Author Topic: Bent barrel (Read 3146 times)

HighUintas · « **on:** March 10, 2022, 06:12:23 PM »

I'm working on inletting the barrel for my very first build. I had the bottom of the channel all at the same depth and I've been in letting with color transfer the last few nights and only getting color on the breach and at the muzzle.. so I did some measuring and found that the middle of the barrel was sitting about 0.020 higher from the top of the barrel channel Dan the muzzle and breech. This didn't make sense because when measuring the width of the side flats in the channel, there's definitely enough room and I know the middle of the barrel is not hanging up anywhere on them. So I sat my barrel up on top of my 6-ft level and sure enough, there is roughly a 0.020 gap between the level and the middle of my barrel on the bottom flat. I measured the width across the flats from top to bottom along the barrel and the dimension is consistent across the length, all within about 0.003. I flipped the barrel upside down, and there is a little bit of a gap between the barrel and my level on the breech end and muzzle end.

Is this a common issue to have with colerain barrels, or any other manufacturers barrel? Given that the band will be in the vertical plane, although unfortunately the bend is pointing the muzzle down a little bit, do I need to attempt to correct it, or should I inlet it as is and just roll with it?

rich pierce · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2022, 06:16:59 PM »

So, a straight sided barrel with a bit of a bow? At least it’s vertical and not side to side. You could bend it or live with it. On a hand forged barrel 1/32” would be no big deal.

HighUintas · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2022, 06:19:29 PM »

Yes it's a straight octagon. My measurements on its bow or somewhat rough, so it could be anywhere from 0.015 to 1/32. If it wouldn't be a huge detriment to have that bend pointing downward, I may just deal with it. I feel like bending a barrel is probably a bit above my skill set

HighUintas · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2022, 06:22:05 PM »

One other thought and question. I had thought about possibly charcoal bluing the barrel and I thought I read somewhere that when you charcoal blew a barrel, it basically anneal it and stress relieve it. So if I were to do that, would that cause the barrel to straighten and then mess up my barrel channel contact if I proceed to inlet it as is?

rich pierce · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2022, 06:42:14 PM »

Quote from: HighUintas on March 10, 2022, 06:22:05 PM

One other thought and question. I had thought about possibly charcoal bluing the barrel and I thought I read somewhere that when you charcoal blew a barrel, it basically anneal it and stress relieve it. So if I were to do that, would that cause the barrel to straighten and then mess up my barrel channel contact if I proceed to inlet it as is?

Who knows if the barrel has any memory or is as dumb as a pail full of hammers? I’d just deal with whatever small changes may occur. Sounds like you machine cut the barrel channel?

Stoner creek · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2022, 06:45:20 PM »

I would go ahead and stock the gun up and get in the white and shooting. Make sure that your front and rear sights are the same height and shoot it. If it’s going too high or low then you can consider bending. It doesn’t sound like it’s too far off kilter. I’ve stocked up those old Douglas barrels that had runout and aligned them vertically. They shot fine.

bptactical · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2022, 06:51:49 PM »

So one thing to consider is your technique when you are removing the barrel after printing with the inletting black- make sure you are lifting the barrel straight up. If you tilt it to either end when you are removing it from the stock you will get a false impression of just contacting on the ends.
Are you sure your barrel has a bend?
Take a thread and tape it to one end of the flat- run the thread to the other end and pull it taut. It should contact the entire length. Check every flat that way.
If the barrel is bent you will know rikki-tik

Tim Ault · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2022, 07:29:47 PM »

I’m no professional holder but I don’t see .020” or so over 40 some inches hurting anything . If we’re me I’d run with it as is , maybe inlet a smidge deeper on each end tapering towards the middle till there’s middle contact .

Ky-Flinter · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2022, 07:46:55 PM »

HighUintas,

You might call Colerain and discuss the situation. They may replace the barrel. If not, I would do as Stoner Creek suggested. I built a swamped barreled rifle years ago and didn't discover the barrel was bent until after the gun was completely finished and I shot it for the first time. I adjusted the sights until they were about to fall out of the dovetails and it still shot to the left. About 8 inches left at 25 yards. Took the barrel out and careful measurement showed it was bent. I called the barrel maker and he suggested bending the barrel. It wasn't that hard to do, but was nerve wracking. You wouldn't believe how far you have to bend a barrel to overcome the "spring back". The straightened barrel fit back in the stock with no problems.

Ron

PAFlinter · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2022, 08:04:51 PM »

Quote from: Ky-Flinter on March 10, 2022, 07:46:55 PM

HighUintas,

You might call Colerain and discuss the situation. They may replace the barrel. If not, I would do as Stoner Creek suggested. I built a swamped barreled rifle years ago and didn't discover the barrel was bent until after the gun was completely finished and I shot it for the first time. I adjusted the sights until they were about to fall out of the dovetails and it still shot to the left. About 8 inches left at 25 yards. Took the barrel out and careful measurement showed it was bent. I called the barrel maker and he suggested bending the barrel. It wasn't that hard to do, but was nerve wracking. You wouldn't believe how far you have to bend a barrel to overcome the "spring back". The straightened barrel fit back in the stock with no problems.

Ron

I have one like this an didn't bend it, yet. If it shoots left which side to I bend?

HighUintas · « **Reply #10 on:** March 10, 2022, 08:11:19 PM »

Quote from: rich pierce on March 10, 2022, 06:42:14 PM

Quote from: HighUintas on March 10, 2022, 06:22:05 PM
One other thought and question. I had thought about possibly charcoal bluing the barrel and I thought I read somewhere that when you charcoal blew a barrel, it basically anneal it and stress relieve it. So if I were to do that, would that cause the barrel to straighten and then mess up my barrel channel contact if I proceed to inlet it as is?
Who knows if the barrel has any memory or is as dumb as a pail full of hammers? I’d just deal with whatever small changes may occur. Sounds like you machine cut the barrel channel?

I've only used chisels on it.... Cut measure cut measure cut measure.

HighUintas · « **Reply #11 on:** March 10, 2022, 08:13:49 PM »

Quote from: bptactical on March 10, 2022, 06:51:49 PM

So one thing to consider is your technique when you are removing the barrel after printing with the inletting black- make sure you are lifting the barrel straight up. If you tilt it to either end when you are removing it from the stock you will get a false impression of just contacting on the ends.
Are you sure your barrel has a bend?
Take a thread and tape it to one end of the flat- run the thread to the other end and pull it taut. It should contact the entire length. Check every flat that way.
If the barrel is bent you will know rikki-tik

Great idea. I'll double check it along with all the other flats tonight with a string

HighUintas · « **Reply #12 on:** March 10, 2022, 08:17:23 PM »

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I'll check all the flats tonight with a thread and if there are no major bends other than the small vertical one I discovered, I'll just continue on and see how she shoots in the end. Then maybe bend the barrel if really necessary

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #13 on:** March 10, 2022, 08:32:21 PM »

Is is possible that the barrel has been "straightened " by Coleraine, so that the BORE is straight regardless of where the barrel is pointing? Have you checked to see if the bore is straight?

LynnC · « **Reply #14 on:** March 10, 2022, 08:57:30 PM »

One last point. If you charcoal blue the barrel and it were to bow more or straighten out, the wood in your fore end is so slim it will still conform to the barrel. You will never see the difference. Good luck.

Daryl · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2022, 09:03:15 PM »

Quote from: PAFlinter on March 10, 2022, 08:04:51 PM

I have one like this an didn't bend it, yet. If it shoots left which side to I bend?

Bend the muzzle to the direction you want the ball to go.

wmrike · « **Reply #16 on:** March 10, 2022, 09:04:15 PM »

The first gun I built a half century ago was around a DGW barrel. It was severely bent in three places and bored off-center on one end. There was no satisfaction coming from DGW, so I took things into my own hands. One bend was about 6 inches from the end with the off-center bore. I decided that if the off-center end became the breech end, it wouldn't matter much with regard to accuracy and sight adjustment. I oriented the barrel so that what would be the top flat sloped down at the rear where the stock naturally slopes down anyhow. The other two bends were tended to with vises and a big piece of pipe. I'm still pretty proud of what I was able to do, though it was nowhere so straight that I could claim only 20 mils of deflection. Long story short, the imperfections are unrecognizable in the built gun and it ended up shooting well.

PAFlinter · « **Reply #17 on:** March 10, 2022, 09:32:43 PM »

Quote from: Daryl on March 10, 2022, 09:03:15 PM

Quote from: PAFlinter on March 10, 2022, 08:04:51 PM
I have one like this an didn't bend it, yet. If it shoots left which side to I bend?

Bend it to the direction you want the ball to go.

I figured as much. Thanks

HighUintas · « **Reply #18 on:** March 10, 2022, 09:46:39 PM »

Quote from: D. Taylor Sapergia on March 10, 2022, 08:32:21 PM

Is is possible that the barrel has been "straightened " by Coleraine, so that the BORE is straight regardless of where the barrel is pointing? Have you checked to see if the bore is straight?

I looked through it but couldn't discern any bend with the eye. How does one check bore straightness?

Bob Roller · « **Reply #19 on:** March 10, 2022, 10:28:56 PM »

Harry Pope who had a vague idea about barrel making said the LAST inch of the barrel determines accuracy. Finish the rifle and take it to the range,load and fire it and see what happens.
Bob Roller

bptactical · « **Reply #20 on:** March 10, 2022, 11:37:29 PM »

Quote from: HighUintas on March 10, 2022, 09:46:39 PM

Quote from: D. Taylor Sapergia on March 10, 2022, 08:32:21 PM
Is is possible that the barrel has been "straightened " by Coleraine, so that the BORE is straight regardless of where the barrel is pointing? Have you checked to see if the bore is straight?

I looked through it but couldn't discern any bend with the eye. How does one check bore straightness?

Same way you check the outside, with a thread pulled taut.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #21 on:** March 11, 2022, 12:06:16 AM »

I don't know if one can see .020" of deflection in a bore...

Daryl · « **Reply #22 on:** March 11, 2022, 12:40:18 AM »

The light would have to be RIGHT and the eyesight, perhaps 20/5.

HighUintas · « **Reply #23 on:** March 11, 2022, 02:18:59 AM »

I've got 20/15 and I couldn't see it!

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 11, 2022, 05:23:54 PM »

When I worked in quality control in a machine shop. Our group could eye ball that much difference. I know it sounds crazy. But when your working with + /- .0005 for maximum tolerance.
Twenty thousands looks like a foot off... LOL

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Author Topic: Bent barrel (Read 3146 times)