thats a "rough forging" jhonny!

Rough forgings are the traditional way of making guns. It makes the strongest parts since all the molecules are arranged in the shape of the part.

Billet is as far as know as slab of metal that is cut from bar stock. But English is not my first language...?

CNC machinery have changed the way of manufacuring alot since we dont need so many fixtures and jigs anymore. We now can use "billets" (as in slabs of metal) more economically.