Fire-Forming Method Easiest on Barrel

T

Tony C

Guest
Of the fire-forming methods, which have you found to cause less damage to a newly chambered barrel? I prefer using a dedicated fire-forming barrel when I have one.

Maybe someone with a bore scope can chime in.

In my question is the presumption that multiple methods will form brass of the same dimensional qualities.
 
Given the investment that a newly chambered barrel represents these days, I would give serious consideration to a hydraulic forming die from Whidden or Hornady.
 
a case with no bullet and shot with powder ONLY will never
generate the pressure/temp/flame to damage the bbl like a loaded round.
 
I don't know, I've fire formed a lot of PPC cases with only powder, and the barrel gets mighty hot! Maybe not as hot as firing a bullet, and of course no bullet wear, but still hot.

Take your time.....
 
wayne,
How many rounds you you shoot in a string in a match....maybe 7-8 ?
Now with fire forming how many ???

My opinion is based on the assumption that most powders burn best in some
pressure band, and that is where they produce energy/heat, no bullet, low pressure, lo temp.

just an opinion
 
6 PPC - Maybe a 22 short some day

I was wondering if Bullseye or other fast, hot powders put excessive heat stress in a critical area of the barrel, but I have no idea of the temperatures of Bullseye vs. a PPC powder with bullet.

Even if a friend had a dedicated fire-forming barrel, it would need to have been chambered with the same reamer or one with the same dimensions - and matched headspace.
 
If you're gonna make 20-25 cases then just shoot them in your rifle and be done with it. Alternatively, if you're making a whole bunch of cases you need a fireforming barrel. That's it...there's no more!

As always, I could be wrong. This answer is an old answer....from the cheaper barrel era.

__________________________________________

Came back to ask...what does a new, chambered barrel cost these days?
 
Last edited:
Wilbur

I want enough loaded rounds to be able to shoot through an entire score match if I decide to compete a little. I cannot say firsthand about the cost of a new barrel and chamber. I have a few previously chambered barrels (different action) with very low round counts.
 
I fireform during less important matches or using them for foulers. A couple matches and ill have enough formed to do it again. Its a continuous process
 
I have fire forming barrels here, 6mm but all you have to pay for is $25.00 for the barrel, plus shipping and then get it chambered with the same reamer, your cost, and then you have a fire forming barrel. And I am going to tell you something and I do not care what anyone else tells you, once you have fore formed in any barrel, within reason of course, that brass will fit into your barrel. I can be reached at bill.gammon@rogers.com
Sorry Wilbur, if you want to move this to Classifieds? no problem. Just had to answer this persons question.
Bill
 
I almost went with a fire-form barrel. But why waste a chambering job and wear the reamer? Instead I installed my first match-grade and formed 50. I'll shoot those until it goes away. Then prior to the next blank I'll fire-form another 100 - 150. So basically I'll do my forming at the end of a barrel's life. It's the same premise as a dedicated FF tube but it's one less swap.

And I agree with Bill. As long as you form in chambers done from the same reamer, barrel-to-barrel differences in case specs are immaterial (of course that assumes you know how to accurately set headspace and your FL sizer).

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
 
Thanks Bill, but I have an old tomato stick here if I decided to do that. Jerry Sharret had set one up for me several years ago for the old rifle. Lesson learned........Don't sell a good rifle that you have barrels for.................:confused:
 
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