Barrel chambering / tools Louisville, KY

[dscottdennison]

Hello all. I have been visiting for a while and finally decided to create an account. This is my first post. Also, I couldn't decide whether to post this here or in the classifieds section, as it doesn't really fall perfectly into either section, so I apologize if this needs to be moved.

Anyway, I am trying to weigh my options for chambering and installing a new barrel (Rem. 700) that I will be chambering for 300WSM from a new obermeyer blank. I have come up with some bright ideas for economical ways to do this.

A) Would anyone be interested in buying my 1 time used PTG reamers and gauges if I decide to buy them new and sell afterward since I will not be doing this on a regular basis? I was thinking a $50 discount or so from original price. I would rent, but I have heard this is kind of a pain and I have figured would cost about $75 anyway.

B) Would anyone be interested in a trade for the work for some of the original parts that came off of the rifle? I bought the rifle to only use the receiver. I have the bolt (.223 face), barrel chambered in 17 fireball, and factory crappy plastic stock. I will also just sell these items outright for anyone interested.

C) Can anyone point me to a good gunsmith in the Louisville area to just do it for me if/when all else fails? Depending on whether or not I can get into the machine shop where I would do everything short of chambering, I could need anything from just chambering all the way to threading, counter boring, etc. My chances are iffy of being able to get into that shop to do the work myself, so most likely it would be an entire job. This is obviously the most expensive option.

Any other bright ideas are welcome as well... I am just trying to plan everything out for this ongoing project. I am sure all of you can relate.

 

[rcmodel]

You can rent reamers for one-time use.
There are at least a couple of companies that rent them out.

I forget the names, so get on Google and see what pops up.

As for chambering a blank?
Better start with one with a short chamber already cut in it.

Chambering from a rifled barrel blank requires a lathe big enough to get the barrel blank in the chuck. Not something you want to attempt with only hand tools.

Course, you will also need a lathe to fit the barrel blank to a Rem 700 receiver, so maybe you already have that covered?

rc

 

[dscottdennison]

Yeah, I have been shopping around for rentals too, but I have heard that it's kind of a pain having to rush the job for the 3 day window and worrying about return shipping. Also, I have figured this to cost me about $75 or so (at least) anyway for everything needed. If I could find somebody who was looking for a deal on the reamers I could help them out and be able to take my time with the job at the same time.

I mentioned toward the end of my last post that I do have limited access to a machine shop, but it is iffy whether or not I will be able to get in there and do the work. The fact that it is a gun part turns heads, and they are busy as well.

I was actually ready to buy a short chambered Krieger with the 5R rifling, but they are already like $20 more expensive than Obermeyer, there is a $30 charge for that special rifling, and another $40 I believe for the short chamber. Boots can get me a blank with 5R already in it for less than they will sell a regular blank. He cannot, however, short chamber it. Also, it is my understanding that the Krieger guys were apprentices of Mr. Obermeyer, so it would be basically identical tooling and work.

This is my dilemma...

 

[dirtyjim]

if you plan on chambering more than one barrel you could donate the reamer to the reamer co-op at sporterizing.com once your done with it & that would give you access to over 30 reamers for future projects

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, dscottdennison.

If it is a blank, then you'll need to do the threading and muzzle crowning besides the chamber reaming, and someone needs to know what they're doing, especially when you're messing around with a premium barrel.
I've done the rental reamer deal, and it was always a good experience with super sharp reamers, but you do have to contend with the shipping window.
I've also purchased reamers, and if selling after using, it seems you can get most of your money back if you are careful when using them.
Best of luck in your endeavor.

I concur with dirtyjim about the reamer co-op at www.sporterizing.com, as there is a great bunch of knowledgeable guys there too.



NCsmitty

 

[Coltdriver]

I worked a deal with my smith where I am buying the reamer (Custom JGS) and the smith has agreed to take it in payment after he fixes my rifle.

I would take a look at JGS because they use a piloted reamer. The tip of the reamer sits in the lands and the body of the reamer spins in this tip. The folks at JGS are great to deal with and we went back and forth a couple of times getting the reamer dialed in where I wanted it.

Beats rental with a used reamer that may be a bit tired plus you can dial in your chamber exactly the way you want it.

 

[dirtyjim]

i've always had good luck with ptg and they will do wildcats and customs for $137.
a removable pilot reamer is the way to go, i've bought solid pilot reamers when i get a good deal on them and ptg will rework them to a removable pilot for around $25.00.

jsg has always been higher than ptg but usually a little cheaper than manson.
if you watch the specials pages at ptg and jsg you can get some realy good deals.