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Installing new barrel

tombiasi
I am building up a Mauser 98 action. I purchased a new barrel in .308. The barrel has a sticker on it indicating that it must be installed by a gunsmith and the chamber must be finish reamed by a gunsmith. My question is this: If I screw on the barrel and it then passes the headspace measurements, does the chamber still need reaming? If not, what else do I need to do to it?
TIA,
Tom


TB
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • sandwarrior
    I'm not a gunsmith but I can tell you why you need to do this initially with each barrel. The chamber in the barrel is usually long by about .050" and that allows barrels to be pre-cut and sent out. The gunsmith can then do what is considered the easiest job of cutting it down to headspace correctly. After each barrel is fitted to each action you shouldn't need to do it again. Hope that explains why.
    Although, one should not underestimate the ability of a really good gunsmith to take a quality blank and turn it into a working piece of shooting art. -good luck with your project

    Edit note:
    If the chamber needs to be finished out it may mean just exactly that. The heavy work was done by the barrel maker to save the gunsmith the time of cutting the initial bore for the chamber reamer. A gunsmith will know what stage the barrel is in. That is why it's good to get one you know does a good job to look at it and see where to go from where you're at.

    We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>
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  • 260
    i can tell you. you need to have someone do it that has the gauges and the experience. i have built several on the 98 action.
    difference in bolt, receiver, etc.
    headspace is critical!!! let me know if i can help.
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  • tombiasi
    quote:Originally posted by 260
    i can tell you. you need to have someone do it that has the gauges and the experience. i have built several on the 98 action.
    difference in bolt, receiver, etc.
    headspace is critical!!! let me know if i can help.

    I can measure headspace to (G,NG,F) but I am new to this work.
    Is finish reaming something an amature should attempt?
    After investigating furthur I believe the barrel is supplied .050 short. The gunsmith is supposed to finish the job. I am good with tools but have never done this work.

    TB
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  • 260
    you have ONE shot at it. figure in the .2000 crush factor when you torgue the barrel. yes a gunsmith should do it
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  • tombiasi
    quote:Originally posted by 260
    you have ONE shot at it. figure in the .2000 crush factor when you torgue the barrel. yes a gunsmith should do it

    OK, I think a gunsmith should do it. If I FUBAR the barrel it will cost me as much as the smith's fee for a new one.
    The smith I talked to said that he can't test fire the rifle without the stock, should this concern me?


    TB
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  • ern98
    If you have a .308win chambering reamer, a good barrel vise and wrench, and the go and no go gauges for this caliber then there is no reason why you shouldn't do it if you are willing to learn what you need to know. There are many good texts out there that cover this operation is detail, buy one and study it. You should under no circumstances try doing it on heresay alone. A good barrel vise is probably your biggest problem. Without one, mine has an 8 ton bottle jack built in, you can't get the barrel on tight and won't be able to do a good job. For most folks it is easier to shop it out, but if you want to learn go for it. Just understand that there is much more to this then just getting the barrel on with the proper headspace. I alway want to true the action and lap in the bolt lugs. Need a late for the first and special tools for the second, next comes drilling and tapping and alligning the scope mounts. An on and on and on, for me I think of this as a hobby that has run amuck.
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  • 260
    i have the tools and the know how and will be happy to assist you.let me know if i can help
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  • tombiasi
    quote:Originally posted by 260
    i have the tools and the know how and will be happy to assist you.let me know if i can help


    Where are you located?
    I live in New Jersey, near Pa. and NY (Northwest corner away from all the liberals :-))

    TB
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  • 260
    -well i am glad that you live away from all the liberals... GOD bless.
    i am located in south east texas. GODS country.-
    point blank firearm repair
    7739 FM 418
    silsbee,texas 77656
    409-385-4074
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  • 260
    OH...by the way, i can and will test fire it WITHOUT the stock.
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