With a $600 stock, $1000 action and a $1500 scope, I can only afford 1 custom rifle, which is why I think many people, like me, are considering switch barrel rigs. The following threads seem to have some great info, but I wanted to start a thread to discuss the pros and cons of the various set ups in one place.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/switch-barrel-setup.6885121/
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/switch-barrel-technology.6529522/
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...-prefit-switch-barrel-testing-review.6582532/
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...est-action-for-a-switch-barrel-build.6473249/
I plan on purchasing a Bighorn SR3 (I am mainly interested in WSM/SAUM hunting cartridges for a lightweight LRH rig) with interchangeable bolt heads (.223, Standard and magnum). Since this is the action if have decided on, I have left out the switch barrel options of AI, Curtis Custom, surgeon, etc. My main goal is to be able to switch barrels without removing the scope, while maintaining consistent head space through barrel swaps. I have outlined my own interpretations through my research below. Please feel free to add to and/or correct my assumptions as I have not used any of these systems and it is my goal to understand each of them better.
WTO Switch Lug
Pros -
No scope removal
Hand tighten (no vise, action wrench)
Constant head space
Very little/no special inlet for stock
No contour limitations
Con-
Lack of thread engagement, potential pin shear
will need custom barrel fitting (no prefit)
ARC Barloc
Pros -
No scope removal
Hand tighten (no vise, action wrench)
Constant head space
Very little/no special inlet for stock
No contour limitations
Full thread engagement with cone tension
Some prefits available (ie. PVA)
Con-
Some Pre-fits may not have long enough threads on shank for Barlok
Bugnut
Pro -
Full thread engagement
very little/no special inlet for stock
Constant headspace (w/Loctite?)
No contour limitations
Pre-fits available
Con-
Must remove scope?
Need barrel vise/action wrench/bugnut wrench
Shouldered Barrel w/witness or index marks
Pros-
Full thread engagement
Constant Headspace
No scope removal
Pre-Fits available
No contour limitations
no special inlet
Cons-
Need barrel vise/action wrench
Savage/Remage Barrel Nut w/Loctite
Pros-
Full thread engagement
Constant Headspace (w/Loctite)
Pre-fits available
Cons-
Need barrel vise/action wrench/barrel nut wrench
Must remove Scope
Barrel contour limitations
May be need additional stock inlet
I think I am in between the Barloc and shouldered barrels with index marks for the time being. Would love to have some insight from people who are actually using these switch barrel set ups. Thanks in advance.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/switch-barrel-setup.6885121/
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/switch-barrel-technology.6529522/
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...-prefit-switch-barrel-testing-review.6582532/
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...est-action-for-a-switch-barrel-build.6473249/
I plan on purchasing a Bighorn SR3 (I am mainly interested in WSM/SAUM hunting cartridges for a lightweight LRH rig) with interchangeable bolt heads (.223, Standard and magnum). Since this is the action if have decided on, I have left out the switch barrel options of AI, Curtis Custom, surgeon, etc. My main goal is to be able to switch barrels without removing the scope, while maintaining consistent head space through barrel swaps. I have outlined my own interpretations through my research below. Please feel free to add to and/or correct my assumptions as I have not used any of these systems and it is my goal to understand each of them better.
WTO Switch Lug
Pros -
No scope removal
Hand tighten (no vise, action wrench)
Constant head space
Very little/no special inlet for stock
No contour limitations
Con-
Lack of thread engagement, potential pin shear
will need custom barrel fitting (no prefit)
ARC Barloc
Pros -
No scope removal
Hand tighten (no vise, action wrench)
Constant head space
Very little/no special inlet for stock
No contour limitations
Full thread engagement with cone tension
Some prefits available (ie. PVA)
Con-
Some Pre-fits may not have long enough threads on shank for Barlok
Bugnut
Pro -
Full thread engagement
very little/no special inlet for stock
Constant headspace (w/Loctite?)
No contour limitations
Pre-fits available
Con-
Must remove scope?
Need barrel vise/action wrench/bugnut wrench
Shouldered Barrel w/witness or index marks
Pros-
Full thread engagement
Constant Headspace
No scope removal
Pre-Fits available
No contour limitations
no special inlet
Cons-
Need barrel vise/action wrench
Savage/Remage Barrel Nut w/Loctite
Pros-
Full thread engagement
Constant Headspace (w/Loctite)
Pre-fits available
Cons-
Need barrel vise/action wrench/barrel nut wrench
Must remove Scope
Barrel contour limitations
May be need additional stock inlet
I think I am in between the Barloc and shouldered barrels with index marks for the time being. Would love to have some insight from people who are actually using these switch barrel set ups. Thanks in advance.
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