Threading and chambering a barrel. (Updated)

[JamesnTN]

Just curious has anyone threaded and chambered a barrel using a radial drill press?

I just chambered 2 barrels for an old 40x action using a radial drill and a floating reamer holder I made so that it would self center.
I had a special die made to thread the barrel to the threads to my action so now tomorrow I'm going to a 600 yard benchrest match and see how all this plays out. I'm hoping it's good enough so I can compete in the nationals next month.

 

[ridgeway]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

I would never attempt to chamber that way, but quite interested in how well it shoots and works out for you.

How did you turn the major diameter of the tenon? Is it concentric to the bore?

I am not so sure a chamber needs to be perfect, but being close to perfect as possible really eliminates any variables if it doesn't shoot.

 

[Ggmac]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

What happened to all the chips ?
Just curious .

 

[Tzed250]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

The RDPs in our shop flex like a fishing rod. Not sure how you aligned the spindle/tenon/bore but can't really see it being done inside of .003". The proof will show on the target. If it shoots you really pulled one off.

 

[rwk]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

No! and another No!

 

[JamesnTN]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

I shot a 600 yard club match with the rifle Sunday (8-3) and first two targets were in the 3" range for 5 shots next two were in 4" range same loads and only thing different from target 1-2 and 3-4 is I tightened the tension on the front rest ears to the rifle to not allow the rifle to slide as freely. Also the lands shot were not tuned but it did show some potential had 1 flyer out of target 1-2 if were not for those flyers the 4 shots were 2" groups.

 

[hogpatrol]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

If you do well in your match, probably not a good idea to describe your technique. Watching grown men cry can be disheartening. ;D

 

[JamesnTN]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

If you do well in your match, probably not a good idea to describe your technique. Watching grown men cry can be disheartening. ;D

It didn't shot like I had hoped for. I'm going to cut the chamber off and re chamber and thread it using a jig boring mill this time rather than The radial drill press.

 

[butchlambert]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

If that doesn't work use a Mikita drill next time. If your barrel is long enough you can try several methods.

 

[ridgeway]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

James, just wondering....how are you turning the major OD of the tenon? Boring head on a mill?

 

[DJ111]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

You are going to want to have 4 shots at a inch or less with your flyer keeping it in the 1.xx range. There are a few that will be at the nats with some incredible shooting sticks.....makes a guy jealous...me included! Makes one want to beat your head off the wall. I would do what ever you can to get it as close to perfect as possible, no need to handicap yourself from the start.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[JamesnTN]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

James, just wondering....how are you turning the major OD of the tenon? Boring head on a mill?

With this.

 

[ridgeway]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

Looks like a nice boring set! Criterion?

 

[butchlambert]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

You need to get the dip off of them and use them.

 

[JamesnTN]

Re: Threading and chambering a barrel

Looks like a nice boring set! Criterion?

Yes it's a criterion, as for the dip I had to buy a bar specific for what I was doing but I did use the small bar to bore the ID before running the chamber reamer down the tube.

 

[JamesnTN]

Ok I shot St. Louis with the new barrel chambered using a jig boring mill.

The results are below.

Smallest group measured 1.165 and largest group measured 2.150 the four target agg was 1.705

It was good enough to get me first place using a LG in HG class in st Louis this past weekend.

So I guess it's goes to show all that fancy tooling and high dollar lathes aren't really needed to chamber barrels for competition.

 

[butchlambert]

Jim bob, Are you saying your chambering is superior or that you shoot better than the rest?

 

[JamesnTN]

Jim bob, Are you saying your chambering is superior or that you shoot better than the rest?

Neither I'm saying it obviously don't take high dollar jigs to chamber a barrel. As for shooting better. I got lucky, I went there on three hrs sleep and just got lucky.

 

[shortgrass]

I think I'll just continue to use my "high dollar" lathe even though I have the means to try it vertically.

 

[butchlambert]

I'm going to be watching jim bob.