut rifling.

I have a 6mm Rem marked Apex Match Grade, on an FN400 action, stock by Monty Kennedy. Very 60s looking, not in vogue now, but fine craftsmanship just the same.

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:
I have a 6mm Rem marked Apex Match Grade, on an FN400 action, stock by Monty Kennedy. Very 60s looking, not in vogue now, but fine craftsmanship just the same.

fla3006, 60s quality and looks will always be in vogue as long as there are some of us old farts around to remember. Remember the Winslow's and some of the others that used to be around?