bigduke et al,

My lathe has a thru hole of 1-7/16". Easily big enough for a Bren barrel without the fittings.

I'm not at all saying that what Peter suggested can't be done. If I were a gunsmith specializing in barrel work I'm sure I would be set up to drill & reline barrels.

I just don't have the experience to drill/ream to the tolerance required for a shrink fit. My experience with shrink fits has not been the greatest typical of that last 1/2"on your .22 cal reline. If it doesn't go in all the way you are screwed. 21-22" is a long way to drop in the liner before it seizes by being heated up by the outer barrel. And you need the furnace capable of heating a 24" barrel uniformly. Maybe dry ice for the liner. In any case unless you are experienced I doubt you will get it on the first try.

If the .9" in the rear and .7" insert is capable of handling the pressure on its own then the shrink fit wouldn't be needed structurally. Drill till the liner fits in maybe .001" clear. Even at a theoretical .001" oversize hole you would probably have to drive or press it in for that length (my best guess). Then hi temp solder at the ends and /or pins. Loctite will work but all retaining compounds/ glues will release at about 500 deg F. Typical gunsmith solder is 475, Hi temp silver solder is 1200 deg F and there are 750 deg F solders available Of course we are not building a machine gun barrel. Just thinking out loud for discussion.

I've never seen any shot out barrels for sale here. They may exist but the cheapest advertised is about $70 usually with a missing handle.

Mr E. I also considered that by sweating or soldering them on the barrel blank. I'm really not sure if it is less work that milling new ones. just another possibility.

You were right Peter, this will spark some interesting discussion.

Joe