Barrel install questions.

[RP12]

Do I need a barrel vise to install the barrel ?
After you get it tight with the wrench, and you smack the wrench with a hammer, how much does the nut move, 1/8" more or less ?

[Hotolds442]

I haven't seen the need for a barrel vise yet, but I have an action wrench. I don't use it though for installing barrels. I use a rawhide mallet and just give the barrel nut wrench a couple of whacks after hand tightening on the go gauge with the barrel nut wrench. Then I check with the no-go or the go + a piece of 3M blue painters tape if I don't have a no-go in that chambering.
I have an oak block that I've drilled for a couple of through bolts, steel backing plates, and halved, but I haven't needed to drill it for a barrel removal yet.

[snowgetter1]

Same as hotolds. Sometimes it will move, but I keep trying until it is set. Barrel vise not needed.

[foxx]

same as Hotolds and snow... The few I've done always move a bit and "a bit" is a lot. Gotta just keep checking till you get it right. No big deal. Tighten it, check it. When it ain't right, back it off a bit and try again. It'll set right eventually. The only part that's tough is removing the factory installed nut in the first place, and I tried everything I could imagine and things I couldn't but got off of here, and nothing got those buggers off without an action wrench. I gouged the hell out of an old, used 30-06 barrel, too. Once I finally broke down and got an action wrench, I laughed at all of my prior struggles and efforts it was so easy.