Rifle Strategy - Want Your Input

[Phil3]

Ever been at a crossroads in what path to take to satisfy your shooting wants and desires? I am there now, and welcome input. The question is whether to continue to build out three bolt action rifles, OR, have ONE with a switch barrel functionality. I have three bolt action rifles.

• Howa based 223 (heavy varmint) in Bell and Carlson stock w/Vortex PST 6 - 24 50 scope. This one is complete.
• Savage based (Precision Target action) 6mmBR w/Brux custom chambered barrel, H-S Precision stock, Weaver T-36x scope. This rifle is complete.
• Howa action to build a 6.5x47 Lapua rifle. Needs barrel, stock, etc.

Three of everything starts to get expensive, so thought about having just ONE high quality rifle that is a switch-barrel.

I would simply sell everything above except the Vortex scope, buy a custom action, and have a gunsmith set the action up with a 223, 6mmBR, and 6.5x47 barrels I was considering the BigHorn Origin action, which has interchangeable bolt heads to accommodate the 223, and the other two. A few questions.

My understanding is that with a barrel vise (I have the Viper vise), that switching barrels is quick and easy. Does the action have to come out of the stock to switch barrels? What other disassembly is needed? How much torque is needed to tighten barrel?

As an aside, I do not compete, am just a casual shooter, off a bipod and bench, but appreciates some variety in calibers, and likes high quality.

Thanks,

Phil

 

[swd]

I found trying to do multiple things with one rifle was time consuming and more of a pita than have a few rifles for specific needs. For an all around fun rifle it would be hard to beat the 6BR.

 

[CharlieNC]

Life long hunter, but only got into multiple rifles and target shooting after I retired seven years ago. Also being a hands-on person I found the Savage with the barrel nut system interesting on the basis for which you are interested. As I bounced around with shooting from bench, prone, and tactical styles I quickly found no single stock suited the various disciplines and neither did a particular scope. Think long and hard about HOW you want to shoot, and the components besides the barrel which are best suited for your interests. I took me a few years of experimentation after reading many, many forum threads to arrive at the combinations I like now. A number of stocks and scopes were bought and sold during the evolution, without too much pain.

 

[joshb]

Of all the different guns I have, the cartridges you mentioned are the ones I shoot the most. A few years ago, I made a few switch barrel rigs. Shouldered barrels for ease of switching. No nuts. I learned something. I have only “switched” the barrels a couple times. Then I gave up on it. I’d rather shoot than play rifle mechanic and after I do all the work to find a good load, I don’t want to change the gun. Grab and go is so much easier. I suggest you put a nice custom barrel on that Howa in 6.5-47, get a stock and go shoot.

 

[Ned Ludd]

I find switching barrels with a vise on a traditional bolt guns to be a giant PITA, and I would definitely not choose to go the switch-barrel route. Maybe that's just me. However, I also own a very nice Desert Tech switch barrel bolt rifle setup. Changing barrels on it is quite easy, and generally takes less than one minute. It's fun to shoot and has decent precision. However, I question whether a rifle set up to shoot two or three different calibers will ever shoot any of them nearly as well as a single, purpose-built bolt gun.

 

[nmkid]

I couldn't go the switch barrel way. If I was to get a , "hummer" barrel I would always be second guessing myself as too would it shoot the same after I took it off and then put it back on.

 

[Ken]

Beware of the man who has one rifle,he likely knows how to use it. Wish I could follow that advice.

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

Does the action have to come out of the stock to switch barrels? What other disassembly is needed?

No. None.

How much torque is needed to tighten barrel?

40 ft-lb or so, although just a good grunt past shoulder contact is how most people do it.

 

[jr600yd]

My experience with a switch barrel rifle.

I have a Gilles/Ross action with barrels chambered in 6BR, 260 and 308. The idea was to shoot the 308 in Palma matches and the other two in the Any/Any class. Primary was the 6BR and if the wind was bad go with the 260. This was before F class caught on. My eyes aren’t what the use to be so I was shooting less and less Palma. I found myself shooting more and more mid range matches and F class was becoming very popular. I also found I wasn’t switching barrels! I’d pick one and shoot it for the season or until she went south.

It’s nice to be able to pull a barrel and replace it in about three minutes but to tell you the truth I rarely do it. As far as how much torque on a barrel Mike Ross told me 30-50 pounds. Like stated above it’s one grunt past butting up to the shoulder. No, I don’t have to take action out of the stock to change barrels.

The advantage to the system is to have several barrels chambered up for the rifle. Saves having to go to the gunsmith every time you want to change calibers. Having several barrels may last you years depending how much you shoot.

 

[spaniel]

I once set up a Savage as a switch barrel. I fired less than a box of ammo for the second barrel over 2 years before I realized it just wasn't worth it. I built a rifle for the second barrel and then shot both regularly.

It's a real PIA to keep re-zeroing scopes before you can do what you want to do.

 

[cdparker]

I have two Barnard actions and two different stocks. I had the Barnards made identical for headspace. It only took the removable of a sliver off of one action. Now, I have my choice of several rifles as everything is interchangeable. There are several barrels in the stack and I can have which ever caliber I find to be my flavor of the day. My plan for this coming year is to run the 6.5 for the mid-range and a .284 for long range. It should make for interesting times.
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[K22]

With all due respect why complicate your life. If you are just a causal shooter then why not go with a 223. It has long barrel life, easy to reload, components galore, low recoil and in a quality rifle can be very accurate. Take a look at the Tikka T3 or if you prefer a heavy barrel version look at their varmint model which would be better for shooting off a bipod.

Switching out barrels for another caliber seems cumbersome to me. If you want another caliber buy another Tikka. In the long run you will spend less money and have less hassle trying to switch out barrels and adjusting head space, resighting in etc.

If you're committed to the switch out barrel option take a look at the TC Encore. It's single shot but you can have a multiple calibers and switch easily without having to adjust head space or resight in. I know of one shooter who chose this option. He has several barrels, already scoped and sighted. It take about a minute to change barrels. While he isn't going to set any bench rest records with this system it is amazing accurate. I've seen him shoot sub 1 moa groups with tailored reloads.

 

[joshb]

I have two Barnard actions and two different stocks. I had the Barnards made identical for headspace. It only took the removable of a sliver off of one action. Now, I have my choice of several rifles as everything is interchangeable. There are several barrels in the stack and I can have which ever caliber I find to be my flavor of the day. My plan for this coming year is to run the 6.5 for the mid-range and a .284 for long range. It should make for interesting times.
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I had two Stillers “matched”. A repeater and a single shot. The single shot came with a 30br and a 6.5-47 barrel. I had a 6br barrel spun up for them and the plan was to switch barrels back and forth and get more barrels for them. I put the 6.5 on the repeater. It shoots great so I’m not touching it. I put the 6br on the single shot. It’s a Lederer and it really shoots! I’m not changing anything on that gun until the barrel is toast so the “switch barrel” idea stopped in it’s tracks.

 

[Puzzaz01]

I built a .308 / 6.5 Creedmoor and found it fun at the beginning but every time you needed it for a special purpose you had to swap the barrels and then go re-zero your scope. I dumped that idea and just built an additional rifle, it wasn't worth all the aggravation.

Darrin

 

[joshb]

I built a .308 / 6.5 Creedmoor and found it fun at the beginning but every time you needed it for a special purpose you had to swap the barrels and then go re-zero your scope. I dumped that idea and just built an additional rifle, it wasn't worth all the aggravation.

Darrin

Yup! I’m either getting too old, too impatient or too lazy. I love making stocks and building rifles. I barely have enough time for that. I pull factory barrels for new projects but when I put it together now, it stays together.

 

[boltfluter]

Switch barrels sound great in theory. I have several. But, like most, when a barrel is shooting well and dialed in I do not want to take it off. Just my .02.

Paul

 

[1shot]

For competition, I use Stolle Pandas from Kelbly's.
I currently have three, and shoot 6BRX, 6SLR, 308, 6.5 GWI and 284 Shehane. Switching barrels from one to another is a 5 min. job and the re-zeroing is accomplished with a single shot, at my home range before going to a match. Rarely do I see over a half MOA change. Until I get enough coin saved to complete a 4th rifle, I'll continue to do the switch bbl. thing.
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

 

[22BRGUY]

It sounds like a question of which is better?? Having a set of wrenches in a tool box or just one crescent wrench?

 

[D.Stone]

So I am currently fully on board the switch barrel train. I bought a barrel vice and switch back and forth between Creedmoor and 308 Winchester and couldn't be happier.

And the reason I am fully on board is because my custom action, trigger, scope, and stock make a rifle that is much nicer than anything I could afford. I am never disappointed with my rifle.

I plan on shooting 100rds per month of 308 Winchester for practice. And I'll break out the 6.5mm barrel for big matches.

My trick is that my gunsmith times the barrels so that any deviation in the bore ends at 12 o clock. It means that when switching from barrel to barrel that my windage stays fairly close.

I keep my scope zeroed for my primary caliber. Everything else is done with an offset. The offset data stays in the notebook and is also written on the barrel.

For instance my 308 barrel says something like 3R, 1.7 Up on it. That just tells me I need to be set to .3 mils right, and 1.7 up to re-establish my 100 yard zero. I always check it at 100 yards but I am never more than a click or two off.

I would feel plenty confident not checking it, but literally anytime I go to the range, there is a chance to check at 100 or 200 yards...so why wouldn't I?

 

[Phil3]

With all due respect why complicate your life. If you are just a causal shooter then why not go with a 223. It has long barrel life, easy to reload, components galore, low recoil and in a quality rifle can be very accurate. Take a look at the Tikka T3 or if you prefer a heavy barrel version look at their varmint model which would be better for shooting off a bipod.

Switching out barrels for another caliber seems cumbersome to me. If you want another caliber buy another Tikka. In the long run you will spend less money and have less hassle trying to switch out barrels and adjusting head space, resighting in etc.

If you're committed to the switch out barrel option take a look at the TC Encore. It's single shot but you can have a multiple calibers and switch easily without having to adjust head space or resight in. I know of one shooter who chose this option. He has several barrels, already scoped and sighted. It take about a minute to change barrels. While he isn't going to set any bench rest records with this system it is amazing accurate. I've seen him shoot sub 1 moa groups with tailored reloads.

I am the OP, and your response is a very fair question ("...why not go with a 223..."). I already have the Howa barreled action (heavy varmint barrel) in 223, bedded in a Bell & Carlson stock. I shoot it off a bipod. I was looking at other calibers for variety only, as I do like rifles, reloading, shooting, etc, but reality is what it is. That reality is that reasonably nearby ranges are only 100 yards, so a 6.5x47 is pointless for that. The 6BR was configured for light bullets and short range. As much as I like the 6.5x47, I have no place to use it (within reasonable driving distance). Makes sense to abandon that idea, and just keep the 223 Howa and 6BR Savage.

Phil