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Gunsmithing Mounting a pre-fit barrel to a stock Rem. action?

Sid Post

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 13, 2006
178
11
Texas and Oklahoma, USA
Can a non-gunsmith properly headspace and mount a factory take-off barrel to a stock Remington action? What tools would I need and where should I buy them? Or, am I better off sending off to a qualified gunsmith?
 
Re: Mounting a pre-fit barrel to a stock Rem. action?

Honestly you should have a GS do it headspace is no place to learn smithing.It's not overly complicated but it needs to be right.

The real question is what you'll wind up with? Most here are pursuing consistencey a take off is less then an ideal place to start.

If your intent on doing get a set of go/no go gauges.A action wrench and barrel vise.Mark your recoil lug position with a few indicator marks.Screw on the barrel most factory barrels are on pretty tight my guess would be around 95 lbs but thats a guess.

Now dissasemble your bolt and remove the ejector.Install the go gauge and see if the bolt drops freely....if yes switch to the no go if it gets hung up at a point when closing yout gtg.If it closes your headspace is excessive then its off to the smith.If the go does'nt close freely its off to the smith.

Hope this helps.
 
Re: Mounting a pre-fit barrel to a stock Rem. action?

I did a simple barrel swap yesterday.
The customer had bought a thin barrel SPS and ended up wanting a heavy barrel.
He brought over a take-off factory remington heavy barrel.
I checked headspace of each barrel and the heavy barrel was 0.0015" shorter than the original barrel.
After assembly to check headspace, I found the gun to be 0.005" over "go".
I surface ground 0.003" from the lug and the gun is snug on a 1.632" gauge now.
 
Re: Mounting a pre-fit barrel to a stock Rem. action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 2156SMK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I did a simple barrel swap yesterday.
The customer had bought a thin barrel SPS and ended up wanting a heavy barrel.
He brought over a take-off factory remington heavy barrel.
I checked headspace of each barrel and the heavy barrel was 0.0015" shorter than the original barrel.
After assembly to check headspace, I found the gun to be 0.005" over "go".
I surface ground 0.003" from the lug and the gun is snug on a 1.632" gauge now. </div></div>
Simple and to the point and you have a happy customer. We all wish every one wanted a new barrel with all the trimmings but sometimes making them happy (and safe) is the best answer. Well put
 
Re: Mounting a pre-fit barrel to a stock Rem. action?

Thanks everyone!

I have a 1x12 rifle and need to go 1x9 or better for heavier rounds so I don't ding my suppressor if someone slips a heavy match round in without me knowing. I also need the barrel turned down so, I'm looking for a stainless one.
 
Re: Mounting a pre-fit barrel to a stock Rem. action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 2156SMK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I did a simple barrel swap yesterday.
The customer had bought a thin barrel SPS and ended up wanting a heavy barrel.
He brought over a take-off factory remington heavy barrel.
I checked headspace of each barrel and the heavy barrel was 0.0015" shorter than the original barrel.
After assembly to check headspace, I found the gun to be 0.005" over "go".
I surface ground 0.003" from the lug and the gun is snug on a 1.632" gauge now.</div></div>

Interesting way of headspacing. Doing it this way definitely saves you the time of dialing in the barrel!
 
Re: Mounting a pre-fit barrel to a stock Rem. action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wtopace</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Interesting way of headspacing. Doing it this way definitely saves you the time of dialing in the barrel! </div></div>

You have to keep the context of the big picture.
Stock un-trued reciever.
Stock barrel.
Customer does not want to pay for a full rebuild.
We assume the barrel and receiver are "square enough" for the needs of the customer.

The lug is the easiest part to modify.
I have a surface grinder.

The barrel and receiver are just as square now as they were before disassembly.
The customer is happy...