Browning A-Bolt II = Rebarrel

[Wapiti Slayer .270]

Was wondering if anyone here could tell me about having a A-Bolt II rebarreled? From what I'm reading on the net, and being told by a gunsmith, this isn't a rosy proposition. Any truth this this? Thanks.

 

[Mountain Goat]

Most 'smiths will shy away form the A-Bolt just because Browning uses a thread lock on the barrel from the factory. This has caused more than a few actions to be bent while removing the factory barrel. With that, I have seen several A-Bolts with custom tubes, so I know there are people out there who are willing to do the work. I suspect a lot of gunsmiths just don't like doing extra work or performing services outside of their comfort zone.

 

[DrMike]

I can't imagine what sort of trouble anyone would expect you to encounter. I've shot a few A-Bolts that were rebarrelled, and there didn't seem to be a problem that I recall.

 

[Wapiti Slayer .270]

Mountain Goat,

Thank you for the response. That is exactly what I'm hearing from both professional gunsmiths, and folks who play in this sort of thing. Hence my trying to sort out what is truth. The Stainless guns seem to have galling issues and the 32 tpi seems to be an issue as well depending on who you talk to.


Dr. Mike,

Indeed it can be done as I've read by quite a few. I'm curious as what I've read to this point has been 2/3 negative and 1/3 being positive. There are indeed many smiths across the country who might feel comfortable in a rebarrel. However, it might not be cost effective in doing so.

 

[nvbroncrider]

When DF gets on he might be able to send you in the right direction he just got done building a 6.5-47 on an A-Bolt.

 

[Anonymous]

Wonder if they use metric threads?

I deal with one gunsmith who simply won't rebarrel a metric gun due to additional tooling costs he'd incur.

I also think he's possibly a little lazy....

 

[BK]

The guy I'm going to use on M70 work won't touch metric threads, either.

 

[SJB358]

Good info. Pretty enlightening. I like the A-Bolts. All that I have shot have been pretty accurate. Can't see them being impossible/hard to make work.

 

[Guest]

Guys who don't want to mess with metric threads usually don't have a lathe that has a "setting" for metric threads. Many older lathes didn't, as I'm sure a fellow with your background will already know, Kelly. You'll also know that several modern lathes do, however, have built in settings for metric threads. There are guys who specialize in building Weatherby Vanguards (or other Howa variants) which have metric threads. I suspect it's just a matter of finding the right builder who has the experience and the equipment to do it right. There are builders out there, as I've seen some very nice custom barreled A-Bolts. I just wouldn't know where to start in finding them.

 

[SJB358]

If that is the case, PacNor will do it. They had no problem of rebarreling my old 7RM to 257 Wby when I asked them. They said send it along and they would get it done.

 

[Wapiti Slayer .270]

Thanks for the opinions folks. I got a final opinion from my gunsmith last night and due to some damage to the barrel/action threading a rebarrel is not advised. There is also a bend within the barrel as well.

Thanks though.

 

[Wapiti Slayer .270]

Damage done by a incompetent smith and an "accident"........
Scratches/dents to stock..

Scope...

Was trying to show how reticle is now off center. Didn't come out too well

There is some damage where barrel meets receiver. Could be threads broken or pulled or a crack in the receiver itself. Barrel has a bow in it as well that would require a rebarrel even if the receiver was ok. Right now I'm going with the normal gunsmiths recommendation and writing the rifle off as a loss. Safety is paramount for myself. I've since settled with the other "gunsmith" in question for $750 cash and I keep the fudged up rifle.

Will try and get better pics soon.

Barrel. Used to sit perfectly in the barrel channel. Hair size gap on each side but even originally

Pic is crappy but that gap underneath the barrel is almost 1/4". Same as above before damaged. Just a hair or 2 gap..

 

[Mountain Goat]

I believe that's known as "Bubba'd" to the shooting public. Sorry to hear about such a poor experience. At least you got some cash out of the deal to put towards another project. I know someone who has a nice M70 in the classifieds. :wink:

 

[Guest]

Ouch, Kelly! Man, I guess that other "gunsmith" (read: HACK!) really muffed this up, huh? At least he's paying for it. Looks like he didn't know what he was doing and tried to force the barrel loose and bent the whole works. What brand of scope is that he screwed up? Might be worth getting the factory to recon it for you. They might do it for not much money. Sorry to hear you had such a crappy experience. When you get ready to replace it, look here for some great deals:

http://www.marksgunsearch.com/inventory/all/

I've been doing business with Mark for 20yrs now, and he'll ship to your ffl with no problems, and only charge you actual shipping. He'll make some deals, too.

 

[Wapiti Slayer .270]

I believe that's known as "Bubba'd" to the shooting public. Sorry to hear about such a poor experience. At least you got some cash out of the deal to put towards another project. I know someone who has a nice M70 in the classifieds. :wink:

Indeed. However I think even Bubba has something on this guy.....

As to the M70, you haven't been talking to tddangelo have ya?????? He's been sending me M70 links all day trying to help me spend my money..........lol

Dunno what I'm going to do right now. Still a bit pissed, but then again I used a new smith based off a few word of mouth references.

What I really would like to get my hands on is a new JOC Commerative .270 but its impossible to find one and then a guy has to pony up the scratch if he did.

 

[Wapiti Slayer .270]

Ouch, Kelly! Man, I guess that other "gunsmith" (read: HACK!) really muffed this up, huh? At least he's paying for it. Looks like he didn't know what he was doing and tried to force the barrel loose and bent the whole works. What brand of scope is that he screwed up? Might be worth getting the factory to recon it for you. They might do it for not much money. Sorry to hear you had such a crappy experience. When you get ready to replace it, look here for some great deals:

http://www.marksgunsearch.com/inventory/all/

I've been doing business with Mark for 20yrs now, and he'll ship to your ffl with no problems, and only charge you actual shipping. He'll make some deals, too.

Dub,

Ya it hurts. Wife bought that rifle for me in 2001. As you know, that 's my favorite rifle chambered in .270. Put some elk meat down with that rifle over the years.

Scope in question is an original Burris FFII 3-9x40. Highly unlikely they'll do much about it.

Thanks for the link and I'll be sure to keep you posted on what progresses from here. At the moment, bitter taste and all, I'm thinking of just running my .300WM for the forseeable future. We'll see what happens once things settle in.

Thanks bud.

 

[Guest]

What were you wanting to have done? Rebarrel? Or some other work?

 

[Wapiti Slayer .270]

What were you wanting to have done? Rebarrel? Or some other work?

Dropped it off to have a Limbsaver pad put on it that Chris(buckgitter) gave me some years ago. Was heading to NE for a PD shoot and thought I'd take it along for some trigger time....

Story is, a shelf fell over, hit rifle in vise and sent both for a tumble. That was his story and he stuck to it. Even while having a sheriff there to help me retrieve said rifle...

 

[DrMike]

That amount of damage is pretty extreme. I question whether that fellow will last long as a gunsmith.

 

[Wapiti Slayer .270]

Doubtful he will. He's a start up smith while working retail gun sales.

I should of used my normal smith. Been in business a long time. Wait time was too long to make this trip though.

I'm out for the night. Time to go home and plant the tomato stake.