Gunsmithing Universal action wrench?

[Joeydias3]

Let me first say I am in no way shape or form a gunsmith by any stretch of the imagination.

I’m looking to get around the rebarrel wait times, and get into installing pre fits at home. I like the idea of a rear entry action wrench. I currently have a few factory rem 700 actions, and a big horn origin LA on the way. With future plans of getting a defiance tenacity.

Is there a “universal” rear entry wrench out there that would work With what I’ve got? I see one on bighorns website, but they don’t mention the defiance actions.

 

[spife7980]

Seeing as how none of those have an integral scope rail to muddy the waters, any reasoning why you want internal vs external?

 

[Banango]

Let me first say I am in no was shape or form a gunsmith by any stretch of the imagination.

I’m looking to get around the rebarrel wait times, and get into installing pre fits at home. I like the idea of a rear entry action wrench. I currently have a few factory rem 700 actions, and a big horn origin LA on the way. With future plans of getting a defiance tenacity.

Is there a “universal” rear entry wrench out there that would work With what I’ve got? I see one on bighorns website, but they don’t mention the defiance actions.

A standard 700 wrench works with all 3 but if your installing barrel nut type barrels an external will probably treat you a little better.

 

[Joeydias3]

Seeing as how none of those have an integral scope rail to muddy the waters, any reasoning why you want internal vs external?

To get around removing rails and triggers?
I don’t know, never done it. Just curious what people prefer.

 

[Joeydias3]

A standard 700 wrench works with all 3 but if your installing barrel nut type barrels an external will probably treat you a little better.

How come?

 

[spife7980]

To get around removing rails and triggers?
I don’t know, never done it. Just curious what people prefer.

Thats a fair reason, just wanting to make sure you had at least put the minimum amount of thought into it lol

The rem700 wrench will work if it 1) has a clearance cut for the mechanical ejector that sticks out inside the action or 2) you remove the ejector first.
You can see how the bighorn bolt has the clearance cut into it, the action wrench would need something similar.

 

[Joeydias3]

@spife7980 Ok I see. So maybe getting an external wrench and taking the time to remove rails and triggers is a better way?

 

[Banango]

How come?

Your gonna be messing with 2 wrenches simultaneously. If itll be less of a headache to get the external since its securely on there. Option be is go internal and just use shouldered barrels. Theres plenty of smiths with 3 week turn-around time frames.

 

[Joeydias3]

Your gonna be messing with 2 wrenches simultaneously. If itll be less of a headache to get the external since its securely on there. Option be is go internal and just use shouldered barrels. Theres plenty of smiths with 3 week turn-around time frames.

Makes perfect sense! I do have one Remington action with a 6 creed remage nut. And having to run one wrench on the nut, then one straight the back of the action would be fucked! Lol thanks!

 

[spife7980]

@spife7980 Ok I see. So maybe getting an external wrench and taking the time to remove rails and triggers is a better way?

I wouldn’t say better but the external wrench is the most adaptable, it’s just bigger and more burdensome with having to remove and assemble it all. And since you already have a remage I assume you would already have the external. I already had mine from my remage and I use it fine on the bighorns and the defiance would work as well.

 

[Cascade Hemi]

You don't have to remove the TL3 ejector if you use a wrench from Big Horn. I mount the barrel in the vice and then headspace the action with a torque wrench and a 1/2" ratchet depending on if it's shouldered or if it has a nut. The Big Horn wrench fits in Reminton actions too.

 

[Joeydias3]

I wouldn’t say better but the external wrench is the most adaptable, it’s just bigger and more burdensome with having to remove and assemble it all. And since you already have a remage I assume you would already have the external. I already had mine from my remage and I use it fine on the bighorns and the defiance would work as well.

Ok sounds good. No I don’t have one. there is a smith in here in my small town and he charged me $50 to pull off an old 308 barrel and install my 6 creed remage. But he’s a salty old prick and a pain to deal with. If it’s not a 7stw it’s garbage! Lol

 

[Joeydias3]

You don't have to remove the TL3 ejector if you use a wrench from Big Horn. I mount the barrel in the vice and then headspace the action with a torque wrench and a 1/2" ratchet depending on if it's shouldered or if it has a nut. The Big Horn wrench fits in Reminton actions too.

That’s another question I have. I understand how the headspacing works on a barrel but, how do I do it with a shouldered prefit? Just torque it down to the action?

 

[antithesis]

Been a while, but I think my Defiance 700 action wrench said not to exceed 120 ft lbs. Whatever the instructions said, it definitely struck me that I would not be able to have gotten a couple past factory barrels off with it. With that a rear entry wrenches may not be great for breaking lose factory Rem 700 barreled actions. Even with some heat on the receiver you may exceed the max torque for the unit.

 

[Cascade Hemi]

That’s another question I have. I understand how the headspacing works on a barrel but, how do I do it with a shouldered prefit? Just torque it down to the action?

You don't set the HS on a shouldered prefit, just torque it and verify it with gages.

 

[Joeydias3]

@antithesis Thats what the smith that took my factor gun apart was saying. He almost had to cut the barrel out of the action it was so tight. Got a 6 foot cheater bar and it popped loose. That’s probably the last factory action I mess around with.

 

[Joeydias3]

You don't set the HS on a shouldered prefit, just torque it and verify it with gages.

That’s what I was thinking. Thanks!

 

[Praeger]

Mark Gordon has a modular action wrench. https://www.shortactioncustoms.com/modular-action-wrench-another-short-action-customs-exclusive/

 

[Joeydias3]

@Praeger that looks promising! I’ll keep my eye out for it. Thank you

 

[Average guy]

I run an external action wrench from Northland shooters supply. I prefer an external on Remage/savage builds.