Author Topic: Turning down a barrel?  (Read 868 times)

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Offline 44 Man

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Turning down a barrel?
« on: January 22, 2012, 05:18:34 AM »
Ok, I didn't come up with the extra money to buy a superlight 7-08 barrel, shame on me.  But I did come by a great shooting 7-08 barrel through a trade.  I had a friend over lately and I was showing him my Topper 30-30 (which I just LOVE because of it's lighter weight barrel), then I handed him my 7-08 (with  a lamanated stock) and his first remark was 'That's a pretty heavy rifle isn't it.'  Which was my inital reaction also, but I guess I had gotten used to it.  Now I know what a synthetic stock will do for it, but can I turn down the barrel to a lighter wt profile?  I have a gunsmith friend with a lathe that has done work for me before and he owes me a favor.  I would imagine that Quick has done something like this, but what has been tried and how has it turned out?  I'd like to end up with something that feels like that great old Topper.  44 Man
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Turning down a barrel?
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2012, 05:38:01 AM »
Both the barrels that I octagoned opened up at the muzzle slightly which I expected since they aren't stress relieved after rifling, you'll find that all H&R barrels have slightly larger bores at the muzzle, about .0005" from the factory, turning them down will cause a bit more change, but not a lot, wasn't enough to make them shoot bad.

Tim

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Offline Dinny

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Re: Turning down a barrel?
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2012, 05:40:51 AM »
I think the other issue you will find is cutting around the forend lug. Just depends on how much you want to take off and from where.


Thanks, Dinny
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Turning down a barrel?
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2012, 05:48:24 AM »
H&R can reattached the forend stud, they will also reblue it, contact Brian on that.  ;)

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline thejanitor

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Re: Turning down a barrel?
« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2012, 05:51:43 AM »
I almost bought a used .270 ultra comp in the classifieds. But in the end I had to turn it down... turn it down  aww c'mon it was kind of funny.
thejanitor

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Turning down a barrel?
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2012, 05:53:45 AM »
I almost bought a used .270 ultra comp in the classifieds. But in the end I had to turn it down... turn it down  aww c'mon it was kind of funny.
thejanitor

If the price is right, it's actually hard for a Handihaulic to turn down a barrel!  :D

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline Fred McIntire

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Re: Turning down a barrel?
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2012, 07:09:28 AM »
I almost bought a used .270 ultra comp in the classifieds. But in the end I had to turn it down... turn it down  aww c'mon it was kind of funny.
thejanitor

If the price is right, it's actually hard for a Handihaulic to turn down a barrel!  :D

Tim

No true Handiholic turns down another barrel !  "Just one more".  :D

Offline jeepmann1948

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Re: Turning down a barrel?
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2012, 12:51:41 AM »
I have turned down several  barrels on a lathe. I remove the forearm lug  first then weld it back on with a Mig . Using a Taper attachment and fairly light cuts (.020 - .025) it takes a while but so far the finished barrels have less than .001 run out.It sure is nice having a fully equipped machine shop available  when my lathes at the house are not enough ;D
 If your gunsmith is not equipped to taper the barrel, check out the machine shops. May have to go to several before you find one that likes gun projects.
 The down side is the ultra lite barrels  heat up and shift point of impact more quickly.Should not be a problem in hunting situations, but don't expect to shoot 10 shot bench rest groups.
Good luck with your project
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Turning down a barrel?
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2012, 02:00:41 AM »
Personally I feel the return does'nt warrent the effort.

I would install syn stocks and prune and re crown the barrel. Handier, lighter overall more ..... HANDI!

CW
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Offline petemi

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Re: Turning down a barrel?
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2012, 03:48:08 AM »
Lewis, I have to agree with CW.  I sold, traded and gave away a spare and both Patty's and my standard 7mm-08 barrels and sent the frames off to H&R for the 20 inch light barrels.  I guess I lost perhaps 60-70 dollars each of the two we got, but we got what we wanted and they came back beautifully blued with trigger jobs done.  I'd do it while they're still available.  PM Brian56 about it.  I believe Dinny is having one done at the moment.

I almost forgot to mention, don't worry about it heating up to much.  That only happens during the summer around here and I believe this year it is scheduled for August 3rd through the 5th ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D 8) 8) ::) ::)   Usually the barrel is cold enough to stick to your bare hand ::)

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Offline 44 Man

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Re: Turning down a barrel?
« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2012, 11:39:26 AM »
Thanks for the info guys!  Yeah, thought about cutting it to 18 or 20" and going with the synthetic stock for a close effect.  But I suppose if I want what I want, I'll just have to get the money saved for a superlite!  (still may cut the length of the 7-08 anyway just for fun!)  :) 
I hear you on the temp Pete!  At least Michigan has four seasons!  May, June, July, and winter!  :)  44 Man
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Offline Dinny

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Re: Turning down a barrel?
« Reply #11 on: January 23, 2012, 04:39:25 PM »
H&R has plenty of the 7mm barrels available. ;)


Thanks, Dinny
Handi Family: 357 Max, 45 LC, 45-70, 300 BLK, 50 cal Huntsman, and 348 Win.

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Offline Doublebass73

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Re: Turning down a barrel?
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2012, 04:07:06 PM »
Does turning the barrel profile down offer more weight savings than fluting?
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