Rechambering a burnt barrel

[UndFrm]

Hi

What are your opinions on rechambering a barrel that has been burnt out?
On the range, someone suggested that a burnt barrel can simply be rechambered and used again, of course setting it back an inch or so.
Someone else also mentioned that it's not worth it since the rest of the barrel (beyond chamber) is used up as well.

I haven't switched barrels yet and this would be the first, so I thought I'll gather views before going with it.

It'll be for 6 Dasher and a 284.

Thank you

 

[Old Man with Gun]

Depends on the condition of your barrel and expectations. If you can do the work yourself, it may be a good way to extend the life of the barrel, but it will not be the same quality or life as a new barrel.

If you need to pay a smith, I think it is better to go with a new barrel.

 

[secondofangle2]

Depends on how bad the fire cracking extends away from the chamber where it will be worst.

If there is a lot of that, your throat and lead might be affected when it is re-chambered

 

[UndFrm]

Depends on how bad the fire cracking extends away from the chamber where it will be worst.

If there is a lot of that, your throat and lead might be affected when it is re-chambered

Can that be observed with a bore scope?

 

[Maurygold]

The only issue is the fire cracking/ carbon near throat. Think about a 308 that lasts for 5-8k - that doesn’t have issues down the barrel. If you cut 2-3” off you can rechamber fine.

Some gunsmiths won’t rechamber because they believe the heat cycling/ carbon makes the metal harder and is tough on reamers.

LRI doesn’t believe in the above and will do the work if you need someone.

 

[demarpaint]

Cost and condition of the barrel would be my concerns. As mentioned there are gunsmiths who won't do it.

 

[Maurygold]

Cost and condition of the barrel would be my concerns. As mentioned there are gunsmiths who won't do it.

Most of the reason this is completing to me is the 6-12 months to get a bartlein or krieger barrel right now. That’s a big factor if you have a profile and twist you like

 

[whatsupdoc]

Some do it and if you have a very long barrel like 29-30" where you can cut 3-4 inches off the
chamber end it may pay.

The hard carbon in the old barrel may cause damage to the reamer.

 

[demarpaint]

Most of the reason this is completing to me is the 6-12 months to get a bartlein or krieger barrel right now. That’s a big factor if you have a profile and twist you like

Another consideration worth noting.

 

[spife7980]

I think the general thinking is that a rebarrel only lasts 1/3-1/2 as long as a new barrel, so when you add in the full cost of gunsmithing you may end up paying 100% of the smith fees for 50% of its life best case, even if it has no material cost.
Add in the time and it becomes more cost effective and less aggravation to get a new barrel that you wont have to monkey with for twice as long.

Unless you have the facilities to pay below market smith fees or do it yourself in which the equation changes entirely as additional cost is zero if you already have the tools.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

Sometimes a re chamber just doesn't shoot. You can't go back to the barrel maker and the gunsmith might not feel responsible either. It can be a gamble.

Also keep in mind it depends upon the contour of the barrel you have. You need enough meat in the chamber area, if the barrel starts to taper too soon there may not be enough thickness at the re chamber area, even on a long barrel.

 

[memilanuk]

I think this was more popular/common 'back in the day' when barrels were harder to come by, and almost nobody - not even gunsmiths - had reliable access to borescopes. A 'shade tree' smith could rechamber an old barrel for someone a lot faster/cheaper than getting a new one in. The 'new' chamber/throat probably shot better than it did before being deemed 'shot out', so there was a lot of 'good as new!' B.S. propagated. Usually by the time the barrel stops shooting, there's been enough damage to the first *several* inches of the rifling that getting set up and indicated for a good, concentric chamber job would be challenging, at best.