Gunsmithing Help please - swap barrels on Surgeon XL action?

[JB02]

I have a Surgeon XL attached to a heavy duty MTU Bartlein barrel in a Manners T4A stock. I love shooting it, but it is one heavy sucker (19.2 lbs), and I would prefer something a bit lighter to carry with me when I go hunting this fall. I don't really want to buy another rifle; I'm thinking that I would like to swap out the stock and barrel when I take it hunting. Manners can make me a 90% carbon fiber T3 that only weighs 2.2 lbs, and I'm thinking of going with a fluted Rock Creek #6 sporter. This will save me 4.5-5 lbs of weight; much more manageable.

Before I go down this road, I want to know what tools I need to swap between the two barrels on the surgeon XL action. I have never changed out a barrel, nor have I seen it done on a Surgeon action. I'm thinking that I need the following at a minimum:

- Surgeon action wrench
- Torque wrench with 1/2" adapter to fit to the action wrench
- Barrel vise
- Barrel vise bushings

How big of a torque wrench do I need? What spec do I need to torque the barrels?

What kind of a barrel vise should I get? I have seen them run from ~ $60-$250. I'm really just looking for the minimum necessary to adequately get the job done.

From looking at Brownells, I can't really tell what size of barrel vise bushings I need for the MTU and #6 sporter contours. Does anyone have the secret decoder ring for this, or are they unnecessary?

Are there any other tools, recommendations, techniques, or other considerations any of you have me? As always, I very much appreciate the great feedback I get from you.

 

[Blackbrush]

Re: Help please - swap barrels on Surgeon XL action?

I have a custom Dakota hunting rifle that I swap between 257 Wea and 340 Wea regularly. I happen to be now planning a Surgeon switch barrel that will be 338LM and 7mm/338LM. It is easy to do. I made my own barrel vise out of a block of aluminum (it works better than the one the 'smith made for me). I have a large t-handle wrench that slides down the lug raceways to the front ring. It's quite simple. Feel free to PM if you want greater detail.

 

[Patrick Morris]

Re: Help please - swap barrels on Surgeon XL action?

The tools you listed are plenty to get the job done. Another thing you can do is make an index mark on the Barrel and action. That way when you put the barrel back on, you can visually make sure that the barrel is lined up as it was from the smith. Just food for thought

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: Help please - swap barrels on Surgeon XL action?

The Tubb barrel vise that is avaliable at Midway is what I use on my Switchbarrel

the vise does not need bushings and works great

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Help please - swap barrels on Surgeon XL action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LT JGB</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
- Surgeon action wrench
- Torque wrench with 1/2" adapter to fit to the action wrench
- Barrel vise
- Barrel vise bushings
</div></div>

Check, check and check..........good to go with your list.

I use the QD Series Click Snapon Tourque Wrench, 50-250#'s and use the tourque setting at 90'#'s. Using the Surgeon action wrench with it's added length adds approx 10% so roughly 100'#s is where I'm at, Surgeon does the same BTW.

No real secrets to changing barrels, you'll be GTG.

 

[JB02]

Re: Help please - swap barrels on Surgeon XL action?

Thanks, wnroscoe ... gives me confidence to hear this from you. I'll keep an eye out for that torque wrench your recommend along with the tubbs barrel vise and go to 90#. Got a PM from Stephen at Surgeon who said exact same thing you did about using the action wrench and the extra lever arm on a torque wrench ... very much appreciate getting feedback and tips from the experts.

Put in my orders for the barrel and stock today. Need to wait a few months for the barrel and stock build, but hunting season's months away anyway.