Rebarreling, Ditch the Switchlug?

[Z06pilot]

I would like to rebarrel my MPA built Matrix Switchlug in 6GT. I havent used the swithlug feature as it ended up being a single caliber gun for me.

Would I get greater accuracy if I eliminated the Switchlug, Or should I have a barrel made for a switchlug and just torque it? Or, just keep running it as a switchlug?

Also, would I be better off going to a smith, or just ordering a replacment through MPA?

I should add that it currently shoots alot of 5 shot .4 moa groups (some .3 moa), but I wonder if it could be better.

 

[SRPowah]

If you want the absolute best, have a smith get it right and then never touch the barrel. I don't think you will be leaving much, if any, performance on the table by leaving the switch lug in but that could be up the smith's discretion.

 

[Steel head]

Funny how switch barrel plans often quickly fade.
I think if you have a top quality barrel by a good smith accuracy won’t be any different regardless what route you take.

I still run a barloc on my 7mm not because I switch barrels frequently but because how simple it is to swap out a dead barrel and headspace the new one.

 

[drglock]

I’ve had my Switchlug going on 4 years now. For me it’s a great system, Mines mostly for hunting. I use a 22” 6.5 Creed for deer season and change out to a 16.5” 6 Creed for coyotes. I’ve never used mine to swap calibers in the field and never intended it for that. From what I’ve seen out of mine the lug has had zero effect on accuracy. I’ve shot several groups in the high.1’s and quite a few in the .2’s with both barrels. Knowing what I do today if I had it all over to do again I’d go the same route and if I was going to change something the only thing would be a Titanium action.

 

[Kimber.204]

I've been using BarLoc's since ARC released them. The problem I ran into was that I would be packing for a match the next day and find out that I didn't have ammo loaded for the barrel that was currently screwed on, and there was not time/opportunity to get a few sighters to confirm zero before the match.

I do love being able to swap barrels without a vise though....and that's why I still use them.
I've been considering getting a Tikka Lite from Sportsmans Warehouse and having a switch lug installed to have a common hunting rig. We'll see though. Compared to swapping barrels it doesn't beat being able to open the safe and grab a gun that's already zero'd and ready to roll - regardless of what hunting season it is. That's why they make bigger safes!!!

 

[Deep South Tactical]

I have done several switch lugs with great success but prefer to just shoulder it. I guess it depends on the application. If your going to actually switch the barrels in the field then the switch lug is the way to go. The ones I did for returning customers never actually switched barrels. Lol.

 

[hereinaz]

Switch barrels are better in therory than practice for most. But, swapping barrels a couple times a year for different hunts is actually cool, IMO.

Terminus Zeus action eliminates the need for switch lug. I ran barloc, but found a vice and rear action wrench easy even at the range.

Now, if I ever change, it is to swap barrels for a hunt. My .308 shortie for hunts from blinds at short range and my 26" 7SS for long range possible hunts. That is easy enough with a vice.

Also, with Barloc/barrel nuts you can run Savage prefits. I red loctite barrel nuts on the first time and treat them like shouldered from then on.

With many customs, you can buy shouldered prefits or run barrel nut versions.

Switch lug, you have to have all tenons cut for the lug.

In the end, switching a barrel is so easy with a vice off my tailgate, so I ditched the Barloc. Being able to get shouldered prefits from more sources for so many actions makes the WTO switchlug more complex than needed.