For those who have attempted it, how successful have you been in achieving proper headspace when you have changed one classic barrel for another.

I am aware that the classic extractor cut must line up, thereby limiting where the barrel can go. When you get to that point, are these barrels generally within proper headspace.

(reason I ask is becasue I have a classic with a boss barrel that I would like to change out for a regular barrel. Have seen many classic barrels for sale that ended up with no bids on them. Thought it might be a worthwhile endeavor.)

It's about 50/50 if they will line up correctly.

The old Pre 64's were 99% the same, but not quite so with on the newer ones.

Terry

I wonder if that is a reflection of whether they are each custom fitted to their particular action, or whether manufacturing tolerances are not very good and they theirselves get lucky.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
For those who have attempted it, how successful have you been in achieving proper headspace when you have changed one classic barrel for another.

I am aware that the classic extractor cut must line up, thereby limiting where the barrel can go. When you get to that point, are these barrels generally within proper headspace.

(reason I ask is becasue I have a classic with a boss barrel that I would like to change out for a regular barrel. Have seen many classic barrels for sale that ended up with no bids on them. Thought it might be a worthwhile endeavor.)

Cut the BOSS off.

Chuck

that leaves a 20 inch barrel. I want a bit more than that.

Good topic 22WRF
I have a similar problem, I have a .338 Win Mag that shoots tiny 5 shot groups.............with a BOSS and I hate that BOSS. I changed the recoil suppressor to the CRF sleeve and thought that would get me over it but I still can't stand the thing. I thought about cutting the BOSS off but am concerned that I may never get it to shoot so well, maybe a barrel change is in order. As far as your barrel length is concerned when you cut the BOSS off you are only shortening the rifled portion by about 1/2" or so from what it currently is. The BOSS hanging on the end just makes it look longer than what is actually useable barrel.
Something to think about.

Gee Snellstron, I should take the MINTY barrel off of my .338 Win Mag and sell it to you so that I can use that action for someting else.
(a .358 Norma )

Anyway, on this .270 with the Boss, if I cut the boss off there will only be 20 inches of barrel left. I measured it.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
Gee Snellstron, I should take the MINTY barrel off of my .338 Win Mag and sell it to you so that I can use that action for someting else.
(a .358 Norma )

Anyway, on this .270 with the Boss, if I cut the boss off there will only be 20 inches of barrel left. I measured it.

But as it sits you only have a 20.5" barrel plus the boss.

But I can understand not wanting a 20" .270, or a 20.5" for that matter.

As I implied, because these actions are so popular for making custom rifles there must be hundreds, if not thousands, of take off barrels that are just sitting in the corner gathering dust.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
For those who have attempted it, how successful have you been in achieving proper headspace when you have changed one classic barrel for another.

I am aware that the classic extractor cut must line up, thereby limiting where the barrel can go. When you get to that point, are these barrels generally within proper headspace.

(reason I ask is becasue I have a classic with a boss barrel that I would like to change out for a regular barrel. Have seen many classic barrels for sale that ended up with no bids on them. Thought it might be a worthwhile endeavor.)

If the threads do not engage exactly in the same spot between barrel and receiver, then all bets are off. A miss of a couple of thousandths is enough to screw the pooch.

Don't buy a take off thinking it will index correctly. It may or may not. The best of a worst case scenario is it comes up short.

I've made them fit, but it is a lot of work.. trial & error.

If it comes up "short" you can set the shoulder back a little bit to line it up. BUT then you run the chance of not being able to close the bolt, so then you must recut the cone.

That can also lead to having to cut the chamber deeper to correct head space.

Just lots of things to go wrong.