out as much as 1/8 inch on the OD, even though the bore was straight. These barrels would walk as
much as 6 inches at 100 yards after five shots.
BARREL WALKING
Why does a barrel walk? If the bore is concentric to the outside, the thicker side will lengthen more than
the thin side and the barrel will bend. In most cases there was enough metal on the barrel to return the
barrel to make it even. See the other file on Accuracy on the Gunsmith Bible II on the disk.
PREMIUM BARRELS
Let me point out that premium barrels are barrels that are straight after drilling. They have no loose or
tight spots in the bore due to hard or soft spots in the barrel, and they do get a higher price. Even with
good steel, some times you find some bars with much stress left in the bar. This steel will warp with
every pass of the cutting tool. There is not much you can do to stop it, except straighten it on every pass.
These if you keep them straight up to the final pass will shoot good and will never give any problems
later. They are just a pain in you know where. On barrel straightening equipment, the one type that I used
is the overhead screw press. You can see the bore as you are making corrections on it.
BARREL PRESSES
This type of press can be made quite easily in the shop with nothing more than a CUTTING TORCH,
ARC WELDER, AND SOME OLD FARMING EQUIPMENT. WHY THE FARMING EQUIPMENT?
ALMOST EVERYTHING NEEDED CAN BE FOUND IN USED FARMING EQUIPMENT.
Another is the type that you use an overhead hydraulic press to make correct it. This is a good type but I
have found that it is better if you can feel the pressure when you straighten the barrel. Both will do a
good job, but the overhead screw press is faster. If you plan to make quite a few barrels, certainly go to
the overhead press.