First Octagon barrel!

[boltfluter]

Paul

Thanks for your reply!
PM what an estimated cost to do the cutting of the Octagonal barrel flats.

Thanks again, great looking work there!

Steve M.

Steve,
PM sent.

Paul

 

[Twicepop]

Does this alter the bore/groove dimensions any by doing this? A few years back I read an article (I don't recall where anymore) that said changing the outside dimensions of a completed barrel will change the internal dimensions. The example they gave was a bull barrel that was air gauged, then turned down to a smaller profile and air gauged afterwards and the bore/groove dimensions were smaller than before.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Does this alter the bore/groove dimensions any by doing this? A few years back I read an article (I don't recall where anymore) that said changing the outside dimensions of a completed barrel will change the internal dimensions. The example they gave was a bull barrel that was air gauged, then turned down to a smaller profile and air gauged afterwards and the bore/groove dimensions were smaller than before.

This is believed to be true only on button rifled barrels due to compression of the metal by the carbide button.

Barrels that are cut rifled, such as Krieger and Bartlien, tend to be immune to this.

 

[Adam in WI]

I remember shooting small bore with an older gentleman who shot an Anschutz that had a bull barrel that was turned down ~.050" except for the last 2" near the muzzle. His explanation was what you describe, and that leaving the last 2 inches full diameter essentially created a choked bore which would in theory negate any bore inconsistencies before the (slightly) reduced bore diameter.

 

[Ol Thumper]

Great job, I love the look of that barrel..

 

[NorCalMikie]

That Octagon barrel, on a custom action, mounted on one of Bc'z custom painted stocks? Guarantee there would NEVER be one shot fired due to all the "show and tell" action going on. Might just as well leave all your ammo home. And no hearing protection needed either. Maybe wipe the drool and finger prints off when the day is done. What a way to spend the day.

 

[boltfluter]

Does this alter the bore/groove dimensions any by doing this? A few years back I read an article (I don't recall where anymore) that said changing the outside dimensions of a completed barrel will change the internal dimensions. The example they gave was a bull barrel that was air gauged, then turned down to a smaller profile and air gauged afterwards and the bore/groove dimensions were smaller than before.

This procedure is only done on custom stainless barrels. Only about .030 of material needs to come off for this look. This machining is done in a certain order with multiple passes and flood coolant. June of this year will be 11 years of fluting bolts and barrels. Probably in the thousands for sure. I have never had a barrel back for accuracy issues, but I do adhere to strict rules as to what I will and will not do. Good question!

Thanks, Paul

 

[boltfluter]

That Octagon barrel on a custom action, mounted on one of Bc'z custom painted stocks? Guarantee there would NEVER be one shot fired due to all the "show and tell" action going on. Might just as well leave all your ammo home. And no hearing protection needed either. Maybe wipe the drool and finger prints off when the day is done. What a way to spend the day.

Mike,

Gun porn for sure! Lol.

Paul

 

[NorCalMikie]

And just in case I didn't say it before, THAT IS SO COOL!!!
Funny how one thing like the barrel design can change the whole outlook of a rig.
After seeing that barrel work, which is FIRST CLASS WORK, I can just imagine the "waiting list". Sure will keep you out of the bars for a while at least.

 

[Zeiss]

To Adam in WI,
It's a adjustable spanner not a crescent wrench. I can hear the echo of my shop teacher
in my ear. LOL.

 

[joshb]

I’m in! Might send you two! PM sent!

 

[jackieschmidt]

To Adam in WI,
It's a adjustable spanner not a crescent wrench. I can hear the echo of my shop teacher
in my ear. LOL.

Heck, for years I thought what everybody else called a pipe wrench was a “Stillson Wrench”.

That’s what my Dad called it.

 

[Danley]

Looks awesome Paul. Job well done!

 

[kvd]

Very nice!

 

[NorCalMikie]

This procedure is only done on custom stainless barrels.

No CM barrels??
And has anybody actually seen any difference in accuracy after the round to the Octagon cut?

 

[joshb]

No CM barrels??
And has anybody actually seen any difference in accuracy after the round to the Octagon cut?

I think it’s a roll of the dice. I’m sending Paul an unchambered barrel, so I won’t have a “before” for the after. I’m willing to take that risk for the look. I don’t really need this gun to be a Tournament winner, anyway. I’m just trying to build a nifty looking hunting gun.

 

[NorCalMikie]

a nifty looking hunting gun.

You'll have that "for sure". A REAL looker.

 

[sstkmkrr]

joshb

You want to have that Bbl chambered and index for the top 12:00. Then have Paul do his magic on the flats. That way your top flat will come out where it looks best!

Just a thought.

Good luck with the Bbl.

Steve M.
sstkmkrr

 

[NorCalMikie]

I was also thinking about the position of the flats in relation to the head space setting?
If removing an already mounted barrel to have done, maybe mark the top center line so the first flat cut would be the center/top of the fitted barrel? Wouldn't want a flat to be cocked off center to one side or the other because you didn't plan far enough ahead.
And if you didn't plan ahead and got a barrel done, and the fitted barrel came out with a flat off center, you know for sure, some one would be blaming the flat cutter because YOU didn't do your homework and plan ahead. We're talking center fire here, not BP front stuffers. Just thinking ahead/out loud.

 

[joshb]

joshb

You want to have that Bbl chambered and index for the top 12:00. Then have Paul do his magic on the flats. That way your top flat will come out where it looks best!

Just a thought.

Good luck with the Bbl.

Steve M.
sstkmkrr

Yeah, I was pondering that. I’m a carpenter, not a machinist. My machinist for this build is in Africa at the moment, so I can’t ask him. I don’t know the steps. Do you thread and shoulder, then set tenon length. Square up the end of the barrel and set the tenon length off that? I’m a mushroom!