Re-barrel a Browning A-bolt?

[Beef Curtain]

I have a Browning A-bolt in 7mm Rem Mag. It's about 15 years old. The problem is fired and unfired rounds are difficult to eject. I thought maybe the chamber was dirty so, I cleaned it. Still has the same problem. Is it possible the barrel is worn out? If so, is it possible to re-barrel a Browning? I know I can just buy a new rifle but, it has sentimental value. Also it has the B.O.S.S. system on the barrel.

 

[lostcoyote]

Re: Re-barrel a Browning A-bolt?

i would think any gunsmith could rebarrel the rifle.
i have a newer 7mm A-bolt and you can buy barrels for it per parts list breakdown:


i think you can go to the browning website and look up a parts lists. i did it once and found out they charge an arm & a leg for their barrels ($550) so maybe there is an alternate barrel(s) that will easily fit. i'd also thing a gunsmith could thread any new barrel for the boss adjuster.



http://media.browning.com/pdf/parts/2008_browning_parts_pricelist.pdf

http://www.browning.com/customerservice/partsandservice/gunpartsprices/index.asp?bg=x

 

[Engine 22]

Re: Re-barrel a Browning A-bolt?

Any competent gunsmith can re-barrel your A-bolt. A custom barrel should run you about $350 for the barrel plus $250 or so for threading/ chambering. The action should probably be trued while doing the re-barrel ($100). I would highly suggest going this route instead of buying a barrel from Browning. This could also be an opportunity to change the caliber- .300WM, .264WM, .257WHBY are some options.

 

[mdesign]

Re: Re-barrel a Browning A-bolt?

..."both fired and unfired rounds are difficult to eject". Are the unfired rounds new ammo or reloads?

If new ammo, than I would have someone look a little deeper at the extractor cam or chamber. It would be very rare for new ammo to not cycle smoothly though a factory chamber.

If reloads cycle hard, I would be inclined to suspect that something in the sizing/trimming process is not right.

I suspect there is something else going on besides the barrel needing replaced.

 

[Beef Curtain]

Re: Re-barrel a Browning A-bolt?

I have now found two split case necks in my empty cases. They are reloads but I have been trimming the same length cases for this rifle for years with no trouble. I only neck size the cases and these cases are on firing #2.

 

[mdesign]

Re: Re-barrel a Browning A-bolt?

IMO, only neck sizing can lead to extraction/fit issues, especially with belted mags...might want to FL size a few and see if it helps.

Split necks are usually caused by work hardened brass but it usually takes more than two times before they show up. Annealing cures this but might be a lot of hard brass to start with.

Another source of trouble might be the combination of thin brass and a generous chamber neck size that is causing the brass to really be stretched upon each firing. Add neck turning to the mix and the neck wall really gets a workout.

 

[Beef Curtain]

Re: Re-barrel a Browning A-bolt?

Neck diameter is .316 after firing and .310 after neck sizing. Is this too much expansion?

 

[robescc]

Re: Re-barrel a Browning A-bolt?

Expansion isn't the problem if it is doing it with unfired rounds.

 

[mdesign]

Re: Re-barrel a Browning A-bolt?

No, .006 expansion is a pretty normal number, the brass is probably just work hardened and needs annealed.

The hard extraction is likely because the body of the case is too close to the actual size of the chamber or the shoulders are a little long and need bumped back a little. Neck sizing has its place but personally FL works better for me.

 

[9x23w]

Re: Re-barrel a Browning A-bolt?

There may be some issues removing the barrel.

See

benchrest.com/archive/index.php/t-62878.html?s=7f37638d317bd829267457495740b0a5

 

[steve123]

Re: Re-barrel a Browning A-bolt?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mdesign</div><div class="ubbcode-body">..."both fired and unfired rounds are difficult to eject". Are the unfired rounds new ammo or reloads?

If new ammo, than I would have someone look a little deeper at the extractor cam or chamber. It would be very rare for new ammo to not cycle smoothly though a factory chamber.

If reloads cycle hard, I would be inclined to suspect that something in the sizing/trimming process is not right.

I suspect there is something else going on besides the barrel needing replaced. </div></div>

Read... http://www.larrywillis.com/answers.html Then buy his die.