Barrel install

[bigred94]

Guys I have a Stevens 308 action I just removed the factory sporter from. I bought a used heavy 308 barrel and was ready to begain my first barrel swap. I started screwing the heavy barrel into the action by hand and got about 1/4 of threads into action and then it stopped. I can no longer screw barrel into action by hand. Is something wrong or does this take a little force? Any thought or tip to get be started will be very helpful.

Thanks

[Apache]

Check to make sure there are no scope mount screws protruding into the barrel threads in the receiver.

[stangfish]

Remove the barrel and and clean the inside and outside threads. Look to see if the front scope mount screw is protruding into the threads. Remove and shorten if needed. Using some lubricant try to thread the barrel in again. If it is still tight Measure the threads. If they are over 1.055 take some fine emery and lightly sand the top of the barrel threads. Clean the sanding grit and debris. Try once again and report back.

Edit: Apache beat me to it.

[bigred94]

There is no scope mount on action. Took it off thinking it might be a screw. I will clean action in morning and get back with y'all tomorrow

[Nandy]

If your barrel nut goes in and out fine then it has to be something in the action. Clean it good.

[bigred94]

Another thought, how far will the barrel screw into action before you get to the point to start checking headspace? Will all the threads of barrel be in action?

[LoneWolf]

Once it's far enough in the the go gauge will reach the barrel. I went to far and had a dilemma with the barrel being to tight in the action or the barrel nut being to tight on the barrel to tighten down to the action. I had to pull the whole thing apart spend some time cleaning the threads again and start over with the new lesson learned. It went together in a few minutes on the second attempt where I spent most of the day on the first go at it.

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[bigred94]

I will clean action and play some more. My gauges have not come in yet so I was using a piece of brass to get close, but can not get barrel to screw in far enough to fill the brass

[bigred94]

Cleaned both actions. No luck on either one. It will screw in farther on one the the other but neither one far enough to set headspace. I am screwing them in by hand only.

Any thoughts

[LoneWolf]

I had best luck mounting the barrel in a bench vise between to boards to avoid scratches and turning the action on with and action wrench. Otherwise I could create enough torque.

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[Nandy]

hmmm, I would not force it too much at this time. Do you have any problem with the barrel nut? Is that barrel nut new? You should have no problem screwing it by hands, actually, that is he only way I would do it when headspacing. I wont want to torque that barrel on the gauge. If you remove the gauge when the barrel get tight, what happens?

[LoneWolf]

The barrel hasn't threaded far enough I the action for the op to start headspacing.

The action wrench provided me just enough additional torque to continue threading the barrel into to action. I did not force it in if it was caught up I backed up and tried adding some oil or backed off completely and further cleaned the threads with a wire brush and a small amount of acetone and added a few drops of clean oil before starting again until it finally threaded to where I could start headspacing.

The oil I used was Gatco honing oil for sharpening stones. It's very thin and soaks in quickly. Also is clear and makes it easy to see what is going on.


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[bigred94]

I have not put the barrel nut on. I was just playing to see what it was going to look like and when it would not thread in I knew I had a problem

[Nandy]

try the nut, see if you have the same problem. If it is a good nut then it will tell you if you have a barrel problem. where are you located about bigred94? if you are close to charlotte nc maybe I can help you. Im not expert but I have mount/swapped my share of barrels.

[bigred94]

I'am in Alabama

[bigred94]

You guys that have done barrel swaps, is the barrel suppose to thread on freely? Just thinking if it is very tight how do you fill the gauges or brass to set headspace?

[Rifleshooter308]

It should thread freely. I can turn by hand up to the gauge then stop and tighten nut. If the threads are clean and unbstructed and still won't thread on then the threads are the wrong pitch.

[Nandy]

Barrel should turn freely. The gauges are steel so once you got it tight against the go gauge the barrel just won't turn and then when you use the no go the bolt won't close so I would stop at the first sign and swap gauges.
However, i would be worried I am damaging the threads. I might have missed it but did you try the barrel nut on that barrel?

[LoneWolf]

Rereading this entire thread this morning I was wondering if we confirmed that you have the proper shanked barrel. I would assume the Stevens is a short action and requires the small shank which has a diameter of 1.055.

Someone please correct me if I am incorrect on the diameter. Also what brand is the used barrel and if possible what did it come off of?

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[bigred94]

Er shaw barrel. Small shank Stevens 200 action. The nuts are in the mail somewhere