Forums.NitroExpress.com

Yes, I am building a Winchester 21 action from solid stock. I have had a few months setback on my schedule but it is proceeding. I will post more pictures of the process after the first of the year. In a nutshell the barrels are complete and ready for regulation. I think I posted pictures of them. As soon as the action is finished I can then complete the project. I am using CNC milling and computer controlled wire (EDM)to make the parts. If you start such a project be prepared for a couple of years work and significant outlays of money. Laser 3-D scanning is not good enough for the precision and accuracy necessary. You also cannot simply do the scan then program the CNC machine. You must first validate and verify the computer code and make a full sized prototype from the code to confirm the tolerances. Remember the probe cannot really reach all the recesses of a DR receiver. You must both measure and extrapolate. You must also ensure that the programing is done such that you don't have interference as the tooling changes position. Laying out the tooling and ensuring accuracy of machining is a major job. You will then need to modify the code for inaccuracies. All of this causes delay and costs money. I know of one man who spent all the effort and money to develop the code but didn't verify. He simply went to production and none of the shotguns would function. It cost him many 10s of thousand of dollars. My point is that there is NO shortcut when making a precision firearm like a double rifle or a quality side by side shotgun. That is why they cost so much. For the most part they are hand made. Even using a CNC only means you can duplicate something by machine but the front end part is what separates quality from junk. The only reason I have spent the time and effort is because I will build both DRs and shotguns and I want them to interchange. Computerized systems are really the only way to accomplish that. I have to say it has been fun but very frustrating at times. Just don't underestimate the effort and you will enjoy the outcome. ------Bill

Post Extras