A friend is looking at a BAR 30-06 it has Belgium address on the barrel, Finish is a matte blue he wanted to buy it but the barrel has a deep ring about 4 inches from the muzzle and a slight bulge. Other than the ring the rifle looks new, so a couple of questions. Can the barrel be cut and still function ok or should the barrel be replaced. And if replaced where to send it. I have no interest in the gun but he wanted me to cut the barrel off, I am not geared up to do that.

Yes, it can be cut and crowned as long as you don't go below the legal length. Some times they will fail to function afterwards because you no long have enough pressure over time to fully cycle the action. This can be changed by using a tighter, Gas Regulator. I think it's part number 31 in Numrichs catalogue. If memory serves I think the 270 caliber one is the tightest. (Someone might chip in if I'm wrong here)
If you have to go to the tighter regulator test fire it and observe the direction the empties are going. Flying forward means the gun is operating to fast and the regulator must be drilled out one number size at a time until the empties fly out at 90 degrees. If the empties fly backward, the gun is operating to slow and you may have to TIG weld the orifice in the regulator closed and then open it up to a few thousandths smaller than the size it was. Generally BARs can always be made to work. One of the few semi autos that can make that boast.

You can also call the Browning Service Center and see if they still have any barrels for them. They may allow you to change calibers as well. All you can do is ask.

Thanks Rod. I will pass this on

Rod, The 308 or the 243 regulator is the tightest.

quote:

Originally posted by cantshootalick:
Rod, The 308 or the 243 regulator is the tightest.

Damn, I guess both of our memories are kind of on the fritz. 308 is the tightest but the 243 is quite a surprise. I guess I should have looked in the first place. But in this age where everyone has a TIG, we all just weld and re-drill the old ones as opposed to replacing them. Odd that the 243 is so damned large. I would have expected it to be closer to the 308 too. But I guess that tiny bore diameter sort of turns it into a small, high pressure, magnum.

BAR gas regulator size by Rod Henrickson, on Flickr

I would shoot it first and see how it groups. I got a steal on a Marlin 30/30 that had a bulge approx 4" back. I called Marlin at the time and they only wanted $130 to put a new barrel on it. I was getting ready to box it up, when my buddy asked me why I had not shot it first to see how it did. I mounted a scope on it, grabbed a box of Rem 170 gr. factory ammo and proceeded to shoot three, back to back 1-1/4" groups at 100 yards. That was years ago and it is still shooting great! Never hurts to check it before you start throwing money at a problem that may not exist.

might have been married to a blaser

Oddly enough, I have seen quite a few guns with bulged barrels that really shot quite well. It might not hurt to throw a few groups down range and see what happens. If it shoots 1-1/4 inches at 100 yards, you're probably getting realistic BAR performance.

I did say you can always get them to work. I never said they were good shooters! LOL