Swapping barrels from one action to another...

[bsumoba]

I have (2) Bat M actions that I can swap barrels back and forth from each other and headspacing is near identical. However, the stocks are not the same and the actions have a different OD, one being a 1.47" multiflat and the other being a 1.55" round. They are also different stocks.

My question is, if you put one barrel on one action/stock configuration and you develop a really good load for it, that if you were to put that barrel on the other action with a different stock, would the load change?

Has anyone tried to develop a load for a barrel in one similar gun and then put that barrel on the other action/stock and see if it shoots the same load just as well?

I am probably going to try this out this weekend or sometime in the next month for fun. If I am thinking of just harmonics, that it should change, for better or worse.

 

[nmjwolf]

Tag...
I'm interested in your results!

 

[Shynloco]

Tag...
I'm interested in your results!

Add me to the list. Theoretically, at least to my way of thinking, I wouldn't expect the results NOT to be the same for a variety of reasons and simply because the two rifles become different rifles. I've always been read, been told and experienced that no two rifles (regardless of manufacturer and even coming off the line sequentially) are the same and their loads need to be worked up separately and from step 1. SO this should be a learning experience as well to see which ideas are correct. And do post your results so we can all learn from this experiment. Thx.

Alex

 

[dkhunt14]

If both actions were the same the same the odds are loads would be close. I would tend to believe the harmonics would be different between the different actions and stocks. But strangler things have happened. The only way to know is test. Matt

 

[DeltaBravo]

My limited experience has shown that replacing the barrel on my Shilen DGV action, with one that is identical except for the contour, has resulted in change of POI. I believe that is more the result of having to remove the action from the stock, and the scope from the action, than change in barrel dynamics. The gun still shoots 68BTs, 9 thou off the lands, using the same powder/primer as before. Almost exactly the same accuracy after the scope is dialed in again and the action screws are retightened. YMMV

Dennis

 

[expiper]

OP...I prolly swap parts and pieces around more than most,,,and I have bble that are 22-24-26-28 inches long ,,,and if I find a good load in any one of them ,,I try it in the others and the only thing that usually changes is the velocity,,,,and if a load of such and such powder works in bbl K-14 on Panda S# XXXX then it almost always works on Panda YYYY.....Roger

 

[GerryM]

Maybe maybe not depending on the head space differance If the cases stretch a tad more on the action it may well effect the load.

 

[bsumoba]

It would be nice if that is the case that the accuracy stays the same. I could care less about a change in velocity of say +/- 10-20 fps. To me, then I just dial in more or less elevation on the scope. As long as the accuracy, ES, and vertical are good, then that would be awesome to know that I can develop a load in one gun, then spin it off, put it away, then put it on any of my other actions/stocks and it will shoot just as well.

But, like others said, the only way to do it is to test the theory out.

When putting the same barrel on both actions, the headspace appears to be within 0.001-0.0015" of each other, so the actions for all intents and purposes from a headspace standpoint are near identical.

• Bat M Multiflat on a PR&T Lowboy stock
• Bat M Round on a Masterclass F-Class stock

 

[johnmyers]

OP...I prolly swap parts and pieces around more than most,,,and I have bble that are 22-24-26-28 inches long ,,,and if I find a good load in any one of them ,,I try it in the others and the only thing that usually changes is the velocity,,,,and if a load of such and such powder works in bbl K-14 on Panda S# XXXX then it almost always works on Panda YYYY.....Roger

I agree this works for me

 

[savagedasher]

I have 3 savage target actions and several types cut button and length and calibers . I use the same cases with each barrel . The cases are barrel specific. The only thing that is different is the barrel timing. That is a simple adjustment in the scope. No problem changing barrels and actions when you use a nut. Larry

 

[savagedasher]

In the worst senerio you would need to have cases and a load for each stock . Then adjust the scope for barrel timing difference.
Larry

 

[Ggmac]

I think the op is refering to harmonics , not cases . A barrel will change harmonics , and load pref when the ACTION SCREWS are torqued diff , or the barrel is indexed to another position , ( what was at 12:00 now at 6:00 ) at least in my testing .
Good luck op if you plan on doing this in one weekend , I've been at it 10 yrs and still trying to understand the data
Now try throwing in a tuner and well , still trying ...

 

[savagedasher]

I think the op is refering to harmonics , not cases . A barrel will change harmonics , and load pref when the action screws are torques diff , or indexed to another position , ( what was at 12:00 now at 6:00 ) at least in my testing .
Good luck op if you plan on doing this in one weekend , I've been at it 10 yrs and still trying to understand the data

If you the cases and a load worked out for each action and stock . I would think anyone would use the same torque in each action . Larry

 

[savagedasher]

Savage dasher , I'm not trying to be difficult in what I'm going to ask next , but , are you OK ? Really is someone with you ? I'm not being sarcastic , I'm concerned , usually your pretty spot on , but your answers are a bit off . You typing is better than mine so in hind sight I'm not sure what's going on .
I've been around a friend that started talking strange , answering when no one was talking to him , he was having mini strokes , I wish I did something , that nite he suffered a massive stroke .
Sorry if I'm way off base .
Gary

I have no idea what base your on.
But if you have cases and a load for each barrel and action . The torque is the same on the action that all have ben tuned for that combination . Any slight changes in head space ever thing should work fine. Larry

 

[expiper]

whew,,,at least nobody is worried about me,,,,( I hope !!)...Roger

 

[ARshuter]

To me the real question is..........if you have a combination that works why mess with it?

 

[johara1]

I have no issues going from one action to an other, if the barrels are done with the same reamer and the go gauge is held to around .0005. all will shoot the same loaded rounds in each regardless of brand of barrel or action they are in….. jim

 

[expiper]

To me the real question is..........if you have a combination that works why mess with it?

good morning ,,,its not that folks mess with things,,,if we didnt try new things we would still be riding horses and shooting a 30-30,,,,(no offense to the SASS),,,over the years things change,,,new bullets,powder,primers,etc,,,and how about the revolution in bbl const,,,button rifled was the norm when I wuz a kid,,,now mostly cut bbls....and twist experimentation with ever increasing BC and bullet design,,,most years I use two new bbl,,,(and I dont shoot near as much as others),,,it is the constant testing and experimentation that allows some shooters to search the internet and harvest the trigger time and knowledge of others who have spent thou$and$ of dollar$ and the most important thing of all,,,our time,,,,and then just use what works for their one gun combo......Roger

 

[ARshuter]

good morning ,,,its not that folks mess with things,,,if we didnt try new things we would still be riding horses and shooting a 30-30,,,,(no offense to the SASS),,,over the years things change,,,new bullets,powder,primers,etc,,,and how about the revolution in bbl const,,,button rifled was the norm when I wuz a kid,,,now mostly cut bbls....and twist experimentation with ever increasing BC and bullet design,,,most years I use two new bbl,,,(and I dont shoot near as much as others),,,it is the constant testing and experimentation that allows some shooters to search the internet and harvest the trigger time and knowledge of others who have spent thou$and$ of dollar$ and the most important thing of all,,,our time,,,,and then just use what works for their one gun combo......Roger

What was wrong with riding horses and the 30-30? Life was a lot simpler then. Also, this is not directed to anyone but as the commercial says, No one lies on the internet.

 

[Macropod]

A friend of mine has the next consecutive serial number Bartlien barrel (same profile and caliber) to mine, chambered with the same reamer, headspaced exactly the same and cut to exactly the same length with identical crowns. Our loads and tunes are completely interchangeable, velocities between the two barrels are indiscernible in difference.

They are screwed to completely different actions (CG Inch and Barnard P). I think in this case there is little or no difference in accuracy between the two. We compare loads regularly and conveniently, when one of us hits a really sweet tuned load, it works just as well in the other rifle. Lucky? I don't know, but it speaks volumes about manufacturing consistency.