Barrel Fitting Puzzle

[guns-o-fun]

I fitted the 25-06 to a receiver with a pretty close fit.  In fact, it would latch to begin with, but the barrel would wiggle side to side.  Soooo...I added a 0.002 shim to the hinge recess.  Now the barell does not rock back and forth, but the latch barely locks up on the latch shelf!  I stoned off a very small amount of metal from the latch shelf - but it did not help.  The lock up is so iffy that if I put on a very stiff forend (the synthetic varmint) the gun pops open after every shot.  I put on a regular synthetic forend and it only pops open if you prop the bottom of the gun on the bag behind the hinge.  The previous owner had this barrel fitted to his receiver by Illion.  He said that it was kind of loose, and that he got his best groups by temporarily putting in a shim (a thick one - 0.005!).  Sounds like they really messed up on that one.  I wonder if they already took too much metal off the latch shelf??  Any suggestions?  I could always shim the shelf itself....if that's even the problem.  The strange thing is that the barrel latches up on regular aluminum foil - so the head space is less than 0.0005.  I cannot really take any metal off the barrel breach face because the case head is already flush.  Any suggestions?

[quickdtoo]

How's latch engagement, did you smoke the shelf to check it? It should match the pic in the FAQs, if it doesn't and everything else is correct as it sounds like it is,  work the shelf until it has sufficient engagement.

Tim

[guns-o-fun]

I marked the shelf with sharpie and the engagement mark is very narrow, but even all the way across.  Do you think I need to create more clearance for the latch by stoning off some more material?

[quickdtoo]

Yes, as you work the shelf down, latch engagement will increase.

Tim

[guns-o-fun]

Thanks, Tim.  I was afraid that Illion had done something bad to this barrel.  I will stone off more - a little at a time.

[bikerbeans]

Guns,

Go slow on the shelf and keep checking your latch handle.  Should have some free play in it when your are done.  I almost went to far on one barrel and have only a small amount of movement left in the latch when the gun is locked up. 

BB

[guns-o-fun]

Thanks for the word of caution.  I went overboard a little on my 500 smith when I squared up the barrel.  Barrel release stands up all the way in its travel when locked up - but it closes with a definite click and I have had no problems with it.  It now shoots accurately again.  Will have to set aside a day for range work with the chony when I get a chance - need to give you all a report on the 500, the new 454 (when its done) and the 25-06, once I get the latch right.  I don't know how you guys with 30+ guns keep up with them all (Tim et al.)! I only have a little over half that, and it feels like I have waaaay tooo many irons in the fire...

[quickdtoo]

The problem with a fit like that is as the latch and/or shelf wear, there's no travel remaining in the latch and it will eventually be loose, but the shelf can always be shimmed or bumped up(peened) to make it tight again.

Tim