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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Some help getting a barrel off. (Read 624 times)
jhm
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Re: Some help getting a barrel off.
Reply #15 - Dec 23rd, 2025 at 7:47pm
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Let us know how it goes but my vote is a relief cut in that barrel. Also make you a filler block to mimic the breech blocks so you don't crush the receiver. It can happen. Don't ask me how I know. And yes I was able to fix it as it was a cast receiver...



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marlinguy
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Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

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Re: Some help getting a barrel off.
Reply #16 - Dec 23rd, 2025 at 8:16pm
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jhm wrote on Dec 23rd, 2025 at 7:47pm:
Let us know how it goes but my vote is a relief cut in that barrel. Also make you a filler block to mimic the breech blocks so you don't crush the receiver. It can happen. Don't ask me how I know. And yes I was able to fix it as it was a cast receiver...

I've done many Ballard actions, and never used a block in the action. Just made sure my action wrench was right up next to the barrel where the action is fully supported 360 degrees.


But here's the really great news! 
I am not patient, so I put the barreled action in my padded bench vise and used a hacksaw to make a 1/8" deep relief cut in the barrel as close to the action as possible. Less than 1/16" left right next to the action.
When I finished a few minutes ago I put it back in my barrel vise with my ironwood blocks, and put the action wrench on it. I got ready to give it what for, and it turned like it was almost hand tight! The darned cut worked great and the action came off the barrel with ease!
Now for the other good news! I hand tightened the Schoyen barrel into the action and it stopped just about 1/8th turn shy of indexing up perfectly! I'll try to tighten it a little more, and if it goes in place I'll check the breech block for proper headspace and .003" crush to know if it's also good!
I'm ecstatic and can't thank you guys for the suggestions and help with this stubborn barrel!




  

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rifleman
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Re: Some help getting a barrel off.
Reply #17 - Dec 24th, 2025 at 6:23am
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This must be a charmed project. Next youll tell us you found $100 bills rolled up in the buttstock
  
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jhm
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Re: Some help getting a barrel off.
Reply #18 - Dec 24th, 2025 at 7:33am
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Don't you just love it when that happens. I have also found the Ballard has a LOT of threads on their barrels to get stuck over the last 100 years. Ballards and rolling block both have a lot of thread engagement and can give you problems. Lo wall and hi wall not so much. I have never used the hack saw method. Guess if you don't have a lathe you use what you have. Glad the other barrel fit too. Sometimes things just work out for a fella...


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marlinguy
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Re: Some help getting a barrel off.
Reply #19 - Dec 24th, 2025 at 9:59am
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My lathe is too small so most barrels wont fit through the bore in the head. I know some friends with larger lathes, but figured why bother them if the hacksaw works. I figured worse case scenario I'd have to take it to one of them and make the cut closer to relieve pressure, but I got lucky and cut it close enough without touching the face of the receiver.

I tried the Schoyen barrel on the action, but even cranked down hard it wont quite make it. I'll take the barrel back off and stone the face of the action to get the last bit and not have to crank it down so hard.
I also tried the breech block and it closed, but too much crush, so I'll stone the rear of the block halves to get the proper crush on it also.
After that it's just polishing the action, lever, and breech blocks and send it all to Al Springer for CCH! I'll restore the stocks while the parts are at Al's so it will be ready when it all comes back.
  

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