Shot Show is just a few weeks away, Fred Zeglin of 4D Reamer Rentals LTD heads to Shot each year to make sure he has all the new caliber offerings for his clients. Last year is was the 26 Nosler and the 25-45 Sharps (SRC).
So far the information leaks about new cartridges for 2015 have been controlled, no sneak peaks at what is coming from the factories. However, Fred says there are new wildcats getting some attention.
6mm Creedmoor has already been added to 4D’s list of reamers you can rent. It looks like wildcats on the 26 Nosler case are what will be hot in 2015. Those calibers will include:
25 Nosler
27 Nosler
28 Nosler
30 Nosler
33 Nosler
35 Nosler
375 Nosler
416 Nosler
All of these wildcats based on the 26 Nosler case will use the same headspace gauges, they are simply necked up, or in the case of the 25 necked down versions of the parent case.
6mm Grendel and 6.8mm Grendel are making waves too. Both of these are based on the popular 6.5 Grendel. If you’re a bolt action fan these cartridge are available in a configuration better suited to a bolt gun as the BPC (Borden Palmisano Cartridge) series, all using the same gauges.
Look for 4D Reamer Rentals to add all these reamers and more in 2015.
Katrin Frye of Montana Public Radio reported on both the NRA Short Term Gunsmith program and the new full time college credit certificate available at FVCC in Kalispell, MT. The link below will take you direct to the audio file.
Flathead Valley Community College will launch a new two-semester evening Firearms Technologies Certificate starting this fall. The 27-credit program will feature curriculum developed to support the growing firearms industry in the Flathead Valley in Montana as well as across the country.
One of only a few colleges in the nation to offer firearms related programs. FVCC has taken a unique approach, developing the program as an enhancement to its existing industrial machine technology program introduced last year under the Department of Labor “Amplifying Montana’s Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Industry” grant (#TC-23760-12-60-A-30). This approach will make FVCC the only school that focuses on manufacture of firearms and related parts.
The new program will provide students the opportunity to incorporate advanced machining skills with an understanding of firearms operational systems. Courses are tailored to emphasize the manufacturing of firearm components.
Fred Zeglin, curriculum coordinator for the program, developed the courses under the guidance and input from local firearms manufacturers. “Manufacturers say they are seeking trained machinists who understand firearms. Classes have been designed to build understanding of a wide variety of firearms and the way that they function.” said Zeglin.
Emphasis will be placed upon the completion of several gunsmithing projects involving blueprints and schematics using a combination of both hand and machine tools. This program will provide a clear understanding of firearms design and function, enabling graduates to assist with design implementation or tolerance issues in manufacturing environments.
The program will be held in the evenings with labs during the daytime on Friday and Saturday. Course topics will include firearms introduction and safety; manual mill and lathe systems; bench metal techniques; firearms theory and firearms repair; machine tools for gunsmiths; and precision rifle building. This selection of courses are designed to increase the marketable skills of the students in the manufacturing realm.
The program will be marketed nationwide bringing focus to the local industry. Prospective students must apply both to the program and for admission to FVCC. Program applications are due August 1 at 4 p.m. Applications are available online at http://www.fvcc.edu/firearms or in the Admissions Office in Blake Hall on the FVCC Kalispell campus. For more information, contact Jori Bullemer at 756-3905 or jbullemer@fvcc.edu or Will Richards at 756-4862 or wrichards@fvcc.edu.
Flathead Valley Community College is hosting the NRA Short Term Gunsmithing Program again this summer. 2014 will be the third year for this program at FVCC, the program has grown in attendance each year and this year should be no different. New classes are being offered so if you attended or looked at the offerings in the past there is probably something new for you this year.
Quality instruction is the name of the game at FVCC. The instructors for the Short Term Program are all top notch professionals who are well respected in the gunsmithing community. For instance, Lee Helgeland is one of the premier stockmakers in the nation. He has spent 30 years perfecting his craft and is a member of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild. Another instructor new to the Kalispell program this year, Sam Hatfield, certified NRA and Sig Academy Master Instructor. Sam was head gunsmith at Green Mountain Guns in Lakewood, Colorado and served as a member of the United States Army Marksmanship Unit as a gunsmith. Sam now owns Hatfields Gunsmithing Inc. in Manassas, VA.
To learn more about the instructors for this summers program check out this link:
New classes this year include “S&W Revolver Action Work”, “1911 Handgun AMU Accuracy Rebuilding” and “Accurate Reloading for the Hunter”. Perennial favorites like “Customizing AR-15 or AR-10” and “Introduction to Checkering” will still be on the schedule.
If you have ever wanted to learn more about gunsmithing but can’t take of the two years necessary for most schools, the NRA Short Term Gunsmithing Program is a great alternative. Classes normally run or one week, Monday through Friday. They are intensive hands on classes with small numbers of students, so you have great access to the instructor. This unique learning opportunity is set up as part of the Continuing Education Department of the College and the courses are non-credit.
If cost is a concern I noticed that the College has some Scholarships provided by NRA donations, details at this link:
A barrel should be inlet up to the center line of the bore, or in other words, half it’s diameter should be below the wood line. All too many new gunsmiths and hobby gunsmiths just inlet until they can get the screws into the action and call it good.
There is a simple way to make sure your barrel channel is deep enough so that the bore line will be aligned to the top of the stock. Take a square and place the outside 90 degree corner of the squared into the barrel channel. If the square touches on all three sides then the barrel channel is a half circle.
If the point at the bottom of the barrel channel touches and keeps the sides from contacting the top of the stock then your too shallow. Conversely, if the point of the square does not touch but both sides are in contact with the top of the stock then your past 50 percent depth.
Fred Zeglin is working on a series of booklets, “Gunsmithing Student Handbook Series”. This little how-to tip is just one peek into the upcoming books. What gunsmithing tips would interest you?
Before we talk about the Melonite® process, it’s important to understand that you must complete all machine work to be performed on parts prior to treatment. The finished surface is extremely hard and makes modification of parts after Melonite treatment impractical. High Speed steel cutting tools will be destroyed trying to cut through Melonite.
MELONITE is a thermochemical treatment for improving surface properties of metal parts. It exhibits predictable and repeatable results in the treating of low and medium carbon steels, alloy steels and stainless steels. The process has many stages, from the pre-treatment-cleaning, to pre-heat furnace, to the Melonite salts, quench salts and water rinses.
The MELONITE process is not a coating. It is a process that introduces nitrogen and carbon into the surface of the metal. It produces high wear resistant as well as improved lubricity. The service life of steel tools and parts is extended. Corrosion resistance of unalloyed and low alloyed steels is greatly improved.
The MELONITE process increases fatigue strength about 30-80% on parts made of alloyed steels. The hardness is maintained up to about 930°F and extends the surface life of steel tools and components which are exposed to heat.
During the MELONITE process, which takes place between 900°F and 1075°F. A two-part nitride layer consisting of a monophase compound layer and a diffusion layer is formed. Total depth ranges from 0.008-0.040″, depending on the composition of the base material and treating time. Hardness in the compound layer ranges from approximately HV 700 on alloyed steels.
A unique feature of salt bath nitrocarburized layers (melonite) is the monophase compound layer, with a nitrogen content of 6-9% and a carbon content of around 1%. Compared with double phase nitride layers which have lower nitrogen concentrations, the monophase layer is more ductile and gives better wear and corrosion resistance by improvement with case hardening.
In metallographic analysis the compound layer is clearly definable from the diffusion layer as a lightly etched layer. A porous area develops in the outer zone of the compound layer. The case hardness of the compound layer measured on a cross-section is up to about 1600 HV on high chromium steels. Treatment duration of 1-2 hours usually yield compound layers about 0.0004″ to 0.0008″. The higher the alloy content, the thinner the layer for the same treatment cycle.
Corrosion resistance of Melonite is exceptional. Salt spray tests show that Melonite can go nearly four times longer without rust spots developing than with nickle plating.
DuraCoat is finally available in an aerosol can. This new aerosol was made possible by the development of this new “can in a can” technology which allows the components to mix inside the can.
This product differs from some other finishing products in that the product is activated, so it must be used within 48 hours of activation. Some gunsmiths and hobbyist are concerned about buying large quantities of product. For small shops this may be a great answer to that inventory problem.
Colors available in this new form are Matte Black, OD Green, Pink Lady, Magpul flat Dark Earth, White, Black-Hawk Coyote Tan, Combat Gray, and Woodland Green. Each 12 ounce can contains enough material to coat two rifles.
Peep sights have long been the best choice for accuracy with iron sights. When peep sights are made for rugged use that only enhances their desirability. Skinner Express Sights fall into that category.
Machined from solid bar stock the most recent additions to the Skinner line-up are tough as nails. Models availble include: Marlin 1895 and 336, Remington 740 or 760 and variants, Ruger 10-22, Rossi, Winchester, Browning, TC, and many more.
Adjustable for windage and elevation. These sights are low profile and easy to install. Winged sight are available in some models, in case your really hard on your sights, or you carry your rifle in a scabbard.
Savage offers smooth barrel nuts on many of their bolt guns. Until now, no commercial wrench for removing or installing these barrel nuts when headspacing a pre-fit barrel existed. 4D Reamer Rentals LTD has designed this new wrench for use with the smooth type barrel nuts found on many Savage rifles. The wrench will not work with splined type nuts.
These smooth barrel nuts are commonly available in the market place and provide a nicer finished look without the splines cut into them. These smooth nuts will work on all Savage 110 action variations, including Axis™ and Stevens™.
Made from aircraft grade aluminum this wrench can be used for both Large (fat magnum) and Small (standard) thread barrel nuts.
The finish on the production wrenches will be either painted or anodized, depending upon the buyers preference. Graphic dipped models, as pictured here, would be for special presentation pr personalized gifts.
Dealer pricing available. MSRP $49.95
Rental from 4-dproducts.com will be $15 they are carrying the smooth barrel nuts too.
Left to Right, Antique Ivory, Ivory and Black Linen
4D seems to always be looking for new products to serve the gunsmith. They are known for renting tools to the trade, but did you know they offer many products for sale too?
For some time they have been offering Dakota grip caps and bolt handles to their customers.
Their newest introduction are inserts for Dakota skeleton grip caps. At present they are only available for the radiused version of grip cap. The first run is made up of several types or Mycarta. The idea is to offer a product that saves the gunsmith valuable time and still offers a quality and value added service for the client. Mycarta is a fully resinated material that is water proof, it is often used on custom knives for handles because of it’s durability.
Easy way to provide a classy look.
These inserts cut the time required for inletting one of these skelotonized caps to a stock. Many clients like the idea of adding a different touch that make the rifle unique to them. The two lighter colors show here mimic ivory without extreme expense. Layers of paper in the mycarta give the effect of the grain you normally see in ivory. Mycarta can be skrimshawed to further customize the cap. Easy way to provide a classy look.
4D plans to offer other materials depending upon customer requests. Walnut is an obvious choice. Often these inserts are checkered and these material lend themselves well to checkering.
Below is a finished black linen mycarta insert, just to show what the finished product can look like. There really is no limit to what can be done with these inserts. Cool custom touches really make a rifle special, and this is definitely a custom touch.
4D is debuting these inserts just in time for SHOT Show, but we get to tell you about it here first.
