Author Topic: What should I pay for a rebarreling job? (Read 916 times)

Syncerus · « **on:** June 15, 2006, 05:30:27 AM »

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to rebarrel one of my rifles, an older H&R with an FN action. I see prices all over the map for a rebarreling job, from $200 to $600. This is never going to be a target rifle, but I would like to see things done right. What should I pay and who do you think offers the best bang for the buck in a rebarreling job?

Thanks,

Syncerus

Racepres · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2006, 06:02:58 PM »

You need a good Mauser Mechanic. Look on the various mauser boards. A lot depends on where you live, as frt and paper-work can kill ya. If ya can't find someone who suits you, LMK and I will make a couple of personal recomendations.... Not Me... stay in touch.. MV

gunnut69 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2006, 09:52:15 PM »

I prefer local smiths but then I have done it myself also.. The last couple I had done were by friends as part of trades. One cost all of $50 plus the barrel. The other cost $100 including the barrel!! These are NOT normal.. Normal installs should run from $75-150 plus the barrel. Any blue printing or other truing will add to the tab. This is a very local thing and reamer ownership versus rental will affect price.. You don't get much for $75.. thread and screw.. usaully.. I always ask the receiver ring be turned and I check the lug bear myself. I plan on building a 338 Federal one of these days. I have the action and will farm out the installation to a barrel vendor.

Nobade · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2006, 02:48:54 AM »

OK, look at it this way. A good quality barrel blank costs me between $150 and $350 depending on manufacturer. It takes me about 5 hours to turn it round between centers, rough polish it, thread, chamber, crown, finish (faster for blasted, longer for polished), blue, screw it together, etc. At $60 per hour, that's $300 for labor plus the price of the barrel, and those I don't mark up. And add shipping. At $60 per hour I'm barely staying afloat, not making any money. Obviously if I were doing this in my garage for giggles instead of trying to make a living at it I could charge a lot less.

wlmccann · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2006, 05:38:07 AM »

I second Nobades comments. I too try to make a living at this and I still couldn't begin to get by if I didn't have a working wife. I charge $250 for installation on a countoured blank and that includes lapping the bolt lugs , truing the receiver ring and crowning. Bolt face is checked and done if necessary. Bluing and bedding are not included. My shop rate is $40 per hour and I almost never make it. Most barrels I make nothing on as I don't do the volume required to get any discount. By the way, for what Nobade is doing on a rebarrel, he is charging an extremely fair price.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2006, 07:49:57 PM »

Thanks guys! It's always good to hear from those doing this in a business like way.. I never did metal work as a business..I did a lot of wood work but the metal was just done in self defense! Or else I couldn't do the wood... Sounds like a great deal to me--

Syncerus · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2006, 11:06:28 AM »

Thanks for setting me straight guys, I appreciate it.

Syncerus