Abstract: A method for hot rolling of a tubular blank over a mandrel in a mill utilizing a plurality of roll stands. The blank and mandrel are inserted into the mill and moved through the mill in a fashion such that the mandrel is present and controlled at each roll stand at the time that the blank leading end reaches each roll stand. The blank enters the mill inlet stand at a speed, V.sub.e, and the speed of the mandrel is controlled during all times that the blank is engaged at any roll stand. The control mechanisms achieve movement of the mandrel in the same direction as the blank and at a constant speed, V.sub.m, with the ratio V.sub.m /V.sub.e being maintained between about 0.75 and 1.3.