Author Topic: Rifle barrel straightening (Read 2445 times)

DickelDawg · « **on:** January 24, 2012, 07:31:53 AM »

Have a BSA 30-06 bolt action rifle that was involved a horse accident some years ago and the barrel is bent slightly. Would like to hear your opinions on what would be the best way to put this gun back in service.

tacklebury · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2012, 04:36:23 PM »

I believe most were simply mauser actions, so my guess is a replacement 30-06 chambered mauser barrel would get you there.

Take it to a smith as it's not too hard of a re-barrel and they probably have a headspace gauge for 30-06 as it's a common caliber.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=16633/Product/98-MAUSER-BARRELS

Goatwhiskers · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2012, 08:27:18 AM »

Your barrel can be straightened, I have done it in my shop. Problem is to find an old time 'smith that knows how. It is definitely an art, not a science. Goatwhiskers

DickelDawg · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2012, 06:59:11 AM »

Thank you for the info.

charles p · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2012, 01:26:50 PM »

A new barrel is not so expensive. Don't know the cost of straightening one nor the accuracy of a "straightened" barrel. Don't think there is much advantage to paying to have one straightened. You will be forever second guessing your decision. At least I would.

41 magnum · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2012, 04:27:52 PM »

hydraulic press and barrel vise and lots of patience

done a few for customers, but if it was my gun, I'd rebarrel

ardeekay · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2012, 05:49:36 AM »

What do you have to lose?? I'd try it, a padded jack, and a good eye, and patience.... "it force bent it...force can straighten it" (and if it don't work out..then rebarrel) Bob

wyohandi · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2012, 07:49:21 AM »

I would rebarrel. $100 for a barrel from midway any smith in your area should have a 06 reamer, not sure
how much they would charge. If you were closer I'd do it for you cheap.

Cornbelt · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2012, 04:38:11 PM »

A lead hammer and v-blocks was the old remedy, but if its bent close enough to the threads to make a slight gap on one side -even if you can't see it, it will walk the shots as the bbl heats up.

keith44 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2012, 08:01:31 PM »

a bent and straightened barrel is more common than you may think. Lots of factory tubes (more shotguns than rifles) have to be slightly straightened or "bent to the customers eye"

If you want bench rest accuracy, re-barrel. If 2" groups at 100 yards (common "hunting accuracy" from the days of lever guns and close woods hunting) then straighten it and forget it.

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2012, 11:53:54 AM »

Buy a new gun. I always get bitten by the bug to fix things like that. When itsa ll done with I usually spent 3x the value of the gun.

trotterlg · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2012, 07:01:13 PM »

It is no big deal to straighten the barrel. Remember, you tell if it is straight by looking down the bore, you can tell how straight it is by how the rifeling looks, the outside may or may not be straight, most are slightly not straight on the outside, but it is the bore that matters. You just need to do it to get some experience with it, after you figure out what you are looking for you will find it easy to see and fix. A press is best, but wood blocks and a really big hammer will get it done. Larry

gunnut69 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2012, 07:16:07 AM »

I'm not expert but have seen the straightening done and a light wire stretched through the bore was used to cast a shadow which gave the indication. It should make no difference in accurracy. not so very long ago most barrels were straightened at the factory after amnufacture, now they just don't bother..

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2012, 07:53:00 AM »

If you have some angle iron and can make a u shaped fixture about 2 ft between the legs you can use a bottle vice. strap the bbl so the bend is centered , then place the bottle jack so t will jack the bend out. Place rags or such where the bbl meets the jack , Nylon straps should not mar finish. This can be taken to the range and used to adjust until you are satisfyed. No amount of mesuring or looking will tell as much as shooting .

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #14 on:** March 09, 2012, 03:56:10 PM »

I just had an old .22 rolling block back from the gunsmith,I had broken the block and he made me a new one-and at the same time,he straightened the barrel,which was in excellent shape.

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2012, 04:10:30 PM »

Find a automotive machine shop that does crankshafts. They straighten crankshafts all the time.If you cannot find a place locally pm me. I have access to the equipment necessary to straighten your barrel.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 10, 2012, 08:56:53 PM »

Remember cranks are straightened using the outside dimensions. A rifle barrel is straightened using the bore..

Brithunter · « **Reply #17 on:** March 16, 2012, 04:02:05 PM »

Quote from: tacklebury on January 24, 2012, 04:36:23 PM

I believe most were simply mauser actions, so my guess is a replacement 30-06 chambered mauser barrel would get you there. Take it to a smith as it's not too hard of a re-barrel and they probably have a headspace gauge for 30-06 as it's a common caliber.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=16633/Product/98-MAUSER-BARRELS

Sorry but the BSA was not just a Mauser. Now the OP does not say what model BSA we are talking about but the original BSA which was the Hunter was said to be the most advanced rifle action of it's day. It had a type of full length extractor and the breech is recesses so the bolt sits inside the barrel, the bolt face is also recessed so the cartridge sits back a bit so the cartridge head is surrounded by three rings of steel.

Then the accountants struck and the next model was made a push feed with a horsehoe extractor and ejector pin in the bolt face. This is the barrel tenon and chamber for a BSA 1st Pattern Monarch:-

Not really like a Mauser at all is it?

Another thing that might be considered here is that after the 1st pattern Monarchs and certainly the CF2 models used Hammer Forged barrels. Before that they were spill bored and cut rifled then lapped.

flmason · « **Reply #18 on:** May 12, 2012, 10:53:49 PM »

Quote from: gunnut69 on March 09, 2012, 07:16:07 AM

I'm not expert but have seen the straightening done and a light wire stretched through the bore was used to cast a shadow which gave the indication. It should make no difference in accurracy. not so very long ago most barrels were straightened at the factory after amnufacture, now they just don't bother..

My curiousity is killing me here. Can you explain the technique with the thread?

gunnut69 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 13, 2012, 04:12:24 PM »

As I said I'm no expert but they used rotary spindal press and with thw string stretchedthru the bore under tension used the shadow from a bright light to create a straight line. The bends were corrected until the shadow on the bore was straight.. This requires some skill..and likely more than a bit of practice. Remember most bores move around a bit inside the barrel..though the better the barrel the less off canter spots..