Gunsmithing How to make a Switch Barrel Rem700 SA?

OnyxSkyDV

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Nov 5, 2009
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I am going to build up a Rem700 SA for fun and learning, and figured that making it a switch barrel would be fun, and a nice way to shoot more than one caliber in this rifle.

One problem, I have no idea what actually makes an action set up to swap barrels that easily. Is it just pinning the recoil lug to the action, and then machining all your barrels so that torquing them to the same spec will be headspaced right, or are there other components that I am missing.

Thanks for any input guys!

Onyx
 
Re: How to make a Switch Barrel Rem700 SA?

pinning the lug is the most important part, I would pin it in two spots because if the barrel tenon is not the same on each barrel the recoil lug can move when tightening the barrel
 
Re: How to make a Switch Barrel Rem700 SA?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AJ300MAG</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ever notice... Benchrest rifles don't use no barrel nut? </div></div>

yes your right, but i did see some rigs when i was back in PA that had a barrel nut system and they were switching calibers right on the range. jsut another idea
 
Re: How to make a Switch Barrel Rem700 SA?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Onyx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I saw a reference to this on another site. Sounds like you can use this instead of pinning the barrel.

Lug tool on Brownells

Onyx </div></div>
You could use one of them but it would mean having to remove the stock each time.
 
Re: How to make a Switch Barrel Rem700 SA?

Luckily I am using the AICS, so that wouldn't be a problem, but if I had it bedded or in a different stock I can see your point.

I may still pin it just cause it sounds like the "right" way to do this setup.

Is a witness mark still suggested, or just torque the new barrel to the right ft lb, and check with a go / no-go gauge?

Thanks!

Onyx
 
Re: How to make a Switch Barrel Rem700 SA?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Onyx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Luckily I am using the AICS, so that wouldn't be a problem, but if I had it bedded or in a different stock I can see your point.

I may still pin it just cause it sounds like the "right" way to do this setup.

Is a witness mark still suggested, or just torque the new barrel to the right ft lb, and check with a go / no-go gauge?

Thanks!
Always check with a gauge if you got it......why not?
Onyx </div></div>
 
Re: How to make a Switch Barrel Rem700 SA?

I kinda figured on the gauge, just trying to stir some conversation and do some learning through osmosis.
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Onyx
 
Re: How to make a Switch Barrel Rem700 SA?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mikki</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Onyx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I saw a reference to this on another site. Sounds like you can use this instead of pinning the barrel.

Lug tool on Brownells

Onyx </div></div>
You could use one of them but it would mean having to remove the stock each time. </div></div>

Pardon the ignorance. But you can remove the barrel without taking the stock off anyway? I always assumed 700 barrels were torqued tighter than that hence the use of action wrenches and barrel vises.
 
Re: How to make a Switch Barrel Rem700 SA?

From what I am hearing, it sounds like around 60 ft lbs of torque to wrench on the barrel. Might be hard to do still in the stock, but since I barely have an idea how this works anyway, I'm hoping someone will help me understand.
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I have heard of someone cutting flats on the muzzle end of the barrel to use a socket to crank it on and off, but I doubt that is the norm.

Onyx