I Finished The New Barrel Block For My Rail Gun.

[jackieschmidt]

I finally finished a project I has been in planning for some time. A new barrel block with non metallic bushings to isolate the barrel from the metal.

I had a proven barrel laying around, so I cut it off on both ends for a new crown and tenon. It is a rather old 13.5 twist Krieger chambered in .269 neck 6PPC with a .055 freebore.

I took a light cut on the OD of the barrel to get it dead true with the ID. The barrel block bore is 1 3/4. I made the bushings from CIP, a woven material that we use to make rudder and steering linkage bushings for Push boats.

After settling on 60 inch pounds of torque on the bolts, and doing a little tuning, I shot these three groups. The load is 30.4 grns of N133 behind my own 68 grn flatbase bullet.

I really wanted to go to the NBRSA Nationals in Saint Louis this year, but they are just a week after my eye surgery.

Here are some pictures.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The stingray

 

[jelenko]

Is there a reason the barrel block doesn't go the whole length of the barrel?

 

[Jefferson]

only need to hold the barrel parallel
would serve no useful purpose and besides you would have to skim the barrel to be true on the block

 

[Sandstorm]

Looks like it will shoot Jackie.
Nice job.

 

[ND shooter]

I know some guys around my area(1000 yd every day all day, know it all, so called sharpshooting hunters) who's 1 shot groups at 100 yds can't match your 10 shot groups! That's some real nice groups.

 

[jonbearman]

What a great shooter Jackie.

 

[Lee in Texas]

Did you tighten the bolts in a special order? If so, how is it determined? I’ve always wondered that (thinking about car parts). Anyway- darn nice work.

 

[ebb]

I really envy the ability to build the bullets, chamber and crown the barrel and make the barrel block, and have the talent to make them go in the same hole. A lot of green on those patches on the ground, are they from this barrel?

 

[BartsBullets]

Nice job Jackie!

 

[357Mag]

I finally finished a project I has been in planning for some time. A new barrel block with non metallic bushings to isolate the barrel from the metal.

I had a proven barrel laying around, so I cut it off on both ends for a new crown and tenon. It is a rather old 13.5 twist Krieger chambered in .269 neck 6PPC with a .055 freebore.

I took a light cut on the OD of the barrel to get it dead true with the ID. The barrel block bore is 1 3/4. I made the bushings from CIP, a woven material that we use to make rudder and steering linkage bushings for Push boats.

After settling on 60 inch pounds of torque on the bolts, and doing a little tuning, I shot these three groups. The load is 30.4 grns of N133 behind my own 68 grn flatbase bullet.

I really wanted to go to the NBRSA Nationals in Saint Louis this year, but they are just a week after my eye surgery.

Here are some pictures.View attachment 1367431View attachment 1367432View attachment 1367433View attachment 1367434

Jackie -

Great job ! Also.... great shootin' !

Hope your eye surgery works out well for you !


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I really envy the ability to build the bullets, chamber and crown the barrel and make the barrel block, and have the talent to make them go in the same hole. A lot of green on those patches on the ground, are they from this barrel?

Looks like hes using butchs and a bronze brush to stay on top of his cleaning.

 

[Uncle Bruce]

I really envy the ability to build the bullets, chamber and crown the barrel and make the barrel block, and have the talent to make them go in the same hole. A lot of green on those patches on the ground, are they from this barrel?

If the patch is green it's not in the barrel anymore.

 

[ebb]

You are right, but when Jackie mentioned it was a veteran barrel, I would have guessed the heavy copper phase was over. I never mistook Jackie for a nylon brusher, knew better.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I know some guys around my area(1000 yd every day all day, know it all, so called sharpshooting hunters) who's 1 shot groups at 100 yds can't match your 10 shot groups! That's some real nice groups.

One thing to remember about an Unlimited Rail Gun.

If it won’t shoot at that level, about all it is is a big expensive doorstop.

 

[Hal]

Jackie

Don't touch a thing.
Best luck on your eye surgery.

Hal

 

[jackieschmidt]

Did you tighten the bolts in a special order? If so, how is it determined? I’ve always wondered that (thinking about car parts). Anyway- darn nice work.

I start on the inside and work out.

here is a tip.

you set your rail gun up on the bench on the benche with the bolts all just finger tight.
since the scope is mounted on the action, you can put the cross hairs on an aiming point, we will call this the static position.

as you tighten each bolt you will see the cross hairs shift on the target a little. As you approach your 60 inch pounds, try to adjust the bolts so the cross hairs move ever so slightly down in an even pattern. They won’t drop much as 60 pound inches is not much at all.

But it is plenty tight to secure the 1.400 diameter barrel and not risk closing the ID.

 

[AlNyhus]

Very cool, Jackie. That C.I.P. material is pretty interesting. -Al

 

[jackieschmidt]

Looks like hes using butchs and a bronze brush to stay on top of his cleaning.

Nothing but. I haven’t put anything in my barrels but Butches since Butch concocted it some 20 years ago.

To answer ebb, Of course, the green on the patches is from the bronze brush.

 

[55fairlane]

The bore & bushing.......... Are they right on size or is there like .001 "press" ........
60 inch pounds with as much bearing surface as you gave should hold the Queen Mary in place.