Gunsmithing Can I use my shop press for a barrel vise?

Ranger Bob

SFC, USA, Ret.
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Minuteman
Feb 9, 2011
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Sanger, Texas
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Getting ready to do my first barrel swap on a brand new Tikka. I'd like to keep the factory barrel in pristine condition so I can offer it up in the exchange. I have a big shop full of equipment (but no barrel vise) and I was thinking that I could pair a couple aluminum blocks in the mill and then bore down between them so I have a radius in each. I've got some rubber or leather I could line them with and then squeeze the setup in my shop press to hold the barrel. Seems reasonable to me; anyone else done this?

Bob
 
I see on rifleshooter.com he uses a shop press seems like it would work well .

Savage-smooth-barrel-nut-removal-barrel-off.jpg
 
tikka factory barrels are no joke they are on their tight as hell. I would use rosin on the jaws, leather or rubber will most likely slip. I use a Wilcox action wrench on a tikka and you will most likely need a cheater pipe on the wrench handle.
 
tikka factory barrels are no joke they are on their tight as hell. I would use rosin on the jaws, leather or rubber will most likely slip. I use a Wilcox action wrench on a tikka and you will most likely need a cheater pipe on the wrench handle.

Are they torqued on tight or is it a thread locker that makes them so tight?

Bob