Action Bushing

[1Merlin]

I've acquired a 40X action and want to put a new barrel on it. I have been told it is harder tune a barrel in a reduced shank sized action. Asking for opinions if you please.

While we're here... The rifle I want to build with the above action is for matches that do not allow a tuner of any kind. Is there a type or particular profile that "works better" if you are not using a tuner?

 

[TRSR8]

I've acquired a 40X action and want to put a new barrel on it. I have been told it is harder tune a barrel in a reduced shank sized action. Asking for opinions if you please.

While we're here... The rifle I want to build with the above action is for matches that do not allow a tuner of any kind. Is there a type or particular profile that "works better" if you are not using a tuner?

You want to , IMHO, use a proper bushing although tuning has little to do with it and these days a barrel such as Muller will be lapped without a dimensional change common with older step down process
That said, a bushing gives you greater choices with a straight taper, say .900”.
That said if it’s a Rem 40x, likely not absolutely straight,the bushing needs to be done properly. The OD gets threaded/ finished to octagonal to tighten, loctited to action THEN ID threaded for best chance of proper barrel instillation.
This was the way, one of the best guys that did them went, 40x 10.5 lb guns, 40 X’s he converted to IR50/50 sporters, and custom Swindlehursts for which he did two for me back when I ran them.

Not the best image but if you expand it you can make out the bushing.

 

[doclu60]

I have never had a bushed barrel, but my buddy does, it's a Myer's action. He didn't have any issues I know of tuning the barrel. Others with more experience with them may add more info.


As to your other question, you could go with a tuner barrel like we use in IR Sporter. They are not that easy to find right now, but that seems to be an issue in a lot of RF barrels. The blanks have long fat ends at the receiver and the muzzle. I just measured an Eck contour Ratchet I have in my personal inventory (not for sale) on the breech end, and you'll still need to bush it. But, the barrel can be tuned if the smith knows what he is doing.
Possibly post a 'WTB' ad on this forum and others. Another option, and it's obscure, is contacting Green Mountain. They make a running boar barrel for 10/22's and it does have the dog knot out on the end which can be used to tune the barrel, just like a Sporter blank. You could ask them for a one off without the breech end being machined for a 10/22. Over the years I have seen really good Green Mountain barrels, and just so, so barrels from them. I used to play the games over on RFC a long time ago in the 10/22 section and several Green Mountain barrels did extremely well, others, not so much. Hope this helps.

Scott

 

[1Merlin]

Never thought about using a reverse taper (or a "dog knot")barrel. I have seen some used on Standard Class silhouette rifles but I "believe" they were used as weight to better shoot offhand...
As to the bushing it is a new thought to me to install/thread in a bushing and then cut the interior threads. Sure makes sense though. My thought was to just buy a precut bushing and screw it into the action.

 

[doclu60]

Never thought about using a reverse taper (or a "dog knot")barrel. I have seen some used on Standard Class silhouette rifles but I "believe" they were used as weight to better shoot offhand...
As to the bushing it is a new thought to me to install/thread in a bushing and then cut the interior threads. Sure makes sense though. My thought was to just buy a precut bushing and screw it into the action.

I don't believe the Green Mountain running boar barrel is reverse taper, but an Eck contour Sporter blank defiantly is. The running boar competition (if there are any left) does benefit from barrel weight forward, as I would expect silhouette would be. I used to shoot with a moderator over on RFC and he was into silhouette. I tried his swinger targets one day and he told me he shot them 'drive by' style. Swing the rifle and time the shot. Don't know if that is how it's done, but if so, having a weight forward barrel would help. If you see these barrels again at a match, check to see if they are back bored. If they are, they probably were tuned.

My friends Myers was barreled, and I do believe bushed, by Penrod. Pretty sure the barrel it came with was the large tenon. It's got a Muller .900 4MI on it and I have quite a bit of time behind that rifle, and it does shoot! Tim's explanation of the procedure seems very sound, especially on a factory action. If this thread happened about 10 days ago, I'd have had an Eck contour Shilen Octagon (taper lapped by Paul Tolvstad) I could have sold you. Alas, a guy over on RA was looking for a barrel for a new Sporter build and I sold it. They're out there, you just have to do some searching. Good luck with the new build!

Scott

 

[TRSR8]

All this said….curious. What earthly reason would guys justify a match with no tuners?
Some of these guys seem to make rules simply to make rules.

 

[1Merlin]

Because they can...?

If tuners are not allowed they can be competitive with their Ruger Precision... Not to worry about the Anschutz, 40X and Vudoo...

 

[doclu60]

All this said….curious. What earthly reason would guys justify a match with no tuners?
Some of these guys seem to make rules simply to make rules.

Tim, I run an informal match before our sanctioned match at Oak Hill. We only have two rules, no flat-bottomed forearm BR type stocks, and no tuners. No tuner is a popular rule in non-sanctioned RFBR and even sanctioned matches. ABRA has a no tuner rule in their Outlaw Lite bolt class. IR, ARA, and N50 all have no tuner rules for factory class. Put a tuner on those classes, you just made it to UL!

Scott