My advice, save your money and get a bigger (read sturdier) lathe that will be much more suited for barrel work.
To a prior point you said…there are lots of gunsmiths around the country that will do a phenomenal job that have the resumes and experience to back it up. Dallas Lane and I believe Alex Wheeler both post on this site…there literally are a bunch of good gunsmiths…a bunch.
I just completed my 7th or 8th barrel and not one single one has went smooth…I'm also two years into this endeavor (I haven't made it my life but it's had a focus, I do have a full time+ job and a wife so rarely do I get time through the week). I also had zero experience or knowledge, I bought the lathe and had no idea how to turn it on lol. I've attended no classes and had no in person instructions. What I've got is three or four really good guys who have answered every dumb question I've asked and Gordy's book + video, Richard Franklin videos, Viper's den video and John Hinnant's book.
Everything I've twisted has shot 1/2" or better up to this point but it's come with some lessons and lessons typically have a cost of tuition. I was in this for the long haul and wanted to do it…someday it'll be a good retirement time burner, I figure best case scenario that's 10 years worst case it's 15 years off. I will also say I'm still learning and getting faster at everything…that is providing a lot more confidence in what I'm doing.
My first (I've had three thus far) reminder that these machines play for keeps…I fed a parting tool into a bar stock too hard and it blew up…pieces went everywhere and I still don't know how I didn't catch a piece somewhere (thank God!). My point, be careful and even when you are safety minded you have to have 100% attention on things.
The most important lesson I learned…gunsmiths don't make enough money for the work and knowledge they have.
Good luck!
Edit - almost forgot, it was very satisfying to build gun #1 break it in and get it shooting and give it to my Dad this summer. He killed the first deer with it last week. I've killed 2 with my barrels…one axis doe with a 6 Creedmoor and a big buck with a 300wsm. Very satisfying knowing all I had invested into those two builds/assembly.
To a prior point you said…there are lots of gunsmiths around the country that will do a phenomenal job that have the resumes and experience to back it up. Dallas Lane and I believe Alex Wheeler both post on this site…there literally are a bunch of good gunsmiths…a bunch.
I just completed my 7th or 8th barrel and not one single one has went smooth…I'm also two years into this endeavor (I haven't made it my life but it's had a focus, I do have a full time+ job and a wife so rarely do I get time through the week). I also had zero experience or knowledge, I bought the lathe and had no idea how to turn it on lol. I've attended no classes and had no in person instructions. What I've got is three or four really good guys who have answered every dumb question I've asked and Gordy's book + video, Richard Franklin videos, Viper's den video and John Hinnant's book.
Everything I've twisted has shot 1/2" or better up to this point but it's come with some lessons and lessons typically have a cost of tuition. I was in this for the long haul and wanted to do it…someday it'll be a good retirement time burner, I figure best case scenario that's 10 years worst case it's 15 years off. I will also say I'm still learning and getting faster at everything…that is providing a lot more confidence in what I'm doing.
My first (I've had three thus far) reminder that these machines play for keeps…I fed a parting tool into a bar stock too hard and it blew up…pieces went everywhere and I still don't know how I didn't catch a piece somewhere (thank God!). My point, be careful and even when you are safety minded you have to have 100% attention on things.
The most important lesson I learned…gunsmiths don't make enough money for the work and knowledge they have.
Good luck!
Edit - almost forgot, it was very satisfying to build gun #1 break it in and get it shooting and give it to my Dad this summer. He killed the first deer with it last week. I've killed 2 with my barrels…one axis doe with a 6 Creedmoor and a big buck with a 300wsm. Very satisfying knowing all I had invested into those two builds/assembly.
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