It is Mark Chanlynn, Rocky Mt. Rifle works. (303) 823-6270

jhm wrote on Mar 21^st, 2025 at 8:14pm:


In the General Discussion section, at the very top is a post entitled “RKS barrels”. That’s probably the best place to start.

If it shoots better than a Benchmark or Lilja barrel, the price isn't too important in the big picture.  Shoot a few 5 shot groups at 100 that measure .2 to .3 inches, and you'll never think about how much you paid for that barrel.  I hope it lives up to the reputation that RKS has with the users here!

The flip side of that is an example of one of my own rifles.  I sent two .22 rf Green Mountain barrels off to a well known gunsmith to fit to a switch barrel rifle, for an offhand and bench barrel setup.  I ordered a specific reamer for Ely match ammo from Dave Kiff at PTG to be sent to that gunsmith.  He fit the barrels to the rifle, and chambered with the PTG reamer.  When I got them back, I looked down the barrels and the throat on both was ridged and scratched.  I looked at the reamer (that had been returned to me) and found that PTG had sent the wrong reamer, with some goofy pilot with a spiral groove down it.  It was a production reamer for a forced oil system, rather than the reamer I had ordered.  I called PTG and they said tough luck, it's up to you to inspect and make sure what you ordered is what you get.  They rightly pointed out that the gunsmith should have realized that it was the wrong reamer before using it. They wouldn't even exchange the reamer, since it had been used. That was the third reamer that they had sent the wrong one to me, so they have never supplied me with any tooling since.  That rifle has essentially never been used, I shot a few groups with it and it was a mediocre performer so it has just sat. I never even blued the barrels. That was money wasted and I still get irritated when I think of it.  If I had paid the money I did for the two barrels and fitting on putting one high quality barrel in it that shot in the .2's or .3's, I'd still be happy with that rifle today and never think about what it had cost.

Good luck with your project!

Update on the conversion. Got the r/f breech block machined and fitted. Removed the c/f 219 Zipper barrel and machined a stub to practice the two piece extractor. All the pictures and information are greatly appreciated. Just have to wait on the RKS barrel to come from Canada. Haven't decided on barrel configuration yet. It will probably be half oct/round. I have gotten pretty good at doing those. Made some tooling to hold them with. One question I forgot to ask and it is directed to "GT" and it is how wide is the transfer bar and what diameter is the pin that attaches it to the block? Thanks again for everyone's continued help.


JMH

Update... Money was delivered according to tracking number so now waiting on barrel. Original barrel dims. were provided by another member. It will be half octagon/round and 30 inches in length if blank length allows.



JMH

Johnny, sounds like it is coming along. Tony and Tom have always been generous with their help when I needed it or had a question. Please post some photos if you can.

Photos of Johnny’s Hepburn progress.

Oops pictures are 2,1,3 in that order. Long day...



JMH