Handlapping barrels

[fullersson]

Has anyone had any luck buying unlapped barrel blanks and then hand lapping them at home. What about firelapping with coated bullets like Tubb's final finish. Has anyone had any experience with these and what size groups are we talking.

 

[flatlander]

If you could find an unlapped blank with bore size allowing for lapping without winding up with a loose bore dia. and if you had someone with experience in hand lapping to show you the ropes, it might very well be a worthwhile route to wind up with a better quality bbl.

It'd be interesting to get some feedback from quality barrel makers on whether it's necessary to start out with an undersized bore before lapping.

 

[fullersson]

I didn't even consider the bore becoming loose. I wonder on average how much you would take off the barrel. I'm sure that depends on how good the barrel is to start with, but I'm talking like a Shilen that hasn't been lapped how much would you lose handlapping or firelapping.

 

[DCRYDER]

I don't think you would have to start with an undersized bore at all. Only smoothing tool marks out and varying bore diameters within the barrel shouldn't require removing much material at all, maybe probably less than .0001" per side, unless its a real turd of a barrel. In a centerfire the pressure is supposed to swell the bullet anyway.

Keep us posted with your results!!!

 

[DCRYDER]

And if I'm not mistaken Shilen only charges $30 for handlapping. I'm more than happy to let them do it for that price!!! ;D

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

A superbly handlapped barrel is part of what you're paying for when you buy a custom barrel! Some manufacturers do a better job than others I'm sure but, they all do a better job than I can ! I'm with DCRYDER, I'll let them do the work!

Mike

 

[flatlander]

I haven't been on Shilen's website, so didn't realize they sold bbls. that hadn't been lapped. PacNor used to sell match & super match bbls.; I was told that the difference was in the lapping of the supermatch. Unless a customer asks for something else, all I use are Bartlein & Krieger blanks, which have all been lapped.

 

[fullersson]

Flatlander, I didn't get the information about Shilen from their website just in case you tried to look it up. Midway list Chrome Moly Shilen barrels and under product information they're not listed as being hand lapped. I thought they also listed some SS blanks that hadn't been hand lapped, but after looking again I was mistaken. So I guess the question is does Chrome Moly ever get hand lapped.

 

[whiskey08]

I think it would make sense to slug and borescope a barrel, then decide.

I had a factory TC barrel that had rough or tight spots around mid way on the barrel. After lapping i was able to smooth out those spots to where the slug passed thru with same effort as the rest of the barrel.

In a case like that I dont think you could cause anymore damage

 

[fdshuster]

Two years ago I bought a Shilen chrome moly barrel ( wanted to keep the blued finish on the Ruger #1), and was surprised when it arrived, and before the gunsmith began his work, to see what I considered unacceptable reamer marks, using my borescope. Called Shilen and was informed that they do not hand lap their CM barrels, but they could air gauge the bore and if enough diameter remained, for an additional charge of $40, they would lap it. They did, the barrel came back without a single tool mark, and that barrel is a great shooter (within the limits of a Ruger #1), and cleans easily. One of my best.

 

[tenring]

If memory serves me correctly, some time ago on this or another forum, I read something to the effect that a novice should not try hand lapping a barrel because he can overdo it and open the bore.

Firelapping is something else. I tried the Neco system on a poor shooting 22-250 factory (Rem) barrel, with zero improvement.

 

[LHSmith]

Lapping is an art-form. It requires making a lead lap and knowledge of how to do it effectively. If you could even buy one unlapped at say $40 less , and attempt to lap it yourself, what would it possibly gain you other than having a scrap barrel as an end result. As far as firelapping why not just dump valve grinding compound in with your next oil change.

 

[JohnMill]

I would say if you want to lap a barrel give it a shot. Talk to any one who has done it or even thought about it. Do not talk nor listen to those who say you can't. If a group of like minded individuals get together and work toward a common goal they can accomplish 'bout anything. Read up on how Shilen Barrels started. He sure didn't listen to anyone that told him he was just going to make scrap. From what I've read He was an ordinary man that accomplished extraorninary thngs through hard work and gathering skills. Also there are other reasons for lapping a barrel than to improve it.
"Can't" never accomplished one d&#^* thing.
John

 

[fullersson]

Thanks for the input guys. As far as why I would want to do this, I'm just a guy who likes to keep some sort of project going to occupy my time. I may try to do one and see how it shoots before and after lapping. Thanks again guys.

 

[Larryh128]

I have fire lapped a Shilen barrel that wasn't lapped. The barrel actually shot very well but of course was difficult to clean. I used the Tubb kit & didn't shoot the 2 roughest grades of bullets, only the finest 3 grades. I was a little apprehensive but did it anyway. The barrel does shoot better and is easier to clean. MUCH easier. The claim is that the bore will be slightly larger at the chamber end from fire lapping. I have gotten Shilen C/M barrels that were & weren't lapped. I have never seen it on their web site but I was told by a Brownells tech that their pre-threaded barrels were "lonestar barrels" that were not lapped but I have bought C/M blanks from them that were.??? ???

 

[butchlambert]

Larry you must have talked to Brownells a long time ago. They haven't had Lone Star grade barrels in about 15yrs. I buy a lot of CM barrels from them and the lapping is just too cheap to pass up.
Butch

 

[Larryh128]

It was a bit ago. ;D Even at that time, I didn't see them listed on Shilen's site. It's also why I won't buy a "old stock" cheap barrel. :

 

[Bnhpr]

I've been lapping the A&B barrels for a few years now. They foul terribly if you don't.