Re-barreling in the North West

[Darrell Davis]

Even'n shooters,

I have a Browning A-Bolt with a questionable barrel.  In fact looking down the bore, it seems it was bored with a threading tap.

If I had bought the rifle new, it should have gone back to them for a new barrel, However, it was a used unit so have tried to deal with it.

I did fire lap the barrel about 20 rounds which did smooth things up a bit - you can still see the "tap" marks, but it still will not shoot consistent groups.

My local gun smith says it will cost me about 400bucks to install a QUALITY barrel. 

If I am going to go the new barrel route, it better be a good one or what is the point.

Is that about right for cost, considering a top quality tube?

I figure to fire lap the barrel another 20 - 40 rounds in the hopes it will smooth up and settle down enough to satisfy me.

If that works great, if not the cost won't be any higher for the new barrel anyway.

I am in reasonable driving range of Spokane, Wa. and Lewiston, Id. so options in that area are best.

Comments welcome.

[Nobade]

Seems too cheap to me. Barrel blanks are $250-$350, so getting only $50 - $150 for the install job is working way too cheap, when you figure you're going to have at least 4 hours into it if it's just a rough bead blasted finish, and way more if it needs to be polished and/or blued.

One note on A-Bolts. I absolutely refuse to pull the barrel on them, because so many have the barrel shank jammed into the bottom of the reciever threads and pulling the barrel will gall the threads and make a real mess of the reciever. I don't know if your gunsmith is aware of this, but you should be in your quest to rebarrel one.

[northwolf]

Why don't you go on the net and take a look at Barrel Makers? They usually offer rebarreling your action. It also would give you a chance to get your "Dream" cartridge .
I get my barrels from McGowen and I'm VERY satisfied with them. You could also go to Douglas, Hart, Walter for barrels.

Wolf

[wtroger]

Why don't you contact browning and see what they will do for you It might not cost you anything. Or if they do charge it is usually reasonable.

[deltecs]

Rather than buying a new rifle barrel, why not check into a rebore?  I don't know what caliber you have or chamber, but many cartridges can use the same chamber with different bores.  You might want to call or email the link to the gunsmith below.  He is in Oregon and has a good rep on reboring.  http://home.earthlink.net/%7Eoregunsmithing/    A rebore is substantially less than a re barrel in cost when you include finish and sights.

[quickdtoo]

Wayne York is an excellent choice, but plan on spending $300 minimum for a rebore, plus any chamber work, and waiting 4-6 months, he broke his wrist recently and it didn't help his usual back log, and being right after hunting season, since he's a hunter too, not the best timing. He's done two rebores for me and several rechambers, his work is top notch, he's done a bunch for the NEF forum members too. My only complaint is he used to be about 50 miles from me, now he's 270 miles away since he moved!!

Tim

Oregunsmithing