1377 – cutting a barrel blank and first go at cold bluing…

[WyoMan]

I needed a blued LW barrel w/o the front flat (wasn’t having any luck with Crosman), so I decided to try cold bluing. Wasn’t sure about this - lots of mixed reviews, etc…
 
But first the barrel prep… started with a choked LW section that was about 12” long:


Here’s how the muzzle typically looks with the blanks from LW:


Cleaned-up so I can make an accurate measurement:


Napkin sketch, lol… doesn’t have to be great and this isn’t, but the main thing is to minimize the number of things you have to think about when you’re cutting metal:


Breech-end cut, faced and chamfered:


Finished leade, port, and counter-bore… ready for bluing:



This is what I used:


I’m sure there are better ways of doing this, but this was my first attempt…

 1) Cleaned the barrel with alcohol until the cotton swabs showed no discoloration
 2) Applied a liberal amount of Oxpho-Blue (crème) with the swabs…working it in, up and down, while turning the barrel… continued rubbing it in until the barrel
     was no longer wet
 3) Went directly to 0000 steel wool to card the barrel (same motion) until the barrel went from dull to shiny
 4) Repeated steps two and three for seven applications
 5) Finished by rubbing gun oil on the barrel until the swabs showed no discoloration

I didn’t follow the directions exactly, but it’s all o.k. if the finish holds up.
It also occurred to me that having this in a lathe running 20 to 30 rpm would have been nice… maybe next time.

Here’s how it looked after four applications:


After seven:


In the gun:





I’m willing to call this a success for now but the finish might not be very durable, time will tell... thanks

Wyo

[Rick67]

Looks very yummy, Wyo sir 

[Stinger177]

Beautiful work!!

I really like the Oxpho, though I haven't tried the paste version.

Curious - what scope is that?

[WyoMan]

Thanks Rick. If this finish holds up, I might do some more barrels that are in the white. It's a pretty simple procedure that took less than 30 minutes.

Wyo

[WyoMan]

Hi Dennis and thanks, I used the crème because I read that it was easier to apply (doesn't run or drip).

Scope is Leupold VX-2 4-12 x 40 AO. Sadly, I don't think they make them anymore -

Wyo

[BrushPopper]

If it shoots as good as it looks, you’ve got a ringer!

[ray1377]

Wyo
You are truly the "KING" of custom 1377's
Where do you get all those beautiful brass pieces?

Ray

[Rick67]

Wyo
You are truly the "KING" of custom 1377's
Where do you get all those beautiful brass pieces?

Ray

The barrel band and the ported brake look like GMAC (UK) pieces.

GMAC also sells brass breeches but Don Cothran makes them too in ss and brass--barrel bands, bolts, probes, caps, etc...

Been spoiled by DC parts myself.

[CraigH]

I have not not seen any of your work recently - as usual, the best!

Surprised LW does not finish the muzzle.

 At what angle do you cut the leade?

[Van]

  Great work!  I noticed Cabellas here carries Oxpho-Blue now.  I hope they also start to carry Brownells Dichopan T-4 which produces a black finish.  I have used both for years as they hold up great. 

[Deckard1973]

Beautiful! 

[WyoMan]

Thanks guys, got it sighted-in last night and hope to do some more shooting today or tomorrow.

Ray… lol, I have messed around with a few of these. This one started it all eight years ago.
Rick is right about the brass…. GMAC except the trigger is from Grant Stace.

Craig, I’m not sure about the leade angle but I’ve been using this tree carbide cutter for years… it matches the bolt angle perfectly.
Then follow-up with a rubber polishing bit:


To cut the lands to free-bore and the taper to full rifling, I just use sandpaper rolled up real tight… usually start with 320 or 400 grit and finish with 600:


Yeah, I know what you mean about the rough barrel ends, they’re not kidding when they call them blanks.

Van, that’s good to know I hope mine holds up too.

Wyo