I read in Precision Shooting Magazine several years ago about a guy that built a killer 22 rimfire rifle. One of the things he mentioned was he slugged the barrel to get the best part and the right direction for the barrel. So... what exactly do you look for when slugging a barrel. I know the muzzle should be tighter than the breech end and smoothness definately counts. Am I missing anything? Is there a magic potion. I'm getting a 25" blank and am going to use 18" for the barrel.

Thanks for any advice, Joe

You are most likely thinking of Bill Calfee and he wrote several articles on fitting and cambering a .22 RF barrel. He buys barrels that are the same diameter for the full length. Slugging the barrel is just one of many things that need to be done for a successful target .22 RF job. I understand he is publishing a book which you might look into or gather all his articles from PS. He hangs out at Benchrest.com rimfire forum.

quote:

Originally posted by SxS-boy:
So... what exactly do you look for when slugging a barrel.

You are looking for consistency from end to end. Without any signs of tight or loose spots. You need to start and push a slug from one end and then repeat the process from the other end. Don't stop at one end and simple push it back to the other end, you need to upset the slug and start over from the opposite end.

You have to develop an acute sense for what you are feeling as you advancing the slug down the bore in order to understand what it means. Also, if the bore isn't prepped, or, the slug isn't started correctly then you can come away with a less than accurate interpretation of the bore. It takes some practice to develop that feel.

Joe, Please locate the Calfee articles. What you are slugging for is a tight spot to cut and crown!

Hopefully there will only be one tight spot and it will be at the location to give you the length you need.

don't forget to ring it