Gunsmithing Remage barrel keeps shooting loose

[dleeds]

So here is the deal. Twice now, a remage barrel nut barrel in 284 has come loose after shooting. The first time, I hand tightened (no torque wrench) the nut and "tapped it with a hammer". After 10 or so rounds, it twisted loose.

2nd time round, I torqued it down to 100 FT Lbs with a torque wrench. Shot 50 rounds trying to find a load. When I got home to clean the barrel, it was loose.

What is going on? Has anyone had this experience? I am going to check the twist on the barrel, to see if it may be opposite to the tenon threads. I honestly can't think of another reason.

 

[JMGlasgow]

Did you replace the recoil lug as well? If not, maybe the stock lug isn't truly flat allowing the nut to cone loose? Just throwing out ideas, I could be completely wrong.

I have a Criterion Remage and it has stayed tight, I didn't install it so I don't know what it was torqued to.

 

[Sierra770]

I run only Remage setups and I have not experienced this, but you may want to have a gunsmith check the lug, face and receiver threads. I rarely go over 50 ft lbs of torque on any of my remage setups so if 100 is coming loose, there are likely some surface mating pr thread issues.

Did you have any work done to the receiver prior to this build?

 

[Keith Johns]

Are you holding the action in a wrench, the barrel in a vise, and turning the nut via a nut wrench?

Thats how we do it so we can easily control the timing of everything. Are you sure nothing is rotating that you didn't realize is rotating?

Im just trying to think of the unlikely.

I tighten them very tight now, and like I said I have the barrel in the vise, the nut wrench on the nut, and our action wrench on the action.

That's the easiest way for me to keep everything where I want it and get the exact headpacing I want, and I have the ability to tighten it far beyond necessary(not that I would).

If you're doing that and you're sure it's tightened properly, only other thing I can think of is: was the action trued by someone who opened it up to 1.072"? That would make the thread fit LOOSE.


We're happy to help you figure it out. If you're local by chance, here in AZ, I'll look at it for free.

Keith Johns, Phoenix Custom Rifles

 

[dleeds]

It actually happened on 2 actions. The first was a Lone Peak Razor. 10 shots in, loose barrel. I ended up using that action with another barrel (which stayed tight). 2nd was a Rem 700 action.

The twist is correct. I was hoping that was the problem.

 

[Wannashootit]

It actually happened on 2 actions. The first was a Lone Peak Razor. 10 shots in, loose barrel. I ended up using that action with another barrel (which stayed tight). 2nd was a Rem 700 action.

The twist is correct. I was hoping that was the problem.

This would seem to indicate an issue with the barrel tenon/threads IMO.

Does the barrel screw in "snugly" with minimal play? Or is there perceptible "wobble" (sorry about the non-scientific terms...) as it's screwed into the receiver? If there's noticeable "slop"- that's likely the problem.

Best way to check is to measure the threads over wires ( any machine shop or smith will have them) to see if they are within spec. If you have a mike, you could check the major diameter of the tenon.

K. Johns is spot on. I've yet to be able to tighten a nut and not have the action rotate if it's not held in an action wrench at the same time the nut is tightened. But, this wouldn't change your issue IMO- rotation of the receiver when tightening would increase headspace, but wouldn't affect your ability to tighten the nut securely.

 

[dleeds]

Also, during installation, I put the barrel in a vise, the action gets turned with a gigantic action wrench, and the nut is tightened with a nut wrench attached to a torque wrench. I make sure nothing is rotating without my "permission".

 

[dleeds]

Wannashootit - I first noticed the barrel was loose when I took it out to clean after getting home from the range, and the the barrel "wobbled" in my hand. It still had not unscrewed more than a rotation.

 

[Keith Johns]

Sorry if I missed this answer, but how much wobble does the action have when screwed most of the way on to the tenon? .. without the nut against it?

If the thread fit is amazingly sloppy that could do it. But I've never seen it. It would have to be loose as f$&@. So loose I would think it would strip from 100ft/lbs, but I've never tightened one down that loose so I'm not sure.

 

[dleeds]

It wasn't loose, so much as it "clunked" when i pushed against it. It then "clunked" back when I pressed the opposite way. I originally thought that the handguard was loose, but when I manipulated the barrel, it easily rotated.

 

[Keith Johns]

Sounds like you might have a super loose barrel tenon, or the thread angle is off... like opposite buttress or something.
Could be the barrel or the but I suppose.


Any guys doing Remage builds, be sure when your action is trued the threads aren't being opened up. Cleaned up, fine, but not cut larger. Any 1.062" barrel you put on would be loose(that's standard for 700s, and many aftermarkets).

Our truing method is perfect for Remage projects

 

[Wannashootit]

Wannashootit - I first noticed the barrel was loose when I took it out to clean after getting home from the range, and the the barrel "wobbled" in my hand. It still had not unscrewed more than a rotation.

Barrel's the culprit. No way you'd have the same issue on two unrelated, "un-trued" actions. Shouldn't have any noticeable play one rotation short of contact.

Assuming this is a new barrel, contact the manuf.- you got a bad one.

 

[Sierra770]

I concur. I would contact the manufacturer at this point.

 

[Pastureman98]

My Remage came loose once when we tightened it to 35lb. Tightened it to 50lb and after 130 rnds it is still tight so far. I marked a nut notch on each side very small with a marker so I could tell if the nut moves. I'm watching it closely and hopefully it will stay tight.