Gunsmithing STUPID QUESTION: Re-contour a Fluted Barrel?

[HairyDemon]

I have a Bartlein .308 Barrel on my Badger M2013 action that has well south of 2000 rounds on it and i was toying with the idea of taking the barrelled action into a lighterweight hunter/tactical type setup. I wanted to drop it into the MPA Lite Chassis but the chassis will only accept M24 countour and this is an MTU. It has DEEP Spiral fluting, I was wondering if anyone knows of any places that do contour fluted barrels? My smith told me its possible, I would ideally like to be able to just ship it out to someone.

 

[19Scout77]

I am not a smith but I have explored this issue. My understanding is that while it is possible, due to the nature of the work, this will be a TREMENDOUS series of interrupted cuts that will be hell on tooling and very labor intensive. This is what I was told by several smiths several years ago.

 

[Mordamer]

Are you sure that the MTU contour won't fit the chassis? It is pretty close to the M24 profile.

 

[HairyDemon]

I asked MPS and they said not happening with MTU not really going to make the 700$ gamble judging by what I see from research. Probably end up going whiskey 3 since it can handle a straight taper. Be heavier and more expensive but better than replacing a barrel for a stock.

 

[HairyDemon]

Are you sure that the MTU contour won't fit the chassis? It is pretty close to the M24 profile.

I think this actually might be a good idea......just see if it fits.

 

[Pusher591]

I think this actually might be a good idea......just see if it fits.

Shank on a MTU is 1.25 and shank on the M24 is 1.20. Not far off but would take some massaging and probably re-bedding if it's already bedded.

 

[HairyDemon]

I flutes start south of the shank so I technically could probably contour down the shank then I guess? Have to get it re-coated because it would look wierd with raw barrel but do the job.

 

[Mordamer]

I have a hard time believing any chassis manufacturer would make a chassis that would not fit a 1.25" shank. That is probably the most popular shank size.

 

[spife7980]

Straight from the page. Just call them.

"The maximum barrel profile on our chassis, without modification to the barrel channel, is an M24 contour. If your barrel has a larger profile, please contact MPA to discuss. We can go up to a 1.250 straight profile, but need to know at the time of order."
http://masterpiecearms.com/shop/mpa-ba-lite-chassis/

Edit: I see you called them (assuming mpS was supposed to be mpA) but it may be worth it to you to call them up again. Or possibly CORE or someone that carries them on the shelf and has some third party thoughts on the matter.

 

[HairyDemon]

Straight from the page. Just call them.

"The maximum barrel profile on our chassis, without modification to the barrel channel, is an M24 contour. If your barrel has a larger profile, please contact MPA to discuss. We can go up to a 1.250 straight profile, but need to know at the time of order."
http://masterpiecearms.com/shop/mpa-ba-lite-chassis/

"

Yes and I did contact them directly and they have not updated the verbage for the Lite Chassis, that is for the other chassis.

 

[HairyDemon]

I have a hard time believing any chassis manufacturer would make a chassis that would not fit a 1.25" shank. That is probably the most popular shank size.

I emailed MPA again today and asked the more Pointed question of what Shank size they support because I am tracking I feel that is the point of the limitation.

 

[HairyDemon]

I emailed MPA again today and asked the more Pointed question of what Shank size they support because I am tracking I feel that is the point of the limitation.

Here was response from MPA:

"The shank is not the issue its the taper after. The lite will hand a 1.250 shank.



It will not handle any contour that is larger than 1.250 for 3.5" then a straight taper to .90'' at the muzzle at 26"




Our Lite will not fit an MTU contour."

 

[Yondering]

I have re-contoured a few fluted AR barrels, but those were all straight sections; I don't have the capability at the moment to cut a good sporter barrel profile. Anyway, recontouring the fluted barrels was no big deal really with good tooling. You don't want to use delicate positive rake carbide for it, but neutral or slight negative rake carbide tooling worked fine.

Turning down something like an AR15 bolt carrier is a much more difficult interrupted cut because of the material hardness, but that can be done without problem too, as long as you know what the tooling needs to be. Turning down fluted barrels after that is cake.

One thing to note though - the finish can look a little wavy as-cut if the flutes aren't removed completely, just because of the nature of interrupted cuts. A good machinist can clean that up though.