Why not?

T

tiny68

Member
Rookie questions and I am sure there is a good answer to this: Why not make pre-threaded/pre-chambered barrels for the Rem 700 and set the headspace with a set of shims much like what we use for a die? I am a huge fan of the Savage for the ability to buy quality custom barrels for very reason prices and install them myself with just a few tools. Why not do the same with the Remmies or a custom action for that matter? If you used precision shims you could loss the barrel nut.

Thanks for input, tiny
 
Using shims to set head space on the shoulder could cause excess gap between the bolt and the barrel. This is the gap that causes cases to rupture and blow hot gas and brass in the area of your safety glasses if you are wearing them. Head spacing off the shoulder and head spacing off the barrel nut are 2 different beasts.
 
Tiny

I think most guys on this forum (Benchrest) prefer barrel fit a little better than what can be achieved with shims. Most of us also use custom reamers (many have their own) which doesn't lend itself to shimming or to pre-chambered barrels.

If it was a good idea and shooters demanded such a thing from the barrel makers I'm sure they would oblige. All it takes is $$$$.

Ray
 
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dump the shim idea

many manufacturers make pre threaded, pre short chambered barrels for the rem 700. one can get a hand reamer and headspace gauge and cut it to final depth. however it it is not a best practice if one wants to wring out the best in accuracy. however if your aim is minute of elephant at 100 yards (exageration is intentional.) have at it. Fred
 
tiny68 said:
Rookie questions and I am sure there is a good answer to this: Why not make pre-threaded/pre-chambered barrels for the Rem 700 and set the headspace with a set of shims much like what we use for a die? I am a huge fan of the Savage for the ability to buy quality custom barrels for very reason prices and install them myself with just a few tools. Why not do the same with the Remmies or a custom action for that matter? If you used precision shims you could loss the barrel nut.

Thanks for input, tiny
Click to expand...

Yes, it could definitely be done, but how much of a market is there for pre-chambered Rem 700 barrels, and would it justify the expense of; specialty shim kits, headspace gauges, inventory costs, and added liability exposure?

Probably for a distributor with the right product mix and desire to provide this hardware, it could done, but finding the right operation is probably few and far between.......................Don
 
I believe.........

I think it also has something to do with liability. Too easy and you know SOMEBODY will shoot their rifle with the barrel screwed half way on...."gee, I forgot to thread it all the way on!"
I read where someone with a switchbarrel rig blew a case because he screwed his [.358 Win I believe] barrel on and did not notice a piece of lead [bullet nose sliver] in the threads. It screwed on but short by a half or whole thread. This may be the old article in the American Rifleman magazine I got 20 years or so ago. It was a GREAT article about 'switch barrel rifles' but I do beleive the article related the 'accident'.
If it's possible, somebody WILL.
 
I understand the liability. No I don't want to do this personally. And yes I know you could just put a barrel nut on a 700 barrel. I know that Shilen is selling more pre-fits that they can make for Savages. Several other markers (most are not custom tubes) are doing so as well.

Maybe there is more variation between the boltface and the front of the action than I realize and this is not standard enough to have one thread/shoulder length.

Again, I don't want to do this so don't worry about talking me out of it. Just thinking out loud. tiny
 
Factory recoil lugs on 700s are not real flat or truly parallel. I surface grind them just enough to get the sides to clean up, be flat and parallel. That means that I have a real assortment of recoil lugs down to about .176 thick. This does give me some latitude when swapping factory barrels (V weight, not with sights).
Of course, you have to be sure that there is still clearance at the front of the bolt lugs, bolt snout and snout diameter.
 
Bill Ohio said:
Wow, that's quite a trick. Seems like that could get them in trouble.
Click to expand...

Hopefully you realize that was just a figure of speech. They are running +16 weeks from the last Savage I ordered and they have devoted a significant effort to keep up with orders from what Wade told me. tiny
 
Tiny, think 16 tpi barrel nut. With barrel secured in a padded vise, remove the bolt from the rifle and make sure the bolt fits into the barrel recess with the lugs visably touching the barrel. Use a headspace go gauge and make sure it doesn't. Install and recheck with the go and no-go gauges.

Some people see a liability issue when eating ice cream. Yes it should be taken serious but really no different or more difficult than on a Savage.
 
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Pac-Nor sells "prefit" barrels. Instead of short chambering them they leave the shank a bit short with the intention of the gunsmith taking a light cut with a lathe to give the correct headspace. Because a Rem 700 uses a separate recoil lug they can be headspaced by adjusting (usually thinning) the recoil lug thickness instead. That can be done accurately using only a flat file (with care) and a micrometer. If a thicker lug is needed they don't cost much from several suppliers. In my opinion thats easier than it would be to cut shims to shape. What's a recoil lug but a thick shim as far as the action-barrel interface is concerned?

For other actions which don't use recoil lugs like Win 70 turning the barrel shank is easy but requires a lathe. At least you don't have to obtain a reamer for each chamber as you do with short-chambered barrels.
 
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