E
Ernie
Guest
I have a NIB Rem PSS in 308.......With this factory barrel would you fire-lap?
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Big Al
Guest
Let me see? Not until I shot the rifle first and then no. If it was bad, I really don't see how you would gain anything more than a good re barrel job would gain for you? If it was good, the lat thing I would do is fie lap, bark at the moon or anything else people think up to get your money from you. 
Bob Kingsbury
New member
Big Al
This was a last resort, under the local club factory class rules, if the barrel was changed, it was automatically moved to modified class.Since this
particular barrel was going nowhere, I had nothing to loose. I would not do this with a quality barrel, nor would I do it without a borescope to monitor
the progress. The finish is beautifull and it has a bit of internal taper,leaveing
a slightly choked muzzle. It also worked
This was a last resort, under the local club factory class rules, if the barrel was changed, it was automatically moved to modified class.Since this
particular barrel was going nowhere, I had nothing to loose. I would not do this with a quality barrel, nor would I do it without a borescope to monitor
the progress. The finish is beautifull and it has a bit of internal taper,leaveing
a slightly choked muzzle. It also worked
L
Larry Elliott
Guest
Fire lapping is a good way to extend the throat fast. You can get the same effect as 500 or 1000 rounds in only a few rounds. I'd shoot it and see what it does first.
If my experience with a PSS is anything to judge by you'll likely need to do something with the bedding. The bedding block was crooked about every way it could be in mine, but dimpling the block and applying a coat of Acra Glas gel with aluminum powder fixed the bedding. Then I had to open the barrel channel to refloat the barrel. Your mileage may vary, but if it doesn't shoot check the bedding first. It's no harder than fire-lapping, won't screw up the barrel if it's good, and might just cure any inaccuracy.
I'd shoot it and see what it does first. If my experience with a PSS is anything to judge by you'll likely need to do something with the bedding. The bedding block was crooked about every way it could be in mine, but dimpling the block and applying a coat of Acra Glas gel with aluminum powder fixed the bedding. Then I had to open the barrel channel to refloat the barrel. Your mileage may vary, but if it doesn't shoot check the bedding first. It's no harder than fire-lapping, won't screw up the barrel if it's good, and might just cure any inaccuracy.
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f d shuster
Guest
fire-lapping
Ditto for fire-lapping extending the throat: not unlike firing many additional hundreds of rounds. I watched and measured using the kits 600 grit only, for a total of 20 rounds. Same bullets that could be seated solidly in the case neck were then just barely clinging to the front edge of the case mouth. Same barrel that once produced "good" groups now became clusters. Slugged the bore before and it measured a true 308", and after it was 3085". But gee, it was easier (slightly) to clean with less (slightly) copper fouling. Never again!
Ditto for fire-lapping extending the throat: not unlike firing many additional hundreds of rounds. I watched and measured using the kits 600 grit only, for a total of 20 rounds. Same bullets that could be seated solidly in the case neck were then just barely clinging to the front edge of the case mouth. Same barrel that once produced "good" groups now became clusters. Slugged the bore before and it measured a true 308", and after it was 3085". But gee, it was easier (slightly) to clean with less (slightly) copper fouling. Never again!
C
chino69
Guest
Fire lapping
It just goes to show that snake oil sales are alive and well.
I had a factory Remington 700 VSS .22-250 that was not shooting well. Tried all the normal accuracy enhancements; bedding, trigger, lapping lugs, etc. Decided to try fire lapping. Groups did NOT improve but bore sure was shiny!
Ended up getting a match grade barrel fitted by a match grade gunsmith; ending up where I wanted to be. I mentally filed the fire lapping episode with other idiotic things I've bit on over the years that have cost money.
Lou Baccino
It just goes to show that snake oil sales are alive and well.
I had a factory Remington 700 VSS .22-250 that was not shooting well. Tried all the normal accuracy enhancements; bedding, trigger, lapping lugs, etc. Decided to try fire lapping. Groups did NOT improve but bore sure was shiny!
Ended up getting a match grade barrel fitted by a match grade gunsmith; ending up where I wanted to be. I mentally filed the fire lapping episode with other idiotic things I've bit on over the years that have cost money.
Lou Baccino
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f d shuster
Guest
fire-lapping
Lou: yes, that experience really hurt: the rifle in question is a really nice 03-A3, and the original barrel (only complaint was moderate copper fouling/ accuracy was always acceptable), was ruined. I was fortunate in finding an original RA43 dated Remington barrel, in the wrapper, so was able to have it chambered and fitted, and still preserve the value, in addition to once again having an acceptable level of accuracy. This is the same crap that was sold off the back of a covered wagon in the 1800's under the name of "Dr Feelgood", etc.
Lou: yes, that experience really hurt: the rifle in question is a really nice 03-A3, and the original barrel (only complaint was moderate copper fouling/ accuracy was always acceptable), was ruined. I was fortunate in finding an original RA43 dated Remington barrel, in the wrapper, so was able to have it chambered and fitted, and still preserve the value, in addition to once again having an acceptable level of accuracy. This is the same crap that was sold off the back of a covered wagon in the 1800's under the name of "Dr Feelgood", etc.
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Big Al
Guest
At least the boys back in the day got a dog and pony show with their purchase.
Bob Kingsbury
New member
That barrel was headed for the scrap pile. Heresy, snake oil, you bet.
Using low velocity , lead bullets, and cleaning with aid of the borescope
till clean for each shot made this a different animal. Total cost about $6.00
The last 8 shot group was witnessed by a well know Br shooter. Well under
1/2 inch. Good barrels are lapped with lead--- Heresy you say
Using low velocity , lead bullets, and cleaning with aid of the borescope
till clean for each shot made this a different animal. Total cost about $6.00
The last 8 shot group was witnessed by a well know Br shooter. Well under
1/2 inch. Good barrels are lapped with lead--- Heresy you say
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amamnn
Guest
I let myself be talked into trying a Douglass barrel which turned out to be a dog. A local gunsmith gave me a David Tubb 6mm fire lapping kit that someone had sent him- why? I don't know. Anyway--I tried the finer gritted bullets and my groups improved slightly. What really improved the groups was a new select match Shilen.............