Recommendation for a good barrel vise

[codybrown]

Looking around for a barrel vise and there's quite a few different options/kinds. Looking to buy a decent one that'll give me years of use. I probably won't use it very frequently but I don't want to buy junk. Any recommendations?

 

[Terry]

Viper Bench Rest

Viper machine vises

www.viperbench-rest.com

Despite what it say's, it is the right page.

I own 3 different ones. I like this one best.

 

[STOMP442]

I own the Viper and the Brownells vice. Haven't used the Viper in years. The Brownells one just works so much better. I take off a ton of barrels though on some pretty stubborn actions sometimes.

 

[codybrown]

I own the Viper and the Brownells vice. Haven't used the Viper in years. The Brownells one just works so much better. I take off a ton of barrels though on some pretty stubborn actions sometimes.

With the Brownell's vise it looks like you need to also buy the appropriate sized bushings too?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The viper vise is a good one and the viper frequents our forum @The Viper

 

[akajun]

With the Brownell's vise it looks like you need to also buy the appropriate sized bushings too?

Yes, for straight taper stuff make the bushings yourself out of aluminum they are easy
They sell a few specialty bushings like Remington factory, m14 etc that are easier to buy
If you have a special barrel you can make custom bushings with acra glass or devcon inside the bushings

 

[STOMP442]

With the Brownell's vise it looks like you need to also buy the appropriate sized bushings too?

Yep. I use the straight taper and the one for a the Remington factory and I have been able to take off just about anything no problem.

 

[Delfuego]

https://www.pmatool.com/pma-gen-ii-barrel-vise/

 

[Cigarcop]

I would suggest two...... both together maybe less then the Brownells... maybe
I’d get Larry Scott’s for taking off the Tuff Factory Remingtons since it captures the recoil lug.
And Bob’s (Vipers) for non factory stuff
No bushings needed for either of them.

 

[codybrown]

I would suggest two...... both together maybe less then the Brownells... maybe
I’d get Larry Scott’s for taking off the Tuff Factory Remingtons since it captures the recoil lug.
And Bob’s (Vipers) for non factory stuff
No bushings needed for either of them.

Is this the one you're referring to?

Ultimate Barrel Vise (UBV) | Great Scott Triggers

This vise is designed primarily for separating 700 Remington Barreled action, but I have had reports that it will work on other brands of rifles. This vise makes taking the toughest 700 barreled action apart an easy task. It will work on a sporter barrel, factory varmint barrel, or any size...

greatscottshooters.com

 

[Cigarcop]

Is this the one you're referring to?

Ultimate Barrel Vise (UBV) | Great Scott Triggers

This vise is designed primarily for separating 700 Remington Barreled action, but I have had reports that it will work on other brands of rifles. This vise makes taking the toughest 700 barreled action apart an easy task. It will work on a sporter barrel, factory varmint barrel, or any size...

greatscottshooters.com

Yes

 

[Clark]

I make my own barrel vises from 2x2 steel and collets from 1.5" round stock in 6' lengths.
I have found that 1/2-13 bolts may work on home made action wrenches, but the barrel vise wants very high forces and is better with 7/8-14 waxed thread. That is the same threaded rod you keep around for making odd reloading dies.

 

[CA_Shooter]

With the Brownell's vise it looks like you need to also buy the appropriate sized bushings too?

I have a bushing larger than my barrel. I used an old leather belt in between the bushing and barrel to get a snug fit.

 

[muleystalker]

The 21st Century reloading is a good vise also.

 

[geralton4]

My gunsmith uses hardwood blocks which come together on the barrel in a big vice. He clamps it in the vice and using an action wrench and sometimes a cheater bar he always gets the barrel off. He had the blocks made for him but someone may sell them. They look like hickory or maybe walnut to me. These are big blocks with a lot of wood around the hole where the barrel goes, and a real big vice.

 

[LVLAaron]

I use one like vipers - I glued some leather scraps in where the barrel makes contact.

 

[coldboreshot]

I use the PMA Gen II and I too use leather on the clamping surfaces. Works great for high polished barrels

 

[tobnpr]

For pulling factory barrels, I'd go with the Brownell's setup.
Viper vise is best of it's kind but as with all "universal" type vises they're going to be limited in amount of surface area contact with the barrel with some contours/diameters.

It's all about surface area contact, the more you have the more effectively you can transfer the force from the bolts to the barrel. This isn't an issue with re-barrels typically installed with 60-70 ft lbs of torque. Another for factory barrels torqued on by gorillas, and old barrels with corroded threads including milsurps.

DItto with the action wrench- internal vs external clamping type. I've put a four foot cheater bar on the Brownell's- and lifted my 220 lbs off the ground with it. You could never (nor should you try) to put that kind of torque on an internal action wrench.

 

[Torqdup86]

Modular Barrel Vise Kit — Short Action Customs, LLC

www.shortactioncustoms.com

I got this one in last week and was able to take off a factory Remington pretty easy. It’s pretty clean looking.

 

[epc308]

I use a 20 ton hydraulic press with wooden blocks I bore out and a sprinkle of rosin.