Gunsmithing How good a smith for a bbl thread & brake install

[Doyputasos]

Do I need to ship my bbl off to a specialist smith or can I just take my bbl and brake down to the "old timer" smith in town. No disrespect to him or his age, but I don't get the impression that he is the most up to date with precision rifles. Any suggestions welcome.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: How good a smith for a bbl thread & brake install

I'd go visit the local guy and see how he is doing it. You might be surprized.

 

[former naval person]

Re: How good a smith for a bbl thread & brake install

Just be damn certain that he gets the exit hole concentric with the bore. Bullet strikes on the brake ruin your whole day. (I know). Also research the minimum clearance for your bullet in the exit hole. Up to a point, the less clearance the more recoil reduction.

 

[Bill Larson]

Re: How good a smith for a bbl thread & brake install

requires 2 set-ups......1 for o.d and 1 for i.d.... as bores and o.d`s are not concentric.
bill larson

 

[MER0828]

Re: How good a smith for a bbl thread & brake install

Take your barrel to a smith you trust. The little end is just as important as the big end to dial in correctly.
Does your brake need to be timed, if so has the old timer ever timed a brake?

 

[nso123]

Re: How good a smith for a bbl thread & brake install

I view this kind of like buying a motorcycle helmet, you put a $50 helmet on a $50 head.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: How good a smith for a bbl thread & brake install

What you are looking for is pretty basic stuff. I went to public school and that was 10th grade metal shop. I'd give the old guy a break and see what he knows. Could be some old codger like Gordy Gritters, Mickey Coleman, Dave Tooley, Bruce Baer. You know the type. The ones who cut their teeth on some, good ole leather belt drive South Bend something and his 8 speed Bridgeport. The really "old" guys. Look at poor old Chad. He has been around for ever it seems like working for others. Now he's out on his own and peaking. In another 15 to 20 years he will be wearing glasses to program his old machines with some clickity old qwerty keyboard. Poor old fella. (Just ribbing you Chad)

Someday not to far there will be some other new wiss bang guy going on about the prehistoric manually programmed CNC's he was forced to use back in the day. The new machines will be fully automated replicators that are incapable of anything less that sub atomic accuracy. Until then at least see what the old guy knows.

 

[LRI]

Re: How good a smith for a bbl thread & brake install

$100 bucks and 4 days. If "gramps" doesn't make you warm/fuzzy id be happy to help.

C.

 

[ORD]

Re: How good a smith for a bbl thread & brake install

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: C. Dixon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">$100 bucks and 4 days. If "gramps" doesn't make you warm/fuzzy id be happy to help.

C. </div></div>

^^ Doesn't get any better than that! ^^

Seriously, Chad has done work for me and his work is simply outstanding. Sure, you'll have to eat S&H to get your rifle to him for the work and returned to your hands...but you can rest assured that when all is said and done, it'll be done right the first time! If you are hesitant about the local guy, don't waste a second's thought about it.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: How good a smith for a bbl thread & brake install

I don't know about "gramps" but Chad put one on my 300 WM.

Don't know about the 4 days, I took mine in, went to lunch and came back to pick it up.

Before the spring shooting season I'm making another trip to Sturgis for lunch and dropping off my 375 H&H.

He does excellent work.