Hi All,
I trashed the pivot and latch shelf of my 270 barrel well over a year ago. Combination of many factors lead to this barrel going on the disabled list. Problems were;
Underlug pivot not cut square to the barrel
Chamber with excessive headspace
Lack of patience on my part when trying to correct this barrel's problems.
I learned the following;
Much easier to remove metal than to replace it, and,
until you have the pivot correct, leave the blankity blank latch shelf alone.
I would have probably just pitched this barrel but on the rare occassionally when it didn't pop open of wobble for a 3 or 4 shot string it was capable of shooting some mighty fine groups.
Recently I hooked up with a friend of mine and he showed me how to silver solder. The solder he has was made for commerical air conditioning repair and is 40% silver (40% not a mis print). We used an oxy/acetylene torch to melt this stuff. My friend built up the pivot and the latch shelf and then used an end mill to cut it close. I slowly finished the pivot and then the latch shelf by hand with 100 grit paper. I have a small rectangular block than I wrap with 100 grit for the shelf sanding and I wrap the same paper around the stock bolt for the pivot sanding. Note: repairs were made with just the silver solder, no metal shim stock was used.
Took the gun to the range today and no pop opens or any change in the latch release mechinism position after about 2 dozen shots. I shot both my handloads and some dang hot hornady factory loads. I will continue testing and see how this repair lasts but I am very happy after today. The last 2 shots today, my handloads, where at a bowling pin laying on its side @ 200 yards. I was 2 for 2 on the pin using a Weaver 20mm 1x3 scope.
BB