pre6422hornet
Handloader
- Jan 24, 2012
- 974
- 12
I am in the process of rebarreling a M70 classic stainless BOSS in .243 with a new take off classic stainless FWT in .243 as a project for my 6 year old Daughters deer rifle. I have procured 2 stocks for it, one a regular short action and the other a M70 ranger youth stock. I am going to take the youth stock and strip it, then tint the grain a light pink, then seal it up and checker it. She asked that it be pink so I am going to oblige her. She is even helping me in the stock work some, helping me strip it, sand it, etc... I am even going to let her sign the grip cap before I seal it.
Anyway I dropped the barrel and barreled action off at the gunsmith 6 or 7 weeks ago. I hadn't heard anything and I was in the area so I stopped by. He came out holding both barrels and explained that he had just started it last week. The wind was really taken out of my sails when he showed me that the late 90's classic barrel was 1 in 16 threads ( which I knew) and the FN produced barrel ( a regular 243 win, NOT a WSM) was 1 in 24 threads ( or something small like that). I knew FN made the threads smaller on the WSM and WSSM barrels but not the regular barrels. He said he has seen this before and there really is no ryhme or reason what thread size they use. Almost like the operator gets to pick the thread size. You learn something new everyday.
I think he could tell I was dejected, but he said " all is not lost" .... Then he took some dial calipers and showed me that the new FN barrel has a diameter that is alot larger at the threads than the older classic. He said he can turn it down, rethread to 1 in 16, recut the extractor void, set the headspace and it will be good as new. I was very relieved. Yes this will cost a little more, 175 to be exact, but that was fine. Even with the added expense I will only have 225 into the build ( not counting the 499 for rifle) .
I am looking forward to getting the action back next week as the stock will be ready for glass bedding. Then off to the range for load work. Then wait till she is a little bigger to shoot it.
Fun times.
Anyway I dropped the barrel and barreled action off at the gunsmith 6 or 7 weeks ago. I hadn't heard anything and I was in the area so I stopped by. He came out holding both barrels and explained that he had just started it last week. The wind was really taken out of my sails when he showed me that the late 90's classic barrel was 1 in 16 threads ( which I knew) and the FN produced barrel ( a regular 243 win, NOT a WSM) was 1 in 24 threads ( or something small like that). I knew FN made the threads smaller on the WSM and WSSM barrels but not the regular barrels. He said he has seen this before and there really is no ryhme or reason what thread size they use. Almost like the operator gets to pick the thread size. You learn something new everyday.
I think he could tell I was dejected, but he said " all is not lost" .... Then he took some dial calipers and showed me that the new FN barrel has a diameter that is alot larger at the threads than the older classic. He said he can turn it down, rethread to 1 in 16, recut the extractor void, set the headspace and it will be good as new. I was very relieved. Yes this will cost a little more, 175 to be exact, but that was fine. Even with the added expense I will only have 225 into the build ( not counting the 499 for rifle) .
I am looking forward to getting the action back next week as the stock will be ready for glass bedding. Then off to the range for load work. Then wait till she is a little bigger to shoot it.
Fun times.
