I’ve had my eye on Lyman’s Pro-Drive Torque Wrench for a while — now I have the perfect opportunity to use it! Disclaimer Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). The content on this website (including videos, articles, ammunition reloading data, technical […]
Category: Gunsmithing
Gordy Gritters’ Precision Rifle Building Class Overview (Extreme Accuracy Institute)
Ever dream of building your own custom rifle? Do you want to take your gunsmithing skills to the next level? Gordy Gritters’ Extreme Accuracy Institute is worth a closer look. In this story, I’ll review my experiences taking this class! Disclaimer Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching […]
6GT Build Part 3: Barrel Break-In
I’ve always wanted a 6GT. Now that it’s complete, it’s time to send rounds down range! In this story, I’ll cover optics, break-in, and some first loads! Disclaimer Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). The content on this website (including videos, […]
Hands-On: Short Action Customs Barrel Vises
Changing barrels can be easy, or a bit tricky. Having the right tools helps, and that’s where the Short Action Customs barrel vises come in handy! Today we take a closer look at two vises from Short Action Customs, the modular vise and Bravo vise. Disclaimer Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by […]
Bat Machine IN-DEPTH Chambering Discussion/Demo with Bruce Thom
It is truly a privilege to have the opportunity to work with some of the best experts in the gunsmithing and manufacturing industry. During my recent visit to Bat Machine, I had the opportunity to watch owner Bruce Thom perform a complete barrel job including threading the muzzle and chambering the barrel for 22 Creedmoor. […]
Modular Action Wrench from Short Action Customs
I very frequently use a variety of Short Action Customs (SAC) equipment in my gunsmithing shop and on the channel. I often use one action for multiple barrels, so a barrel vise and action wrench are everyday must-haves for me. Disclaimer Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching […]
Complete Hand-Built Rifles by Bruce Thom (Bat Machine)
Can you imagine building a rifle from scratch (including the action) in High School shop class? That’s exactly what Bruce Thom of Bat Machine did when he was just 16 years old! In this story, we’ll look at some of his early rifle builds, and a recent one too! It was very inspiring to see […]
6GT PRS Rifle Build Kick-Off!
It’s finally begun! My next rifle build is a super precision 6GT with an MDT ACC chassis and Bat TR action. Let’s kick off the series! Disclaimer Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). The content on this website (including videos, articles, […]
6 CREED UR: Rebuilding a HOWA 1500 for Accuracy
A while back I put together a rifle for PRS competition that “checked all the right boxes” for what I was looking for. 6mm Creedmoor is flat shooting and has manageable recoil, I wanted to try a HOWA 1500 action, and a KRG Bravo stock would have the ergonomics and features I was looking for. […]
Precision Matthews PM-949TV Milling Machine: Overview and Tour
Originally posted on our partner website Making with Metal. There are two pieces of machine shop equipment that are considered “essentials” for manual machine work: the metal lathe, and the milling machine. With these two machines, you can perform almost any common machining task. Here on Making with Metal, I’ve already posted a deep-dive on […]
Meet Gordy Gritters: Record-Setting Master Gunsmith, In-Depth Discussion
There are certain people that are geared towards “pushing the limits”. These people thrive when they are innovating and evolving technology, refining products, and setting records in competition. Gordy Gritters is one of these people. Gordy has been instrumental in the world of precision rifle both as a shooter and as a master gunsmith. I […]
UR Rifle Builds Update + Gordy Gritters’ Precision Rifle Building Class
Hello everyone- lots to talk about related to rifle builds and related projects! I wanted to provide a roll-up summary and update related to all of the builds/projects I’m working on, and some very cool training that I’ll be taking with Gordy Gritters in December 2019! Gordy Gritters’ One Week Precision Rifle Building Class If […]
300 PRC Custom Build: Benchmark Tactical Brake Machining and Install
When you’re talking magnum calibers, a brake is one of the best investments you can make! Sure, the guys shooting next to you may not like it, but it’s a GREAT way to take the edge off heavy recoiling rifles and cartridges. Benchmark is known for world-record-setting barrels- but they also make muzzle brakes! In […]
300 PRC Custom Build: Chambering and Machining the Barrel
For any precision-oriented rifle, the chambering work is absolutely critical. Having a chamber with smooth walls, proper headspace, and correct alignment is an absolute requirement when maximum precision is the goal. In this article, I’ll outline the chambering and machining work I did for my full-custom 300 PRC rifle build. I did things a bit […]
How-To: Building the ULTIMATE Lathe Spider For Your Gunsmithing Lathe
Originally published on our sister site Making with Metal. One of the first things I do when I get a new piece of machine shop equipment is to decide how I’ll “customize” the machine and organize all of the tooling. Machining is a very personal thing, and it’s therefore “just a part of the process” […]
Converting Weaver Bases to Accept Picatinny Scope Rings
Why do we have standards that are “close but not quite compatible”? I ask myself that frequently when it comes to technology, tools, and firearms. I ran into this exact issue a few days ago when I went to install a scope on my TC Compass. The only scope rings I had that would work […]
Tested: Storm Lake 1911 Drop-In Barrel (Suppressor Ready)
As I look forward to getting possession of my SilencerCo Osprey 45- I’m particularly interested in shooting a BUNCH of 45 AP. 45 ACP is subsonic, and is therefore an ideal cartridge to shoot suppressed due to how quiet it can be. I do have a 1911 (Taurus PT-1911), but it came from the factory […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P5: Custom Thread Protector
A threaded muzzle is great, but if you aren’t using a muzzle brake or suppressor, you’ll need something to protect the (fragile) threads! That’s where a thread protector comes in handy. One of the best ways to make a thread protector is with a cut-down section of barrel blank. Good thing I had this “extra” […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P4: Muzzle Threading and Barrel Install
Here’s my philosophy: why not have a threaded muzzle? If you want to use a muzzle brake or a suppressor, you’re all set! If you don’t use a muzzle device, you put a thread protector on, and you’re good to go. So now that we’ve completed the breech-end barrel work, let’s move on to the […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P3: Chambering and Machining
Sometimes you have to do a lot of “prep work” to get to the “fun work”. Well, after building out our build-sheet, and preparing and aligning the barrel, we’re now to the fun part of this build! That’s right, it’s time to start machining the tenon, and cutting the chamber! Series navigation: 224 Valkyrie Remington […]
224 Valkyrie: Dual Rifle Build Details and Overview
This is going to be perhaps the most in-depth project I’ve taken on here on Ultimate Reloader- building two rifles, working up load data, measuring ballistics, and a bunch of related field work (hunting, and who knows what else). I’m excited to get started, and to share these experiences with you. What is it I’m […]
Winchester 70 Rebarrel Part 3: Tools of the Trade
Also published on our sister website http://makingwithmetal.com Complex gunsmithing jobs require a lot of specialized tooling, and some common shop tools as well. In this post, I’ll walk through the tools and supplies I used during the rebarelling of my Winchester Model 70. There are a lot of options when it comes to tooling setups, […]
Winchester 70 Rebarrel Part 1: Overview
Also published on our sister website http://makingwithmetal.com Metalworking and shooting are both passions of mine, so it follows that gunsmithing would be a natural fit. For me, here’s a powerful draw towards gunsmithing projects that involve accurizing, enhancing, and re-building firearms. So when I discovered that my Winchester Model 70 Heavy Varmint 22-250 rifle needed a […]
