Can the freebore be removed from a Weatherby Magnum?
- Thread starter dfraser
- Start date
Pressures will rise if you use factory loads or start high on your load development.
We did a 270Wby with no freebore on a rechambered Parker Hale. Ran into pressure issues within 2 grains of max load.
It would be safer to keep the freebore, it doesn't matter, accuracy wise, on a hunting rifle.
We did a 270Wby with no freebore on a rechambered Parker Hale. Ran into pressure issues within 2 grains of max load.
It would be safer to keep the freebore, it doesn't matter, accuracy wise, on a hunting rifle.
You can do it with a custom or no-throat reamer, and if it doesn't work for you run a SAAMI spec through it after. Since you're going to be shooting handloads anyway you can have some fun then change your mind. Be prepared to not get anywhere near max book loads but you might get most or all of the speed.
I've got a custom barrelled .270 Weatherby done up with free-bore of about half of factory length or maybe 3/16" instead of 3/8". It will shoot factory ammo without showing pressure signs but the velocity of the bargain basement 130 gr Spitzer is sitting at 3700 fps. I sorta take that as a pressure sign all by itself.
Due to the short throat and long mag box I can load a few bullets out to the lands, but nothing ever really shot great that way. Its favorite 130 Scirocco likes 3.5 grains less (than Nosler data) 7828 for 3500 fps and a long jump.
I've got a custom barrelled .270 Weatherby done up with free-bore of about half of factory length or maybe 3/16" instead of 3/8". It will shoot factory ammo without showing pressure signs but the velocity of the bargain basement 130 gr Spitzer is sitting at 3700 fps. I sorta take that as a pressure sign all by itself.
Due to the short throat and long mag box I can load a few bullets out to the lands, but nothing ever really shot great that way. Its favorite 130 Scirocco likes 3.5 grains less (than Nosler data) 7828 for 3500 fps and a long jump.
Assuming your pipe fitter has a dedicated throating reamer, he can chamber the barrel initially with a short throat reamer.
He can then used a dedicated throating reamer to set the throat length to whatever you want.
If you are buying the reamers, it's advisable to consider buying such a pair of reamers, rather that a single chambering reamer that has been specked out for one specific geometry.
If you are interested in buying the reamers, contacy Dave Kiff at Pacific Tool and Gage. He can advise you on throat angles, jump, freebore etc to suit the bullets you'd like to use.
He can then used a dedicated throating reamer to set the throat length to whatever you want.
If you are buying the reamers, it's advisable to consider buying such a pair of reamers, rather that a single chambering reamer that has been specked out for one specific geometry.
If you are interested in buying the reamers, contacy Dave Kiff at Pacific Tool and Gage. He can advise you on throat angles, jump, freebore etc to suit the bullets you'd like to use.
Older factory Weatherby rifles made by Sauer in Germany had an excessively long throat. All the factory Weatherby's made in Japan have a standard throat. (approximately one caliber about .300" long). This works very well.
I have been using a custom reamer for the .300 WBY forever... it cuts a short throat much like the newer Weatherby rifles.
What are you trying to achieve with an excessively short throat? Dave Manson makes the finest reamers for the price.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Weatherbys have long necks, thus usually well aligned with the bore. Even with a big jump. Not.really sure what you gain by eliminating freebore.
