Bushing/barrel problem

[racesnake]

I'm getting ready to chamber my first rifle barrel and have run into a little bit of a problem with finding a bushing that will fit the bore correctly. The barrel is a Shilen Select Match 308. The largest bushing I have is a 0.30008" which is too loose. Is this normal? This is the largest bushing PT&G lists for 308.
Dave

 

[gamma]

You'll be fine, Ive often had this problem. Dont push it too hard and keep lots of coolant running.

 

[kendog]

Where is it loose? Most barrel blanks are a little bell-mouthed at the ends. A by-product of manufacturing.
You could also make a bushing to fit your bore.
Ken

 

[butchlambert]

If you chamber correctly you do not need a bushing!

 

[paperpuncher]

Call PTG and get the proper fitting bushing. You can chamber without the bushing as Butch suggests if you indicate the bore and prebore the chamber.

 

[racesnake]

Thanks for the help. I'll try my hand at making one.
Dave

 

[spclark]

You probably need to cut into the breech end a bit until you get to a point about where your chamber's throat will end up. As mentioned, bores aren't always true to spec at the very ends.

"Roughing" in your chamber will also reduce wear & tear on your reamer.

 

[drumcorpschamp]

Butch Lambert is 100% correct!

I made a dummy barrel tenon barrel end while truing my action and thought I should do a test chamber with my new PTG .260 Rem. reamer before committing to reaming my Bartlein blank. I bored the chamber .010" under on the diameter and .020" short on the length, stopping at the junction of the shoulder and the neck. I removed the bushing from the reamer and proceeded to "sweat out" my 1st chamber job using a Manson floating reamer holder from Sinclair and all went great.

When all was done, the entire chamber from the breech end to the taper into the land diameter indicated a maximum of .0002" total indicator runout.

Take your time. Check twice before making chips. It does work.

Jerry