Re-Drilling a Barrel

[deerndingo]

Hi,
Don't know how this happened but I'm thinking of changing my 12BVSS from 22-250 to 7mmWSM. Given a barrel in Australia can easily cost $800 I'm wondering if I can just get my 22-250 barrel redrilled, grooved and chambered up to the .284"

Anybody know for sure.

[sharpshooter]

It sure can be done, but it will cost more than a new barrel.

[deerndingo]

Hi Sharpshooter,
How come it costs more. Not doubting you, just don't understand why.

Thanks

[Forester]

Probably because a barrel maker is setup to run their blanks, through their process. Re-drilling your barrel is custom work that will require additional setup and machine time.

Also, the request would probably fall into the category of "PITA"...thereby upping your price further for the trouble.

[Eric in NC]

There are plenty of folks that re-bore barrels but it generally does cost more than a new barrel. Ususally only a viable (cost effective) option for old or collectable guns that you want to get up and shooting (where factory barrels aren't available or you want to keep the "original" barrel on the gun).

Randall Redman did one for me years ago - good work but pricey and long lead time.

http://www.redmansrifling.com/

[358Hammer]

Depending on length of barrel the only thing you would save is the $12. for the blank to make the barrel.
Reboring years ago was common and many were setup to do it. Today it is a specialized arena and those that do it charge a lot of money to have it done.
http://www.deltagunshop.com/

Neal

[dolomite_supafly]

Hi,
Don't know how this happened but I'm thinking of changing my 12BVSS from 22-250 to 7mmWSM. Given a barrel in Australia can easily cost $800 I'm wondering if I can just get my 22-250 barrel redrilled, grooved and chambered up to the .284"

Anybody know for sure.


Why does it cost $800 to get a barrel tou? Some sort of government import tax or something?

I have bought quite a few items from Australia in recent times and all of the shipping seemed reasonable.

Seems to me having a "metal pipe" shipped to Australia couldn't cost that much. As far as any tax levied I can't see why because a barrel is nothing more than a threaded "metal pipe". Buying a prethreaded and prechambered barrel requires nothing more than a wrench and headspace gauges to install. I do belive you will also need a new bolt head but those are relatively cheap also.

Dolomite

[Eric in NC]

Hi,
Don't know how this happened but I'm thinking of changing my 12BVSS from 22-250 to 7mmWSM. Given a barrel in Australia can easily cost $800 I'm wondering if I can just get my 22-250 barrel redrilled, grooved and chambered up to the .284"

Anybody know for sure.


Why does it cost $800 to get a barrel tou? Some sort of government import tax or something?

I have bought quite a few items from Australia in recent times and all of the shipping seemed reasonable.

Seems to me having a "metal pipe" shipped to Australia couldn't cost that much. As far as any tax levied I can't see why because a barrel is nothing more than a threaded "metal pipe". Buying a prethreaded and prechambered barrel requires nothing more than a wrench and headspace gauges to install. I do belive you will also need a new bolt head but those are relatively cheap also.

Dolomite


Calling it a "metal pipe" instead of a rifle barrel risks years of time behind bars (for the shipper in the US) - I am sure it would also be looked down on by the Austrialian gov't.

[Smokepole]

Economies of scale, just like was said earlier. Manufacturers are setup to do many many of their blanks, but not to do one-off rebores.

[cleaky]

DeerDingo, give trueflite a call, there should be less hassles getting a barrel out of NZ than the States and these barrels have awesome reviews. They should be able to chamber and contour to Savage for you.

http://www.truefliteriflebarrels.co.nz/13544/index.html

There is somewhere in WA that redrills barrels but I can't for the life of remember where ...

[Eric in NC]

There is somewhere in WA that redrills barrels but I can't for the life of remember where ...


Redman's - posted the link above.

[cleaky]

Sorry Eric, was doing Oceanic speak ... WA = Western Australia down here ;)

[ellobo]

18 yrs ago I had a guy in Washington State bore, rifle and chamber a model 88 Winchester barrel for me from .243 to .308. If I remember right (and I never do) it cost me $95 + shipping. I looked for the papers on it but couldnt find them and cant remember the guys name. He advertised in the American Rifleman.

El Lobo

[deerndingo]

Hi,
To export the barrel our from your country requires a clearance from some special mob. The minimum fee is about $250 US. ???

I priced a 17K Hornet from a local barrel specialist about 18 months ago and they wanted $750. :o

[cleaky]

Try trueflite neighbour. NZ is less crazy than the "special mob" (State Dept. I think) when it comes export permits for "metal pipes".

Trueflight make great barrels according to the 10 or 12 people I know with them.

[curiousaussie]

G'day,

Just ordered another Shilen to be sent here to Wollongong. Shipping/Handling/Export licence fee totals US$150.

Total cost of pre-chambered Select/Match bead blasted Target barrel including this fee is US$652. At AU 90cents to the US$1.00 that works out around AU$725 for a top quality barrel. Tru-flite from NZ would probably be the only equivalent quality barrel nearby.

Plus no gunsmith costs, just the cost of a set og Go/No-go gauges from PTG.

Cheers,

Matt

[dolomite_supafly]

I wasn't trying to imply having a barrel shipped as a "metal pipe" just that that is what a barrel is, a "metal pipe". There are rules and regulations in place that keep our military #1 but I could not understand that is an issue with an ally.

Glad everything worked out for you, I put a Shilen on a cusom build for my wife and it is top notch.
Dolomite

[flatlina]

Sprinter in South Australia will do the job , at what cost I don't know.

Regards
jb

[deerndingo]

Hi,
I might ask a few of the local guys. It probably will be more expensive than a Pac Nor, but it'll be cheaper than getting a Pac Nor to Australia.

Thanks for your comments and ideas. I like 'em.

[mctjeep]

just curious, but what did the whole gun cost down there?