EDM machining

[sixshooter1948]

HI Guys ! Just wondered why a person with the means to do so, would not consider machining a receiver and chamber into a barrel as integral parts. This would eliminate any flex etc. Also scope would effectively be mounted to barrel. Of course I know cost would be a consideration for most of us, but many shooters that strive for the ultimate in accuracy have the means to explore this. EDM seems to be the answer to the machine work. I was just curious as to your opinions. Also I don't know if this is possible. THANKS Gary

 

[savagedasher]

I doubt it could be done. Good Shooting Larry

 

[butchlambert]

Gary Breil offers EDM receiver blanks. It has to be an ego thing to build your own receiver. You can buy a good custom for less money.

 

[M-61]

I knew a German moldmaker (WWII vet....wrong side including 2 winters on the Russian front). I think he was a genius. He had an EDM machine (Swiss make). I believe the work was.... everything you wanted removed from a block of steel had to first be reproduced in carbon.
I might be mixed up with this as it was long ago. Max taught me 1% of what he knew and that filled my mind.
If the process is what I am thinking of then buthlambert's answer about it being an ego thing is dead on.

 

[savagedasher]

I don't know of any one who does rifling that way Larry

 

[butchlambert]

Well Larry, I see no reference to a barrel. I do have a piece of a World War 11 barrel that was EDM cut.
M-61, I believe your moldmaker used plunge EDM with a Graphite electrode. I used to machine the nasty electrodes in the olden days from Poco Graphite. Gary uses wire EDM to do the barrel bores and raceways.

 

[savagedasher]

He said integral part of the barrel .I was asking about doing rifeling that way also. that I feel is the only way a straight barrel could be made. Larry

 

[M-61]

Well Larry, I see no reference to a barrel. I do have a piece of a World War 11 barrel that was EDM cut.
M-61, I believe your moldmaker used plunge EDM with a Graphite electrode. I used to machine the nasty electrodes in the olden days from Poco Graphite. Gary uses wire EDM to do the barrel bores and raceways.

YES! Graphite...not carbon. It's a long time ago but I think I was on the right track sort of! Max would not be happy with my making this mistake. Even in my youth I used to watch in awe.

 

[butchlambert]

Missed the integral part.

 

[Beau]

They aren't EDMed, but Sauer rifles have the locking lugs integral to the barrel.
They shoot very well but you have to get your replacements from Sauer.

 

[Raythemanroe]

Are you asking if one could order a barrel eight inches longer and machine the action directly into the barrel therefore having one solid peace?

 

[butchlambert]

I believe it is possible, but not feasible.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I believe it is possible, but not feasible.

I would be interested to see the end results but not the expense of a throw away gun!

 

[butchlambert]

Why would it be a throwaway?

 

[PRECISIONWELDING01]

Tubb rifles and mcmillian alias are wire edm cut

 

[butchlambert]

The receiver bores and raceways only. Who builds Tubb's receivers?

 

[Raythemanroe]

Why would it be a throwaway?

Are you saying when there barrel gives up you would cut the receiver off?

 

[M-61]

They aren't EDMed, but Sauer rifles have the locking lugs integral to the barrel.
They shoot very well but you have to get your replacements from Sauer.

I believe Merkel and Blaser also.

 

[butchlambert]

Why would it be a throwaway?

Are you saying when there barrel gives up you would cut the receiver off?

Ray,
Have you ever shot out a hunting barrel? I still think he asked if it can be done.

 

[cncmill]

As a Tool Maker/ Mold Maker I feel I have to chime in here. As Raythemanroe stated you would need a barrel manufacturer to make the barrel 7" -8" longer so you could make it integral. You could not use a standard Plunge EDM machine because the length of the part. There is an EDM machine that has a hole in the table so you can burn long parts so it may be feasible but cost prohibitive. Anyone that chambered a rifle before, think about trying to chamber it through the receiver. I am sure someone would grind you a reamer 8" longer so you could do it. So that leaves you with burning the chamber and undercut for the lugs also. All of which could be done if you had access to all the right equipment and a lot of time. Just think if you did all that work and it would not shoot well. You couldn't just unscrew the barrel and try a new one. It would make one hell of a nice cane though. Butchlambert stated it perfectly: possible but not feasible.