Gunsmithing Re barreling with a Schneider

[blakheaven]

I recently purchased a Schneider M40 barrel and they come blank meaning it is rifled and has its contour but it needs to be cut to length crowned and most importantly, threaded and chambered for my action. Here is my question: if it is threaded and chambered to my action do I need to have my action blueprinted? I could see if the barrel came pre-threaded, but since it is not and the threads have to be cut, why cant the smith just thread it to the specific action? Also it has to be reamed so the combination of it being reamed an threaded I would think blueprinting is not needed. Thoughts?
p.s. I have been asking around and trying to find out for sure with no luck so any help is much appreciated.

 

[Hink]

Re: Re barreling with a Schneider

Sure, if you're just looking to assemble the rifle and shoot, all you 'need' is to cut the blank to length, thread the breech end, crown the muzzle end, ream the chamber, assemble to the action, check the headspace, and shoot.

But there's actually much more to it than that...there's a reason you're looking to pay good money to a 'smith to BUILD a rifle; all the little things that a 'smith will do that will add up to make your rifle shoot bugholes at distance. The fact is, I don't know how much you spent on your barrel, but a Schneider isn't cheap, so you've already got a significant amount in the project. If it were me, I'd go ahead and have the 'smith blueprint the action while everything's all blown apart. Blueprinting the action ensures that everything that's supposed to be square is square, the boltface is square to the chamber, the bolt lugs rest evenly on the locking faces of the action, the bolt is timed correctly...you see where I'm going.

The answer is that no, technically blueprinting the action is not necessary in the literal sense. But you've already got enough in the project to count as serious money, so why get cheap now and skip a vitally important step?

 

[sierra2]

Re: Re barreling with a Schneider

If you were just going back with a take-off barrel or a new factory barrel, I'd say just fit it and go. But you've spent good money on a quality custom barrel. It would be a shame not to go ahead and blue print the action while you're at it.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Re barreling with a Schneider

Then...when you shoot the Schneider out...you won't ever have to do the blueprinting/truing again. With a quality barrel you are selling it and you short by NOT truing the action. JMHO

 

[sierra2]

Re: Re barreling with a Schneider

Good point FNP!

 

[blakheaven]

Re: Re barreling with a Schneider

Ahh Thanks alot for the advice!( wont lie I grinned at the thought of shooting out a Schneider since they claim on here they hold 3/4 MOA after 10,000 rounds) The reason I asked is if the barrel is being cut to the action specifically and not off standard specs shouldn't it already be as true as it can be? Another reason I asked is cause I have had mixed reviews on blueprinting cause by laping the lugs wouldn't that increase the distance between the bolt face and the chamber? (ie headspace)? Finally I am doing a clone of the USMC M40A3 with the actual Schneider barrel, Mcmillan A4, Badger ordnance ect so I am willing to put forth the extra cash to stay true to spec, but that brings up my last question. Does the USMC blueprint their actions cause through my research I havent found evidence one way or another? I really appriciate the responces/help- A1C Cook

 

[former naval person]

Re: Re barreling with a Schneider

No matter how true the bore to surface dimensions, nor how accurate the threading to the bore...all that is barrel. If the action is off a bit...and, from what I read, Remingtons often are...the barrel won't correct lugs and threads and raceways that are not concentric. Yes, lapping the lugs to full contact increases headspace with the ORIGINAL barrel. But when you fit the new barrel, you fit it to the lapped lugs. And the chased receiver threads. And the other corrected dimensions. And the chamber is cut and reamed to give correct headspace to all those considerations. Blueprinting is one term. Truing is another. They are thrown around together, but don't necessarily mean exactly the same thing. If you have a receiver that is non-concentric, outside to inside of the bolt channel, mis-aligned slightly with the bolt channel to the barrel threads, with a bolt that has an off center firing pin hole...truing will attempt to make everything concentric. The actual dimensions may be changed a bit from the "factory blueprint specifications"...but everything will be on center. Concentricity is the key to accuracy in the rifle work. JMHO

 

[sierra2]

Re: Re barreling with a Schneider

I think you're really going to like that Schneider. I have the 5P barrel. That thing shoots lights out and it cleans up ever so easy. Like a mirror finish inside. I can't say enough good about it.

 

[blakheaven]

Re: Re barreling with a Schneider

Thanks so much for the strait answer FNP! No one has giving me a strait on that question before now including the gunsmiths which is why I was skeptical. I will get it done now that I understand whats going on, but before it was hard for me to drop 350 to get something done that I didn't understand. I am really looking forward to getting that Schneider up and running and posting pics on here. Wish me and the smith luck lol