Help with reaming out a barrel channel

[montana_native]

What is the best tool to use to ream out a barrel channel? I’ve got to remove a considerable amount of material from a fiberglass stock and the ‘ol sandpaper and dowel method might take me a long time.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Kenny474]

The best method I have found may not be practical for some, as it requires some rather expensive equipment. Using a "ball nose" end-mill the size that you want to open the channel to in a milling machine is the best way I have found.

But a more practical way is to use one of the barrel channel cutting tools from Brownells. They are a lot cheaper than a mill and will work much faster than sandpaper and a dowel.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=815/k=/t=S/mfg=/Products/Barrel-Channel-Cutting-Tools

 

[1000yardstare]

I have a high school teacher`s shop certificate and use a ball end mill to route barrel channels. Retired now but have a network of machinist friends and can find a vertical mill somewhere. Or just take it to a `smith with a vertical mill.

Believe me, the above options are worth the money rather than develop a hernia with manual labour over some sort of 16th century hand rasp.