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reboring a used barrel

stevecrea
I have a Shilen barrel in 240 Weatherby that has been taken off and is shot out. My question is, is it feasible and economical to rebore this to .257 or .264 or .277 and rechamber it to something like 25-06 or 6.5-06 or even 280 Remington?

Or, could the 240 Weatherby case be opened up to .257 or .264, and make a good round? I surmise that this has already been done.
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11 comments

Date Votes
  • nmyers
    No. And, it's not safe, either.

    Even though it may look like barrel wear is even, there are likely fissures & erosion at the microscopic level. Depending upon the extent of the defects, the barrel thickness, & load fired, the barrel could undergo catastrophic failure.

    I would be surprised if any of the custom barrel makers will sell a barrel that doesn't start off with a new barrel blank made to their specifications.

    Neal
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  • Hawk Carse
    Reboring has been regularly done for a long time. I have not heard of any catastrophic failures of a straight rebore. You do bear the risk of flaws in the job, it is not like a new barrel where a rough bore would likely be replaced on guarantee; you only get one try.

    This outfit charges $295 for a rebore with new chamber.
    http://www.cutrifle.com/reboring.html

    I have NOT done business with them, just giving a source.
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  • mrbruce
    Jim Dubell has rebored a few barrels for me, when LaBounty sold the business and I still have all my parts intact. Never had a problem when LaBounty was doing them for me either...
    The barrels shoots as good as they ever did, and looks better than new...
    You would need to let whoever will do the reboring tell you how much you can go.
    I see no problem going to a 6.5 or a 7mm with your bore size.......
    Give Jim a call, he'll help you out....
    (509) 684-5855
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  • nononsense
    stevecrea,

    Believe it or not, the rebore will depend on how much material is left at the muzzle when the process is finished. In general terms, you need to have about 0.150" per side or 0.300" in diameter left after the grooves have been cut. Sometimes the folks doing the rebore will go under this but it's their call not yours. All of these guys know their business and are considered to be experts in this field. I always suggest calling them with your questions before making any hard and fast decisions. They will know how best to handle your project.

    The second parameter is that the next step up in caliber needs to be 0.015" larger than the original at least. This makes sure that the reamers remove all of the original lands and some of the groove diameter before the new caliber is started. It leaves fresh steel from the start.

    Yes the .240 Weatherby can be used as the cartridge case while opening up the barrel. I've taken that case all the up to .416 which is basically a straight wall case using the belt for headspace. The .240 WBY is really just an '06 type case or the .284 Win. by capacity but with a belt.

    Best.
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  • stevecrea
    Thank you for the helpful input.

    The barrel is somewhere around .625 inches at the muzzle, so, if I am understanding your information correctly, and doing my math correctly, then this barrel could easily be made into a .264, or even something up to .325.

    It is almost 24 inches in total length, because it has been recrowned at least once. How is the length of the barrel properly measured? From the beginning of the threads or....?
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  • Horse Plains Drifter
    You might contact Shilen, since they made the barrel they might offer some insight or even the service to rebore?
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  • nononsense
    stevecrea,

    Yes, your math is correct for the muzzle diameter.

    "It is almost 24 inches in total length, because it has been recrowned at least once. How is the length of the barrel properly measured? From the beginning of the threads or....?"

    Barrels are measured from the beginning of the threads to the end of the muzzle. Bear in mind that you will lose about 3/4" to 1" from the muzzle after the rebore. It has to be cut off to get to the proper groove diameter since the process cuts a little bit bigger at the muzzle.

    Shilen does not do reboring at all.

    Best.
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  • stevecrea
    Thank you.

    One concern would be that the barrel is getting a bit too short to optimize velocity from larger cases, such as 240 Wby and 30-06 size. Would you agree?

    Thanks.
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  • dclevinger
    Talk to Dubell about it. His website is under construction but it has his contact info. http://www.deltagunshop.com/
    He'll be able to answer your questions.
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  • Hawk Carse
    Nothing wrong with a 22" .30-06 or similar.
    Will the barrel be going back on the same action or will the shank have to be redone?
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  • nononsense
    stevecrea,

    Please check you e-mail. I sent you some information regarding your question.

    There are something like 12 groups or individuals that are in business to rebore barrels along with their other barrel making activities. They are all good people and all will do a great job for you. Every single one can and will answer each question thoroughly to your satisfaction.

    Danny @ cutrifle.com will practically give you a course on reboring if you need it. Jim @ clearwater is in much the same vein. These two put customer service at the top of their list.

    Best.
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