Remington 700 Switch Barrel

[fe1]

I have a project in mind and wondering if it’s possible.
I have a very clean vintage 1966 Remington 700 BDL Standard contour with open sights in 6mm Remington and I would like to have a switch barrel with the same style factory barrel in 308 Win.
I have the 308 barrel.
Is it possible to do this without any alterations to the stock?
I want the rifle left with all the original finishes.
Thanks for any input.

 

[boltfluter]

Yes, just have the recoil lug pinned to the action. As long as both barrels head space correctly with the single lug, you are good to go. If not it gets more complicated. Assuming same contour on both barrels.

Paul

 

[fe1]

Yes, just have the recoil lug pinned to the action. As long as both barrels head space correctly with the single lug, you are good to go. If not it gets more complicated. Assuming same contour on both barrels.

Paul

Yes both barrels are identical with open sights. That still doable?

 

[DaveTooley]

The barrels will not index to the same position. Even getting your original barrel back on where the sight is located top dead center will be difficult.

 

[fe1]

The barrels will not index to the same position. Even getting your original barrel back on where the sight is located top dead center will be difficult.

I would think the original barrel, lug and receiver could be index marked to go back to the correct position with the original parts.??
I agree it would be difficult but is it impossible to accomplish the task?

 

[DaveTooley]

The factory uses a large amount of torque when they install a barrel. I had hernia surgery a long time ago after removing a factory barrel. It's difficult for a home shop to apply that much force. The 308 barrel would have to be indexed then the headspace adjusted.

 

[boltfluter]

Yes both barrels are identical with open sights. That still doable?

With open sights I would agree with Dave and say no. Sorry, didn't realize you would be keeping and using the open sights.

Paul

 

[LarryDScott]

The factory uses a large amount of torque when they install a barrel. I had hernia surgery a long time ago after removing a factory barrel. It's difficult for a home shop to apply that much force. The 308 barrel would have to be indexed then the headspace adjusted.

Dave, If you have the correct barrel vice and associated equipment it's not a problem. I understand where you are coming from. I had the same issue when I first started taking 700s apart for resale. Pardon the pun, but its literally a "SNAP" and not brute force that does the job provided you have the "Ultimate Barrel Vise" PM me your Ph no, I can help. LDS

 

[DaveTooley]

Dave, If you have the correct barrel vice and associated equipment it's not a problem. I understand where you are coming from. I had the same issue when I first started taking 700s apart for resale. Pardon the pun, but its literally a "SNAP" and not brute force that does the job provided you have the "Ultimate Barrel Vise" PM me your Ph no, I can help. LDS

Larry I use a 20 ton automotive press with blocks I made to capture the recoil lug. If the lug can't move a barrel and it's action are soon separated.

 

[LarryDScott]

Capturing the lug is what makes my vise work, but the abrupt SNAP is what does the job, not hernia inducing force. LDS

 

[Walt Krafft]

My experience with switch barrel rifles has not been good. The barrel I wanted to shoot, was never on the gun. Never gained a lot of confidence I wouldn't need a sight adjustment after changing barrels. You have the barrel, just build another rifle. Life will be much simpler.

 

[butchlambert]

I've done a couple. It does require a good barrel vise. I used a witness mark on the factory setup and used another recoil lug and headspaced barrel for the other and use a witness mark that matched the one I put on the receiver to match the new barrel and recoil lug.
Yes, I have a surface grinder to adjust the headspace by grinding the lug.

 

[Intheshop]

20T H frame here,along with an action wrench that has some real heft to it. The extra meat on the wrench makes it easy..... but that doesn't mean there isn't SERIOUS torque on some factory 700 barrels.

 

[Greg Y]

I'd imagine you could grind a WTO lug to fit. That will solve your indexing and torque issue. You will have the lock visible above the stock, but the bedding would be workable.