I am pondering building my own custom rifle. Either a prefit “remage” barrel w nut or maybe a shoulder fit pre chambered barrel and installing it on an existing action. I am familiar with “go and no go gauges to set the head space. I don’t need the “best” most expensive tools, but I do want something functional. What is your recommendation for tools needed to remove a barrel from a modern bolt action rifle and to install a new aftermarket barrel? And what is the rough cost of these. Mostly need a barrel vice and action wrench.
If you're taking off a factory m700 barrel.....good luck. Lol. I've heard some aren't bad but most are...
I found suggestions to get the external wrench that goes on the outside of the action. I didn't wanna pony up for a good barrel vise. The wooden block job wouldn't grip the barrel tight enough even with rosin. What DID work was wrapping fairly rough sandpaper on the barrel. It gave enough bite into the wood for me to get the barrel broke free...the amount of force it took...I'm thinking the internal wrenches may have wrecked the action.
The tools really aren't much. And I go through a barrel or so a year on my match rifles that my Smith can cut barrels for and send them to me without needing my actions so in the end, I need a barrel vise and action wrench.
Some rem barrels are a pita and will need a good grip for sure. I made my own vise and wrenches, but any wrap wrench should work for the action. Mine uses an action bolt for a bit extra shear protection.
If you want style points.....
Originally Posted by BrentD
I would not buy something that runs on any kind of primer given the possibility of primer shortages and even regulations. In fact, why not buy a flintlock? Really. Rocks aren't going away anytime soon.
If you're not dealing with removing factory barrels, a barrel vise like this PMA works great. A wrap of heavy paper, etc. gives you all the grip you need to remove or install and properly torque barrels:
For a Remington 700 or clone action and virtually any 2 lug action other than Model 70's, PMA offers a couple excellent wrench options. I use the 'T' handle style from Kelbly's but it's similar to the PMA 't' handle style. I can't imaging how many barrels I've R&R'd using that wrench and a similar barrel vise over the years!
That vise paired with the straight wrench is what I use with my match rifles. I have the vice bolted to a short piece of 2x4 which is clamped in my bench vise for use. Works great with custom fitted barrels.
I have the one that came with the wood blocks. I made lead moulds out of channel steel and a steel bar for the barrel channel. I'm sorry, but no picture and it's packed away. The action wrench is also bought. One side of the jaws is flat. The other round, to fit 700 action types. Rosin sure does help. I use lead shims in the wrench.
Bench vises are kinda sorta ok as long as everything goes well. But if you happen to have a hydraulic jack bearing press, it will do it all...I think you can get one with a 12 ton squeeze for less than 150. The very best bench vise, optimistically will apply 4 tons, but they get pricey as quality goes up. You can break a Chink vise just pressing u joints, useless. The two piece clamp with just a couple bolts is adequate, but you gotta have a bench that is hell for stout to mount it. I have been bubba-izing Mausers (tight) for 40 yrs, never had to take a relief cut, using a bearing press.
Well this is a fine pickle we're in, should'a listened to Joe McCarthy and George Orwell I guess.
I’ve removed and replaced Remington 700, 721, 722 & 600 barrels. I didn’t find them difficult to remove. I’ve heard that other actions can be difficult to the point of cracking the receiver when removing the barrel - I believe those difficult ones were military rifles. No experience removing most military barrels but have done a couple Mausers. I think the Midway barrel wrench to be good.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
My buddy and I constructed a barrel vise with a 12-ton bottle jack in an H frame built out of 4" angle iron, complimented with a Brownell's clamp and homemade action wrenches. Works a treat, especially with the 6 foot cheater pipe on the wrench handle!
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
Rosin sure does help. I use lead shims in the wrench.
This^^^^
In my experience the wood blocks that come with the vise suck. I ordered a couple of different profiled use inserts from Brownells, and have made others either by turning them on the lathe or pouring them.
I never thought I'd grow up to be a grumpy old man, but I did, and I'm killin' it.
If you are dealing with a stuck on action don’t use a wench that is inserted into the bolt race, you can Bend it…
Something else - with a Savage it’s a lot easier to put the action in the vise and turn off the barrel nut… Most other actions you put the barrel in the vise…
If you're not dealing with removing factory barrels, a barrel vise like this PMA works great. A wrap of heavy paper, etc. gives you all the grip you need to remove or install and properly torque barrels:
For a Remington 700 or clone action and virtually any 2 lug action other than Model 70's, PMA offers a couple excellent wrench options. I use the 'T' handle style from Kelbly's but it's similar to the PMA 't' handle style. I can't imaging how many barrels I've R&R'd using that wrench and a similar barrel vise over the years!
Thanks for the input. I think I’m settling on their PMA barrel vice and the big wheeler action wrench from midway
That should get you sorted. If you ever need to remove an older Rem factory barrel you'll probably need heat because they used to dip them in thread locker, it seemed like. The heat is not compatible with either rosin or wood blocks, in my experience. You need metal vice blocks and lead shims.
An internal action wrench is nice for installing barrels bc it allows you to use a recoil lug locating tool and a torque wrench. For taking factory barrels off, maybe not as good, I dunno.
I have taken off quite a few factory barrels using an internal wrench with no issues I believe many who have problems doing such are over tightening external wrenches
I bought one off eBay for Mauser actions, paid for itself when I sold two take off barrels no complaints. Have some go, no go gauges when I do a rebarrel if it goes beyond that it goes to a professional.