I had a customer ship two benchrest barrels to me via UPS. Both of these barrels were from a reputable company. The barrels were sent in a 5" round cardboard tube wrapped in duct tape and bubble wrap. When the tube arrived it was no longer round. It was noticeable oval and had what looked like black tire marks on it. The sender was notified and he stated he had rolled the barrels on a sheet of steel and they appeared to be straight before shipping. I mounted both barrels on centers on my lathe. I ran a .001' indicater around each end and up and down the length of the barrels turning them 90* each pass. The rounder and straighter barrel a 1.300" X 30" indicated .0004" runout on the tenon end and .005" runout on the muzzle end. There appeared to be a warp in the barrel about a 1/3 of the distance from the tenon end.
I mounted the 1.063" X 30" barrel on centers. The tenon end indicated .005" runout and the muzzle end indicated .015" runout at the muzzle end. It too had a warp begining about 1/3 the distance from the tenon end.
I contacted the barrel manufacture to see what their spec would be for run out and straightness. They indicated that their barrels most often were within the a few .0001" +/- .0004" in straightness and the run out should not exceed .002"
I felt UPS had clearly bent the barrel during shipping.
This leads me to think barrels should be packed in better containers with better protection. It also leads me to beleive that barrels should be checked for runout, warpage, and bore consistency(slugging) before they are machined. These specs should be documented.
About 3 years ago I was having some difficulties with a particular make of barrel and I discussed it with one of the most respected gunsmiths and he told me that he now inspects every barrel before it is accepetd for use. He told me he had rejected 25 barrels from the same barrel maker I was having quality issues with.
There are several lessons learned from this experience. I thought I would pass it on as most accept their new barrel blanks as pristene and precision in spec. Then have them chambered without much thought to their actual precision qualities, that can not be seen by the naked eye.
Nat Lambeth
I mounted the 1.063" X 30" barrel on centers. The tenon end indicated .005" runout and the muzzle end indicated .015" runout at the muzzle end. It too had a warp begining about 1/3 the distance from the tenon end.
I contacted the barrel manufacture to see what their spec would be for run out and straightness. They indicated that their barrels most often were within the a few .0001" +/- .0004" in straightness and the run out should not exceed .002"
I felt UPS had clearly bent the barrel during shipping.
This leads me to think barrels should be packed in better containers with better protection. It also leads me to beleive that barrels should be checked for runout, warpage, and bore consistency(slugging) before they are machined. These specs should be documented.
About 3 years ago I was having some difficulties with a particular make of barrel and I discussed it with one of the most respected gunsmiths and he told me that he now inspects every barrel before it is accepetd for use. He told me he had rejected 25 barrels from the same barrel maker I was having quality issues with.
There are several lessons learned from this experience. I thought I would pass it on as most accept their new barrel blanks as pristene and precision in spec. Then have them chambered without much thought to their actual precision qualities, that can not be seen by the naked eye.
Nat Lambeth
