Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only My barrel band moves is this OK???

I just got my new Winchester Safari Express in 375 H&H and cleaned it up, removed the thick oil, etc., etc. Mounted new optics and then came the sling. The hole in the barrel band was too small for any of my sling swivels. I took a punch and tapped it in the barrel band to remove any buildup or loose metal that might have been in there. Finally, one of my swivels got started. I started tapping it in the band and then the band began rotating. After I got the swivel all the way in, I tapped the barrel band back to where it belonged. Is this normal? This is my first big bore, but I have owned Winchester model 70's for decades. However, no experience with barrel bands. If this should not happen, can I just put some bedding compound under it and go from there?

Ask at Gunsmithing. I think they are installed with something more lasting than what you've got. Cold welded or something like that.

I would have it either silver soldered or pinned in place. It shouldn't move. Something like JB Weld might work but never tried it.

Hell no! The band should not move. You may want to contact Winchester since the rifle is new. I had the same issue with the sling swivel not fitting (but the band is rock solid). Since I normally never use a sling it was rather embarassing on my first day in Namibia when I found this out. Fortunately the PH had a drill bit that was sized perfectly and running it though just using my fingers cleaned up the hole. I have the same rifle and the thing is a real shooter. Probably about 800 rounds through it so far.
Good luck with the issue and the rifle.

Ya that's not right. It will cause you problems, the barrel is tapered and it will slide forward and come loose at some point. ( probably at the worst possible time)

It should be soldered in place. You could epoxy it since the gun is already blued that would work I have done a couple that way and they are holding up great.

Shouldn't move.

Since it's blued, and soldering it will require a re-blue, use Loctite 380 Black Max adhesive. It's available from Midway.

I used it a few years ago on a barrel band on a 416 and it's still going strong.

I can add that 640 bearing retainer loctite is hell for stout, requiring heat to remove later and some serious pounding with a 2x4 block and 3 pound hammer on AR 15 front sight base bands...

If the tolerances are tight it can be clamped in place by heating the band and cooling the barrel but silver solder or epoxy is a sure thing. Loctite sounds easier.

I have used Loctite for this application- held just fine.

How do I get the Loctite under the band?

There is a green loctite which is supposed to creep along threads by capillary action, but IIRC there is a loctite specifically for applications like sight bands and ribs. Tapping the band forward, cleaning with acetone and using the correct loctite would be my choice even if there are a couple scratches or just sending it back to the manufacturer.