What Do I Tell My Gunsmith?

[TF160 Guy]

I am in the process of re-barreling a rifle. In the past I let the gunsmith cut the chamber as he saw fit. Good smith and he built me a very accurate rifle. This time I would like to have some input on how the chamber is cut, but I am not sure how to start or what to tell him. My objective is to shoot F/TR at 600 and 1000 yards.

Here is what I have to work with:

Action: BAT VR.
Caliber .223
Barrel: Krieger, chrome moly, #8 standard profile, 1:7 R twist, 26 inch finish length.
Reamer. Dave Manson 223 Rem Finish Full Bore T15 with a .2175 pilot bushing
Cartridge:
Lapua Brass
Berger 85.5 Hybrid
CCI SRP
Varget

Thanks for your help.

 

[Mark M.]

Just curious, and certainly no offense, but why do you feel you need to tell your Smith anything, especially if you don't know what to tell him?
Let your smith make suggestions based on your goals

 

[TF160 Guy]

No offense taken. You may have given me the correct answer. I've read some suggestions for making a dummy round for the smith to work with.

 

[joshb]

I’m fairly knowledgeable in the wood department. I know nothing about machining, but I can understand the process.
I find a good gunsmith, tell him what I want to do with the gun and let him tell me what should be done.

 

[BP1]

I would go with at least a 28-30” heavy palma contour.

 

[Edd]

I am in the process of re-barreling a rifle. In the past I let the gunsmith cut the chamber as he saw fit. Good smith and he built me a very accurate rifle. This time I would like to have some input on how the chamber is cut, but I am not sure how to start or what to tell him. My objective is to shoot F/TR at 600 and 1000 yards.

Here is what I have to work with:

Action: BAT VR.
Caliber .223
Barrel: Krieger, chrome moly, #8 standard profile, 1:7 R twist, 26 inch finish length.
Reamer. Dave Manson 223 Rem Finish Full Bore T15 with a .2175 pilot bushing
Cartridge:
Lapua Brass
Berger 85.5 Hybrid
CCI SRP
Varget

Thanks for your help.

You are providing the chamber reamer. What more input could you have, other than telling him to put it on the big end?

 

[urbanrifleman]

You might want a lot more freebore for a 7 twist.

 

[CharlieNC]

First of all I would not insist to optimize for the 85.5, as many have not found it to shoot as reliably as other " heavies". A freebore of 0.169" is commonly recommended for the 90VLD and also worked well for lighter 80, 80.5 at 300yd. For other heavies I have seen recommended 0.200 - 0.250, but I do not have experience with those. The Kiff 0.169 has worked well for me shooting 80-90 VLD.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Get the Manson go/no go, have him make a stub gage.

 

[urbanrifleman]

If you're shooting heavy bullets then the 169 freebore is where you start. That is still a relatively short freebore for a 223. Many bullets are still well below the neck junction. When I throated my 223 for the Hornady 88 it ended up being closer to 230

 

[Aero]

The Fullbore T15 reamer has an "effective" free bore of .210" (.155" freebore + .055" transition length) and was designed around the 85.5 Berger. No need for a dummy round unless you want something longer than what the reamer provides.

I'd be leaning towards more barrel length, but that's just me.

 

[BobbyJ]

Just curious, and certainly no offense, but why do you feel you need to tell your Smith anything, especially if you don't know what to tell him?
Let your smith make suggestions based on your goals

Use the internet unknowns to tell a pro how to do his work. Tell the surgeon how to perform the surgery using non experts in a forum.

Agree let the Smith does what he is trained to do.

 

[TAJ45]

My only suggestion was going to be throating long. Apparently the knowledge mentioned about the reamer's throat dimensions have that covered.
AFA the blanket advice of "letting the expert's judgement reign"?
NOPE.
Firstly, there are gunsmith, then there are gunsmiths, then there are GUNSMITHS. How many engine builders are out there? How many have the NASCAR owners beating down their doors for a place in line? Having never chambered anything, but a retired toolmaker, l can speak w at least a modicum of experience. I know of one name that would be recognized here that told me during a chat at our home range that "Sometimes l just can't get one closer than .004". Having indicated a myriad of sizes n shapes in on a lathe, l about dropped my jaw.
Yes by all means Ask your question! Absorb, research. Therefore learn. NO ONE KNOWS IT ALL. You may just pass on a "Whattabout...." question to your smith that may give him an idea about a technique or process.
Being an interested, informed purchaser never hurt anyone.

 

[Mudcat]

I know of one name that would be recognized here that told me during a chat at our home range that "Sometimes l just can't get one closer than .004". Having indicated a myriad of sizes n shapes in on a lathe, l about dropped my jaw.

I really hope he meant .0004" and not .004". Even then........

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

My only suggestion was going to be throating long. Apparently the knowledge mentioned about the reamer's throat dimensions have that covered.
AFA the blanket advice of "letting the expert's judgement reign"?
NOPE.
Firstly, there are gunsmith, then there are gunsmiths, then there are GUNSMITHS. How many engine builders are out there? How many have the NASCAR owners beating down their doors for a place in line? Having never chambered anything, but a retired toolmaker, l can speak w at least a modicum of experience. I know of one name that would be recognized here that told me during a chat at our home range that "Sometimes l just can't get one closer than .004". Having indicated a myriad of sizes n shapes in on a lathe, l about dropped my jaw.
Yes by all means Ask your question! Absorb, research. Therefore learn. NO ONE KNOWS IT ALL. You may just pass on a "Whattabout...." question to your smith that may give him an idea about a technique or process.
Being an interested, informed purchaser never hurt anyone.

A good 3 jaw would do better than that if the bbl is pretty straight! Hopefully, there was some sort of misunderstanding.

 

[urbanrifleman]

The Fullbore T15 reamer has an "effective" free bore of .210" (.155" freebore + .055" transition length) and was designed around the 85.5 Berger. No need for a dummy round unless you want something longer than what the reamer provides.

I'd be leaning towards more barrel length, but that's just me.

That's very cool. I may have to look at getting one of these

 

[Rtheurer]

My objective is to shoot F/TR at 600 and 1000 yards.

Barrel: Krieger, chrome moly, #8 standard profile, 1:7 R twist, 26 inch finish length.

That should be interesting.

 

[jobhopper66]

I think I see where the OP is coming from. My first rifle that I had built was a 6BR and the smith used a tight neck reamer (.262). My smith was a benchrest shooter himself and the workmanship was first rate BUT I would not have chosen a tight neck in hindsight. I once heard make sure your smith builds you the rifle of your dreams not his. Point being, I think you can ask questions without stepping on the builder's toes or offending him.

 

[Kings X]

How is the new barrel differ from the old one?
How does it shoot at 600 and 1000?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I havent seen it asked yet so I will...What are you specifically wanting your smith to do differently?