Headspace Question

[Ccrider]

I have two Farley actions that have the same threads but different head spacing. As a result, the current barrels are not interchangeable. Can this be remediated with new barrels so that I can swap barrels between the two actions?
Thanks

 

[riflewoman]

How far out are they?

 

[243winxb]

Set both barrels back, use same reamer to set head space.

Or buy new barrels and use same reamer. Set head space.

 

[Ccrider]

How far out are they?

About a half a turn of the barrel out.

 

[Ccrider]

Set both barrels back, use same reamer to set head space.

Or buy new barrels and use same reamer. Set head space.

So if new barrels are cut with the same reamer the smith can make them the same/ interchangeable?

 

[243winxb]

Ask a gunsmith. My guess, its possible?

The actions may need some adjustment also. They need to be the same.

 

[riflewoman]

It sounds to me like this is more of a thread timing issue. If the thread starts at different “clock-face” points around the periphery of the action ring, there is no real way to make barrels interchangeable. Since the diffference is “half a turn” that is .030 for a 16 thread pitch and .025 for a 20 pitch thread. This is presuming the receivers are otherwise identical.

 

[dellet]

If you match the action to the barrels, yes.

The distance from bolt face in the closed position, to the surface of the recoil lug will need to be the same, or within an acceptable +/- that will be the difference in fired brass.

Or you could go the remage route.

 

[C. Nichols]

First, you must determine the headspace on the 2 actions are the same. Measure from the face of the action to the face of the bolt with firing pin assembly removed and bolt in cocked position using a depth micrometer. If the distance is .001 different or less then yes it can be done.

Chris

 

[Bob3700]

Any decent gunsmith should be able to chamber both barrels so that the difference in headspace is negligible. If you own the reamer, and one bbl is headspaced short, then the smith should be able to run the reamer in the required amount and have both bbls headspaced the same. That is what they make micrometer reamer stops for.

 

[C. Nichols]

He’s wanting the barrels interchangeable. Therefore the actions have to be the same. Has nothing to do with the reamer

 

[Kings X]

OP says the headspace on the two actions is different. You can’t fix that with barrels.
The longer of the two actions will need to be faced off.
Now the lettering on the barrel may not lineup but the barrels could be swapped.

 

[riflewoman]

OP says the headspace on the two actions is different. You can’t fix that with barrels.
The longer of the two actions will need to be faced off.
Now the lettering on the barrel may not lineup but the barrels could be swapped.

Im not sure even facing the action face will fix the problem. If the barrels are threaded for one they won’t line up or headspace to another if the thread timing is off.

Of course without having the rifles in hand, all this is conjecture anyway.

 

[Ccrider]

Thanks for the replies. I was just curious and will not get the new barrel to the smith until Monday. I am sure he will do it if it’s feasible. I was thinking he could thread the second barrel the same and then cut the chamber. We will see.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The actions have to be the same. Farleys are not one of the interchangable barrel actions. If you want to do this sell the farleys and buy a pair of pandas or bats. You can also send the actions to your gunsmith and get them matched up. Engraving will not line up, so if that concerns you go back to solution #1

 

[AlNyhus]

As Dusty said, Farleys are not 'barrel interchangeable' from one to the other, even within the same series of actions.

You can make a spacer to take up the difference and adjust the f.l. die accordingly. Kelbly does this with the Atlas series of actions...a spacer allows use of Panda/Kodiak barrels.

But the best bet is to have the long-head space action faced off so the head space dimension is the same between the two. This will require a chamber touch up on one of the barrels, naturally. But going forward, it's the best long term solution as they'll be barrel- interchangeable actions at that point.

The upside to having barrel interchangeable actions is huge. I've swapped my Panda barrels with my Kodiak, my barrels with other shooters Panda/Kodiaks, etc, etc. For trouble shooting a possible barrel issue, for example, the benefit can't be stressed enough.

Hope this helps. -Al

 

[watercam]

In my case I measure the longest headspace and then carefully run a reamer into the shorter barrel and cut to match. Would only be a couple of thou at the most. Assuming it was the same reamer originally used the throat would match as well.
I run two Palma rifles and do this every time I rebarrel.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

In my case I measure the longest headspace and then carefully run a reamer into the shorter barrel and cut to match. Would only be a couple of thou at the most. Assuming it was the same reamer originally used the throat would match as well.
I run two Palma rifles and do this every time I rebarrel.

That would work if the actions both have the same headspace and the barrels were the only difference

 

[Ccrider]

That would work if the actions both have the same headspace and the barrels were the only difference

I see it now. If the actions are not the same, the longer will have to be shortened or some sort of shim used on the shorter action.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I see it now. If the actions are not the same, the longer will have to be shortened or some sort of shim used on the shorter action.

Exactly. Just forget the barrels and maybe thatll make it easier to see