Carbide Chamber Reamers

[sdean]

Theres a lot of different ways guys chamber. If your method involves a well indicated bore the bushing does more harm than good.

Some indicate both ends and some just the chamber yet both ways can produce winning rifles. It makes me wonder what really makes a difference.
There is way more to accuracy than the chamber.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have done it a few ways. I have no doubt in my mind what I feel produces the most accurate barrels on a consistent basis. But I wont go there.

 

[DaveTooley]

I have some carbide reamers because of the OEM work I do. 308, 6.5CM etc. I run them at 350-400 RPM's with flush oil system. The chamber is roughed in with a JGS caliber specific core drill. I wish I had gone to carbide sooner. Better finish and I have yet to wear one out although I'm getting close on a 308 reamer.

 

[littlebuddybr]

I have done it a few ways. I have no doubt in my mind what I feel produces the most accurate barrels on a consistent basis. But I wont go there.

Please, go there??

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have learned what topics to avoid, unless you want to be in a pissing match for the next couple weeks.

 

[Cloudrepair]

I have learned what topics to avoid, unless you want to be in a pissing match for the next couple weeks.

I was thinking last night about a chambering competition?
If it wasn't for all that and so many other things it may be very interesting.
Maybe even fun but how would you know for sure if it was the barrel or the lathe operator?
Maybe a TV show
Would you be able to make enough money to make it worth it all

 

[butchlambert]

I would say 90% barrel.

 

[sdean]

I would say 90% barrel.

With all the different ways to indicate and set up a barrel that will still produce a good shooting gun Butch is pretty close.

 

[Cloudrepair]

I would say 90% barrel.

Is there a barrel maker consistent enough? maybe Krieger?

 

[DaveTooley]

Butch I'm not sure the % is that high. I've seen some match grade barrels that just wouldn't shoot to an acceptable level . I own a 257 WBY that will kill every deer I shoot at but just doesn't measure up in accuracy. it's a 1" gun. I know the reason. The pilot is way way out in front of the throat. It was done back in the day when I thought a tight fitting bushing would compensate for anything I did wrong. The explanation is the throat is visibly off center.
I've been involved in several investigations involving match grade barrels with accuracy problems. 90% of the problems were related to chambers.
I've got some hammer forged blanks from a major manufacturer. One day I need to chamber them and test for accuracy. I'm sure, one way or the other, it will be a surprise.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Butch I'm not sure the % is that high. I've seen some match grade barrels that just wouldn't shoot to an acceptable level . I own a 257 WBY that will kill every deer I shoot at but just doesn't measure up in accuracy. it's a 1" gun. I know the reason. The pilot is way way out in front of the throat. It was done back in the day when I thought a tight fitting bushing would compensate for anything I did wrong. The explanation is the throat is visibly off center.
I've been involved in several investigations involving match grade barrels with accuracy problems. 90% of the problems were related to chambers.
I've got some hammer forged blanks from a major manufacturer. One day I need to chamber them and test for accuracy. I'm sure, one way or the other, it will be a surprise.

Have you ever thought about rechambering it and seeing how much it improves?

 

[DaveTooley]

How much would I have to cut off? There is no way to straighten it up. The reamer is going to the middle of the existing hole.

 

[Shrek]

How much would I have to cut off? There is no way to straighten it up. The reamer is going to the middle of the existing hole.

This makes me think of the mechanics’ car ! You’re Dave freaking Tooley ! Put another barrel on it !
Serious question though , using a boring bar to correct the alignment how little do you think you would need to cut off to get the reamer to track true to the bore ?

 

[littlebuddybr]

I have learned what topics to avoid, unless you want to be in a pissing match for the next couple weeks.

I understand what you mean. Some people here really like to learn, and understand different methods of certain procedures. Especially from experienced professionals like yourself .
I have seen threads here where people argue so much back and forth a person can't even understand what is going on.

 

[DaveTooley]

This makes me think of the mechanics’ car ! You’re Dave freaking Tooley ! Put another barrel on it !
Serious question though , using a boring bar to correct the alignment how little do you think you would need to cut off to get the reamer to track true to the bore ?

It's a hunting rifle. Serial number 1 of my action. McMillan stock, Cerakote etc. Too nice for me . Shot a large 8 1/2 year old Kansas whitetail with it. We called it a mercy killing as he was so old he could barely walk. Back to the barrel. Going through my head what would be needed to fix this I'm not sure anyone could straighten up the chamber. How would you set it up? Other than the bore in front of the throat could you trust any other surface?

 

[Shrek]

It's a hunting rifle. Serial number 1 of my action. McMillan stock, Cerakote etc. Too nice for me . Shot a large 8 1/2 year old Kansas whitetail with it. We called it a mercy killing as he was so old he could barely walk. Back to the barrel. Going through my head what would be needed to fix this I'm not sure anyone could straighten up the chamber. How would you set it up? Other than the bore in front of the throat could you trust any other surface?

I’m just being a smart a”” ! I’m not the professional you are so I’m asking the question in earnest. I had the thought that you could cut the length of the neck off the tenon and indicate center of the bore ahead of the chamber and then cut the body with a boring bar to give the reamer a straight hole to engage. Between the straight body and the pilot being aligned I had the thought that it would be enough to correct the neck and freebore but I don’t know anything. The reamer may still follow the old neck when it cuts. I don’t know so I’m asking.
All of my equipment is sitting in a warehouse waiting for me to build a shop to put it in. I thought I was building it this spring but instead I spent a week in the hospital with a stroke and getting a stint in my carotid artery. I’m still stuck in the theoretical stage of my chambering experience.

 

[DaveTooley]

I’m just being a smart a”” ! I’m not the professional you are so I’m asking the question in earnest. I had the thought that you could cut the length of the neck off the tenon and indicate center of the bore ahead of the chamber and then cut the body with a boring bar to give the reamer a straight hole to engage. Between the straight body and the pilot being aligned I had the thought that it would be enough to correct the neck and freebore but I don’t know anything. The reamer may still follow the old neck when it cuts. I don’t know so I’m asking.
All of my equipment is sitting in a warehouse waiting for me to build a shop to put it in. I thought I was building it this spring but instead I spent a week in the hospital with a stroke and getting a stint in my carotid artery. I’m still stuck in the theoretical stage of my chambering experience.

That sounds plausible but in reality can the barrel be set back up in the same orientation axially as initially done? We're splitting hairs here but the chamber, both ends, would have to be in alignment axially then the throat dialed in. Then proceed with the work. There would only be a few thousandths to work with on the chamber OD. Very iffy.
Good mental exercise.

 

[IdahoCTD]

If you just dialed in the end of the barrel and cut a bolt nose (you didn't mention the action type) then it should be true to that part of the barrel. You can use the throat and bolt nose cut/recess to get your two points to dial it in. But now your action threads will be off. Burn up the barrel and fix it with barrel #2.