Chambering cost's and time required ?

[Alex Wheeler]

The last time I rechambered a barrel was to make a 22-250 into a 22-250ai. I set it back one thread. Even thoroughly cleaning the barrel did not prevent ruining a brand new reamer. Yes it still cut but under magnification you could see the damage on the lead. With a bore scope you could see the throat was also cut rougher than I except. Not all chamber work is done to the same level. I will never put a reamer into a used barrel again. Especially those "good" reamers, those cant be replaced at any cost.

 

[jackieschmidt]

If this is a Ruger Stainless Factory Barrel, don’t bother. About five years ago, As a favor to a friend I ran his 22-250 Ackley Imp reamer into his factory 22-250 barrel For a model 77.

I have no idea what kind of stainless Ruger used in their hammer forged barrels, but it just about ruined that reamer. That, and nothing on that barrel ran true with anything else.

it did shoot decent for a live Varmint rifle.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I've cut exactly 1 chamber so take it for what it's worth, but I think the amount of effort isn't going to be terribly different. Probably worse because you're dealing with an old barrel like others have said.

It'd be well worth your time, money, and investment to get a new barrel and have that set up the way you want it.

Also don’t forget you have to deal with any previous runout

 

[Will Henry]

I have to say, a large part of my business in my early career involved salvaging barrels, re-chambering barrels, fitting take-off barrels to other actions and just doing what the customer wanted; if I could. While rechamber jobs are not always that straight forward, they shouldn't be all that daunting. If a chamber is misaligned, then the re-chamber job might be more of a challenge. In the end, what a person does or does not do, is between them and their gunsmith. In the case of a 223, the performance difference between the standard cartridge and the AI version is virtually nil so I wouldn't bother with it. WH

 

[muleman69]

The rifle is new and I did find a Smith to do the work, all I can do is hope it works or buy another barrel.

 

[kendog]

I beleive most gunsmiths, would charge you around $125.00 for a re=chamber job. But as many have mentioned there is more too doing the job right, than just "Punching it out". Talk to one of your local smiths and see what he says.

I seriously doubt he would say $125. If he does.... RUN! AWAY...!

 

[Sniperhandle]

Most Gunsmith's Don't get paid enough for the time involved in doing custom work. They work hard and long hours and Don't make as much as you think they might. And especially when you consider the cost of Equipment and tooling.