External action wrench

[NewGuy308]

So I’m slowly getting into rebarreling my rifles myself. I was talking to my local gun smith and he said always remove the action with an external wrench and install with an internal wrench. I recently bought a Remington 700 action and brought it to him to get it barreled. After talking to him for awhile, it came up that I was a machinist, so he let me watch him and gave me tips while he installed the barrel on my action.

So my question is how does the external action wrench hold the action?

I would like to make my own since I have the time and resources. So do I make a bolt together wrench that holds the action in “V blocks” with a notch to grab the recoil lug? Or should the action bolt to the wrench through the front action screw hole and also clamp around the action? I believe the small hole in front of the ejection port is to let gas escape in case of an over pressure, so I’m sure I would not want to use that.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Wannashootit]

So my question is how does the external action wrench hole the action?

Look through these. Depends on the action shape/dimension, as to which base/head is needed.

BROWNELLS UNIVERSAL RIFLE ACTION WRENCH & HEAD | Brownells

The only commercially available action wrench system that surrounds and supports the receiver ring and recoil lug to distribute potentially damaging torque forces equally. The solid steel base has a unique, machined relief to clear the recoil lug...

www.brownells.com

 

[Rob01]

Just use the internal for both installing and taking apart. It will be fine. Maybe taking off a Remington installed barrel an external might be better as they are tough to take off but if you have just the action then use the same internal for both once you get the barrel installed. Make sure to get the recoil lug pinned too.

 

[Steel head]

If I was to make one I’d bore out the hole to match the action OD
Cut it in half and face the cut to get enough clamping force.
Drill a hole to interface with front action screw.
Mill out pocket to hold the recoil lug(with possibly two set screws to perfectly align it with multiple lug shapes) and face the forward flat.
Drill to accept a long rod or bolt on flat for use in a Vice and leverage.
Possibly drill the broach out a 1/2 square for a torque wrench.
This is a fine example.

Or just buy one from NSS.

 

[Supersubes]

If I was to make one I’d bore out the hole to match the action OD
Cut it in half and face the cut to get enough clamping force.
Drill a hole to interface with front action screw.
Mill out pocket to hold the recoil lug(with possibly two set screws to perfectly align it with multiple lug shapes) and face the forward flat.
Drill to accept a long rod or bolt on flat for use in a Vice and leverage.
Possibly drill the broach out a 1/2 square for a torque wrench.
This is a fine example.
View attachment 7620077View attachment 7620078


Or just buy one from NSS.

That’s purdy!

 

[Steel head]

That’s purdy!

I found it impressive!

 

[valsport]

If I was to make one I’d bore out the hole to match the action OD
Cut it in half and face the cut to get enough clamping force.
Drill a hole to interface with front action screw.
Mill out pocket to hold the recoil lug(with possibly two set screws to perfectly align it with multiple lug shapes) and face the forward flat.
Drill to accept a long rod or bolt on flat for use in a Vice and leverage.
Possibly drill the broach out a 1/2 square for a torque wrench.
This is a fine example.
View attachment 7620077View attachment 7620078


Or just buy one from NSS.

That's one fine piece of work. When you say NSS, is that Northland Shooters Supply?

 

[Steel head]

That's one fine piece of work. When you say NSS, is that Northland Shooters Supply?

Yes