How much do you charge to chamber a barrel?

[JRS]

You asked "How many man hours does it take for a complete chambering job?" And I answered your question. And thew in a little detail about what is involved.
You are wiling to get a Borden action, I assume a premium match barrel, a good quality reamer probably custom ground, and you want it assembled with Remington or Savage production line approach??

I realize what is involved. I have had more than one chambering job performed. I don't want someone telling me the action needs this or that done to it. "While we were changing your oil and filter, we noticed a number of other items that need to be repaired/replaced" As I stated above, I received the answer to my question by talking to one of our full time accuracy gunsmiths.

 

[jimmymac]

I realize what is involved. I have had more than one chambering job performed. I don't want someone telling me the action needs this or that done to it. "While we were changing your oil and filter, we noticed a number of other items that need to be repaired/replaced" As I stated above, I received the answer to my question by talking to one of our full time accuracy gunsmiths.

So I'm curious. What is the answer you were given?

 

[Hengehold]

All recommendations are welcome.

I know of many smiths but here are a couple that I have personally used. They do a great job and are reasonably priced.

- Randy Gregory at http://www.accuracyunlimited.com/
He is a VERY experienced machinist (30 yrs experience), cuts his own rifle barrels, and I believe he is a former national champion in either NRA Long Range or NRA High Power Rifle. Pricing is very reasonable.

- Blair Cloudis does a fine job fitting barrels at a fair price. His email is : clowdis@northstate.net

Hope this helps,

-T

 

[MDSpencer]

Anyone rebarrel the Ruger M77?

I do. I charge from $150 to $350. For chambering. $40 for the tuners and some breaks. Different Guns different prices. Talk or the phone and then the bigger picture when the customers arrives.

We as Smiths are ~ Salesmen, engineers, mfg’s , tool and die makers. Psychologists ( which we never will get paid. ). Plus floor sweepers. Ooh accountants. Which I am bad at. So I pay for it.

 

[Eddie Harren]

"So I'm curious. What is the answer you were given?"

That is a deep, dark secret for only the privileged folks!

 

[Prose]

Good, Fast, and Cheap. You can only pick two.

Good and fast won't be cheap, Fast and Cheap won't be good.

Or at least that's what they say, I fly a desk and don't know the value of an honest days labor anymore

 

[JRS]

"So I'm curious. What is the answer you were given?"

That is a deep, dark secret for only the privileged folks!

 

[hoz53]

Good, Fast, and Cheap. You can only pick two.

Good and fast won't be cheap, Fast and Cheap won't be good.

Or at least that's what they say, I fly a desk and don't know the value of an honest days labor anymore

how about good and cheap--thats a fantasy right

 

[dakor]

I charge $250 to chamber, crown, and caliber stamp the barrel. I like working on Ruger M77's. My turn around time is 6 to 10 weeks if not waiting on parts.

 

[jsn]

JRS,

Some time ago the labor standard of 3 hours to perform a quality, concentric chamber job on a new barrel was discussed. I don't remember if it included logging in, phone calls, etc. Probably not.

You really can't expect a business to discuss their labor standards with you, especially when they show a sign saying "Shop Rate $xxx" and know that at least several people are capable of multiplying the shop rate by a hypothetical number of hours to determine if they are overcharged or not.

As far as the other topics, insurance, overhead, customer chat time, etc.; while these are real topics, every business has a basic pricing structure that should take these into account. As some have noted, those that do not understand the basics of business usually do not stay in business long. Statistics on small business failures in all industries bear this out.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

When I was a mechanic working flat rate I could usually do a job in half the time the book quoted. So if a job paid 10 hrs, I could do it in 5 hrs. You HAVE to almost beat the labor rates that much if you expect to break even at the end of the week factoring in all the things we do dont get paid for. As a mechanic you get paid to turn a wrench, anything else you do is unpaid. You should ask your gunsmith to factor in every hour he dedicates to his business in a week and divide it by what he made. An actual dollar per hour.

 

[RJ]

Isn't it funny when guys that aren't in the business of building rifles try to advise other guys who aren't in the business of building rifles what the Riflesmith should charge for his services?

I don't know about the rest of the Riflesmiths on this forum, And there are many skilled craftsman that post here. But I take it as an insult when a client questions or tries to negotiate what we charge for services. I believe that on average we are not charging enough.

Here's an example, I had a client that wanted the barrel replaced on his Rifle just last week. I gave him a quote, he leaves mumbling. He returns in a couple days after calling the manufacturer. The manufacturer gives him an estimate of over 800.00. Every Smith knows that has borescoped many factory barrels what kind of job he's getting. For those who don't, Everything on that over 800.00 factory barrel is going to be crooked as a do it yourself haircut. And we charge too much?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I realize what is involved. I have had more than one chambering job performed. I don't want someone telling me the action needs this or that done to it. "While we were changing your oil and filter, we noticed a number of other items that need to be repaired/replaced" As I stated above, I received the answer to my question by talking to one of our full time accuracy gunsmiths.

You dont want your smith checking out your high dollar action for the many possible issues they can have? You want an assembler then, not a smith.

 

[JRS]

You dont want your smith checking out your high dollar action for the many possible issues they can have? You want an assembler then, not a smith.

The gunsmith doing my work is quite good at what he does

 

[urbanrifleman]

I charge $250 to chamber, crown, and caliber stamp the barrel. I like working on Ruger M77's. My turn around time is 6 to 10 weeks if not waiting on parts.

Do you know if there is a way to rebarrel a M77 VT and get that dark patina on the stainless barrel like the factory does?

 

[dakor]

Do you know if there is a way to rebarrel a M77 VT and get that dark patina on the stainless barrel like the factory does?

I am not sure what they use to get that finish but cerakote makes some colors that are pretty close to it. Blasting it would get you close but it wouldnt be a smooth finish on it.

 

[kendog]

You dont want your smith checking out your high dollar action for the many possible issues they can have?...

But... but... it is perfect in every way. It says so right on the web page.

 

[Prose]

how about good and cheap--thats a fantasy right

It won't be fast.

Do you know if there is a way to rebarrel a M77 VT and get that dark patina on the stainless barrel like the factory does?

That's a proprietary finish ruger developed. Think it's called "Target Grey." There are probably folks that can duplicate it, but cerekote would be a good option over a bead blast.

 

[akajiggs]

This is kind of off the beaten path but it is line with what everyone is saying.When I was building custom fishing rods, a man came in my shop and told me what he wanted me to build for him.When I told him it would cost him $450.00,I thought he was going to have a cow. I didn't then nor I do now usually show someone why it cost so much,but since this was a friend of mine,I did.When everything started adding up he kind of understood I guess.We are still friends and he didn't have me build the rod after all.
In any kind of business ,everything is relative.You pay for what you get.
Jim

 

[Dusty Stevens]

This is kind of off the beaten path but it is line with what everyone is saying.When I was building custom fishing rods, a man came in my shop and told me what he wanted me to build for him.When I told him it would cost him $450.00,I thought he was going to have a cow. I didn't then nor I do now usually show someone why it cost so much,but since this was a friend of mine,I did.When everything started adding up he kind of understood I guess.We are still friends and he didn't have me build the rod after all.
In any kind of business ,everything is relative.You pay for what you get.
Jim

best fishing rods ever built. saddened I have to go elsewhere now.