Is it a difficult job. Are there any drawbacks to doing it.

If the barrel is used you may release stresses built up from firing and end up with a slightly bulged or crooked barrel when you remove metal from it.

Rick

and if it isn't used would recontouring it be about the same thing as a continuation of the original contouring???????

Its been installed but its too heavy the way it is.

I've had two Springfield barrels recontoured to a close match of Winchester featherweights by a skilled machinist who knows what he is doing. No problems whatsover with either, both shoot very well. I may have been lucky to have a couple of very good milsurp barrels to start with and just didn't know it. Both were NOS 2 groovers.

Craig

I don't suppose you want to tell who that skilled machinist is??

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
Craig

I don't suppose you want to tell who that skilled machinist is??

Sure, my youngest brother, Ross. He's kinda tied up for a while, currently in Iraq, skillfully machining replacement parts of all description for our troops.

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
I've had two Springfield barrels recontoured to a close match of Winchester featherweights by a skilled machinist who knows what he is doing. No problems whatsover with either, both shoot very well. I may have been lucky to have a couple of very good milsurp barrels to start with and just didn't know it. Both were NOS 2 groovers.

It doesn't matter how skilled or careful the person is, fact is, if you remove material from around a stressed bore, you run the risk of changing it's performance.

Rick is correct. Removing material from a bore that is under stress is a form of stress relieving and carry's similar consequences. I've seen all kinds of shit happen when material is removed from a stressed bore by some very skilled craftsmen I might add. To leave the impression that it can't happen to one "who knows what he is doing" would be disingenuous.

Keeping things in balance, I've seen many successful jobs as well and even some, where the performance of the barrel actually improved. "IT IS A TOSS OF THE DICE".

It has been my practice to guarantee just about everything that I do. I will not however, guarantee the performance of a barrel undergoing recontouring. In fact, the outcome is so uncertain, that I will not proceed without obtaining the owners signature stating that he understands the consequences.

22WRF, if you can find someone who WILL guarantee no change, get it in writing!

quote:

Originallt posted by 22WRF:
and if it isn't used would recontouring it be about the same thing as a continuation of the original contouring???????

What?????

I've only had one done, a 1903A3 that had been rechambered from .30/'06 to .308 Norma. It was done by the old Paul Jaeger outfit in PA, and it turned out to be about as accurate as it had been before. I was probably lucky.......

Malm,

I “think†I understand some of the issues surrounding recontouring a barrel.

The question is at what point do you run the risk of messing it up?

If a smith was half way through a barrel contouring job but stepped away for a cup of coffee and resumed the job later, would that then be a recontouring? What about if the job was completed, the barrel chambered and fit to the receiver, but the smith then decides he doesn’t like the contour and wants to modify it? Where does the job become a recontouring, with the inherent risk of ruining the barrel?

- stu

quote:

What?????

Malm

It hasn't been shot yet. It was installed and found to be too heavy for the purposes intended.
Therefore it probably doesn't have any stress yet. I am thinking time to do it now before it develops some stress.

What does contouring usually cost.

Some companies will recontour their own barrels but not the barrels of other makers.....maybe the original barrel maker will do it for you.

I would not be concerned about the accuracy isues.....just do it and take your chances.....

The worst issue is getting a good continuous contour that looks good and makes the dimensions (weight) you want.

quote:

Originally posted by Stu C:
Malm,

I “think†I understand some of the issues surrounding recontouring a barrel.

The question is at what point do you run the risk of messing it up?

If a smith was half way through a barrel contouring job but stepped away for a cup of coffee and resumed the job later, would that then be a recontouring? What about if the job was completed, the barrel chambered and fit to the receiver, but the smith then decides he doesn’t like the contour and wants to modify it? Where does the job become a recontouring, with the inherent risk of ruining the barrel?

- stu

The term "contouring" is taking a straight virgin blank and giving it shape. Re-contouring usually referes to changing that shape, and usually, though not always, occurs after the barrel has been installed and used.

If the barrel hasn't been installed and used, and it undergoes another shape change, then I suppose one could technically call it a re-contour, but actually it is a continuation of the contouring process.

At what point do you run the greatest risk of messing it up? I would have to say, after the barrel has been fired and has "settled in".

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I would not be concerned about the accuracy isues.....just do it and take your chances.....

It's pretty easy to make that statement when it's someone elses money on the line.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:

quote:

What?????

Malm

It hasn't been shot yet. It was installed and found to be too heavy for the purposes intended.
Therefore it probably doesn't have any stress yet. I am thinking time to do it now before it develops some stress.

Now would be the time to do it if you have a mind to.

I used the phrase “may release stress“ for a reason. There is no way to tell ahead of time what will happen if you are using a barrel that has been fired.

Like malm, I have seen barrels that were re-contoured and worked fine and I have also known guys that had it done and ended up with barrel that was bulged and/or crooked afterward.

Malm, just because you can't do it doesn't mean it can't be done. I had a stock LH MOdel 70 calssic 30-06 barrel turned to featherweight contour by Bill Leeper. He's done a bunch and the track record speaks for itself. Here is the result, and figure I saved $500.

Thats some pretty nice shooting Chuck. Is that with your Custom Leeper with the McMillan Stock. Nice!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Nelson:
Malm, just because you can't do it doesn't mean it can't be done.

Chuck, you need to learn to read. Never said I couldn't do it...

This isn’t real complicated...if there is induced stress in a barrel then depending on how much, where it is, and how much metal is removed around that area when re-contouring, there is a good “possibility†of the metal moving on you when the stress is released. How much movement...you don’t really know until its too late.

Ones talent or skill on a lathe has absolutely nothing to do with it. Sometimes you luck out and sometimes you don’t, but there is no way of accurately predicting the outcome ahead of time.

quote:

Originally posted by malm:

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Nelson:
Malm, just because you can't do it doesn't mean it can't be done.

Chuck, you need to learn to read. Never said I couldn't do it...

Hey Malm, Surely you would bow to chuckies vast experience with """one""" barrel.

chuckie learn to read!?!?!?! You might want to toss in a "basic thought comprehension" class as well. Sure glad chuckie is still around, he is always good for a few grins.

Well, once again, a very talented person installed this barrel for me. After it was installed, but before being shot (except to make sure the headspace was okay) it was determined that the barrel was tooooooooo heavy for toting up a mountain. So even if it moves, as long as it moves someplace and stays there would be okay with me.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
Is it a difficult job. Are there any drawbacks to doing it.

Some of the Shops remove the barrel, relieve the internal stresses with a Cryogenic trreatment, cut the barrel to the conture or weight you desire, run it through the Cryo treatment again and hope all goes well - accuracy wise.

However, the cost may exceed that of a new barrel, or you might find a deal. You just have to price out the project and see what the person you are dealing with says.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
Well, once again, a very talented person installed this barrel for me. After it was installed, but before being shot (except to make sure the headspace was okay)

That's not exactly the bright way to check headspace. You don't check for barrel obstructions that way do you?

So your solution is simple, get that same talented person to adjust the barrel contour for you. Piece of cake no?

Ok, so it's been test fired. Does that mean it is in a stock? If so, all other considerations aside, recontouring would mean at best poor wood to metal fit.

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:
chuckie learn to read!?!?!?! You might want to toss in a "basic thought comprehension" class as well. Sure glad chuckie is still around, he is always good for a few grins.

Spooky man. My ex-wife used to read things the same way... I wonder if they are sisters?

quote:

Originally posted by malm:
...Spooky man. My ex-wife used to read things the same way... I wonder if they are sisters?

I think I would consider lighter boots and/or a few more trips to the gym before I decided to recontour a barrel just to save a few ounces of weight.

quote:

Originally posted by malm:

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I would not be concerned about the accuracy isues.....just do it and take your chances.....

It's pretty easy to make that statement when it's someone elses money on the line.

Well...I'[ve been there.....and the statement was as easy when it was my money.....so it's good now.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick 0311:
Ones talent or skill on a lathe has absolutely nothing to do with it.

Yeah right Rick, any moron can do it.

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:

quote:

Originally posted by Rick 0311:
Ones talent or skill on a lathe has absolutely nothing to do with it.

Yeah right Rick, any moron can do it.

Did you read the entire statement, or just the part you chose to quote?

Why do you think barrel manufacturers relieve the stress from rifling prior to contouring the barrel? Oh, I know...its because they don’t have any “highly skilled machinists†like you do to do their contouring!

quote:

Originally posted by malm:

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
Well, once again, a very talented person installed this barrel for me. After it was installed, but before being shot (except to make sure the headspace was okay)

That's not exactly the bright way to check headspace. You don't check for barrel obstructions that way do you?

So your solution is simple, get that same talented person to adjust the barrel contour for you. Piece of cake no?

Malm

You know what I meant. No, we didn't check the headspace that way. Headspace was checked with the proper guages, and then a cartridge was shot to take a look at the case just to make sure everything was okay, which it was.

As far as getting that same person to adjust the contour, I have asked and he has advised me that he doesnt' want to do that kind of work.


ZLR

No, its not in a stock. I have already inletted the action into the stock before I had the barrel installed. (easiest way in my estimation). That is why I don't want to go any further with it until I have the barrel shaved down.


The way I figure it, If I don't shoot it at a target the way it is now I will never know how accurate it was, and then when I have it recontoured I won't have to feel bad if it shoots worse.

How about recontouring a .22 RF barrel that has been shot out of? Do the same issues with stress exist? Or is this a problem in centrefire barrels only?

GG

I hope everyone will agree that pulling/pushing a little carbide button through a bore to rifle a barrel causes stress that has to be relieved to avoid warpage/bulging when cutting the contour.

If you accept that, then why is it so hard to envision that pushing bullets down a bore at 2,500 fps with 50,000 psi of hot burning gases might also induce just a bit of stress in the steel also?

quote:

Originally posted by Rick 0311:

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:

quote:

Originally posted by Rick 0311:
Ones talent or skill on a lathe has absolutely nothing to do with it.

Yeah right Rick, any moron can do it.

Did you read the entire statement, or just the part you chose to quote?

Why do you think barrel manufacturers relieve the stress from rifling prior to contouring the barrel? Oh, I know...its because they don’t have any “highly skilled machinists†like you do to do their contouring!

Rick, two words, fuck you.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
but before being shot (except to make sure the headspace was okay)

quote:

Malm

You know what I meant. No, we didn't check the headspace that way.

Well, no I didn't, but I'm glad to know you used a gauge.

quote:

Originally posted by GG375:
How about recontouring a .22 RF barrel that has been shot out of? Do the same issues with stress exist? Or is this a problem in centrefire barrels only?

GG

I've not dealt with 22 rimfires on the same scale as I have with centerfires, so I am not absolutely certain as to the amount of an effect there would be present. There would be some but on what scale I wouldn't have a clue.

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
Rick, two words, fuck you.

Profound statement there youngster!

I cannot think of a more fitting tag line than the one you chose for yourself on here:

“Nothing is worse than ignorance in action.â€

Your “actions†prove that better than anything I could think of.

Rick, see a pattern yet.

quote:

Originally posted by dempsey:
Rick, see a pattern yet.

What is it dempsey-dumpster, you decided to give up driving around the school zones looking for “little friends†and decided to slither back here?

quote:

Originally posted by Rick 0311:

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
Rick, two words, fuck you.

Profound statement there youngster!

I cannot think of a more fitting tag line than the one you chose for yourself on here:

“Nothing is worse than ignorance in action.â€

Your “actions†prove that better than anything I could think of.

Rick,

It must really suck being you.