Having finished my aluminum stock NBRSA 1000yd Heavy Gun a while ago, I wanted to make a Light Gun that would share the same rear mechanical rest and test some theories. I know tensioned barrels are not new, but they are new to me so I thought I'd see how it worked. So far so good.
Some interesting things emerged. In my effort to fit the existing rest and make 17lb weight, I ended up with 50/50 weight distribution. Surprisingly, it doesn't jump and it tracks well. The barreled action slides in the tube and is tensioned to hold it. The tube slides in the two larger-diameter tube sections, which are welded to the stock. The tube is glued in.
I had the pieces cut on a waterjet machine from 3/16 6061, and I bolted it all together in a jig, then had the local aircraft welding shop put it in their oven to 300 degrees or so and then weld it. It didn't warp, one of my main concerns.
The barrel tensioning tube is 1.5" .083 wall 6061. There are stepped stainless inserts that slip inside and push against the tube ends, the front one is threaded, the rear slides on the barrel and pushes against the BAT M action. The barrel is a 28" varmint-contour 8.5 Bartlein chambered in 6.5x47 AIX, a longer 40 degree version. 130 JLK's run 2995 FPS with good accuracy. I will be shooting and sorting-out at the next match, we will see.
Jerry
Some interesting things emerged. In my effort to fit the existing rest and make 17lb weight, I ended up with 50/50 weight distribution. Surprisingly, it doesn't jump and it tracks well. The barreled action slides in the tube and is tensioned to hold it. The tube slides in the two larger-diameter tube sections, which are welded to the stock. The tube is glued in.
I had the pieces cut on a waterjet machine from 3/16 6061, and I bolted it all together in a jig, then had the local aircraft welding shop put it in their oven to 300 degrees or so and then weld it. It didn't warp, one of my main concerns.
The barrel tensioning tube is 1.5" .083 wall 6061. There are stepped stainless inserts that slip inside and push against the tube ends, the front one is threaded, the rear slides on the barrel and pushes against the BAT M action. The barrel is a 28" varmint-contour 8.5 Bartlein chambered in 6.5x47 AIX, a longer 40 degree version. 130 JLK's run 2995 FPS with good accuracy. I will be shooting and sorting-out at the next match, we will see.
Jerry
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