Gunsmithing Switch barrel system questions

[Carpdoctor]

I have never owned a switch barrel but I have been looking at the West Texas Ordnance system. I like the idea of not having to remove the scope as I would with a remage\savage system. But what about a traditional barrel and action. One where the barrel is fit by an smith and just needs to be screwed on and torqued. How much torque is applied to the barrel? Can a barrel be easily unscrewed and another screwed on or does this require a action wrench and optics removal?

LRI did my last rifle and it shoots great. I would prefer them do my next rifle but I want a switch barrel that is easy to switch barrels on .

Thanks

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

Barrel vice and action wrench is all that's needed. The only time I use a torque wrench is when I'm doing OEM work and have to meet a spec. A T-handle wrench and lean on it hard and you're around 80 Ft/lbs. Grunt and it's 100 ft/lbs. Really grunt and it's about 120 ft/lbs but 80 ft/lbs is all that's needed.
If you can change a light bulb you can change a barrel.

 

[bogey]

LRi can easly set that up.
of course Dave, who responded first, is one of the best

 

[ZY100]

I have a few rifles that LRI worked on--they shoot great
I have a rifle LRI did with two barrels fitted that I swap barrels with the barrel vice in my garage--shoots great
I just got my comp gun (Defiant) back from West Texas Ord with a Switch Lug and Hawk Hill 6.5/Bartlien 223--shoots great so far (See pic).
-- No load dev, juts some ammo I had laying around (and yes, this is 128 SD on the RDFs...but I didnt load them!)

A few thoughts;
- Swapping barrels with a vice is not a big deal; takes 5 minutes but I cant really do it at the range
- Switch lug lets me (or friends) use the 223 to blast around at the range, practice positional, shooting from props, varmint hunting, or just screwing around with my good glass, good scope and my comp gun. Then I can put my 6.5 barrel back on, reconfirm zero and go home. No running back and forth.
- The switch lug is just another option, and for me, makes life easier
- I do wonder about the torque...threads typically work best with some...I just "snap it on" a couple of times to be sure it is seated all the way and tighten the lug. Works fine so far.

I do know West Texas was simply AWESOME to work with, they do very good work, and Clayton and crew are good people.

ZY

 

[Carpdoctor]

If I can easily switch barrels without removing my scope, I don't mind a traditional shouldered system. But the WTO system does look good. I live in the Midwest and it's shotgun only for deer. So most of my guns are setup heavy and I don't have a light rifle anymore. I want to be able to screw on a light barrel or even a short 18" barrel to suppress when it suits me. I don't want a dedicated light rifle because I seldom travel to hunt, so a switch barrel seems like a perfect solution.

I like the looks of the Bighorn action but I want a lightweight action for this build. Any suggestions?

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

I have a few rifles that LRI worked on--they shoot great
I have a rifle LRI did with two barrels fitted that I swap barrels with the barrel vice in my garage--shoots great
I just got my comp gun (Defiant) back from West Texas Ord with a Switch Lug and Hawk Hill 6.5/Bartlien 223--shoots great so far (See pic).
-- No load dev, juts some ammo I had laying around (and yes, this is 128 SD on the RDFs...but I didnt load them!)

A few thoughts;
- Swapping barrels with a vice is not a big deal; takes 5 minutes but I cant really do it at the range
- Switch lug lets me (or friends) use the 223 to blast around at the range, practice positional, shooting from props, varmint hunting, or just screwing around with my good glass, good scope and my comp gun. Then I can put my 6.5 barrel back on, reconfirm zero and go home. No running back and forth.
- The switch lug is just another option, and for me, makes life easier
- I do wonder about the torque...threads typically work best with some...I just "snap it on" a couple of times to be sure it is seated all the way and tighten the lug. Works fine so far.

I do know West Texas was simply AWESOME to work with, they do very good work, and Clayton and crew are good people.

ZY

Do you have a receiver hitch on your vehicle? I have a combo bracket that holds my reloading press as well as a barrel vice.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

You got a pic of that, Dave?

 

[Bradu]

You got a pic of that, Dave?

All you need is 2" square tubing and make an L shaped piece with a plate on top. I bought the tubing to make mine but I'm waiting on better weather to build it. I'm going to make mine come out just past the tailgate when it's down and have it be the same height so I have a place to lay parts.

 

[jbell]

The switch lug from WTO is pretty cool.
Have you considered an AI with the Quick Lock or a DTA? I have been thoroughly impressed with my AIAT. It will consistently hold 1/2 moa or less for 5 rounds (at 100 yards) with removing the barrel before every round is fired which is about as good as I can shoot when coming out of position for each shot. Pretty hard to beat that...

 

[Ledzep]

Might check out the new American Rifle Co. Barloc. Similar idea to the switchlug but I think a little cleaner execution. I talked with Josh at PVA and if we understand each other prefit shouldered barrels could be made receiver unseen because there's maybe .005-.010" of expansion of the Barloc so there's a decent tolerance range a prefit can be made and still headspace (Obviously this would change from one brand receiver to the next).