Someone mentioned switch barrel systems in another thread and got me curious. Has anyone every heard of this working on a Tikka action? I have a T3 Sporter in .308 currently.
Switch Barrel System on Tikka Action?
- Thread starter zanemoseley
- Start date
wvlongshot
Gold $$ Contributor
Works very well. No recoil lug to contend with lining up either on the T3.
watercam
Silver $$ Contributor
My first match rifle was a Tikka 595 and I used three barrels for it depending upon the course of fire I was shooting. The 595 had a flat bottom so I used a Wheeler Mauser action wrench with brass or lead shims to prevent marring the action. Worked great for me. One of those "I can't believe I sold it" guns.
So how do I set it up for switch barrel. Is there some sort of a system I buy? How do you switch out?
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Any rifle is a switch barrel. You just get the tools required and get your gunsmith to chamber more barrels. Theres nothing special about setting it up
I just bought a Savage 12 F/TR on here to use as a switch barrel. I think it gives the shooter a good ability to test out different chamberings easily.
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
I recently got a 595 in 22-250 AI just for that purpose. I'll be getting a barrel in 30br and 6br made up for it. I have a barrel vise so I just need an action wrench. Easy to do, if I can find a rear entry action wrench. A guy on here made one out of a crowbar but I'm hoping I can find one made commercially. If not, I may have one made or get a Mauser type "clamp around" wrench from Midway. Only takes an extra 10 minutes to take the stock off . The big issue seems to be getting the factory barrel off the first time.
Mine was off to make the AI conversion, so I'm hoping the Smith didn't torque it down too much.
Mine was off to make the AI conversion, so I'm hoping the Smith didn't torque it down too much.
Last edited:
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
Although factory barrels can be installed to unnecessarily high torque, and/or with some kind of thread locking compound, once they have been removed, on in the case of a custom rebarrel, all that is needed to remove and replace a barrel is a barrel vise of the low torque variety, like benchrest competitors use (that do not require barrel contour specific inserts) and and the proper action wrench for the specific action being used. Savage's barrel nut system is only an advantage because it allows users to buy pre-threaded and chambered barrels, that can be installed without the use of a lathe, by setting the headspace using the nut, and a suitable gauge. Barrels that are fitted to a specific action by a gunsmith, are easier and more convenient to switch because the headspace setting is built in, by virtue of the position of the barrel shoulder face to the headspace gauge, when the chambering and fitting was done.
Quote from BoydAllen;
".....Savage's barrel nut system is only an advantage because it allows users to buy pre-threaded and chambered barrels, that can be installed without the use of a lathe, by setting the headspace using the nut, and a suitable gauge......"
Not having to buy a lathe I would consider being a big deal. Being able to switch barrels myself is a big deal. Setting the headspace exactly to what I want is a big deal.
Regardless of the make action I think most purchases of barrels are are already threaded and chambered.
".....Savage's barrel nut system is only an advantage because it allows users to buy pre-threaded and chambered barrels, that can be installed without the use of a lathe, by setting the headspace using the nut, and a suitable gauge......"
Not having to buy a lathe I would consider being a big deal. Being able to switch barrels myself is a big deal. Setting the headspace exactly to what I want is a big deal.
Regardless of the make action I think most purchases of barrels are are already threaded and chambered.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
If you run a 32"hv itll hold anything
If a gunsmith set your rifle (any action) up as a switch barrel (has your reamer or not) and installed it's first barrel, also taking the appropriate measurements. Why couldn't you just pick up a phone, call him, and say you need another barrel without sending in your action?
This is done with people using Bat actions from what I hear.
This is done with people using Bat actions from what I hear.
Is this really done?? It's hard for me to imagine that one would be able (or willing) to do this and be comfortable the headspace is correct.
I know nothing about BAT or their actions though.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
We do it comfortably with bat and panda actions.
... which doesn't require that a competent riflesmith have the action in hand, as long as he (or someone) has made the relevant measurements. My 'smith chambers barrels for me without having the action in hand, and the brass will interchange among all the barrels whose chambers were cut with the same reamer. The markings on the barrel are also correctly indexed. Key word = "competent."
Thousands of benchrest barrels are chambered this way, but the same system works with non-custom actions, too. And changing barrels without the Savage nut is faster, with no headspace measurement to make/verify.
I guess I was assuming his switch barrel question involved different calibers/reamers...same action.
A barrel blank can be fitted/chambered to any action without the action in hand, regardless of the reamer used. The critical measurements are boltface to action face, boltface to bolt nose, bolt nose angle (if coned), and action thread dimensions.
I mentioned the interchangeable brass simply to show that barrel fitting/chambering is routinely done with sub-0.001" precision, even without the action in hand, by a competent riflesmith.
If you have a Panda, Kelbly will fit/chamber a barrel for you just by sending them the serial number (although in my experience barrels are interchangeable among ALL Pandas over the past 25+ years). Most 'smiths who do a lot of benchrest work have a fixture that lets them index the barrel for a Panda so that the markings are in the right place.
It's true that a prefit for a Savage is usually cheaper than a fit/chamber for a benchrest-quality action. Of course, the benchrest 'smith is dialing the barrel in to 0.0001" concentricity (or thereabouts), which takes time.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.