Fluting Model P Bolt?

[williada]

There is no doubt that a few have been at the cutting edge for a while. The trickle down effect takes some time. There are a lot of people still using the old stuff and new shooters seem to use it. That's where my interest lies now and how they can still get that stuff to equal the best in terms of score to keep them involved. In time they will make the transition to the superior gear which I would encourage.

Time goes so quickly and I have been out of the game for a while and I suppose my mind is blurred by fullbore thinking when our actions were limited. I can remember when Kiwi's coming over here for work were exempted and were flogging us with the South African Musgrave in local Victorian shoots and we could not use them because they were not approved, although Bruce Heath who is dead brought them back by from SA, then one of the Nankervis's imported them in with approval before Barnards came on the scene. Madden gear was ahead of its time and certainly led the charge with stainless barrels in Australia. I am now making the transition to F Open while I am able because it is so interesting and open minded about the quest for accuracy over long range.

Yes nitriding has been around awhile but hopefully I drew attention to the non-galling harder qualities of the precisely fitting Barnards and the fact that they remove most of the pivoting nature from the bolt in the race which causes problems in most older actions and sporting rifles. Nitriding certainly handles those high pressures when we get around 60,000 psi and we can see why the No.4 was rated about 44,000 psi has been banned from competition except for traditional .303 shoots. Maybe those USA actions where quality has subsided in the target sports and as sporting rifles will take a bit of old fashioned know how to bring them up to scratch.

I didn't express that at all well earlier, and wasn't sure until Keith mentioned the process and what the hardness was. In producing so much material quickly in a blog can mean the post can be a bit rough around the edges and can overlap a bit. I am in a hurry while its on my mind and I suppose I focussed on concepts that were still transferable so connections could be made in the big picture. I'm trying to get down a lot before I lose it and you guys are right and that's why its good to have the cross fertilisation to sort it out.

I have the highest praise for the Barnard, and my wife has an action in the safe for the past 4-5 years and I have not lifted a spanner. I would like to see everyone make the transition to better gear. Thanks for comments. David.

[Paul Janzso]

If weight of the Model P is an issue, sell it and get a Model S.
Cheers
Paul

[williada]

Cam, seeing you mentioned the electroless nickel I got some from Jane Kits 1/351 Pacific Highway Highfields ph 02 49434992 mob 0421425426. Hope they are still there if you are interested. The supplies came with a great little book.

[Cameron Mc]

Cam, seeing you mentioned the electroless nickel I got some from Jane Kits 1/351 Pacific Highway Highfields ph 02 49434992 mob 0421425426. Hope they are still there if you are interested. The supplies came with a great little book.

Thanks for that info Dave, appreciate it. Could come in handy one day.

Cheers
Cam

[DannyS]

David, your posts are always interesting, don't worry if your head runs quicker than your typing fingers. I don't have a Barnard, just a Stolle Panda F class, which I love. Light weight. Accurate, good looking, fluted bolt, switch barrels. Did I say I love it?

Cheers
Danny

[williada]

Danny, how do you find switching barrels barrel for consistency in terms of case stretch? I suppose in testing and switching lots they showed signs of thread wear on the shank or tenon in my case. I would be genuinely interested to know in your case. The spiral bolt would certainly be made to precisely fit before treatment. I think the heavy actions are great to support a barrel. Those lighter jobs would be great if the barrel was blocked. I did all the later test work with a Quadlock. David.

[DannyS]

David, I have three barrels for the panda, two are 308s and the other is a 6mm Dasher. I always use a good quality tension wrench and keep the threads lubricated. The bolt has a coned face. The 308s were both chambered by Gary Hunt at the same time and set up exactly the same. I use one set of cases in both barrels and the same seating depth. Both shoot very well. I use Wilson dies. Haven't noticed any issues with cases stretching.

Cheers
Danny