Photos AI Barrel Wrench

[LoneWolfUSMC]

What I did this evening.....

And yes, it's a little nerve racking the first time you put a breaker bar on a $4K rifle.

The wrench is from Dennis Adams (Dennis_in_VA).

 

[Dennis_in_VA]

Re: AI Barrel Wrench

That's a mighty fine wrench you got there.

Too bad you couldn't get a Barrel Vise from the same place. They're coming, slowly but surely.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: AI Barrel Wrench

Looking forward to it. I will have some more feedback on the wrench soon.

 

[Napsters]

Re: AI Barrel Wrench

I know what you mean. Soon you will be swapping barrels all the time. I can see you going to some local matches not wanting to put wear on your 243 barrel and switching back and forth.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: AI Barrel Wrench

I am about to mod my skins so I don't need to pull them to get the action out of the chassis. This is the ONLY place where the AW is a clear advantage.

 

[Napsters]

Re: AI Barrel Wrench

When I was looking at them the aw was 2700 more. I would need to change the barrel a lot to justify the price difference.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: AI Barrel Wrench

Hence the reason I bought the AE MkII instead. Pulling the action doesn't take THAT long. At least not enough to justify the difference.

 

[bm11]

Re: AI Barrel Wrench

Definitely nerve wracking the first time! I have done mine now about 10 times and it definitely gets easier and less stressful each time. I can do it in about 10 minutes (AIAX) and the longest time is pulling out all the little screws that hold on the forearm etc. Well that, and it takes a bit of effort to get enough torque on the vise. I run a dedicated Story barrel vise mounted to my loading bench. It's a pretty nice setup.

Who's wrench is that? I am using one of the ones that StrictlyRUM did years ago.

 

[scottsnipe]

Re: AI Barrel Wrench

If you guys like swapping barrels back and forth you should consider the Desert Tactical Arms chassis, I switch barrels within 30 seconds. Gun still shoots 1/4-1/2 MOA all day long!

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: AI Barrel Wrench

Honestly, because I have an AI. If I was going at it specifically wanting to toss barrels back and forth, then the DTA would definitely be an option. However the reality is I won't be swapping barrels more than once every couple of weeks, if that. It's more of a "user replaceable" thing than a "quick change" thing.

I like the fact that I can order a spare barrel. Have it on the bench and when I smoke the barrel that is on the rifle I can swap it out right away. No downtime for the rifle.

However the DTA is the bomb because you can swap between long and short action calibers. I would love to have one in .243, .308, .300WM and .338LM, but if you total up the cost of all the barrel change kits it ain't cheap.

 

[21Bravo]

Re: AI Barrel Wrench

Lonewolf,

I'm in the same boat as you, although it will be a while before my barrel is done. I bought one of Dennis's barrel wrenches also. It looks like an extremely nice wrench and he's been a pleasure to work with.

Craig

 

[Chiller]

Re: AI Barrel Wrench

Did I miss who makes the wrench?

 

[Gray]

Re: AI Barrel Wrench

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bm11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Definitely nerve wracking the first time! I have done mine now about 10 times and it definitely gets easier and less stressful each time. I can do it in about 10 minutes (AIAX) and the longest time is pulling out all the little screws that hold on the forearm etc. Well that, and it takes a bit of effort to get enough torque on the vise. I run a dedicated Story barrel vise mounted to my loading bench. It's a pretty nice setup.

Who's wrench is that? I am using one of the ones that StrictlyRUM did years ago. </div></div>

The wrenches are built by <span style="color: #FF0000">Dennis in VA</span> here on the hide

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: AI Barrel Wrench

Yes, just added that to the original post.

It really is a nice piece. So far it's the nicest AI wrench I have seen.