Chambering a rifle at home

[David Urasky]

I've been machining since 1968. All my work has been in job shops, not production and running manual machines, not preprogrammed cnc. When I started chambering my own barrels there was still a learning curve. And, the expense of tooling.

Gunsmithing schools scare me based on what I've heard from some of those who have spent the time there. Are their results good, define good. I guess there's a difference between someone who has gone through a full time 4 year apprenticeship to learn machining and someone who has taken a course specific to one task. I've seen work from "gunsmiths" that I wouldn't hand to someone on my worst day. But, people don't normally see the work a gunsmith does, its all inside.

I had shooters tell me that their smith does all of their work to the millionth of an inch. My response is, boy he must have spent millions on his measuring tools and machines.

So, if you want to do it for the experience, get some help from someone who knows what they are doing and has the tooling. If you are expecting good results from your first attempt, think again. Don't spend bucks on a premium barrel. Get a used barrel from someone and practice. Once you get a feel for it, then get a $300 barrel.

Think of it this way. If a person goes through a driving school and gets a driving license does that make them a good driver? Or is experience the key?

 

[birdiemc]

Who has used the bald eagle reamer holder? Is it any good because I cant really find any info out there on it. I pulled it out of the wrapper for the first time last night and it sure ain't nothing like we used to use at that little shop I worked at years ago. I understand and like the concept of a floating reamer holder, just not sure this bald eagle dude is gonna fit the bill.

 

[PBR driver]

I've been machining since 1968. All my work has been in job shops, not production and running manual machines, not preprogrammed cnc. When I started chambering my own barrels there was still a learning curve. And, the expense of tooling.

Gunsmithing schools scare me based on what I've heard from some of those who have spent the time there. Are their results good, define good. I guess there's a difference between someone who has gone through a full time 4 year apprenticeship to learn machining and someone who has taken a course specific to one task. I've seen work from "gunsmiths" that I wouldn't hand to someone on my worst day. But, people don't normally see the work a gunsmith does, its all inside.

I had shooters tell me that their smith does all of their work to the millionth of an inch. My response is, boy he must have spent millions on his measuring tools and machines.

So, if you want to do it for the experience, get some help from someone who knows what they are doing and has the tooling. If you are expecting good results from your first attempt, think again. Don't spend bucks on a premium barrel. Get a used barrel from someone and practice. Once you get a feel for it, then get a $300 barrel.

Think of it this way. If a person goes through a driving school and gets a driving license does that make them a good driver? Or is experience the key?

You are correct, I have had to repair some "Gunsmiths" work.
Just like a Machine shop, you will have those that work is not up to par with others.
One gets out the the Gunsmith School what they put into it and the quality of instruction received.
Like I said at CST you are qualified to be an ENTRY LEVEL Gunsmith, how you proceed from there is up to the individual.

 

[PBR driver]

Who has used the bald eagle reamer holder? Is it any good because I cant really find any info out there on it. I pulled it out of the wrapper for the first time last night and it sure ain't nothing like we used to use at that little shop I worked at years ago. I understand and like the concept of a floating reamer holder, just not sure this bald eagle dude is gonna fit the bill.

Had one, sent it back and bought a Manson Reamer Floating Holder, I really like mine!

 

[shortgrass]

The Bald Eagle "pusher" scares me. I guess I like having my hands as they were issued. I operate at speeds and feeds that scares the hobby guys. I made my floating holder. Works as intended. Of course, lots of excellent chambers have been cut using a "pusher".

 

[shortgrass]

I would say take a machining class first. Learn the basics before you dive in. If you don't have a quality lathe or measuring equipment your results wont be any better than a mass produced rifle, it'll just cost 3x's as much. Having been through the tool & die trade that's my perspective.

Unfortunately, machining classes at the local Vo-Tech or community college are few and far between . Those that do exist are CNC oriented.

 

[John Klingenberg]

I started working on my own stuff around 1986 when I realized an E-2 couldn't afford a gunsmith. I bought all kinds of junk guns and tried to put lipstick on the pig. Fortunately, every library on the bases I was stationed seemed to have an extensive selection of gunsmithing books. Years on I got better. I do all my own work now. It's a lot of patience and don't ever be satisfied with "good enough". I learned to spend on the best quality tools, mostly used, where I could find them. My biggest investment was a used Monarch 10EE lathe from a high school sale. Best investment I've ever made. It gets used for all kinds of fabrication. Gunsmithing isn't rocket science but it is a lot of math. If you're a home builder, a good one, you'll have no problem picking up the nuances of gunsmithing. Mike Lau at Texas Brigade Armory wrote a really good book that's very helpful. The old NRA gunsmithing guides are available online and are pretty thorough. Buying short/long pre-chambered barrels work out pretty good in the overall scheme. Long chambered give you a full chamber on the same reamer vs. short chambered where you introduce two separate reamers. In truth I could never tell the difference on the range. Good luck on your endeavors. It's a very satisfying hobby.

 

[jrock]

Lots of thoughts on this thread. I'll add a couple.

One tip is to make your own tools. It will really help offset the costs of the machines. I've saved over $600 by making my own tools from metal I picked from the scrap yard. I'll echo high quality measuring tools are a must.

If you spend enough time searching online, you will find a few very valuable and thorough articles/posts from reputable gunsmiths with loads of information. I print them all and put them in a 3 ring binder. Books are great; buy a few but don't limit yourself to them.

OP, one bit of advice, don't dial a barrel in and let it sit. Cut and chamber it at once. If you let it sit, the lathe will move even from air temperature changes or the machine cooling down. I don't do barrels too often so I always check my lathe specs before running one.
Don't skimp on the cutting oil as well, especially if you don't have a power flush. I built a power flush for <$150 and it was worth it.

 

[shortgrass]

You can learn to chamber and fit a barrel on your own. You won't be efficient, you may take steps you don't need to, or you may skip steps you should have taken.

 

[Mram10us]

The great thing about learning is trying all the techniques and seeing what shows up on paper and what doesn't. You'll see a lot of forum guys that have the only answer. There are many ways to make a great shooting rifle without unicorn tears and pixie dust

 

[jrock]

The great thing about learning is trying all the techniques and seeing what shows up on paper and what doesn't. You'll see a lot of forum guys that have the only answer. There are many ways to make a great shooting rifle without unicorn tears and pixie dust

You forgot the voodoo chicken bones.

 

[Mram10us]

You forgot the voodoo chicken bones.

NO! Those actually work! You've obviously NEVER chambered a rifle

 

[birdiemc]

Lots of

OP, one bit of advice, don't dial a barrel in and let it sit. Cut and chamber it at once. If you let it sit, the lathe will move even from air temperature changes or the machine cooling down. I don't do barrels too often so I always check my lathe specs before running one.
Don't skimp on the cutting oil as well, especially if you don't have a power flush. I built a power flush for <$150 and it was worth it.

Good advice. I checked it before doing anything after it sat overnight and it was out .0008

 

[ThrdKllr]

Getting your lathe dialed in is the most important part. Get your tailstock perfectly aligned with the head stock. Then get the barrel dialed in and lots of quality lube. I did the same thing and have built 3 rifles so far. All very accurate and very easy to clean. Lots of money involved but the satisfaction factor far exceeds the cost.