I recently bent the barrel on my Browning BLR 30-06. I did it hauling moose quarters back to camp on a 4 wheeler. I had swapped the rifle on top of the quarters so I could carry the pack that was on the rack previously. The rifle got caught in a tree(the only thing I can think of) and apparently bent the barrel. Sore lesson to learn that I either use a hard case or gun boot to transport the firearm if it isn't going to be carried cross body. The question is... how bad of a mistake have I made? It looks like the browning web site quotes the price of barrels and recievers, and this will cost approximately as much as I paid for the rifle used, this is before paying labor for it to be replaced. I haven't, as of yet, found barrels only. Also, is this definitely a job for a gunsmith? I would rather have it done right that pitter with it, but can't imagine barrel replacement as an easy swappem out job. Thanks! Pat

Unless you are talking about a barrel that can now shoot around corners your problem is not as bad as would seem.
Many new barrels are straightened at the factory by skilled craftsmen before shipping and while your average smith may not have a barrel cradle many of the small custom barrel makers could straighten that for you in 5-10 minutes.

Liquidd9
A suggestion, Wait until you wife, girl friend asks if she looks fat or is getting old, tell her 'Yes' and hand her the barrel.
How do you think the rail roads bend those curves in the rails?
Jim

Pat,

We get our share of bent barrels caused by folks rolling their 4 wheeler ATV's on top of themselves during the hunts. Quite often these are repairable and can run between $50 to as high as $150 depending on the damage. Barrels with heavy bends don't really straighten all that well. Though I have managed to push a few boomerangs with some degree of success. Remember, when you bend steel, it stretches...

Good luck,

Malm

Pat,

Where is the bend and how bad is it?

You can also try straightening it yourself if you have a friend with a hydraulic press and cut some 2X4 blocks, then go very slowly.

If you are the original owner and have the warranty card, Browning will fix it for you; possibly for free.