While doing a barrel job on a model 70 CRF the other day, I got to thinking maybe there is an easier way and was curious as to how others may do it. I am referring to locating the cut for the extractor. I set the barrel up and when it is chambered and threaded, it comes out and into the barrel vise where the headspace is checked and the extractor cut located. I have made a piece that is milled to a good fit to the raceway and long enough to extend to the rear of the action out of 1/2" drillrod with the end sharpened in a concave manner to allow two even marks to be made using a hammer in the chamber end of the barrel at the edge of the threads. It then comes out and the area is located in the mill for cutting. If there is a way of locating this cut without the extra step of putting the barrel back in the vise the first time, I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

Thanks,

Jim

Jim,
I have used a large hacksaw blade of high speed steel to do about the same things as you are doing on marking for the extractor. I tried to grind these just enough to fit inside the receiver and be flat on the rails. Grind the marking edge down to be flat and sharp so the mark will be very small. I could mark the right and left side at the same time. With the top and bottom marked I would remove barrel and set up to cut the groove with a small keyway cutter in the mill. I don't know an easy way. This is with a old style actions with the extractor slots.

As an addendum to this post, I use a form cutter made by JGS to cut the extractor slot. The original Win's were cut with this type of cutter; this one is .500 wide whereas the original were only slightly larger than the extractor. It doesn't seem to make a difference. I also have a drawing made up that gives the measurements to finish the cut to the correct depth. These measurements are taken from the centerline and the face of the barrel for the X and Y axis. Really works great if you have a Dro system.

Jim,
Mark Stratton cuts his on his mill with the barrel clamped vertically. I will ask him today how he marks them. He has a number of very good setups on his CD and he is just finishing his book. Out soon. with all the detailed drawings for the fixtures. I was fortunate to help proofread it.

I have not done a M70, but when making extractor relief cuts I like to put the barrel in a rotary table. Bull barrels are too large to fit in my rotary table, so I just put a stop on the mill vice, cut some material, loosen the mill vice, rotate the barrel a hair by hand, tighten the mill vice and mill a little more material.



picture of me milling extractor relief



picture of mililng another facet



Notice how the barrel shoulder butts up against the stop clamped on the mill vice.



Source for the $6 vice stop