Finding a good smith that can work my barrel from a .280 to .280AI

P

perley03

New member
Hello all
I've been searching for the past 2 days and coming up empty handed. I'm not 100% sure on what needs to be done to machine my barrel from .280 remington to .280 Ackley Improved. I currently have a Ruger M77 Hawkeye Alaskan in stainless/synthetic and want to retain the stainless barrel. Do I just send out my original barrel and have them work it or do I buy a barrel thats already machined? Is there any good gunsmiths that you guys know that can do this? I also want some trigger work done, I want to get my trigger pull down to approx. 2#.
 
I wouldn't let just any guy with a lathe and a reamer hack on my gun. Do your homework. Depending on your skill level, you could install an adjustable trigger yourself.
 
Thats the problem....I don't know of any gunsmiths in the area, and I didn't know what was involved in rechambering to a 280AI. I'll hit up the local gun club and ask around for a good smith.
 
Check with your local ranges and talk to some benchrest competition guys. They know of all the good gunsmiths in the area.
 
The barrel must be set back (one whole turn usually) and then reamed to AI.

Simply reaming without setting back will NOT result in a correct AI chamber.
 
Unless your barrel is 24" long, you're wasting your time with the AI.
Click to expand...

A very valid point.

The AI really needs a longer barrel to take full advantage of the extra powder.

I use 26 inch barrels in most of my AI calibers.
 
Good Gunsmith

You might want to call Nelson or Phil at Gator Guns. 561 683-1411. He's at the other end of the world, but can do the job right. Ayup.
 
Gunsmithing

I am a gunsmith and we do a lot of rebarreling and rechambering work. Ruger Barrels are not notorious for there accuracy, we can convert it to Ackley improved but I would recommend that you put a better barrel on it in 24+ inch if possable without the longer barrel the advantages of the AI are marginal. Rugers use pine cast parts including there reciever then they thread there reciever without truing the bolt rails to the exacting specification of the chamber location it will still fit and function but it allows for the barrel to be off reciever center up to .012 usually a lot less but if you check your bolt face measurements youll find that the bolt face is left slicghtly over sized so the shell can move correctly to center bore which allows the shell to shift under pressure on the botl face which takes away from the accuracy of the rifle. They are good hunting rifles and very reliable, however if you are using this for a target rifle or sillohoutte there are better choices. Yoou can call the shop and we can give you advice and maybe recommend a gunsmith close to you if we know any or we could do the work although we are a little backed up right now so it would be a couple weeks turn around time. email me if you need more information. Good Luck.

B.R. Hoyle
JRH Advanced Gunsmithing
Grass Valley, CA
 
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