Ned Christiansen
03-20-15, 10:34
Once in a while I have a guy who asks if my reamer will work in a Remington 700 or Savage 110. The answer is yes, but first I have to modify the handle. The handle, which also stores the reamer, normally has an area of 1” diameter to act as a rear pilot or stabilizer for the reaming process. In conjunction with the bore pilot on the reamer itself, it keeps things in alignment so the process is under control—the user can’t accidentally “wobble” the handle. That 1” band makes the handle too big for a bolt-gun. Both the Remington and the Savage have a bolt raceway that is quite a bit smaller.
The good news is that every Savage I’ve gaged was already 5.56 and not .223. Remingtons as it happens, I have not personally gaged one but this week I had two guys order reamers that were Remington-capable so maybe they tend to need it.
Of course everyone wants to still be able to do AR’s so I make a removable bushing for the handle. As I do these one at a time I’ve done them different ways, usually an aluminum bushing set-screwed on. This time I used a Delrin bushing that slips on and is held in place by a couple O-rings—I think that’ll be the new standard. This is a $40 upcharge.
I post this for informational purposes, don't want to be a crass opportunist, but just thought that in case any bolt-gunners were wondering about this, they might find it of interest.
Reamer stored in handle, bushing in place.
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo125/NedChristiansen/DSC01079.jpg
Reamer ready to use, bushing off removed for use in a bolt gun.
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo125/NedChristiansen/DSC01080.jpg
The good news is that every Savage I’ve gaged was already 5.56 and not .223. Remingtons as it happens, I have not personally gaged one but this week I had two guys order reamers that were Remington-capable so maybe they tend to need it.
Of course everyone wants to still be able to do AR’s so I make a removable bushing for the handle. As I do these one at a time I’ve done them different ways, usually an aluminum bushing set-screwed on. This time I used a Delrin bushing that slips on and is held in place by a couple O-rings—I think that’ll be the new standard. This is a $40 upcharge.
I post this for informational purposes, don't want to be a crass opportunist, but just thought that in case any bolt-gunners were wondering about this, they might find it of interest.
Reamer stored in handle, bushing in place.
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo125/NedChristiansen/DSC01079.jpg
Reamer ready to use, bushing off removed for use in a bolt gun.
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo125/NedChristiansen/DSC01080.jpg