Bent Rifle Barrel

Ike

Ike

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Hi all,
Can a bent rifle barrel be fixed or is it trashed?
The barrel in this case is on a milsurp, and seems to be bent approx. 6 or 7" from the crown, bend is gradual and is between 3/8 and 1/2". Cutting the bent portion out is not an option.

Can this be repaired? Is the repair cheap or prohibitively expensive?

I have a feeling I know the answer but want to check...
Cheers
 
sounds a little bit much but barrels can be straightened - and often were at the factory - so I would see if this works before scrapping it..AP
 
When I was in the business, had fairly good success straightening bent barrels on shotguns, centerfire rifle and 22s. If the barrel was severly bent with evidence of collapse , I turned the job down. In almost all cases good hunting accuracy was preserved.
I think that almost any older,experienced gunsmith should be able to accomplish the job for a minimal charge if he has either purchased or made a suitable press and has a good eye.

John S.
 

If the bend has been caused by an accident it can be fixed usually. Gentle bends can be fairly easily straightened. Some as simple a putting it in a padded vise and bending it straight.
 

If the bend has been caused by an accident it can be fixed usually. Gentle bends can be fairly easily straightened. Some as simple a putting it in a padded vise and bending it straight.
 
I have a parker hale 30-06 with a bent barrel. You can see the bend when you look down the bbl. My dad ran the rifle over about 20 years ago with his pick up truck. The rifle still shoots at least 1.5 moa (five shots without letting the bbl cool)with almost any load.
 
Your press will have to allow the barrel to be bent past the straight point to allow for spring back. The amount of excess bend and the point where pressure is to be applied will come with practice. Progress is measured by sighting through the barrel.
What seems to be difficult becomes very quick and easy after some experience.

John S.
 
Bent rifle barrel

I've watched a gunsmith straighten bent barrels on a big ol' power pole. His theory was that there is some 'memory' in the bent steel and if you whack it the right way on a big wooden post it will spring back.

I don't know about the theory, but it does work in practice. I've tried it myself (twice) and while I didn't get the barrel perfectly straight, it did get straight enough to be useful for hunting purposes again. Here's the technique as he explained it to me:

Strip the barrelled action of absolutely everything that will come off. If you don't, the "bounce" effect of hitting the post will rip off triggers, sights and anything else attached to either end.

Find where the bend is, grab the barrel/receiver end furthest away, and strike the post exactly on the bend (with the bend direction being away from the post). How hard do you hit it? Hard enough to bend it straight. The post, by the way has to be really solid.

It's low tech, and not terribly precise but it does work.

triggerpress
 
As some have said, it can be done. Those with experience are probably best inclined to help you out. Had an 81 BLR-308 with a gradual bend in it about 8 inches from the muzzle. Took some time, but it is now shooting M.O.A. Good luck.
 
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