Barrel Blueprinting
When fitting a barrel to
an action, if possible, the
action should be measured so
the barrel will have the
maximum potential for an
accurate fit. Blueprinting the
barrel simply means to
measure each feature, and then apply those features to the barrel being installed into the action.
One can simply measure the barrel being replaced and apply those measurements to the new
barrel, but you should never assume the original barrel was correct. It may function, but
remember the factory has tolerance windows too. The barrel you are replacing could possibly
be at the far end of those tolerances.
When taking these measurements, it is important to remember what is being measured
and how it interacts with the barrel or receiver. For instance, measuring from the end of the
action or receiver to the bolt face. You must remember that you are measuring a stripped
action, but you need to replicate how it will behave once assembled and a round is chambered.
The bolt face is a good example because the bolt will have rearward pressure as it locks into
battery, which can skew your measuring results. You must also keep in mind how the action
works. How many lugs are there? Does the bolt extend into the barrel? Does the bolt interact
with the barrel in any way? How does the extractor work? Does it need clearance? These are
just a few questions one must remember to prevent fitment issues.
When aiming for precision, the
gunsmith’s instinct is to keep the
dimensions as close together as
possible. This can lead to a lot of
frustration as the rifle progresses to final
assembly. You must account for
finishing techniques, such as Cerakote
which will add a minimum .001” of
dimension to the surfaces it is applied to.
You must also consider fouling as the
rifle is fired, or environmental conditions
like dirt and dust. The “crush” factor (.002”) of torqueing the barrel must be added in. Close
tolerances can bind or seize a dirty rifle, or create difficult chambering. A typical allowance for
clearances between bolt lugs or any other feature that should not bind on the barrel
is .005”-.010”. This can be reduced, but you have to control all dimensions with extra care to
prevent any fitment issues.
Remember there is sometimes a recoil lug that must also be measured and accounted
for. The thickness needs to be added to the barrel’s tenon length, but like always think ahead to
any future modifications to the rifle. If you plan to surface grind the lug to make the sides
parallel, the final dimension of the lug needs to be measured, not the initial. A thinner lug will
set the barrel further into the action.
Recoil Lug
The recoil lug is a metal plate that provides a “wall” between
the barreled action and the stock. Without a recoil lug, all force
generated through recoil would be applied directly to the action
screws. The action would most likely have slight movement which
would create a dead-blow effect to the shooter. With the addition of
the recoil lug, the large surface created allows the action to have a
“wall” to push against.
When creating a precision rifle, or simply upgrading a factory
rifle, modifying the recoil lug can provide great improvement. When
bedding an action, straight walled recoil lugs should be slightly
tapered on the sides to allow easier removal from the stock. Surface
grinding each side of recoil lug provides accurate surfaces for barrel
installation, removing a variable that could take away from a rifles
accuracy.
1. Surface grind each side of the recoil lug, only removing enough material to level the
entire surface. This is typically only a few thousandths.
2. Using the picture to the right as a reference, scribe a guideline at 5° along the edges of
the recoil lug using a protractor.
3. With a bench vice and file, remove the material up to the scribed lines. Do not file into
the rounded shoulder of the recoil lug.
4. Flip the lug in the vice and repeat the process.
5. Use a stone to clean up the filed areas to remove
any burrs or marks. There must be a smooth
transition free of any grooves or protrusions that will
“grab” once the rifle is bedded.
6. Using a de-burring tool or a round stone, clean the
edges of the barrel hole. This will ensure the lug
tightens onto the barrel properly and rest on the flats
instead of having a radius edge bearing into the
shoulder of the barrel. This could cause the recoil
lug to twist out of position as you torque the barrel
onto the action.
It is important to perform these modifications when bedding a rifle, at least tapering the
sides of the lug. This ensures the action can be easily removed, and allow it to “lock” into
place when re-inserted into the stock or chassis. Having a fit lug also prevents damage to
the bedding, since straight walled lugs can “dig in” as the action is inserted.
Barrel Blueprinting Instructions
Using the
worksheet and a depth micrometer, you will take a serious of measurements that will produce a
blueprint to make the best possible barrel for your action. The worksheet is for a Remington
700 long or short action, but the technique can be applied to many other types of rifles if you
pay attention to the features. All measurements are taken AFTER any machine work is done to
the action, since material may be removed from the action lugs which could add length to the
barrel tenon.
First take measurement A, which is the
receiver end to the front face of the bolt lug.
Remember to keep reward pressure on the
bolt as you take this measurement, which
simulates the bolt being locked into battery
with a round chambered. Take
measurements of both lug depths and use
an average.
Measurement B is done the same way, but
this time you are measuring to the bolt
(breech) face. Again make sure pressure is
kept on the bolt for an accurate
measurement.
Measurement C is the depth from the receiver end to
the front (or top, depending on how you are orientating
it) of the bolt end.
D is the thickness of the bolt lug.
F is the thickness of your recoil lug.
Measurement G is the bolt face to bolt lug.
H is the diameter of the bolt, measured at the
very end. A factory Remington bolt is brazed
together in sections. The front edge of the bolt
that extends inside the barrel may be a slightly
different diameter than the other sections of the
bolt body.
Using the measurements that you have
carefully taken (at least three times) you can now make a blueprint for a barrel that will
have the optimal fit in your action.
Adding A (receiver end to bolt lug) and F (recoil lug thickness) together, and then
subtracting .010” will result in the overall tenon length of the barrel. The .010” is clearance for
the bolt, otherwise it will rub when locking.
Taking measurements C (receiver end to bolt end)
and A (receiver end to bolt lug) will give the bolt
recess depth in the barrel. Subtract C from A,
and again add .010” for clearance.
The diameter of the bolt recess cut is
measurement H (bolt diameter)
plus .005” for clearance.
Adding B (receiver end to bolt face) and F
(recoil lug thickess) and then subtracting
from the tenon length will give the amount
a GO gauge will extend from the barrel.
This allows the chamber to be cut to an
exact depth without constant fit checking.
The clearance dimensions (.010” and .005”) that were given can be less, but keep in
mind that the bolt does not interact with the barrel. If you shrink these dimensions the chances
of your bolt rubbing after assembly increases. .010” of clearance has been used in many
precision rifles with great success.
Barrel Blueprinting Worksheet
The following diagram is for the Remington 700 pattern barrel.
1. Take measurements A, B, and C.
2. Overall Tenon Length is A and F minus .010.
3. Add B and F and then minus this from the Tenon length equals GO Gauge Protrusion.
4. Subtract C from A plus .010. This equals the depth of the bolt cut.
5. Measurement H plus .005 is the diameter of the bolt cut.
Barrel Blueprint (Remington 700)
Using the data you’ve gathered, this worksheet can be used to provide a blueprint during
new barrel construction. These measurements should not be taken from an existing barrel that
was removed from the action. All dimensions are the result of careful measurement of the
action.
A. Tenon Length:
B. Bolt Cut Diameter:
C. Tenon Diameter:
D. Bolt Cut Depth:
Note that some prefer to have their recoil lug as tight as possible when installed on the
barrel. The lug can be measured on the internal diameter (round hole) and that dimension can
be applied to the recoil lug area of the tenon. There is no advantage to making this a close
tolerance fit, but it should not be a loose fit. A “sloppy” recoil lug will be difficult to center during
installation, and keeping it concentric with the barrel may be impossible and look noticeably “off”
to the shooter.
Typical Barrel Blueprint (Remington 700)
The following blueprint is a typical (factory) Remington 700 barrel tenon. For a general
use rifle this will prove satisfactory the majority of the time, but for a precision rifle the previous
steps should be taken for the best fit. Use this print to verify that your measurements are close
(within .010”); any dimension that is drastically different is most likely the result of improper
measuring or a potentially “bad” rifle action.
You should notice in this print the presence of chamfered edges. While an exact
dimension is not needed, it may be helpful to write or draw the locations on your print so you do
not forget to cut or file them during barrel turning. The absence of these broken edges will
create a barrel that is hard to thread, or a sharp edge on the bolt cut that will score or peel brass
as rounds as they are fed from the magazine.
Barrel Blueprint (Generic)
A. Receiver End to Bolt Face:
B. Recoil Lug Thickness (if present):
C. Thread Major Diameter:
D. Thread Length (A + B - .007”)
E. Thread Pitch:
Making an accurate barrel fit requires precision measuring. Use a depth micrometer over a
caliper and measure multiple times. The length of the thread must have the crush factor of .002
applied, and a minimum of .005” of clearance (.007” overall).
This worksheet will not work for every rifle. You must account for extractor cuts or other
features the barrel may need to function properly. Not every rifle uses a recoil lug between the
action and the barrel shoulder. If the rifle uses a barrel nut, typically the tenon thread will extend
beyond the action to allow the nut to loosen for barrel removal, but will be concealed after the
nut is tightened. If available, reference the original barrel or research what the factory barrel
should look like.
