PT&G Range rod vs Indicator rod

[Danny1788]

What is the difference? I see the range rod has a 3.5" taper and the indicator has a 1" taper.... Can someone please explain the difference to me and why one would be better then the other for the job of dialing in a barrel?

 

[AndyA]

range rod is for an unchambered barrel and indicator is for an already chambered barrel (ie setback). the longer taper is for no chamber in place yet and the shorter gives you something if there is a chamber in place already.

 

[ridgeway]

The best thing to use to dial in a barrel is a long reach Interapid dial test indicator to dial in at the throat. Opinions may vary...

 

[Danny1788]

The best thing to use to dial in a barrel is a long reach Interapid dial test indicator to dial in at the throat. Opinions may vary...

I see the reason behind this, as you are dialing in on where the throat/reamer would be cuttinge and not just the bore in general a few inches in.

Can you explain the process of dialing in on just the bore? Wouldnt the bore to grooves make the dial jump around? Sorry just trying to get a picture of how that would work.

 

[ridgeway]

Yes, it will jump each time it hits a land. Just concern yourself with just the groove. Will take some practice getting used to it. I initially dial in an inch or so in...however far my short DTI will reach. Drill an undersized hole short of chamber shoulder. Reach long DTI to throat area and tweak if necessary. Then prebore, tenon work then chamber. Recheck with DTI and hopefully the needle stays asleep. Like I said, opinions vary.

 

[savagedasher]

Many chamber off the OD of the barrel. Some use a 4 jaw chuck with rings or spacers and dial off the range rods. A few Have dual spiders and chamber off the true Bore. Zero at the bore& zero at the far end of the rod. All machine then is done off the True bore.
Many of Barrels the muzzle End have a .250 circle of movement off the muzzle end of barrel. You can then chamber, cut the threads and set the tenon on the barrel and time. If you do the same on the muzzle end your are crowing off the true bore. Larry

 

[ridgeway]

The OD of the barrel? You mean dial in the OD and then chamber? I would never think of doing that. The OD of the barrel is never concentric to the bore. I don't know any precision minded BR smiths that dial the OD. Only time to dial OD is to match a muzzle brake to barrel.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Some people really shouldnt sell their work. Chambering for themselves is ok.

 

[butchlambert]

I don't think he said that he did it that way, but some did it that way as well as other ways.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I was generally speaking Butch. Just like you i see lots of jobs by what i call pipefitters. Some get bit by the low cost or short leadtime i guess.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Some people really shouldnt sell their work. Chambering for themselves is ok.

^ I agree.

"As you can see, the needle burly burly even moves at all..." ;D

[youtube]http://youtu.be/b24cgeQ019Q[/YouTube]

 

[Danny1788]

Thanks guys for advice and help, Havent got the new lathe yet but am trying to get as much info sorted out before i start doing it myself. I'll be doing all work through the head stock with an outboard spider and 4 jaw chuck, so ill probably just buy range rods and indicator rods as needed for each project.

 

[Preacher]

Instead of the rods you would be better off buying a good indicator with a 1 1/2" probe on it, and dialing it in 100% instead of relying on a bushing on the end of a rod.
You really will be further ahead of the game.....

 

[jkohler]

I'm with other's on here. I use a Interapid 312b-15 and a mitutoyo 513 pocket test indicator for dialing in barrels.

 

[savagedasher]

I use the Gordy Gritters method but as Chuck said, opinions vary.

Tell me why . :-[ . I think the U tube video is the best. ;D
Why would anyone want to chamber off the True Bore? ??? And time the barrel to the action.
Even with a Savage and a barrel nut my Smith Does the Gritter way
I bet you crown the barrel the same way. 8)
Plus 1 for me Larry

 

[hogpatrol]

Some people really shouldnt sell their work. Chambering for themselves is ok.

^ I agree.

"As you can see, the needle burly burly even moves at all..." ;D

[youtube]http://youtu.be/b24cgeQ019Q[/YouTube]

And he is now shooting in the .1s.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Some people really shouldnt sell their work. Chambering for themselves is ok.

^ I agree.

"As you can see, the needle burly burly even moves at all..." ;D

[youtube]http://youtu.be/b24cgeQ019Q[/YouTube]

And he is now shooting in the .1s.

All day long!

 

[hogpatrol]

Some people really shouldnt sell their work. Chambering for themselves is ok.

^ I agree.

"As you can see, the needle burly burly even moves at all..." ;D

And he is now shooting in the .1s.

All day long!

But only if he's doing his part.

 

[ridgeway]

I just watched a series of videos on there of chambering, bolt truing and bedding by the same outfit. I'm baffled as to how he can charge money for his services! Unreal...

 

[Erik Cortina]

I just watched a series of videos on there of chambering, bolt truing and bedding by the same outfit. I'm baffled as to how he can charge money for his services! Unreal...

I've seen them too. Great videos on how NOT to do it.