Remington barrel how tight?

[TommyD11730]

So from doing some poking around I to understand older Remington 700 barrel's can be VERY tight.
I have a 2018 Build 700P I'm considering putting a Criterion Remage barrel on.
Having done a few Savages I have access to the nut wrench, a barrel vice and inside action wrench.
Figured I would have to purchase a action wrench/cheater bar from NSS.
So, what's the odds a 2018 gives up the fight easily?

 

[MK20]

I used an action wrench and barrel vise with rosin. Came off no problem. If it is stubborn, give it a few whacks on the wrench handle with a rubber mallet.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Careful using the inside action wrench on a factory torqued action. I believe those are made for aftermarket/already been swapped barrels. Something about messing up the bolt race if you get super rowdy with it. That’s my understanding though, and may be wrong.

 

[Hobo Hilton]

Get the best set up available and prepare for the very worst.... Then there will be no complaining. Hopefully you won't have to take a Dremel and grind out the recoil lug.

 

[spife7980]

Give it a try. I torque the barrel vice until the nuts won’t turn anymore without stripping and then I go straight to a 5’ pipe in my nss wrench and no barrel has given me “trouble”.

I bet you could manage it if your internal wrench has good purchase and tight fit on both of the lugs. Don’t stick a loose fitting internal wrench in and put a bunch of effort on it.

 

[Jack's Dad]

Never had much of a problem with your set up. Those nss barrels have been amazing for me

 

[TommyD11730]

Encouraged to hear lots of suscess stories.
I have a Criterion from NSS on a Savage ( of all things) and it's pretty darn good.
Anyone try one of these vices??

Ultimate Barrel Vise (UBV) | Great Scott Triggers

This vise is designed primarily for separating 700 Remington Barreled action, but I have had reports that it will work on other brands of rifles. This vise makes taking the toughest 700 barreled action apart an easy task. It will work on a sporter barrel, factory varmint barrel, or any size...

greatscottshooters.com

 

[wadebrown]

I made an Rem 700 adapter for my external barrel wrench, previous to that I only used the big gun for Mauser, Sprigfields, ... barrels that may had been on for a 100 years. I had a couple internal wrenches for the 700 but would usually back off before the barrel broke free and chuck the barrel up in the lathe and cut a relief right in front of the receiver and the barrel would spin right off.

Using the big external wrench and a mallet makes easier work of the 700. Like a previous poster said be ready for the worst, either have a lathe or a sturdy outside barrel wrench in hand before you try. Prepared you will be able to make quick work of the task at hand.

 

[TommyD11730]

I agree about preparing for the worse. Thats one of the reasons I asked about the (UBV) above. In my way of thinking I believe I would rather have something holding the outside of the receiver IF you really have to put a ton of torque on it.

 

[Bpcatch22]

I have done 2 remage barrels in the last month, both on older REM 700s. The question is, do you want to save the barrel you are removing? Both of mine were junk so I didn’t have to worry about saving them. I bought the action wrench from NSS, it’s a very nice tool. Clamped it in my bench vise, and went to town with a big ass pipe wrench on the barrels. Like I said, didn’t have to worry about saving them. They were both TIGHT, but they came loose. If you want to save the barrel for some reason, then buy a GOOD barrel vise.

Criterion barrels are awesome. Do yourself a favor and buy their recoil lug and alignment tool along with the action wrench. You won’t regret it

BP

 

[SanPatHogger]

I put my old barrel in between two 2x4s and put in in a 50 ton vice. Smacked the handle of the action wrench and heard squeaking. I ended up polishing the 2x4s, barrel didn't move. Put the action wrench in a big vice and used an electric heat gun to warm the receiver and ended up using a really big pipe wrench to crack the old barrel loose. Mine came off real hard. 80's vintage Remington 78 sportsman.

 

[TommyD11730]

Yes, I would like to save my factory barrel. Otherwise I would grind 2 flats on it, jam it in my press and have at it.

Ok, so I'll look into the NSS Wrench and lug alignment tool.

Anyone want to toss a vise brand out there I should look into?

Thanks

 

[Elite_KG]

Short Action Customs - Modular (I have this one. Its Awesome!)

Short Action Customs - Bravo

Long Rifles Inc

 

[gigamortis]

If you have access to a lathe, use a parting tool to sacrifice cut the center out of the recoil lug. Lugs are cheap to replace.