What's the problem on making great chambers?

[Changeling]

Before I met my last gunsmith I had some nightmare experiences with some "Smiths" and the chambers they cut with reamers I provided I might add. I don't want to go through this again!
Unfortunately my Smith passed away, he was a good friend as well as being the best smith I've known.

To me the chamber is the first rule of an accurate rifle!

Therefore who cuts flawless chambers in the industry, preferably in the 6mm Dasher, since they are the HOT thing right now.

I live in Frederick Maryland but am more than willing to go elsewhere for the best.

Do NOT need Gunsmiths from a listing!

 

[Erik Cortina]

There are a few that can do it. I have personally witnessed Speedy cut flawless and concentric chambers.

 

[dbduff]

I've ha d excellent work by Larry Racine in Keene NH. High master and former Palma team member. Has a Websight-LPR gunsmithing.
D

 

[artbosco]

To me the chamber is the first rule of an accurate rifle! Therefore who cuts flawless chambers in the industry, preferably in the 6mm Dasher, since they are the HOT thing right now. I live in Frederick Maryland but am more than willing to go elsewhere for the best. Do NOT need Gunsmiths from a listing!

No list provided. Just this introduction: http://stevensaccuracy.com/html/benchrest.html

 

[ridgeway]

Dave Bruno chambered quite a few Dashers. He is in Dayton Pa. You can also check out Mark King and Sid Goodling, both have built many Dashers.

 

[mshelton]

If he's still doing it, Clay Spencer is one of the best, picky, anal, fussy and a perfectionist, all the things you want in a good smith.

 

[tclaunch]

Mike Davis cannot be left out of this conversation.....

 

[Warren Dean]

I've ha d excellent work by Larry Racine in Keene NH. High master and former Palma team member. Has a Websight-LPR gunsmithing.
D

+1 Larry is an excellent gunsmith

 

[jonbearman]

Sid Goodling Goodling Rifles

 

[JRS]

Al Warner at Warner Tool Co.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I use Dana English www.englishrifles.com his work is flawless, hes also a damn good 100/200 benchrest competitor.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Eddie Harren is near you & Bob Green isn't too far away. +1 on Sid & Clay. If you were down here, I would send you to Humble Henry.

 

[Yagingaboy]

If you are looking to have a Dasher chambered then John King from Kila MT is your man. He's a really good guy and does meticulous work. You could eat off his machines and work benches I'm told by guys that have been to his shop (I live 90 miles from him, which is considered a stones throw in Montana).

 

[agr516]

Another plus for Clay Spencer. The man is every bit as anal and picky as described. Perfect qualities for a gunsmith. If it ain't perfect, he wont do it.

 

[ridgeway]

You could always get a lathe capable of doing barrels and chamber yourself. Its not rocket science...

 

[Erik Cortina]

You could always get a lathe capable of doing barrels and chamber yourself. Its not rocket science...

You are correct, however, there are methods that produce better chambers than others. Also, attention to detail sets the great smiths apart from the others.
There are a ton of smiths that believe that they are producing very good chambers, when in reality they are not. It's all about perception, tolerances, and quality control.

 

[6xcshooter]

Gre-Tan rifles . Does great work but hope you're not in a hurry.

 

[stool]

the problem, imho, is that "gunsmith" are trained to use a lathe as just one more task, chambering, not trained as a machinist that becomes a gunsmith.
they learn how to chamber per someone else's idea...they do not learn the lathe as tool, or even its true design.

the bearing at the headstock are the strength and the accuracy of a lathe, every time you move away from the headstock, you are asking for issues. can a bbl be done in a steady rest, yes....but why start with one arm tied behind your back ?

mistakes...buying a lathe that will not allow them to do a chamber in the headstock.

believing that the bore in a bbl is a STRAIGHT LINE.....
then relying on a pilot to FOLLOW that STRAIGHT LINE....
( when the pilot follows the bore in a non straight line..the back of the reamer follows 180 out..if you are lucky the bore movement is small and the back of the reamer makes a nice round in spec hole..but id when the chamber finishes, the bore is off at its max, and the reamer gets tilted to one side...you have a nice round hole..but over sized.)

easy to do an average chamber for a hunting rifle, an ok chamber for a competition rifle, but to do consistant high quality competiton chambers requires an UNDERSTANDING of what you are doing, not just following someone else's instructions.

i talked to, listen to, read lots before i decide how i would chamber bbls. it is not a common method, but is precise and a quick setup.

(by the way, i choose a MACHINIST as my mentor, not a gunsmith.)

 

[Changeling]

I in no way think I am capable of producing an accurate chamber that is inline exactly with the barrel without deviating the slightest to produce an egg shaped chamber.

I wouldn't have started this post if I hadn’t received this kind of machine work was simple.
I have had some devastating results, with replies of "This is the best that can be done"!
So there I am with a piece of junk barrels and no recourse of action!!!!!

So I sincerely hope you understand the question I posted, if not, well that is just to bad .

I think Stool summed it up a lot better than I could.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

 

[Kings X]

Stool you hit a sore spot.
Mike Bryant has a 132 page PDF on chambering. In it are methods from many many leading gunsmiths. All are different with the same results - great chambers. Some use the steady rest method. I for one also use a steady rest to chamber in. I have 8 customers holding 22 National Records. I am a machinist that does barreling. Any way will work - you just have to find someone you trust. You cannot go wrong with any of the above recommended smiths.