L
L.G
Guest
Hey guys a buddy of mine was describing his chambering technique the other day and said he put the barrel between sixtys could someone give an opinion on this technique thanks for help.
L
L.G
Guest
I dont have no more info forgive my ignorance.
Wayne Shaw
Active member
Since "centers" are 60 degree, I would assume that is what he's referring to. I'm still waiting for those that chamber "between centers" to show me how you get the reamer in past the center.
Mike Bryant
Active member
The compound is set to cut 60 degrees. A piece of bar stock is tightened into the chuck and the compound cuts a 60 degree center at the chuck. All the turning of the barrel tenon and threading is done between centers. A lot of gunsmiths will leave a small flat on top of the threads and then run a steady rest on top of the threads when chambering. The reamer is then run in with the center with the barrel running on the steady rest. You can either turn a small flat section at the muzzle while it's between centers and chuck up on the flat area before chambering or you can hold the muzzle end of the barrel against the center with rubber banding wrapped around the lathe dog to keep the barrel on the center while chambering. Bill Massey used to chamber his barrels like this before he was killed in a plane crash. He didn't use a dial indictor and still wound up with barrels that would shoot very well with a number of top 20 finish in the nationals.
JerrySharrett
Senile Member
Mike, there were many barrels chambered that way that won. Probably in the hundreds if not in the thousands. It still is not a bad method if the lathe doesn't have a large spindle hole or has a long headstock. I'd still prefer my Interapid and spiders on both ends.
Mike Bryant
Active member
Jerry, I started out chambering like that and you'd get barrels that would shoot and barrels that wouldn't. I think you have more control over the outcome of your chambering when barreling in the headstock and dialing in the bore at the projected throat, but that's just my opinion and if nothing else when it comes to barreling every one that's installed a barrel has an opinion about how to do it. A few years ago I had a 1.750" barrel to chamber for a customer. I chambered it in the steady rest as there wasn't any way to do it in the headstock with my lathes. He knew it before he sent it though.
L
L.G
Guest
Thanks for your replys fellas, as usual its been educational.
JerrySharrett
Senile Member
Mike, you know I'm with you 100% on dialing in both ends and the chamber end at the throat area. I'm sure there are a greater percentage of barrels capable of shooting great now than in previous years. Plus, barrel makers are under tougher competition than ever before. Really a good time to be shooting.