Gunsmith or buy action wrench?

[GenePoole]

I've never had a problem using an internal (rear-entry) wrench on a factory R700. The key is to prevent any non-axial thrust. This can be accomplished by backing up the breaker-bar with a suitable support. I use a 4x4 of adequate length to fit under the breaker-bar head and arrange the breaker bar so that that it is 20° or so above horizontal then jump up and bring all my weight to bear on the breaker-bar. They pop with a loud metallic snap, and you'd swear that something broke, but (knock on wood) nothing has broken so far.

 

[drover]

Apparently Mr. Barsness is luckier than I am, I have replaced dozens of Remington 700 barrels with factory take-off barrels and only about 50% of them have fallen within acceptable head-space. And, unless you are really lucky using them the markings on the barrel will be somewhat out of kilter with where they usually are, although I did replace one recently and the markings ended up in the 12 o'clock position which I think looks better than on the side where they usually are.

But to the original question - I use a snug fitting internal wrench with a fairly short handle (about 14 inches), clamp the barrel into the barrel vise very tightly (I wrap the barrel with 3 or 4 wraps of sheetrock paper to keep it from slipping or marring) I then smack the handle with a 5 lb deadblow hammer and then unscrew the barrel. I have never had an issue with a barrel not coming off doing it this way. A sudden shock like a deadblow hammer gives breaks the connection much easier then a pull on a longer handle. The deadblow hammer is the key to success, a common hammer does not transfer the same amount of force as the deadblow, they are available at Harbor Freight for around $8.00 if I recall correctly - money well spent.

drover

 

[HandgunHTR]

Bringing this back up to give a shout out to GenePoole. He was able to pop my action off with no problems using my internal action wrench that I got from Southern Precision (bugholes.com).
The project is going to sit for a bit until after hunting season, but I will be watching the Black Friday sales to see if I can pick up a barrel for a good price.

 

[Iowa Fox]

They're not that bad when you use the right barrel vise.

http://www.predatormastersforums.co...in=316099&Words=+vise&Search=true#Post2983166

 

[TC260]

I take factory barrels to a local smith. Bring him the stripped down barreled action ready to go and he charges $20, all but once he's been able to get to it right then. It's cheap insurance and I've gotten to know a good guy with a lifetime of experience.