1.5 year wait, and got wrong barrel......

[WEATHERBY460]

Ordered my first custom rifle and just got it yesterday. After looking it over closer, I just measured the barrel length. I ordered a 28" barrel. But if I am measuring it correctly, I have a 26.5"

Am I measuring it correctly?.....close the bolt, stick a rod down the barrel until it touches the bolt face, measure that length (29"), and subtract the muzzle break (2.5").

I wanted the 28" for velocity.

Just wanted to check with the experts before I called to complain.

Thanks

 

[IdahoCTD]

That is one way to do it on the action.

 

[bigngreen]

If you order a 28 inch barrel it will probably end up a min of an inch shorter be cause you have to take at least an inch of the muzzle because of lapping and I like to take the same of the breech as well, for a 28 in finish I order 29in minimum. Bolt face to crown is the barrel length.

 

[WEATHERBY460]

Correction...I think I measured the muzzle break wrong, I think I have closer to a 27" barrel.

But it is still not a 28".

What should I do?

 

[bigngreen]

The smith should have a reason for not hitting 28 in, either someone did not start with enough barrel or it hadnto be cut back a little for some reason, both should have generated a phone call.

 

[shortgrass]

Did you order the barrel from the barrel maker, or did the 'smith?

 

[WEATHERBY460]

Smith....SavageGunsmithing

 

[FEENIX]

Smith....SavageGunsmithing

Did you asked him to order 28" blank or finished at 28"?

 

[WEATHERBY460]

I clearly stated 28" barrel, not including the muzzle break.

He claims he makes his own barrels in house, but on his website he lists someone else.

The reason I am upset is because 90% of the reason I wanted a custom barrel was because I wanted the extra velocity out of a 300 win mag.

Bottom line is, he should have started with a 29" blank to get to what the customer ordered.

 

[FEENIX]

I clearly stated 28" barrel, not including the muzzle break.

He claims he makes his own barrels in house, but on his website he lists someone else.

The reason I am upset is because 90% of the reason I wanted a custom barrel was because I wanted the extra velocity out of a 300 win mag.

Bottom line is, he should have started with a 29" blank to get to what the customer ordered.

Is this Scott Null in Driggs, ID?

To alleviate any misunderstandings, I normally order my own parts so I have nobody to blame but myself.

 

[Jaxdialation]

Good advice.

And by the way your velocity loss from 1" of barrel is going to be inconsequential. Something like 45fps comes to mind from studies I've seen. Accuracy won't suffer at all. 300 Winchester Magnum: How Does Barrel Length Change Velocity- A 16″ 300 Win Mag? | Rifleshooter.com

To alleviate any misunderstandings, I normally order my own parts so I have nobody to blame but myself.

 

[Doublezranch]

Like Ed, I order my own parts too. However, if a smith insists on ordering himself, I make it very clear, in writing, the barrel maker, contour, and finished length without the brake. That way if things are wrong, they can start over.

Also, like Bigngreen mentioned, if you didn't specify a finished length of 28, then 27 finished would be the correct length for a 28 blank.

 

[WEATHERBY460]

Is this Scott Null in Driggs, ID?

To alleviate any misunderstandings, I normally order my own parts so I have nobody to blame but myself.

Yes it is.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

In order to get a real 28" he/you would have had to order a 29" or longer blank.

It appears he ordered a 28" blank which will finish at ~27 and shorter.

You can:
Make him do it over. Honey is better than salt when trying to talk him into it.
or
Make an agreement with the smith that if it doesn't shoot it will get redone with a real 28" barrel
or
Shoot it and if it shoots good. Call it good and enjoy the rifle.

IIIWM and I was in this boat with my 338 Edge, trying to get 30" and got 29.25". Shoot it. My Edge is a ball to shoot.