Is Shilen using new process?

[boater]

Installed a new Shilen select match in 6br on a Savage action. Went to the range all smiles with loads of 107 SMK over 28 gr Varget sparked by CCI450s. I had a doz to break in the tube & some at higher loadings if I didn't get much copper.
I was very surprised at the stiff bolt lift but little flattening of the primers. I heard that new brass sometimes gives stiff bolt lift so I tried a couple at slightly loads. ( primers looked good...)
Bolt lift remained the same....stiff

Examined the cases & found a series of scratches around the perimiter where the body begins its taper toward the neck. One scratch actually starts about .060-.070 down the body wall as if metal is sticking up & cut a grove during extraction.

The tapered portion of the fired cartridge behind the neck looks like the spun aluminum reflector on a cheap shop light. A series of rings & ridges.

Looking inside the barrel, the chamber appears very smooth on the walls, till it starts the taper. Then it looks like it was cut with a poorly sharpened twist drill. The intersection between the body wall and the start of the taper is very sharp & almost looks undercut.
It looks as though the body was cut by one tool & the taper & neck cut in a second operation???
Sorry no pics...Camera has no macro setting

Can I polish out? Send it back? Purchase reamer & clean up & go deeper??
Thanks for help from those more knowledgable than I....

 

[1972]

If it was me I'd contact Shilen and talk to them about replacing it. Sounds like something is wrong there. A match grade barrel shouldn't be like that.

 

[Kenny474]

You just got a bad chamber. It happens on occasion. Just call Shilen and explain the problem, as long as you bought the barrel from them or a reputable dealer they will most likely take care of it.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I had one like that from Pac-nor. They stood behind it.

 

[skeetlee]

Contrary to what most believe, shilen barrels are world class, and every bit as good as any of the others on the market. Its no surprise to me your rifle is shooting so good. Anyway back to the chamber, ya it sounds like the reamer was a bit on the worn side or most likely a chip of steel got caught in the reamer while the chamber was being cut. Contact shilen and talk with them. Im sure they will want to have a look at the barrel. Good luck and i hope it all works out for you. Good shooting!! Lee

 

[boater]

Re: Is Shilen using new process? Thank you

I called Shilen & They are sending a ups pick up label. Hopefully they can clean up the chamber. Shoots good but you have to extract....& its nice to be able to use the brass a second or third time......
Thanks again for your thoughts
Jim

 

[MJC]

Shilen has been putting out some really sloppy work the last year or so. I returned two pre-turned, short chambered barrels for bad threads and they were shorter than advertised. It was obvious they were rethreaded and rechambered because the breech section was shorter than the ones previously from them. This second attempt didn't work out either. They made it good and sent a new barrel, but why did they let them leave the shop in that condition? I still like their barrels, but no more chambering or threading from their shop for me.