Talk to me about installing my own barrel

[Kny88]

Looking to assemble an entire Rem pattern bolt gun myself. So a little bit of info first - I don't have experience on a lathe or a cnc machine. So what I have been reading up on is various enduser friendly systems for attaching barrels like WTO's SwitchLug, and Rem/Age barrel nut conversions. I don't mind buying tooling as I'd love to be able to build multiple rifles.

Are there other options out there I am overlooking?

Any preferences for which Rem/Age companies to go with? I know of Pac-Nor, NSS, and McGowen.

Based on what I have read about the SwitchLug it requires an action to be modified to pin it, is there a solution that doesn't involve paying a gunsmith 150 bucks to do this?

 

[Timgunner]

The switch lug is not within the realm of possibility for a DIY job. A very precise taper must be machined into the barrel tennon upon which the lug clamps to provide tension between the barrel shoulder and receiver face.

 

[Timgunner]

With that said I started out building rifles without a lathe or mill and made some really accurate rifles. The secret is prethreaded short chambered barrels. These type of barrels are much better than Remage or savage barrel nut in my opinion.

 

[Kny88]

With that said I started out building rifles without a lathe or mill and made some really accurate rifles. The secret is prethreaded short chambered barrels. These type of barrels are much better than Remage or savage barrel nut in my opinion.

What's involved in that process and what kind of tools we talkin? Is this similar to the job Larry Potterfield does in that goofy video with the happy music?

 

[Timgunner]

The tools you will need to complete one are as follows.
1. Barrel vice
2. Action wrench
3. Reamer T-handle
4. Reamer to match chamber
5. Headspace gauges
6. Cutting oil
If you want to lap bolt lugs and clean up the action you will also need
1. Bolt lapping fixture (threads into action has a spring plunger that provides pressure on the bolt face)
2. Lapping compound
3. 1-1/16 x16 Tap for action threads
4. Manson or Brownells action face cutter and Remington 700 pilot. ( disclaimer the brownells tool does not make the action face perpendicular to the bolt race way) That is its purpose but there is no way for it to run true in the action. Manson precision makes a kit to true actions that has precision bushings and a pilot that runs the full length of the bolt raceway. This is the tool to buy but it cost over $500 where the brownells costs $45

5. Manson precision Bolt face cutter and pilot bushing. This screws into the action and provides a bushing to align the bolt face cutter with the face of the action. The cutter is put into the bolt face and both inserted into the action. Then the cutter is turned with a power drill. This is the last opperation after the bolt lugs are lapped and the action face is trued.
6. Appropriate cutter for bolt face .223, 308 or magnum

 

[Timgunner]

I have all these tools and no longer use them since I bought a lathe and mill. If you are interested I can make you a deal and show you how to use them. (Except the barrel vice action wrench reamers and headspace gauges, I still use those)

 

[Timgunner]

Yes it is similar to Larry potterfield lol

 

[Timgunner]

I never heard anything else from him. I’ll send you a pm

 

[tcole75]

I’ve used a remage barrel for three years now. I notched my action with a Dremel and that was about it on any machining I had to do. After that it’s just getting a go gauge and setting your headspace correctly then tighten the nut.

 

[Acer76]

Looking to assemble an entire Rem pattern bolt gun myself. So a little bit of info first - I don't have experience on a lathe or a cnc machine. So what I have been reading up on is various enduser friendly systems for attaching barrels like WTO's SwitchLug, and Rem/Age barrel nut conversions. I don't mind buying tooling as I'd love to be able to build multiple rifles.

Are there other options out there I am overlooking?

Any preferences for which Rem/Age companies to go with? I know of Pac-Nor, NSS, and McGowen.

Based on what I have read about the SwitchLug it requires an action to be modified to pin it, is there a solution that doesn't involve paying a gunsmith 150 bucks to do this?

I’m looking at similar project. Have you considered or researched Impact Precision? Their 737r action works with shouldered, pre-chambered barrels both they produce and PVA produces. I understand you can switch barrels easily with a barrel vice and action wrench. There are several relevant threads if you do some searching. I’ll post links in a few...

 

[Acer76]

I’m looking at similar project. Have you considered or researched Impact Precision? Their 737r action works with shouldered, pre-chambered barrels both they produce and PVA produces. I understand you can switch barrels easily with a barrel vice and action wrench. There are several relevant threads if you do some searching. I’ll post links in a few...

Impact DIY Thread

Impact Actions Info Thread

Impact Actions Thread 2

 

[Bwells]

It doesn’t get any easier for someone looking to barrel their own action than the savage or remage system.

 

[tsu45]

It doesn’t get any easier for someone looking to barrel their own action than the savage or remage system.

Shouldered prefits on Bighorn, ARC, or Impact actions seem easier to me.

 

[PaganSnake]

Nothing wrong with a prefit. I re-barreled my r700 .308 to 6.5 with a Mcree Precision pre-fit and it shoots 5 round dimes at 100. I've got over 900 rounds through the barrel and its still going strong. They may not be as "sexy" but you can do it on your bench with a barrel vice, action wrench, go/nogo gauges and a torque wrench in less than an hour.

 

[tsu45]

Nothing wrong with a prefit. I re-barreled my r700 .308 to 6.5 with a Mcree Precision pre-fit and it shoots 5 round dimes at 100. I've got over 900 rounds through the barrel and its still going strong. They may not be as "sexy" but you can do it on your bench with a barrel vice, action wrench, go/nogo gauges and a torque wrench in less than an hour.

They all shoot, but with a shouldered prefit you just need the same tools less the gauges, so even easier.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

A first build would not be my choice as a learning project converting a barrel blank to a finished barrel.

The market has ample sources for obtaining first rate finished barrels, and the process, done correctly, involves ore than might appear at first glance.

I buy my barrels, and have had good experience with obtaining barrels from Lothar-Walther and Stag, and that's just scratching the surface of the market.

I am not anything like being a prolific rifle builder, more the home hobbyist type. I am neither qualified nor equipped to configure and finish a barrrel by myself.

Greg

 

[supercorndogs]

They all shoot, but with a shouldered prefit you just need the same tools less the gauges, so even easier.

No, you need a a gauge and finishing reamer to do shouldered short chambered pre-fit on a Remington. They are not consistent like some of the custom actions they make shouldered headspace barrels for.