Printable View
Preparing to change barrels on my Stevens 200 and want to buy tools. Would a quality barrel vise with the different barrel inserts have an advantage over an action wrench? Would the barrel vise serve other roles that the action wrench would not? Just trying to make an educated decision on which tools to get... Thanks...
If your gonna get one or the other, get the Action Wrench.
JMHO.....:-))
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by FW Conch
Action vise is the only way to go for Savage actions.
The only reason I also have a barrel vise is because sometimes I swap barrels on non-Savage actions.
+2. But if you can afford to, get both. I've done swaps both with, and without using the barrel vise, and I like it better with the barrel vise. Gives a little extra measure of control when setting the headspace and tightening the nut. It stops the barrel from spinning with the nut when you really tighten it down.Quote:
Originally Posted by FW Conch
I use an action wrench (ring style) and a nut wench for removing factory installed barrels. After the removing the factory installed barrels I use a rear entry action wrench and a modified open ended nut wrench. With those I can swap barrels without removing the scope/mounts.
I don't use a barrel vise, a torque wrench or hammers!
Bill
ive never used an action wrench to change a savage barrel only a barrel vise...this is the one i have http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod36757.aspx
I decided to go with the action wrench... I appreciate the suggestions...
Be careful and make sure the action wrench is on your action correctly....ive seen a few twisted actions with tight factory barrels and action wrenches.
I'm not sure how you would twist an action with a ring style action wrench, a rear entry if not used correctly for sure, but not one that clamps around the ring. If it was the case there would be a lot of twisted 700, 70 and 98 actions.Quote:
Originally Posted by LongRange
As a matter of fact here is my setup to remove factory installed Savage barrels. I haven't twisted one yet.
http://i33.tinypic.com/3ggat.jpg
Bill.
You're famous for that rear entry wrench, Bill, and I'd like one, but where did you get it? Did you make it?Quote:
Originally Posted by BillPa
It isn't rear entry. It is a jig that holds the action straight as well as the nut wrench while he pulls on the action wrench.
Yeah, geargrinder, I've seen his jig. It's slick. (there's a pic in this thread). But he also has a rear entry action wrench... Brownells sells one, but they say it's for the "old style." I don't know what that would be.
I made one with a piece of bar stock an an old 3/8" drive socket.
I also have a 12" length of the barstock that I can put in the vise for yet another rear entry wrench.
I've also used my action wrench as a barrel vise by wrapping the barrel in duct tape thick enough to crimp it down. Good trick for that barrel nut if it gets stuck on the barrel.
Slick, LW. I have also had the nut stuck on the barrel.
So for the rear-entry wrench, just grind/mill the bar stock to fit snug in the rails? You gonna make me one?
I made that one years ago when I was shooting Rem switch barrel guns. Hart and Davidson make them for 700s and "should" fit Savage actions. The Hart is available from Midway.Quote:
Originally Posted by foxx
http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/933...ProductFinding
Bill
Nice set up...and yes I was talking about the rear entry wrench...I've never had a barrel nut that wouldn't come off with a little heat an nut wrench and a good barrel vise but then again a lot of you guys have been doing this a lot longer than I have.Quote:
Originally Posted by BillPa
Yep, use a rear entry wrench anywhere but in the ring you'll have a corkscrew for an action, but they can be used to uncorkscrew'm too!:p
Here it is in action with my open ended spanner.
http://i42.tinypic.com/2hz7sli.jpg http://i40.tinypic.com/20iwen6.jpg
I don't recommend using them to remove factory installs, only swaps post undoing Igor's handwork..
Bill
Seriously. My Axis came apart fairly easily, but the 111 I just did yesterday was a BEAST.Quote:
Originally Posted by BillPa
This!Quote:
Originally Posted by FW Conch
I've experienced Igor's wrath on several actions that I removed the barrel on for the first time. Every one of them had bead blast metal balls throughout the barrel receiver and nut threads. They sure gum up the removal process, at least they do for me. I use a barrel nut wrench and a set of aluminum blocks machined for various barrel sizes in my 20 ton press to hold the barrel. Whack the wrench with a hammer and it usually comes right off.. There are certainly exceptions...
ok ill be the bad guy here and say it....YOU DO NOT NEED AN ACTION WRENCH FOR A SAVAGE...and anyone who says you do is and idiot....ive change several factory installed barrels and have NEVER had one not come loose with a little heat in a barrel vise with and nut wrench....with a barrel vise there is no need to support the action or build a jig....spend the $66 bucks and buy the Davidson aluminum vise and be done with it....ive changed 20 plus barrels with the Davidson vise using an index card to not mar the barrels and have yet to have a problem..everyone has their opinions but coming from a NON EXPERT if your going to rebarrel once youll do it again.
LongRange, I take exception to your statement that anyone is an idiot if they say you need an action wrench to remove a Savage barrel... The basic consensus here is that you generally DO need EITHER a barrel vise or an action wrench. If I want to be a jerk I could say anyone who says you need a barrel vise to remove a savage barrel is an idiot because I've managed to remove a dozen factory installed barrels with nothing more than an action wrench and nut wrench. Of course, I would never say such a thing. That would be idiotic. :)
Easy guys... Seems like everyone likes action wrenches better that barrel vises. He was just saying you can do the same job with just a barrel vise.
I for one, use a big shop vise, with a pair of oak blocks I cut channels in, as a barrel vise, and have done just fine with them. Basically free, no money spent. And im happy with that. Just don't want people thinking you HAVE to spend the $$$ on these items. It can be done without.
Okay, I don't want a fight, either. Here's my next question, though. I considered the barrel vise and just went for the action wrench instead. Don't know why. What advantage, if any, is there to having the barrel vise instead of the action wrench? (I'm talking a real barrel vise, my shop vise was too small and I could not make it hold a barrel for anything).Quote:
Originally Posted by upSLIDEdown
Fair question. From my side, I don't know. Because I don't own either one. Maybe longrange can answer that.
My first barrel swap was performed with a home made barrel vise and worked very well. My next attempt did not go so smooth, barrel slipped in vice (oak blocks) with or with rosin. and in the end I had to cut the nut off. If I was not so inpatient and cheep I would have purchased a action wrench. I myself am not a big fan of applying heat to any part of a fire arm, however I may just be paranoid but then again paranoia can be a useful tool.
I've used action wrenches on many other brands of rifles, and on those, it is by far the best way to remove a barrel without distorting the action. I will eventually get around to milling an action wrench for the Savage, and when I do, I'm pretty sure removing a barrel will be easier than with the barrel wrench. With the action wrench, tighten it on the receiver, set the barrel nut wrench at about a 12 to 15 degree angle from the action wrench handle, place it on a piece of cardboard on the concrete floor and stand on the barrel nut wrench, almost guaranteed to come off the first try (Thats what I've been told by several members of the barrel nut society.) Makes sense to me.
I guess there are more than one way to skin a cat, but in the last 15 years I've busted more barrel nuts loose than everyone on this board combined, times 10... and I have never used an action wrench.
Every time someone sends me an action that needs to be "untwisted", it was caused by an action wrench not used properly.
i guess that came out wrong and i apologize because it was not meant the way it sounds...i think the reason most ppl use an action wrench is because it comes in the wheeler kit with the nut wrench so they decide to use it and then think thats the only way to go because it worked but i can pretty much guarantee you if you bought a nice barrel vise you would most likely never use an action wrench again...matter of fact the next time you need to change a barrel i will ship you my barrel vise to try and see what you think...but you gotta send mine back and buy your own after you try it LOL!!Quote:
Originally Posted by foxx
another thing with a barrel vise is it will support the barrel and action while you head space or work on your riffle or what ever...ill post a pic or 2 of mine with a riffle in it later.
Cool. Got it. Thanks.
Fred ( Sharpshooter) seems to think the same thing. If I were to start over, then, I would also go with barrel vise.
This is the vise with my 15lb 260 in it
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/.../photo2-11.jpg
Last one...I use an index card to keep from scratching or marring the barrel...and sorry for 3 separate post my computer is down and my tablet does weird stuff when posting more than one at a time.
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...s/photo3-7.jpg
What he said, and that is what I use. (mine is hardwood in a vise) I think Fred knows a thing or two about savages...Quote:
Originally Posted by sharpshooter
I think you mean Fred.
The only thing a barrel vise lacks is the positive engagement that the action wrench has.
You were right. I fixed my post, thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by geargrinder
The good thing about the barrel vise is that you wont twist the action. That is a possibility with the action vise specially if the person is a novice plus if you have a regular vise at home the cost of it is just the hardwood. To each it's own, to the inexperienced, well, the only way to know what you will like better is to try them both....