When someone says that they make "relief cuts" to get a factory barrel off, what does that mean? Are they making part of the barrel square to get purchase on it with a wrench or something else?
Gunsmithing Barrel Relief cuts
- Thread starter SWWI Shooter
- Start date
They are plunging in with a tool just in front of the recoil lug or action face And removing metal. That allows the remaining bit of metal to flex and relieve the pressure on the shoulder.
Lathe required. I think I did it once back in the dark ages with a hacksaw.
Lathe required. I think I did it once back in the dark ages with a hacksaw.
Here's a relief cut on a Tikka. I didn't need to go as deep as I did. After this cut, the barrel unscrewed easily.
With a vise that engages the recoil lug, you shouldn't need a relief cut on a Remington. I have had to use them on mausers.
If the customer wants to keep the barrel, you can do a similar cut into the recoil lug destroying the lug instead of the barrel. I grind off the bulk of the lug with a bench grinder, then chuck it up in the 4-jaw.
