Dumb question about swapping barrels in a vise

[SuperSneakySniper]

Hey there,

So... Do i need to buy a barrel vise to swap pre-headspaced barrels out? Torquing to approx. 80ft.
I only ask because I have a bench vise with some "soft jaws" (rubber vise inserts that are contoured to hug barrels) and had no problem torquing my AR15 barrel nut to 60ft with them.
You guys think that a regular ol bench vise with rubber inserts will do?

 

[Bradu]

I would spend the money on a viper vise, they are cheap and work good for that. I've started using that more than my Brownells vise lately.

 

[SuperSneakySniper]

Fair enough. I just wanted to make sure i wasnt about to spend unnecesary money. Thanks!

 

[Crang]

I would spend the money on a viper vise, they are cheap and work good for that. I've started using that more than my Brownells vise lately.

I just got the Brownells vice setup after a lot of deliberation. Have a Tikka and TRG with notoriously tight barrels I need to get off. What do you like about the Viper better?

 

[Greg Langelius *]

For my Savage rifles, once they have been loosened from the original factory torque spec, I use a standard bench vise and resilient plastic jaws.

Since the loosening was done once by a gunsmith, I do OK with what I have.

Greg

 

[Bradu]

I just use it to swap barrels on custom builds so I don't need to get carried away with torque. I recently started to leave the gun in the chassis and put the vise in front of the forearm where the barrel is tapered. It fits the taper really well and saves time on switching barrels. It saves me from having different bushing for different contours.

 

[Bradu]

Forgot to mention, for removing factory barrels I would stick with the Brownells.