Questions on Ordering a Custom Barrel

[Phil3]

I need a barrel for a custom build. I presume that most people obtain a barrel blank and turn it over to a gunsmith. ??? As an example, would the following be sufficient for a gunsmith?

ITEMS PROVIDED:
1) 28" Krieger barrel blank, 6.5mm.
2) Howa short action w/bolt. Note, action barrel thread is metric.
3) JP Rifles Compensator Muzzle brake.

WORK REQUESTED:
1) Contour as per drawing.
2) Cut to finished length of 24" (action face to barrel end)
3) Thread, chamber in 6.5 x 47 Lapua, and fit to action, setting headspace.
4) Crown muzzle. 11 degree.
5) Thread muzzle end for 5/8" x 24 muzzle brake. Install muzzle brake.

My questions include:
- Is sending a barrel blank the best idea, or should I try to get a contoured barrel from the maker (i.e., Krieger)?
- What if I want a specific neck size? Order a custom reamer from PTG, or...?
- Is there anything else I would need to provide regarding chambering? Even a print of the reamer used if I want a custom die. ???

---------------
I also need a 6mmBR barrel for a Savage Precision Target Action, and I can get a pre-fit one from Criterion, Shilen, etc., but have no idea of the chambering used. I will be shooting short range with light bullets, so am thinking bullet jump may be too long for smaller bullets. Am not sure how to go about getting a proper barrel for this application.

Sorry for the naive questions, but only barrel I have ordered was a Krieger for an AR-15, and I just ordered it, ready-to-go, off the shelf.

Thank you.

Phil

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You order the contour you want. A blank is already contoured. Order it ahead of time so youre not waiting on the gunsmith to do it- we hate parting with our money for your parts. We wait on our labor money

 

[Dusty Stevens]

On the chamber you decide what you want and order a reamer. Of course you can discuss this with your gunsmith and he will probably have what you want. If he has a reamer with a .266 neck and you cant compromise because you have to have a .268 neck then go ahead and order a reamer. You can keep that when hes done with it- he dont want it or he wouldve already had it if it was viable. Best thing is call him and figure it all out. Either give him a deposit to cover the parts only or order them yourself so youre the one thats out the money. If a gunsmith floated everybodys parts he will go broke fast. When he gets 10 stocks in from mcmillan but is still waiting on the barrels to finish em its tuff.

 

[riflewoman]

I need a barrel for a custom build. I presume that most people obtain a barrel blank and turn it over to a gunsmith. ??? As an example, would the following be sufficient for a gunsmith?

ITEMS PROVIDED:
1) 28" Krieger barrel blank, 6.5mm.
2) Howa short action w/bolt. Note, action barrel thread is metric.
3) JP Rifles Compensator Muzzle brake.

WORK REQUESTED:
1) Contour as per drawing.
2) Cut to finished length of 24" (action face to barrel end)
3) Thread, chamber in 6.5 x 47 Lapua, and fit to action, setting headspace.
4) Crown muzzle. 11 degree.
5) Thread muzzle end for 5/8" x 24 muzzle brake. Install muzzle brake.

My questions include:
- Is sending a barrel blank the best idea, or should I try to get a contoured barrel from the maker (i.e., Krieger)?
- What if I want a specific neck size? Order a custom reamer from PTG, or...?
- Is there anything else I would need to provide regarding chambering? Even a print of the reamer used if I want a custom die. ???

---------------
I also need a 6mmBR barrel for a Savage Precision Target Action, and I can get a pre-fit one from Criterion, Shilen, etc., but have no idea of the chambering used. I will be shooting short range with light bullets, so am thinking bullet jump may be too long for smaller bullets. Am not sure how to go about getting a proper barrel for this application.

Sorry for the naive questions, but only barrel I have ordered was a Krieger for an AR-15, and I just ordered it, ready-to-go, off the shelf.

Thank you.

Phil

If you want a custom contour, it would be best to send the drawing you have to the barrelmaker and have them contour the barrel. It will be easier for them to do and probably a little cheaper.

The Howa have metric threads and some gunsmiths balk at changing their lathes to cut metric pitches. I never did nor did I try to fudge it with a close English pitch and force it in. (There were some hacks out there that did that).

As for custom chambers, if the gunsmith doesn't have a reamer that suits you, you can either supply him the reamer or he/she might be willing to buy the reamer if you pay half. But check first as they might just have something you can live with even if it isn't your pet idea.

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

-Order your blank profiled or you will be paying shop rate to have the gunsmith do it.

- Figure out what your special requirements are for your load/brass and see if the gunsmith has a reamer on hand. If not, they might split the cost with you, or you will have to buy a reamer. If you get a custom reamer, it will come with a print.

Your best bet is to figure out who is going to do the work and get their input.

 

[redrockranger]

Is it a rifle for registered competition that must be built to a weight standard.

 

[joshb]

All of the above suggestions are spot on. I'm in the midst of my first custom. Prolly not a big deal for most guys here but to me, it's "new territory". I chose to call Bob Green. He was very, very helpful and I had all my questions answered in one phone call. He has the reamer I wanted to use, too. Great guy. He told me to get my barrel and send it to him when my action comes in and we'd hammer out the details then. Good luck.

 

[stansrifles]

I listen to all the suggestions if you don't mind a no turn neck on the 6.5x47 or a no turn on the 6mmbr send your action to douglas barrels an give the dimensions you need an about three to four weeks you will have your barrel fit to your action an a prefit barrel for your savage.
Stan

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I listen to all the suggestions if you don't mind a no turn neck on the 6.5x47 or a no turn on the 6mmbr send your action to douglas barrels an give the dimensions you need an about three to four weeks you will have your barrel fit to your action an a prefit barrel for your savage.
Stan

There you go- cant get any better than that!

 

[1shot]

As JoshB said, everyone is spot on in their suggestions. If I may add a couple of advantages to what several have already said. When I had my first rifle built the gun plumber knew the answer to questions I didn't even know to ask in my younger years.
1. I have had every rifle that I had built, done by Kelbly's in Ohio. The advantages are that as you become known, you aren't just another customer. I'm not implying that all gun smiths are like that, but I do know a few.
2. Buying your own reamer guarantees that it is exactly what you want, and if it's something outlandish, the reamer maker will probably caution you against it. After all it's his name on that reamer. Also, you will know how many chambers it has cut so you have control over when you 'smith" recommends you get it touched up.
3. When you drop off your pieces/parts at your "smith" ask him to save the butt end of the barrel for your own records in case of a flaw on the barrel makers end (It has the serial# cal. and rate of twist). Also ask him to take the 1"+ that he cuts off the muzzle end and run your reamer in to the base of the shoulder. This can be used for your bump gauge and you will have the confidence that it is an exact duplicate to your chamber.
I hope these tips helped and good luck,
Lloyd

 

[Chuckhunter]

Make sure to order the proper twist for the bullet weights you plan to shoot.