Bbl/action swap

T

Tod Soeby

New member
My backup gun is out of order. I have access to an "IDENTICAL" setup to what I currently shoot (BAT mod M 1.55 round 8.5 inch in an MBR stock, in 300 wby), smithed up by the same smith (Spencer)at different times, of course.

My question is this.....I have saveral BBLs for my current gun. Now, I am not asking If it will group well...that will take some testing..... I need to know if I can simply put one of my BBLs on the barrowed gun and shoot SAFELY!!!???? The tube on the barrowed gun should be great....it's just weather or not I have the time to find a load. The load data that came with the gun uses MRP, which I couldn't find a while back. I have not tried lately. I was told to substitute RL 22 for the MRP, but I usualy don't just jump into things like that without asking those "in the know". I kinda value my life/vision/face/ ect....:eek:

I am trying to not embarriss myself at the NATS. WAY BETTER TO DO IT HERE!!:D:eek:

Any info would be healpfull.


Thanks,
Tod
 
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Tod ,

The only safety issue that I can think of would be a gross difference in the action face to bolt face dimension of the two BAT actions. This is very unlikely. Screw your old barrel on the new gun and check headspace compatability with several cases fired in the old set-up. Chances are that two Spencer built BAT action guns will interchange barrels with no meaningful change in headspace. you probably not even have to adjust your resize die.

Greg
 
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Mike some electrical tape. I *think* It is .004, but check, as I just can't remember. This will be close enough to gauge the headspace in your situation, esp. since there is always the belt . . .

Mike the tape, & add layers to the back of the case (fired in the other gun, de-primed, but NOT resized) until the bolt won't close. If it's .004 tape, two layers & a closing bolt would be on the too-much head clearance side.

You could also put tape on the bolt & see how many layers it takes to gauge the bolt (cone)/barrel clearance. Anywhere between .005 and .010 is just fine (shouldn't close on 3 layers).
 
Todd,

What did you learn about headspace variation when you swapped barrels?

Greg
 
I have not gotten that far yet.....still testing the bbl it has on it. I will let you know how it works out. i do know that I put the bolt in it from my gun on some slightly tight fitting brass, and the bolt closed with the same amount of force on both bolts. I would think that is a good sign.

Thanks,
Tod
 
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