Gunsmithing Curtis Custom Vector "Prefit barrels" Questions

[simpy16]

This is my first "quick change, prefit barrel" action and I am still a little curious how this works.
Can I buy just a barrel or send a barrel off to be chambered without having to send the action off?
Do I have to specify whether I want it to be hand tight or regular torque on there? Is there a difference how they will have to cut the threads?
Once I have it will I need to worry about Go/no-go gauges?

Lots of questions but I have the action and I have a couple barrels but I am still unsure what the process is. I am looking at doing a 6.5SAUM/PRC (i know I need a magnum action) and then something more along the lines of a competition caliber in 6 or 6.5mm. I want to use it as a competition rifle so not sure if hand tight method will be okay or not?

 

[Praeger]

Yes, you just order the barrel, you don't need to provide the action.
Do specify whether hand tightening or full value torquing (there is a .002" difference).
Always check headspace. If you are tight on money, just get the go gauge and add tape to the back for no-go.

Contact Keystone Accuracy, I saw some of their work recently - very nice Vector pre-fit and fast turn around time.

 

[Shanerbanner10]

Above post nailed it. That said after testing quick change system on the vector I found it much more repeatable to just torque barrels on even if its only 30 ft lbs.
It is ultimately your responsibility to check the barrel when it arrives. So I would 100% recommend a go/no gauge.

If you need one quick, hit me up. I'm not supposed to advertise without paying Frank some doll hairs so I will just say we do a bunch of them and knock them out quick!

 

[KOani83]

Above post nailed it. That said after testing quick change system on the vector I found it much more repeatable to just torque barrels on even if its only 30 ft lbs.
It is ultimately your responsibility to check the barrel when it arrives. So I would 100% recommend a go/no gauge.

If you need one quick, hit me up. I'm not supposed to advertise without paying Frank some doll hairs so I will just say we do a bunch of them and knock them out quick!

I just recently bought a barrel that is supposed to be torqued on, so my question is am I able to just hand tighten it and use the set screws to hold it in place with out it coming loose?

 

[Praeger]

I just recently bought a barrel that is supposed to be torqued on, so my question is am I able to just hand tighten it and use the set screws to hold it in place with out it coming loose?

The only difference between a hand tightened barrel and a torqued on barrel is the amount of thread crush (about .002" up to 100 ft/lbs). That means the headspace is shorter by .002" when you torque on the barrel, that's all. So, if you only hand tighten a barrel that has been cut for being torqued on, your headspace will be about .002" longer.

 

[Shanerbanner10]

I just recently bought a barrel that is supposed to be torqued on, so my question is am I able to just hand tighten it and use the set screws to hold it in place with out it coming loose?

Check it with a headspace gauge. If it headspaces correctly then yes, if not, then no. The only difference is a few thou.

 

[flatland1]

The only difference between a hand tightened barrel and a torqued on barrel is the amount of thread crush (about .002" up to 100 ft/lbs). That means the headspace grows by .002" when you torque on the barrel, that's all. So, if you only hand tighten a barrel that has been cut for being torqued on, your headspace will be about .002" shorter.

How can headspace grow when you torque a bbl into an action? The farther into the action the bbl is screwed/torqued, the shorter the headspace gets.

 

[Praeger]

How can headspace grow when you torque a bbl into an action? The farther into the action the bbl is screwed/torqued, the shorter the headspace gets.

Had the terms flipped - torqued crushes the headspace ( ~.002" @ ft/lbs) - shorter. Edited my original post.