Gunsmithing Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

[jasonk]

I swear I've seen this before, but can't find pics or info on it.

Say I want a Surgeon switch barrel and don't want to use a barrel vise. Maybe I'll just leave it in the AICS when changing barrels and clamp that in a regular vise. Can a barrel be machined just forward of the action so that it has two flat sides and an open end wrench can simply be used to snug it up? Maybe just make some witness marks so you tighten to the same place every time?

I'm sure I'm over simplifying it and I'm missing something....or it's just a terrible idea. Any experiences doing this?

 

[B.Bates]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

http://www.lprgunsmith.com/lpr_switch_rifle.htm

like that

 

[jasonk]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

Well....kind of. I was thinking of two flat sides only and right in front of the action, the scope would have to come off in my idea.

I guess it could be forward of the scope too, maybe right at the end of the stocks forend.

 

[Mgordon]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

It would not be too bad. The gunsmith would just have to have an accurate divinding head that would allow you to make your cuts and rotate the barrel 90 degrees or so. I have one and thought about giving it a shot, but I have no need for that on my own rifles.

Mark

 

[jasonk]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

Any danger of screwing up the barrel/tube/rifling? Or just use lots of coolant?

 

[B.Bates]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

i see what you are saying,it sounds like a good idea, i just wonder if over time a wrench would mark the finish of the barrel

just curious

why not use a surgeon or hollands action wrench and a barrel vise?

 

[eddybo]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

Seen spanner wrenches used where all that is needed is a single hole drilled. I cannot remember who built the gun, but I ended up with one of the barrels and the spanner wrench from a buddy. It worked like a champ, I sold it a while back, or I would post a pic.

 

[was21]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

I have a switch-barrel done by Derrick Martin--Accuracy Speaks--
that he did for me by machining flats at the muzzle. Just have to throw a socket over it!...neat setup.
FWIW
wes in AZ

 

[Strickland]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

why not just use an action wrench and a barrel vise?

 

[257speed]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

Depending on how hard you are torquing it, I would want the flats as close to the action as possible, but you could certainly put them forward of your scope bell without worry. Two flats, opposite eachother would be cool.

 

[BPaige]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

Don't really need a dividing head to mill two opposing flats...

 

[jasonk]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strickland</div><div class="ubbcode-body">why not just use an action wrench and a barrel vise?</div></div>

I'm a little lazy and don't really have a place to permanently mount a barrel vise. Doing it in the past by clamping it down has been a pain and the barrel vise/bushings/etc annoys me. If the switch barrel isn't really quick and really easy then I find myself not actually switching the barrels and just shooting what's on there. Plus, I'm thinking my KISS solution may allow for easier swaps in the field where a barrel vise really isn't handy.

 

[GasLight]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strickland</div><div class="ubbcode-body">why not just use an action wrench and a barrel vise?</div></div>

I'm a little lazy and don't really have a place to permanently mount a barrel vise. Doing it in the past by clamping it down has been a pain and the barrel vise/bushings/etc annoys me. If the switch barrel isn't really quick and really easy then I find myself not actually switching the barrels and just shooting what's on there. Plus, I'm thinking my KISS solution may allow for easier swaps in the field where a barrel vise really isn't handy. </div></div>

Sounds like you need a DTA

Or a double scoped rifle case LOL

 

[chpprguy]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

Why not shallow flutes similar to a Savage barrel nut,
then have a wrench made at the same time?

 

[Glen Seekins]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

How about just buy another rifle in the other caliber then you wont have to fuss with any of it...cheapskate...

You will still need to hold onto the action unless you dont put much torque on the barrel.

If you leave it in your stock you will want the wrench flats in front of your forend.

 

[jasonk]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: heatseekins</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How about just buy another rifle in the other caliber then you wont have to fuss with any of it...cheapskate...

</div></div>

I basically have already for 243, 260 & 308....but I don't even like 308....yet I feel some compelling reason to own a long and a short barreled one

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

its been posted already, but http://www.lprgunsmith.com/lpr_switch_rifle.htm

read the text here where he uses 3 barrels in one match, all changed on the line. i have no idea why he does it, but he does it with ease it seems.

its totally your call, but instead of redesigning the surgeon why not build on the savage action thats already kinda setup for what you want. why redesign the wheel?

 

[jasonk]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AXEMAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">its totally your call, but instead of redesigning the surgeon why not build on the savage action thats already kinda setup for what you want. why redesign the wheel?</div></div>

The Surgeons integral lug makes it easy....and I've got one already sitting in a 2.0 aics.

 

[B y r o n]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

Something to think about; two flats would require that the barreled action be taken out of the stock, unless they were futher down the barrel past the end of the stock. Here is the reason: Once you put the wrench on the flats how are you going to turn it? As soon as you try the wrench is going to come in contact with the stock, not enough room.

Here's an idea for your barrel vise. I mounted a Brownell's vise on a piece of square thick wall tube and mounted it to my receiver hitch. It ain't going no place.

Well actually it can you just put it in the truck and take it with you. Now you just need an action wrench, rear entry would probably keep you from having to take the barreled action out of the stock.

 

[300sniper]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

if you remove the skins, an aics should have plenty of room to break a barrel loose with a open end wrench. the barrel sits above the chassis.

personally, i would want the wrench contacting as close to the receiver as possible. i am not sure i would want to reduce od of the area around the chamber by making external cuts though.

if you really want to do something like this and were willing to pay extra, i bet you barrel manufacture could start with a larger diameter bar and contour it leaving a larger ring that can be machined down to a hex. this way the od of the barrel is never smaller than normal. you could slide a 1-1/4" box end wrench up your barrel and break it loose. with a 12 point wrench, you could get to it no matter how it clocked, unlike if there were only two flats on the barrel.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Surgeons integral lug makes it easy....and I've got one already sitting in a 2.0 aics. </div></div>


ahh, well i did not know that. learn something new everyday. plus if you already have it, makes sense.

 

[shane45]

Re: Machining a barrel so you can use a wrench on it?

I remember this. IIRC, and this is going back a while, George from GAP had the end of his muzzle machined in the shape to recieve a socket on his personal rifle.

Shane