Build up latch (It Worked!)

[PartsMan]

Have any of you guys built up the latch shelf on a barrel lug?
How did you deside how much.
My new used 308 barrel fits from the pin to breach face perfectly but is not held down tight.
Someone before me has stoned the latch face down to far for my frame.

[quickdtoo]

I haven't had to yet, but if I did, I'd use a steel shim epoxied in place with Super Weld. I think I'd contour the shelf as Fred mentions in his barrel fitting info.

Tim

[PartsMan]

I tried makeing some shims out of pop can but I had to make them go around the rear face and underneath to get them to stay in place while closeing. It would close on 3 layers (about .013") but would not on 4 (about .018).
I am afraid that the shims are getting tight between the underlug and frame because even with 3 layers I can see a small gap at the top.
The perminant shim would be "glued" on and wouldn't have to go underneath. I hate to epoxy a .013" shim on there and have it not be tight.

[Fred M]

The better way would be to glue a shim to the under lug on the end of the under lug to raise the barrel a thou or two.

[PartsMan]

The better way would be to glue a shim to the under lug on the end of the under lug to raise the barrel a thou or two.

That would latch tight but I would have to much gap at the top between the barrel and the action.
The barrel fits the action perfectly if held down in place. It just won't latch tight.

I think I will epoxy a shim that is a little thick and hone back down.

[Jimbo47]

This would take a little extra confidence in your tinkering ability, but you could put the lugged barrel in a vise, clamping only the lug and make a small cut just under the latch shelf on the back of the underlug that faces the breech face, making it deep enough to insert a thin flat blade screwdriver blade, and use light taps to evenly spread the gap to raise the latch shelf.

It would take some tedious fitting and working extra slow, but it would be better than an epoxy shim in my opinion.

You could then fill the cut or gap with JB weld, and touch up with a small file or stone, and be good to go.

[quickdtoo]

Not a bad idea Jimbo, but I'd recommend Super Weld instead of JB, it has almost 3 times the compressive strength, 36kpsi compared to 10.7kpsi.

Tim

[PartsMan]

This would take a little extra confidence in your tinkering ability, but you could put the lugged barrel in a vise, clamping only the lug and make a small cut just under the latch shelf on the back of the underlug that faces the breech face, making it deep enough to insert a thin flat blade screwdriver blade, and use light taps to evenly spread the gap to raise the latch shelf.

It would take some tedious fitting and working extra slow, but it would be better than an epoxy shim in my opinion.

You could then fill the cut or gap with JB weld, and touch up with a small file or stone, and be good to go.

That could work.
What would I do if it doesn't?
You want to buy my barrel after I cut a slot in it and it won't hold up under pressure?

Anyway there is a .016" shim cureing on there as I type.
If it doesn't work the shim and JB weld can be removed.

[PartsMan]

It took a lot of work but I've got a nice tight fit and proper latch now.
Feeler guage shims take much longer to hone than factory barrel lugs do. It should be hard enough though.
Also, it's a good thing I used a thick shim. I had to hone one side down more than the other.
Maybe I should have tried to smoke the latch and get it level before I put my shim on.
I'll try to get a pic up as soon as I remember(ask the wife) were the camera is.

[STUMPJMPR]

another thought besides the jb weld is some silver solder....Silver solder is a little expensive... you can't get the mid range stuff that melts around 6-800 degrees and its some pretty strong stuff and can be applied with a propane torch...

[quickdtoo]

Thanks PartsMan and all who contributed, I added this thread to the barrel fitting info. 

Tim

[PartsMan]

I still haven't gotten the pics downsized and downloaded but i did shoot it yesterday.
10 rounds of a starting load of varget behind a 150g BT.

It popped open the first two rounds. I was not feeling good at this point.
Took the barrel of and dried the latch and shelf with my T shirt.

Everything worked fine after that.
It's on at 100yd and put two rounds about and inch a part twice.