Gunsmithing Tools for barrel swap

A.Bennett

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 11, 2018
157
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I'm an absolute novice when it comes to this stuff, but I'm tired of paying someone to swap my barrels. I just got an impact action and besides barrel vice, action wrench, and torque wrench. What do I need? And of those three, what do you recommend?
 
Barrel vice and action wrench I would say the torque wrench is optional but I have torqued all of mine. A few guys I shoot with don't use a torque wrench and they've never had any problems.
 
I’m in the same boat with a TL3. I got headspace gauges for my 2 calibers and the action wrench. Already had a torque wrench. (I just want to be consistent). Now waiting on a vice to go on sale...
 
I found headspace gauges for my 223 barrel but not my new 6.5 barrel for my TL3. Is it actually necessary to use gauges on a shouldered TL3 barrel?
 
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It SHOULD head space fine, but personally I like to have at least a go guage to verify everything is within tolerance if buying an off the shelf barrel. You can do the scotch tape trick on the go Guage to check no go.
I’ll probably end up buying the gauge when they come back in stock but I’m itching to put this new barrel on lol
 
I’ll have to check them out. Thanks!
Just mounted up everything and did the barrel swap. ( borrowed gauges from a friend and it was fine)
 
I’m in the same boat. Have a 6.5CM and a 224 Valk prefit on the way. Just need to get the headspace gauges.

From what I understand, You can use a Factory SAAMI round as the Go Gauge (min headspace) And then just purchase the Field Gauge (per PTG this is different than the no-go Gauge) to ensure you don’t have excessive headspace. PTG may have them in stock. I’d call before you place he order. If not in stock it could take awhile to get to you.

Someone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong......
 
I found headspace gauges for my 223 barrel but not my new 6.5 barrel for my TL3. Is it actually necessary to use gauges on a shouldered TL3 barrel?

What 6.5 you Shooting? Per Manson, a 6.5 CM Gauge is compatible with a 22CM, and a 6CM as well. So if you can find any of those gauges, they will work. If you’re shooting a 6.5x47 then a 6x47 Gauge will work.