Hard to get off barrel

[RussellJ]

Trying to remove a barrel from factory action… just wanting to spin in vise, tried leather, rubber…. My vise has/ had wood blocks … cracked top on…. Any suggestions
Spike

I had the same issue, and it ended up being a scope mount screw that bottomed-out into the barrel threads, locking the barrel into the action. Well, I learned an expensive lesson that day.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Some good advice so far. Yes, the action wrench can be too tight, yes, scope base screw can cause you lots of big issues. Is there any chance it has a thread locker, loctite and is it a factory bbl or who installed it? Yes, if applicable, a wrench that engages the recoil lug is better than without. Need some more details before getting destructive. It'll come off. Yes, impact with a big hammer is way better than just pulling but you might have to get mad at it first. Lol! More details please.

 

[nashlaw]

Spray the junction of the barrel and receiver with Kroil. Let it soak overnight. Degrease, clamp barrel and install action wrench. I usually hit the action wrench with an old axe handle. That shock load has spun off every 700 barrel I used it on.

As mentioned, get aluminum barrel shims. Will last forever and worth the money.

 

[Spike A]

So it’s a sako l461, factory barrel , recoil lug is only about 3/8 … no scope base to cause a problem, I’ll try to post a picture of vise tomorrow … I was pretty sure it was tight, didn’t turn very easy, smacked hammer with a 2lb hammer pretty hard and just wanted to spin barrel a tiny bit….

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

So it’s a sako l461, factory barrel , recoil lug is only about 3/8 … no scope base to cause a problem, I’ll try to post a picture of vise tomorrow … I was pretty sure it was tight, didn’t turn very easy, smacked hammer with a 2lb hammer pretty hard and just wanted to spin barrel a tiny bit….

Not saying it's the problem but sometimes bbl removal is not for the timid either. What are your options?

 

[LVLAaron]

Point the dangerous end towards the ground, dribble some acetone inside so it runs into the threads... let it soak.

 

[Nomad88]

I had a barrel like this, used brown sugar in the vise on top and bottom of the barrel. That helped me get it off

 

[SteveOak]

Not saying it's the problem but sometimes bbl removal is not for the timid either. What are your options?

I was struggling to get a Remington factory barrel off. Lester sent me to McMillans. They put it in a hydraulic machine and cracked it off with a bang that sounded like a 32 oz hammer smacking an anvil. I about had a heart attack. LOL

 

[Walt Krafft]

Just in case --- Righty tighty, lefty loosy?

I have added heat with a propane torch.

 

[Dimner]

Trying to remove a barrel from factory action… just wanting to spin in vise, tried leather, rubber…. My vise has/ had wood blocks … cracked top on…. Any suggestions
Spike

Confectioners sugar sprinkled on the leather. Never had a barrel spin since.

Also. Sako? I bet they are as hard to get off as a Tikka. Do searching on barrel removal for a Tikka. The trick is to shock it to get it to start. I used the powder sugar trick and my barrel stopped spinning. But I still had no luck getting mine off. I did not have the leadblow hammer and the nerve to give it the smack it really beeded. Sent it to Douglas barrels and they were able to swap it for me.

 

[Spike A]

I will def try the powder sugar tomorrow … I was swinging that 2lb pretty hard…

 

[Walt Krafft]

My action wrench has a 24 inch handle I can slide a 4 foot pipe over. I can get the handle so I can do a quick chin up on it. That will pop it loose with a very loud pop.

 

[LVLAaron]

Is that loud pop your ass hitting the floor and the action breaks free?

 

[AlNyhus]

A hydraulic press always works. -Al

 

[xr650rRider]

MIght need some spinach and some Olive Oyl oil.

 

[ricco1949]

Is that loud pop your ass hitting the floor and the action breaks free?

LMAO

 

[kendog]

You have my number...

 

[Jesswil61]

Just a thought, make sure you are not losing the impact of your hammer blow to slop in the setup.

 

[linebaugh]

Reading a lot of things that could be damaging to the action itself. Please be smart and dont tweak your action or break bolt rails. If it cones off that hard you are in great danger of creating a real problem.

Part it off the depth of the shoulder .010 ahead of the action or use heat, or both. I have seen actions that need either pressure relieved on the action face or those that are installed with "locking compound". I know you want to save your barrel but be consious of losing an action in the process.
Many moons ago I broke a bolt rail trying to get a barrel off. This happened ONCE.

 

[boltfluter]

Put a little heat to the barrel section, as in hot to the touch, not glowing hot. Many times the slight expansion will help with removal and will not damage bluing. Also, as mentioned, you need tension on the action wrench, then smack it. Works most every time. Good luck.
Paul