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Thoughts on rechambering used barrel

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24 May 2012, 18:37
sicero
Thoughts on rechambering used barrel
I am concerned about damage to a reamer, rechambering a CM barrel that has 800 or more
rounds thru it. I would be cutting all the old chamber off. It would be a 17 HH reamer. Kenny
24 May 2012, 22:56
Westpac
What is your concern exactly? I've re-cut chambers on barrels with considerably more rounds through them than 800.


_______________________________________________________________________________
This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend, it is my life.
25 May 2012, 00:17
ramrod340
I've had a number of used barrels rechamber. No issue.


As usual just my $.02
Paul K
25 May 2012, 00:43
Alberta Canuck
quote:
Originally posted by sicero:
I am concerned about damage to a reamer, rechambering a CM barrel that has 800 or more
rounds thru it. I would be cutting all the old chamber off. It would be a 17 HH reamer. Kenny



I certainly haven't 1/100th the experience of WestPac, but I have rechambered target rifles with upward of 3,200 rounds through each of them.

Had no problems whatsoever. Some of them even shot better than when new...and I still used the reamer when needed for some years afterward.
25 May 2012, 01:29
kcstott
Somebody told him the steel work hardens I bet


www.KLStottlemyer.com

Deport the Homeless and Give the Illegals citizenship. AT LEAST THE ILLEGALS WILL WORK
25 May 2012, 14:38
sicero
A few years back before I started doing my own a well respected gunsmith didn't want to rechamber a used factory barrel for me.
Thanks for your helpfull responce.
Westpac, Alberta canuck, ramrod340
kcstott,
I will try to keep my future questions down to your level. Kenny
25 May 2012, 17:31
Don Markey
That could be just because people get rid or used barrels generally because they don't shoot well and the chamber isn't the only reason a barrel won't shoot. Some guys don't want people coming back to them when the gun doesn't shoot well, so putting on a used tube isn't recomended by some smiths.
Don
25 May 2012, 19:31
mad_jack02
It's different if you are doing it your self, rather than charging someone to install it for them. I'd feel better getting a report on how it shot before it was pulled if I was going to install it for someone else, but still no Guarantees. Usually for the price that used barrels are going for now days, it's not that much more to get a new one.


Extreme Custom Gunsmithing LLC, ecg@wheatstate.com
25 May 2012, 20:20
Westpac
quote:
Originally posted by sicero:
A few years back before I started doing my own a well respected gunsmith didn't want to rechamber a used factory barrel for me.
Thanks for your helpfull responce.
Westpac, Alberta canuck, ramrod340
kcstott,
I will try to keep my future questions down to your level. Kenny


Some "used" factory take off barrels are not worth the time and effort it would take to set up, dial in and ream. They are usually out of whack. The reason he probably wouldn't do the job for you is because he is a well respected gunsmith.


_______________________________________________________________________________
This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend, it is my life.
26 May 2012, 06:13
sicero
The used barrel in question were new factory take off barrels when I got them.
I made sure they shot under 1/2" before storing.
I wouldn't go to the trouble with an unknown. Kenny
26 May 2012, 06:36
kcstott
quote:
Originally posted by sicero:
kcstott,
I will try to keep my future questions down to your level. Kenny


You need to look at it from my perspective.

quote:
I am concerned about damage to a reamer, rechambering a CM barrel that has 800 or more
rounds thru it. I would be cutting all the old chamber off. It would be a 17 HH reamer.


So explain to me how you got the idea that a used barrel could damage a reamer?
I've heard this silly rumor running around gun shops and yes it is possible but any barrel that it's throat might be work hardened is smoked and not worth saving.

I think Westpac is right If that Smith has a good reputation he wouldn't risk a factory barrel when he can get a barrel that he has confidence in.

Personally I've only experienced reamers not liking a certain barrel due to it's alloy.
I've never had a chamber that was so tough to cut it concerned me.

That said Westpac, Kobe, and Too Many tools install more barrels in a year than I ever have.


www.KLStottlemyer.com

Deport the Homeless and Give the Illegals citizenship. AT LEAST THE ILLEGALS WILL WORK
26 May 2012, 08:29
matt salm
Used, 'shot out' target barrels can be made into some great sporter barrels. I've re-contoured and chambered many 6.5 highpower barrels that had nothing left of the throat and fire-cracked for 2" or more in front of the chamber. Take a 28-30" Krieger barrel, cut 6-7" off the chamber, contour and thread/chamber for a 6.5 Grendel and on EVERY one I was rewarded with a 1/2 MOA AR15 in 6.5 Grendel. The condition of the chamber, throat and bore was as good as new.

Now on most factory takeoffs you can't cut 6" off the chamber end I know, but that's been my experience.


Shoot straight, shoot often.
Matt
26 May 2012, 19:20
kcstott
In that case you are taking any potential issues out of the equation.


www.KLStottlemyer.com

Deport the Homeless and Give the Illegals citizenship. AT LEAST THE ILLEGALS WILL WORK
27 May 2012, 01:10
D Humbarger
quote:
Originally posted by Westpac:
quote:
Originally posted by sicero:
A few years back before I started doing my own a well respected gunsmith didn't want to rechamber a used factory barrel for me.
Thanks for your helpfull responce.
Westpac, Alberta canuck, ramrod340
kcstott,
I will try to keep my future questions down to your level. Kenny


Some "used" factory take off barrels are not worth the time and effort it would take to set up, dial in and ream. They are usually out of whack. The reason he probably wouldn't do the job for you is because he is a well respected gunsmith.


DITTO! tu2



Doug Humbarger
NRA Life member
Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club 72'73.
Yankee Station

Try to look unimportant. Your enemy might be low on ammo.
27 May 2012, 01:58
dpcd
I have done many of them; no problem. The reason a professional smith won't do it is because he doesn't want to be responsible for the accuracy result; something more of a known quantity with a new barrel, plus he can make more money selling you a new barrel.
27 May 2012, 04:58
Westpac
quote:
Originally posted by dpcd:
The reason a professional smith won't do it is because... he can make more money selling you a new barrel.


Yeah, that's it.


_______________________________________________________________________________
This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend, it is my life.