Shipping Barrels

[Rustystud]

We all have had nightmares with all the carriers. Two weeks ago I had a customer in Florida ship two custom barrels, one heavy and one light gun to me by UPS. When the package arrived it was no longer round (4"round cardboard tube)but more oval shaped. It obviously had been run over or put under a lot of pressure. One does not normally think much about barrels getting bent or pinched. The customer told me the barrels had been rolled on a steel plate and checked for straightness an no detectable defect. I took the barrels and unwrapped them. Then mounted them on centers on a lathe.
the larger barrel(1.300") turned .0004"TIR at the tenon end and .004"(TIR) at the muzzle end. I took and indicator zeroed at one end and moved the carriage to the other end watching the dial. I turned it 90 degrees and repeated the process. turned it another 90 degrees and repeated the process. I found at about 1/3 the way from the tenon the barrel began to show a bow. I repeated the same test on the light barrel. The tenon end showed .004" TIR, and the muzzle end showed .015"TIR. I called the barrel manufacture and asked what tolerances they had for their barrels. I was told their goal was dead nuts no run out but .002" was with in acceptable tolerance. Both of these barrels are well out of the manufactures spec. The barrels have been returned to the customer and he is dealing with a claim with UPS. This shows how a barrel can be effected by being caught in a conveyor or run over by a fork lift or truck. Remember .0010" can mean 20" or more inches at 1000 yards. Just thought I would share this with the readers.
Packaging is everything when shipping using any carrier.
Nat Lambeth

 

[forsyth793]

The Carriers Don't seem to be timid about taking your money.

 

[jonbearman]

I know this isnt a barrel however I ordered some bullets from a guy and he packed them good but the post office found a way to bust it open and I get a bullet set in my mail box every now and then..I also got a stock that was hanging out of the box from ups.Never had fedex screw up yet. Makes you wonder why these lackeys that work as temps in these places and the company that hires them could care less.

 

[riverwolf1]

A couple of years ago I shipped a Young Rail Gun to Jeff Summers in Tenn. when the UPS driver showed up with the top part of the rail in a custom built oak box, he had it on his shoulder, he tossed it off his shoulder onto the ground and caused $985.00 worth of damage! The custom wood box was totally destroyed and the tube on the 36x leupold was bent! I will never ship anything by UPS and when I buy something on line I tell them ship it anyway except UPS even if it cost a bit more. By the way it took Jeff and I 6 months of battling with UPS to be reimbursed for the damage!

 

[kelbro]

I ship barrels (and fishing rods) in PVC pipe. Hard to damage you would think. I received a rod in a PVC tube once that had two different types of tire tracks on it. Rod was still intact!

 

[dwt]

A friend had the usps tell him his bbl , in a shipping tube , rolled off and went behind the counter and 5 months later , they found it and shipped it to him , no damage but , what a crock ?

 

[Dans40X]

I'll only ship barrels wrapped in multi layers of bubble wrap(tight fit) w/ 2-3" extra space on both ends w/ cardboard/plywood end caps in heavy wall PVC pipe.

There are gorilla's in any industry!!

 

[mnshortdraw]

I had a carrier bend both guide rods on a Forster Coax press and it was completely encased in spray foam. I use a heavy cardboard tube for barrels, double wrap them in plastic and use expanding spray foam to fill the gap. I duct tape the end caps on and no problems yet...

 

[wapiti25]

I have had UPS BREAK two wood stocks, one was on a rifle comming from Winchester.

 

[Rtheurer]

I had an Aluminum Anshutz Air Rifle Stock busted in half at the grip area. Recieving part took pictures before they even opened the box and documented all the issues and sent it back to me. I submitted for damage to UPS and got a reply ( 3months later) that the parts where improperly packed.
Air gun was in a plastic hard case with bubble wrap all the way around it and old bath towels on each end to prevent it from comming out the end. Then the case was put in a carboard box and taped like Fort Knox.

I worked at a small gun shop for a couple of years part time and we recieved new rifles every week in just a carboard box. Yet my packing isnt enough! Ha...That is one example of about 15 that did not get damaged, but still a pain in the ass.
I like UPS because of my local driver. I leave a note on the garage door and he drops off the package in the garage and locks the door on the way out. One time he put it in my Old beater Farm truck and locked the door and left a note for me under the door of the house. Thats pertty good considering all the heavy ass bullets and brass I order that he lugs around to the house.

RussT

 

[people]

The company I work for orders a lot of computers. Dell computers are marked very clearly as to what is inside them. Thank goodness Dell has lots of crush room around their products.

 

[habu]

UPS is the worst shipper [at least in the PNW] there is. couple years ago had a shipment from OK WEBER sit for 3 WORK DAY at the regional hub in seattle. when quarried, they said that wasn't so . - told them to check tracking # - never heard from them again.

have rec'd many shipment via UPS that are banged and ripped.

i only ship FEDEX or USPS. FEDEX GROUND 'DELIVERY' agents are 'contract' thus they are a lot more careful [or they lose the contract]. further, if they can't deliver on friday - heavy work load - they will del. on sat.!

set up an FEDEX acct. do your labels at home, drop off shipment at ANY store that takes FEDEX and you done. [or schedule a home PU].

in fact the 'home' acct. really helps out when i go to a shoot and have to 'ship' some gear. i send it off FEDEX 'GROUND' TO motel. you tract via e- [insure for 500 or more and a SIGNATURE is required at other end - you get to see who signed]. day before i leave, i print out a shipping label - to myself and take it with me. there is ALWAYS a fedex/kinko, etc. store about at other end- most open very late/24 hrs - so no sweat dropping off after shoot.

as to the gent that uses the OTHER GUY because he knows him/he's a good guy, have the same sit. but he knows how i feel and that my FEDEX guy/gal does the same - responding to note, etc. - way the worm turns.

SWITCH NOW - you'll never look back [and my stock shares will go UP! - LOL]

HABU

 

[hotrodlouie]

Some info on shipping damage problems, was at the a welding supply place today and they sold a very hard plastic tube for
storing tig rods. 37" long and 1-3/4" inside diameter has a screw on top for $16.00. I don't think you can damage this one easy very tuff tube.

 

[ronsroom1]

When I sold both of my PPC rifles, both had extra barrels. I ship them in PVC, with glued on end caps. I draw a black magic marker line on one end where the recipient can cut it open. The cut open end is about 8in. longer than the barrel, and the line is in between. Never any problems.

 

[Sray53TXTN]

That's a great idea! 8)

 

[Dgd6mm]

Forklifts are pretty heavy. If one of those run over the package there would be damage.

 

[longbow]

3" carpet roll tube, heavy duty cardboard. Can easily ship ,two barrels, overkill but peace of mind.

 

[newgun]

habu --- you should see the video of the fed-ex guy making a delivery. When he gets to the house he doesn't bother going up to the door. He just throws the package over the fence and gets out of there. They all can have folks that don't give a crap. Just my 2 But kinda funny.


Newgun.....