Is there any way to booger up a RF barrel reline?

[Shawnba67]

A friend of a friend has asked me about installing a couple barrel liners in some old 22's. I watched a few videos and it looks entirely doable to me But I dont have near the collective experience of this forum.
So I ask are there any hang up points or spots were it can go all wrong? Any ways to do something more better? lol Thanks fella's
I

 

[RWO]

I used an 8 mm twist drill with a 1/4" drill rod extension silver brazed on. I ground a short pilot to fit the old bore on the front end. Don't remember the dia. Chucked the barrel in the 3-jaw and the drill extension in the tailstock chuck. Lots of cutting oil and frequent pecking produced a nice smooth, snug hole for the liner. Pushed the liner in with plenty of Loctite 609 on the liner. Next morning it was ready for crowning and chambering. The joint was invisible on the crown. Shot great.

RWO

 

[Shawnba67]

I used an 8 mm twist drill with a 1/4" drill rod extension silver brazed on. I ground a short pilot to fit the old bore on the front end. Don't remember the dia. Chucked the barrel in the 3-jaw and the drill extension in the tailstock chuck. Lots of cutting oil and frequent pecking produced a nice smooth, snug hole for the liner. Pushed the liner in with plenty of Loctite 609 on the liner. Next morning it was ready for crowning and chambering. The joint was invisible on the crown. Shot great.

RWO

Nice, thanks. I think I can do this!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I gotta ask why would you re-line a barrel? Im not being a smartass im actually wondering why they even offer the stuff to do it? Seems very “old rickety storage building gunsmith” type work. I guess sentimental value is the only reason i can think of but even then just put it in the safe and covet it.

 

[Shawnba67]

I gotta ask why would you re-line a barrel? Im not being a smartass im actually wondering why they even offer the stuff to do it? Seems very “old rickety storage building gunsmith” type work. I guess sentimental value is the only reason i can think of but even then just put it in the safe and covet it.

You've an odd understanding of the definition for smart ass.
You gotta lead with "With all due respect" (Ricky Bobby)

 

[spitfire_er]

I did one once. Re-lined an old 1906 winchester for myself. Was more an exercise in doing it and to restore the old rifle on my own time. Not sure my barrel would have even been good for bird shot prior to the liner. used the bit sold by brownells. Ran coolant through the barrel and it took no time. Acra glassed it in. Crown chamber and done. Took it out and was shooting 20 gauge hulls standing at 25 yards with about 80% hit rate with open sights. Made it into a fun little rifle. Don't think the bit matters as long as it's the proper size, length and has a pilot.

Depending on the length, you may have to flip the barrel end for end and drill both sides.

 

[kendog]

If you grind up your own piloted drill out of an 8MM or 5/16 twist drill, use a stub drill bit, run the grooves out the rear to clear chips and coolant if you are pumping it, and make the cutting lip angle way flatter than a 135 degree. A jobber bit with a 118 included angle will pull itself into the cut and blow up on you. Don't ask me how come I know this.
Just put a 1/2" OD liner into a 1851 Navy replica to handle .38 specials and modified a double margin step drill (5/16" X 1/2") to do it. First test run with the standard 118 angle pulled the bit in and exploded before I could hit the brake. Reground the second one by eye to a much flatter angle Ran a few test pieces and dressed the lips till it was cutting on both, and ran it. Mo betta with the shallow angle.

 

[Ggmac]

You can do it ! Practice the drilling on old barrels and make sure the liner slips in . I started long ago an only way was soldering, epoxy or loctite make it so much easier .
Do you plan on having the original chamber or cut a new chamber in the liner or other ?

 

[Shawnba67]

You can do it ! Practice the drilling on old barrels and make sure the liner slips in . I started long ago an only way was soldering, epoxy or loctite make it so much easier .
Do you plan on having the original chamber or cut a new chamber in the liner or other ?

Had planned on chambering the liner. The rifles in question were all single shot 22 rf.
Sure seems like 1 or 2 might even be fun to do.

 

[Gun Smith]

I used the Brownells long bit they used to sell for a number of relines the way recommended from both ends. Lot of work and was never happy with the slight gap of the liner showing. Got wise and braised an extension on the bit, and used it in my Hardinge lathe with oil pumping thru the barrel for the last few I did some years back. Did them in one shot that way, and stopped just short of the end of the barrel to hide the liner. Cut liner end to same angle as the drill bit. Also slightly dulled the drill edges with a stone like a brass drill, to keep it from grabbing. Used Green (609?) Loctite with a turned Delrin plug in the bore to keep out the Loctite as the liner was pushed in. Chambered after glue dried.

Last one I ever did was a 1893-7(?) Marlin for a guy who had it as a kid, and he ruined the bolt dry firing it a million times. Surprisingly, a new Marlin 39A bolt fit with minimal effort. I rusted up the new bolt to blend in with the patina, and could hardly tell it wasn't original. Took it out to test fire it, and it was very accurate and such fun I didn't want to return it to to the owner.

 

[jds holler]

I love the old 22's, especially the single shot varieties that can be had for a song with a rotten barrel, or a busted stock. I think that if they can be brought back from "old wreck" status with a barrel liner, you're doing the Lords work.

It's almost like the spirit of the kids who used to shoot these old guns still lives in them, and if you put them in the hands of another kid, I think they can feel it. I know I do. jd

 

[Shawnba67]

Has anyone got any pictures of the muzzle end of one theyve had done. I am real curious how big the gap is?
Gun Smith that is a slick idea to stop just short! I wont live long enough to have an idea that good on my own!

 

[spitfire_er]

I'll try and grab one of mine later if I remember.

 

[Gun Smith]

"Has anyone got any pictures of the muzzle end of one they've had done. I am real curious how big the gap is"?

I don't have any photo's, but I can say that the drilling from both ends by hand drilling method left a very slight gap no doubt due to the long drill rubbing against the muzzle as the bit was going in and out to clear chips. It wasn't bad, but just bugged me.

I conversed with a fellow via email years ago who did a lot of relining. He told me his method for getting rid of any slight gap at the muzzle. He placed the ball end of a small ball peen hammer on the muzzle of the drilled out barrel and tapped it with another hammer to swage the muzzle tighter, then opened it up with fine files, sandpaper, whatever, 'til the liner fit perfectly, then glued it in with Loctite. Wish I'd known about
his idea when I drilled from both ends. I never tried this, as I went to the drill extension/oil pumping hide the liner trick, and never had a gap problem again.

A friend of mine used to do old Winchester .44, .45/70, etc. relines, and he used a series of reamers after drilling to get his liners to not show. He did excellent work, and you could not tell the things were lined.