Cold lapping

[AJBert]

Not sure if this is the right forum but the question I have is does anyone have experience with cold lapping a brand new barrel on a rifle?


I have two brand spanking new, never fired Win Mod 70's, one in .25-06 and the other in .270. From what I've learned, lapping in a barrel, either cold or hot, will definitely make cleaning sessions much easier and MAY increase accuracy.


Although the cleaning part would be nice I am more interested in the accuracy area. Now, being as these have never been fired I can't compare the before and after.


Just curious if anyone on the board has any experience with lapping a rifle barrel and if you were happy with the results?

[kahrnut1]

I lapped a 1000yd douglas barrel on a mauser action many years ago. I could not tell accuracy change but it did make it much easier to clean. I bought a kit to lap it I think from brownells.

[muggsy]

Any accuracy improvement that you might see comes from the barrel fouling less. My Dad used to lap the barrels of the custom sporters that he built. I never saw a real need for it in a hunting rifle.

[Rbodine]

What is cold lapping???


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[340pd]

I just bought a Ruger American Rimfire. The first thing I did was run a couple of patches covered with JB bore cleaner about 50 times down the barrel.

Whether it works or not I do not know but it made me feel like I did something good.
First set of 30 rounds at 25 yd. with CCI mini mags was not too bad considering I laid the gun over a log, seated, and just pulled the trigger.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t320/gnystrom_photos/RAR25yd_zps3abfa686.jpg

[100percent]

You could drive a soft lead ball through your barrel and push it through several more times with some fine polish on it.

I have fire lapped a 44 mag as it was tight at the breech and leaded badly just past the forcing cone.

[BEARDOG]

I just bought a Ruger American Rimfire. The first thing I did was run a couple of patches covered with JB bore cleaner about 50 times down the barrel.

Whether it works or not I do not know but it made me feel like I did something good.
First set of 30 rounds at 25 yd. with CCI mini mags was not too bad considering I laid the gun over a log, seated, and just pulled the trigger.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t320/gnystrom_photos/RAR25yd_zps3abfa686.jpg

It looks like something is working just fine, good shooting!

I also have done the JB bore paste trick to some of my new barrels. I have an old Gun Bible that has a good how-to prep a new barrel write up using JB paste in it. So I follow his methods and do it to my more precision rifles... Does it help? I don't know. Doesn't seem to hurt though.

[RRP]

I also have done the JB bore paste trick to some of my new barrels. I have an old Gun Bible that has a good how-to prep a new barrel write up using JB paste in it. So I follow his methods and do it to my more precision rifles... Does it help? I don't know. Doesn't seem to hurt though.

So maybe if you believe it helps, and because of that you shoot more confidently, it leads to better performance.

Psychology. Mind over matter....and all that jazz.

[DeaconKC]

I've firelapped a few milsurp barrels over the years, but never a new factory barrel.

[muggsy]

Food for thought.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/2010/09/23/gunsmithing_st_lappingbarrel_200805/

http://www.ktgunsmith.com/firelapping.htm

http://www.bellmtcs.com/FAQ/Fire_Lapping.htm

[hardluk1]

There is a difference in how you you treat a lower quality production barrel and a highend custom barrel. Don't think lapping a douglas or pac nor or kreiger and other top end custom quality barrels could improve them and could hurt as there already polished and air gaged . But on a production barrel it can't do anything but help it. Followed by a quality barrel break in.

[CJB]

Hammer forged barrels dont benefit much or any.

[AJBert]

Well, after reading much, a lot more research and the advice/opinions I've gotten on here, I've decided to get both rifles lapped before firing the first round through either.

Now I just need to decide between fire lapping or cold lapping. There's a couple of gunsmiths around that I trust and will find out what the charge for the cold lapping before deciding to try the fire lapping myself.

[AJBert]

Anyone have any experience with this fella's products? He doesn't carry .25-06 but I can get the .270 from him. Still haven't gotten any price quotes on cold lapping from a gunsmith. And I am still thinking about going with the JB Bore.


http://www.davidtubb.com/

[DeaconKC]

Tubb's stuff is the standard that everyone else is measured against.

[AJBert]

Tubb's stuff is the standard that everyone else is measured against.
Good to hear! Looks like I'll be placing an order with them for the .270 very shortly.

[AJBert]

Got a price quote from one gun smith for cold lapping the .25-06 at $80. I don't know if that is reasonable or not but waiting on a couple of others to chime in. I'm thinking I'll go with the David Tubb's for fire lapping the .270 as I don't plan on shooting much further than 300 yards with it. The .25-06 I plan on stretching out to 600 yards-ish for antelope.

[hardluk1]

Always did my own cold lapping !!The materials are good for other use's so does not cost anything but time, really.

[muggsy]

A long time ago I made the mistake of telling my father that it was easy to make a gun stock. All that you had to do was remove all of the wood that didn't look like a gun. I found out real quickly that it was a whole lot easier in the sayin than it was in the doin'. One of life's lessons learned.

[jocko]

wow Muggsy, THATS DEEP, i MEAN REALLY DEEP.

I am sure this forum really learned sumpin from that statement!!!

[Bawanna]

That was deep but I can personally attest that it is indeed very true. I did one stock from a block, said I'd never do another.

I've done several semi fitted over the years but its a ton of time consuming headache causing work that you can ruin in the blink of an eye.

[AJBert]

Got another quote from another more "trusted" gunsmith at $60, so being as I have no .25-06 on hand I have him do that one. Will use JB Bore on the .270 as I have plenty on hand. Will drop the first off this weekend and will shoot the second as soon as it dries up enough around here and the yard is no longer a sink hole.

[AJBert]

Ended up dropping off both rifles instead of doing the .270 myself. Seems I can't find my "range" ammo for the thing. Should be getting them back next week some time.

[Pointblank]

What is cold lapping???


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk


Cold lapping is with your wife. Most any other woman would constitute hot lapping. :D

[jocko]

I think this Poijtblank fella is gonna work out here pretty good. Just sayin

whatcha think Muggtsy, ur the g uy here who says who lives and who dies but also

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE!!

[muggsy]

I think this Poijtblank fella is gonna work out here pretty good. Just sayin

whatcha think Muggtsy, ur the g uy here who says who lives and who dies but also

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE!!

Pointblank is a fellow Clevelander, so he can't be all bad. I hold the title in Cleveland for being all bad. :)

[DeaconKC]

Pointblank is a fellow Clevelander, so he can't be all bad. I hold the title in Cleveland for being all bad. :)
As long as you guys have the Indians and Browns, you do NOT hold that title Muggs!:amflag:

[Pointblank]

As long as you guys have the Indians and Browns, you do NOT hold that title Muggs!:amflag:
I resemble that remark. What's not "bad" about the Browns, Indians and Cavs? Our most successful "sport" in Cleveland involves firearms, but I digress..