6.5 rechamber on a lothar barrel

[TallSDYoteHunter]

I need some help finding a gunsmith who will rechamber my lothar barrel from 260 to 6.5-280AI or 6.5-06AI Had guys turn me down because of the steel hardness, also intersted in 6.5 sherman sounds good but need more info. Please help thanks

 

[Derek M.]

Dave Bruno in Dayton PA cuts LW barrels frequently.

814-257-8089

 

[steelshooter]

Why is the hardness of the steel an issue with LW barrels? Are they too hard to re-cut? Will a LW barrel last longer due to being harder?

 

[FEENIX]

My guess is the harder the material the harder it is to machine, thus putting more stress to the reamer. However, if quality reamers (and proper machine/equipment) are designed to cut to the LW hardness, it should not be a problem ... but I'm no machinist, metallurgist, or gunsmith.

Just a thought but have they you contacted Lothar Walther if they can do the re-chambering for you since they are already set up or have any recommendations?

Good luck!

 

[Derek M.]

Why is the hardness of the steel an issue with LW barrels? Are they too hard to re-cut? Will a LW barrel last longer due to being harder?

I had a talk with JB at Accuflite awhile back. His barrel of choice for all of his rifles is LW. He went into a lengthy discussion about how the Germans have bested steel available here in American but I don't remember the details. But what I remember hearing is that the steel is harder, and it takes longer to cut a chamber. That said, I'd have to talk with Dave Bruno about it because he cuts a lot of LW barrels.

Allegedly the steel is so good that JB claims to have 6.5x284s (his caliber of choice), that get WELL OVER 2000 rounds, even up to the 8s and 10s. That is what he stated to me.

I had a rifle built by him with a Sako action (short), with a LW bbl on it. VERY accurate rifle. The mistake on my part was not doing my homework on the chambering. A short action is NOT suitable for a 6.5x284. It can work but not very well in my experience. You suffer a serious powder shortage and max loads are drastically reduced.