Q:

Removeable Shrouds: Toward a more perfect union

I have a situation where I must remove my shroud in order to get my rifle to fit into a 36″ aluminum guncase. A very informed tuner advised me to not remove and replace the shroud if I could help it because it led to subtle inaccuracies due to alignment not being the same each time it was mounted. Obviously I could get a longer case and the issue would be solved. On the other hand it seemed to me that one could machine barrel bushings to be attached to the barrel that would fit snugly into the shroud housing thus aligning it with the barrel in a more perfect union. I submit that to depend on the 1 to 1.5 inches of shroud insertion into the housing to perfectly align the shroud with the barrel is not great engineering. Surely some one has done this before in this forum but has not talked about it. If they have I would like to hear more about it and see various examples. I would also like to suggest that shroud builders seriously consider alignment bushings either attached to the exposed barrel or built into the shrouds and slide over the barrel with a snug tolerance so that those of us who must remove shrouds on our longer barrels can be assured that the shroud will be in a more perfect union with the barrel every time we mount it. Perhaps then we will not need to worry about re zeroing our scopes each time we assemble our rifle for a session. I am new to the forum but have faithfully reviewed the posts for many months and have learned a great deal. However, I have been reluctant to post since I still do not know enough to make a real contribution to the knowledge base. This issue/question seemed so obvious that I just could not resist raising it for enlightened comment.

Shrouds and Moderators

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Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

quote bikincrazy52:

If you ever sell your shrouds, that idea of making them snug fit will not work. It could fit perfectly in your rifle, and not fit at all in someone else’s. You probably know that though.

You are right on both counts. 🙂

I have a sloppy frame I think. The bushings I bought from Tony were too small, and the ones from AF were even smaller.

Glad I made them when I did, the lathe has been sold and a CNC lathe replaced it. I doubt I could use it at all.

I have built a few shrouds that have a barrell bushing. I tried machining out of a solid round bar of aluminium, but was way to hard and took ages, so now what i have done is to machine a bushing that is a tight fit in the tubing for the shroud, which i use 32mm and a tight fit over the barrel.

I start with the 32mm tube, machine an insert that fits tightly in the tube and is machined to fit into the frame. A bushing is then machined to fit tightly inside the tube and over the barrel. These are then put together being held into place with grub screws, then i machine and end cap held together again by grub screws.

I must admit, my work is not perfect, but the fit is pretty close and has no loosness, yet if you take the shroud off and put it back on the POI can change ever so slightly. I too have a shortish gun bag and its a pain having to take off the tank to pack the gun.

Oh and another thing i do is to vent the barrell bushing in the shroud, otherwise you would loose all the volume in the frame. The shrouds are effective, but i have yet to make one that is silent apart from the hammer strike. I have even tried making a core similiar to Bloodnobs, but i didnt find it any qiueter. I will try and post some pics if i ever figure out how !

quote RiffRaff:

I get exactly repeatable accuracy with my design. Its nothing more that a very snug fitting aluminum section. If it was .001″ larger it would not fit.

I also made my own barrel bushings to fit my frame. My frame ID is 1.01″, my bushings are 1.009″ and almost do not fit. However the shroud is always in perfect harmony with the barrel alignment.

http://talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5147

Your idea may work just fine, but adding another bushing at the end of the barrel will usually cause you headaches. That would also be a design that is attached to the barrel; might not be a good idea in the USA.

If you ever sell your shrouds, that idea of making them snug fit will not work. It could fit perfectly in your rifle, and not fit at all in someone else’s. You probably know that though.

Having also answered a question that I just posted, thanks. The stuff hanging off the barrel end may cause a big ruckis with poi.

I get exactly repeatable accuracy with my design. Its nothing more that a very snug fitting aluminum section. If it was .001″ larger it would not fit.

I also made my own barrel bushings to fit my frame. My frame ID is 1.01″, my bushings are 1.009″ and almost do not fit. However the shroud is always in perfect harmony with the barrel alignment.

http://talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5147

Your idea may work just fine, but adding another bushing at the end of the barrel will usually cause you headaches. That would also be a design that is attached to the barrel; might not be a good idea in the USA.

welcome. and yes that is a good idea 😉

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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