Gents:

What is the proper method for measuring a barrel; from the front of the reciver to the end of the barrel or from another point?

BTW, is anyone else having trouble with this site loading???

using a rod inserted in the bore of the barrel, measured from the bolt face to the end of the muzzle.

The ATF agents in this area carry notched wooden dowels that they drop down the muzzle. I assume the dowels come to rest against the locked bolt.

quote:

Originally posted by Westpac:
The ATF agents in this area carry notched wooden dowels that they drop down the muzzle. I assume the dowels come to rest against the locked bolt.

I wish revolvers were measured that way.
Then Quickload would work better

Whe the chamber is intragel to the barrel, than it's measured from the face of the closed bolt/breachblock (gross length))
When the chamber is seperate from the barrel (IE a revolver), than ONLY the barrel is measured (net length), including that portion that is inside the frame.

Thanks. So, when I measure a barrel as far as the portion extending from the front of the receiver to the muzzle, and it is say, 24", it's really 24" plus however far it is to the bolt face?

So, what would one tell their gunmaker??

Correct. The internal distance is usually in the 5/8-3/4" range.

Tell you smith you want it x" from the receiver ring, and he'll do the math. It's not the "correct" way, but he should be able to translate it into his "final cut" dimention.

Yes, jsl. It's done this way on rifles and shotguns because the distance from the boltface when the action is closed and locked to the muzzle is indisputable. Now let's consider something like the flash suppressor on a barrel for a CAR-15. The actual "barrel" is 11-1/2 inches long, but the suppressor which is 5-1/2 inches long, is permanently welded to the barrel, effectively bringing the barrel to the federal minimum of sixteen inches.

Thanks, everyone. The genesis of the question arose from my own project. On Sunday, I was at the new Cabela's in my area. They have a M70 in 404 Jeffery done by Elrod. I am coming to appreciate the trim style of the M70 in 3+1 configuaration a lot. The barrel was 24" from front of the receiver ring to the muzzle although I could not guage the diameter. However, it was a very well balanced rifle. My only complaint was the checkering which, when looking down at the tang was uneven and, well, quite amateurish looking for such a well respected name in the trade althoug perhaps Mr. Elrod did not do the checkering...

At any rate, thanks for the input and teaching.

If it's balance your after, tell the smith where you want it to balance at (center of floorplate, front guard screw etc) and let him go.
He might start with a 25" barrel and trim it back, he might add/remove weight fore or aft etc.

I will say that 404 balances beautifully!