Turning barrel down

[Jmort1754]

Can a smith turn down and flute a MTU contour barrel?

 

[IrkedCitizen]

The short answer is yes. Will a Smith recontour and flute a MTU contour is a different question.

 

[83cj-7]

My smith has turned down probably a half dozen heavy barrels such as MTU and heavy Palma contours to my specs. Several of these were done because I wanted a sporter weight barrel with a flared end for 5/8-24 threads.

This is a 280 that started as a Remington varmint profile. If you zoom in you can see how the end of barrel flares out.

 

[wind gypsy]

I've asked a couple gunsmiths if they would do it for the same reasons @83cj-7 pointed out. Get a lighter weight profile but still have a sizeable shoulder for your desired muzzle thread size.

I'm no machinist but it seems like contouring would be easier than fluting. Pricing quoted was pretty close to fluting IIRC. If doing it, i dont see a reason to flute as well. Just have it contoured to hit your desired weight.

 

[gbflyer]

Hart Barrels did one for me. It was one of theirs, I don’t know if they will do other manufacturers.

I am not a gunsmith, just an enthusiastic hobbyist with a lot of tools. I’ve done a couple of contours. For me, it was slow and a lot of setup. Managing the chatter was frustrating. I suspect that unless the smith has a CNC turning station, the cost would be prohibitive. You might consider a new barrel, most of them will turn any contour you want.

 

[Cactus kid]

Is the barrel a blank? Or on a gun currently?

 

[Wrench]

I've asked a couple gunsmiths if they would do it for the same reasons @83cj-7 pointed out. Get a lighter weight profile but still have a sizeable shoulder for your desired muzzle thread size.

I'm no machinist but it seems like contouring would be easier than fluting. Pricing quoted was pretty close to fluting IIRC. If doing it, i dont see a reason to flute as well. Just have it contoured to hit your desired weight.

It is.....IF you have a hydraulic follow rest. The killer on contouring is the barrel tries to climb the tool like a jump rope. I've done enough to know that it's not worth it with my lathes.

Fluting is much easier to fixture for and work holding is pretty simple.

Karl Feldkamp does a lot of barrels....it'd be worth ask him.

 

[Wrench]

If you want a shoulder....it can easily be added. Just make the shoulder where you want it and blend it. You'll never know it's there.

 

[nphunter]

I own a lathe and have considered buying a couple cheap prefits in long heavy contours since they can be had for much less than hunting barrels. I don’t think it would take much to cut one short and turn it down to a somewhat smaller profile like a Palma style with a short taper and then a more straight barrel around 3/4”.

I can see how a long skinny barrel would want to flex and chatter and be a PITA. I was looking at a 6 dasher barrel on another sight that is only $125 but a 28” comp contour, I think that could be a great way into a cheap hunting barrel.