Gunsmithing Action Wrenches

[McLarenross]

Is there any reason to use a wrap around and clamping action wrench for a bolt gun versus one that goes into the rails and torques from inside? Either is pretty simple to make but the internal one requires much less material and machine work.

versus

 

[E. Bryant]

For removing stuck factory barrels, the "wrap-around" style is going to allow much better purchase on the receiver and gets the wrench handle closer to the barrel vise.

For re-installing an action onto a new barrel, I use a PTG "rear entry" (heh) style, since it's much quicker and allows the use of a torque wrench. I don't torque barrels to a bazillion ft-lbs like most factories seem to do, so it works just fine.

 

[MikeInUtah]

The exterior clamp relies on the recoil lug. I am not sure if this would cause a problem for some aftermarket recoil lugs. I believe some recoil lugs are tapered/non-tapered.

 

[Gene Poole]

I bought an action once that would bind at a certain point when hand-threading a barrel. I lapped it with some 600 grit compound and afterward, you could see 2 or 3 threads in the action that were shinier than the rest. They corresponded to a ring on the outer surface of the action that I assume was from a clamp-style action wrench. I don't know if this is all a coincidence, a particularly tight barrel, or if it even matters (since I had the action trued with oversized threads anyway), but it made me wonder just how much a clamp-on can distort a receiver.

 

[MarinePMI]

I'm pretty sure the recoil lug shouldn't matter, at least on the 700 wrap around action wrench. It has a screw that threads into the front action screw to keep it centered (at least on the Wheeler one I have), so the lug is pretty much unused. I think (I'd have to go check), the recoil lug recess in the wrench is quite generous...

 

[E. Bryant]

The exterior clamp relies on the recoil lug.

The Wheeler wrap-around wrench does not depend upon the lug - it simply has a recess to provide clearance. Instead, it utilized the front action screw hole for alignment. The force is transmitted to the action via friction, just like a barrel vise.

 

[LRI]

The little bugger that Surgeon makes and sells through Brownells has worked VERY well for us. It's been used day in/out for about the last 6 months with ZERO issues.

There's some custom actions it won't fit though, but it's jonny on the spot for M700's. If you get one just check that the ejection port radius where the port floor transitions up to the front ring is small/tight enough for the tool to clear, otherwise it'll mark up the receiver.

Great tool for $65 bucks.

C.

 

[monteboy84]

Whatever you use, be sure that you don't damage the receiver. If it doesn't fit right or is used improperly, an internal wrench can spread the rails and an external can deform the receiver.

-matt

 

[McLarenross]

Chad you are talking about this one correct?

 

[jonaddis84]

The surgeon wrench is awesome, however I use a wheeler for factory barrel removal if the surgeon doesn't do it with 100 ftlb which is what they rate it at.

Galaxy S3 on tapatalk

 

[Doug Humbarger]

I made this one.

 

[elmerdeer]

Which internal action wrench would be good to use on a Win Mod 70? I don't like the idea of a wrap around wrench.

Thanks,
Elmer

 

[308FMJ]

You need or should i say almost have to use a wrap around for factory barrels, but Hollands makes a very nice rear entry wrench that fits 700 and anything that is the same inside like Stiller, and Surgeon. After the factory barrel is off you can use a rear entry to put barrels on and off at around 100 ft. lbs.
Elmer I have used a milled flat bar with a grove in it to take on and off WIN 70 barrels. You almost need to have a smith make you one.
Jim