What is the best way of drilling out gun barrels - a pin vice? Recommended makes? Prob. been asked before - sorry if it has. Cheers

Mark the center on the barrel with point of a sharp #11 blade. Using a pin vise with a bit smaller the the final hole drill out to a depth of about 1/8". Go up to larger bit size and repeat until you reach the diameter desired. If you the the hole a little off center, you can use the #11 blade to true it up.

Marking the center and starting the hole with a number 11 blade is excellent advice. I don't think I drill an eighth deep though.
Be careful of the scale when you are drilling. Remember, the largest bore you are likely to ever have to drill out is on a 50 caliber machine gun and the inside diameter of the bore in 1/35th scale is only .0142 inches, less than a 64th of an inch. I see a lot of them drilled way oversize.

Shaun

Thanks! I just looked up #11 blades on Google - I can see why you guys use them! Thanks again.

Another tip.

If by chance you do get the hole off center a bit - I usually use a #11 and carve out the 'thick' side carefully. I don't try to redrill or use a bigger bit or try to tip the drill bit at all -to many chances for error.

All good advice above. I have a drill index that goes to a #85(?) bit.Made by 'General'.Got this set at local hardware store for about $12.00.The smallest 10 or so sizes are too small for a pin vise.I just use my fingers when drilling(twist/roll back and forth).Can do MG34/42,.30 cal,Mausers,Thompson's,Garands,and Enfields.
Yes,I am a sick puppy!

Harry~ These suckers are surgical sharp, so heed the warnings! Half the time you don't know you've sliced and diced (yourself) until the claret gets over your Sherman... :-)

If you do use very fine drill bits in a pin vice (I prefer to as it gives better control) then only leave a couple of mm of the drill sticking out of the chuck. Leave too much protruding and the bit is very likely to break (speaking from experience here).

I also prefer a #15 blade as the curved edge works better for me and the smaller cutting edge finds its way into my finger less often

With a bit of practice, you can drill out 1/48th MG barrels.

Thanks again for some really good advice!

that set would be a #61(.0390) to a #80 (.0135)...........

Thanks Matt! I knew it was something like that :-) To me.it's "Damn,that's freakin' tiny!" to "Damn,where'd it go?"
Cheers!

Instead of a #11 blade to mark the center, I use a very fine needle that I've fitted in a wooden dowel handle. Since it's completely round it makes a very true center mark.
Gary