SwitchBarrel: Pros and Cons

[Phil3]

I posted a question about building 6mmBR and 6.5x47 rifles and a few responses suggested using a switchbarrel setup. Interesting concept, but do wonder about a few things.

1) I would imagine the barrel nut is on pretty tight. Just what is required to adequately hold the barrel or action without marring anything when working with the barrel nut?
2) Would not removing the action from the stock and reinstalling potentially alter POI, requiring extra shots for scope adjustment?
3) A different barrel in a different caliber is certainly going to alter POI, requiring additional shots to adjust scope.
4) If a rifle is say, a short action, and I want to use various barrels of different calibers (all short action length), can I use the same magazines?
5) Is it possible to return a removed barrel to exactly the same spot as before using headspace gauges? If one has carefully adjusted bullet jump, reinstalling the barrel may leave it a bit different than before. ??
6) Unless using a Savage with removable bolt heads, one is confined to switching calibers with same case head diameter. For instance, no 223 to 308.
7) Unless I am missing something, I don't see switching barrels at the range as practical, ruling out shooting multiple calibers per visit at the range.
8 Switchbarrels only available for Savage and Howa as far as I know. I presume the barrel is machine differently to accommodate a barrel nut?

Phil

 

[fdshuster]

Phil3: To try & answer at least some of your questions: (1) You did not say what action, but it sounds like a Savage with the barrel nut? My switch-barrels are all built on Remington 700 SA, Bat & Panda receivers, so others will have to speak up about Savage. (2) Many switch-barrels are setup so the receiver does not have to be removed from the stock. It has been my experience, as you rightly question, that after removing the receiver from the stock, the rifle will require several shots to settle down. The barrel is clamped in a barrel vice, receiver wrench inserted, and with only 35 to 60 ft. lbs. of torque, the barrel is easily removed. (3) Different barrel/caliber would require re-sighting-in, but for most of my most used barrels, I have a dedicated scope for that combination. Using the Burris Signature Zee rings permits the 2 cross-bolt screws to be removed, entire 'scope with rings attached, slid-off the Weaver type rail, later re-installed with no changes in P.O.I. (4) All mine are single-shot, but since the magazine is part of the receiver, I don't see why the magazine would be critical to operation. (5) When changing barrels I have never had any changes in headspace lengths. They are always checked with a go-gauge, but the FL sizing dies never need to be adjusted. Case headspace has always remained unchanged. (6) True. The only exception would be the Bats & Pandas, and other custom receivers that offer dual bolt heads that will take the BR sized case heads, plus the ppc's. (7) Some do switch-barrels at the range. All they need is a solid surface to c-clamp the barrel vice to, insert the barrel, receiver wrench & remove the barrel. All done in a matter of minutes.

My biggest problem is deciding which barrel to use when you have several for that receiver that are all excellent shooters. You are forced to temporarily sacrifice 1 or 2, to have the other.

An added advantage with the custom receivers, because of their precision matching tolerances is that a barrel from another receiver ( a Panda, for example), can be screwed-onto your Panda & it will be a perfect fit. Recently bought a used Panda 6ppc barrel from a guy in Missouri (I'm in Pennsylvania), and screwed it onto my Panda, that has a 22ppc chambered barrel. The headspace is identical on both the 6ppc & 22 ppc barrels.

 

[NateHaler]

I posted a question about building 6mmBR and 6.5x47 rifles and a few responses suggested using a switchbarrel setup. Interesting concept, but do wonder about a few things.

1) I would imagine the barrel nut is on pretty tight. Just what is required to adequately hold the barrel or action without marring anything when working with the barrel nut?
2) Would not removing the action from the stock and reinstalling potentially alter POI, requiring extra shots for scope adjustment?
3) A different barrel in a different caliber is certainly going to alter POI, requiring additional shots to adjust scope.
4) If a rifle is say, a short action, and I want to use various barrels of different calibers (all short action length), can I use the same magazines?
5) Is it possible to return a removed barrel to exactly the same spot as before using headspace gauges? If one has carefully adjusted bullet jump, reinstalling the barrel may leave it a bit different than before. ??
6) Unless using a Savage with removable bolt heads, one is confined to switching calibers with same case head diameter. For instance, no 223 to 308.
7) Unless I am missing something, I don't see switching barrels at the range as practical, ruling out shooting multiple calibers per visit at the range.
8 Switchbarrels only available for Savage and Howa as far as I know. I presume the barrel is machine differently to accommodate a barrel nut?

Phil

1) As with most any barrel change, you'll need a barrel vise and a wrench, in this case a Savage nut wrench. Google and you'll find this stuff.
2) maybe. So can changing ammo, altitude, and shooting position.
3) of course
4) maybe.
5) it's easier to use witness marks on the barrel and action to ensure the barrel goes where it should
6) not so. you could get two bolts for your scenario.
7) go to a BR match and you'll often see competitors changing barrels
#8) huh? You can configure virtually any bolt action to be a switch barrel, without a barrel nut. The T2K is such an example.

 

[Hippy]

1. U must be referring to a Salvage if U mention Barrel Nut--
2. IF everything is bedded properly the point of impact should be minimal -Bench rest shooters change bbl often sometimes at a match
3. As # 2
4. The magazines for the most part are the same--the follower is a different story
5. Yes --and again if you use "Witness Marks" on the bbl and action you will be as close as possible-for safety reasons headspace gauges should ALWAYS be used
6. On any action it is possible to have MORE than one bolt fitted-- I have several Remingtons and one custom action with separate bolts. (large and Small Boltface)
7. If the action is Glued in and you are using a Shouldered bbl it is possible to be done at the range with a rear/side entry wrench and bbl vise--Salvage nut NO.
8. Any competent gunsmith can take measurements from your action and chamber a bbl for it again I STRONGLY advise headspace gage and a COMPETENT gunsmith

Good Luck

Jim

 

[jonbearman]

There is a remage nut now so you can make a switch barrel out of a remington as well.If you want repeat headspce without the slightest movement ,you can have shouldered barrels made for savages and throw the nut away.It would make it easier but way more expensive and they would have to be made from barrels big enough to cut a shoulder from.Basically using savage barrels is out and you would need a custom contour from any barrel maker.

 

[HTSmith]

Does the scope need to be removed before changing barrels?

 

[Hoier]

Does the scope need to be removed before changing barrels?

For a Savage with the nut it does unless you mount the scope really high so you can get the wrench in between the barrel and the scope.

 

[Phil3]

My mention of the barrel nut did not mean I was confining myself to Savage (or Howa). I just did not know there could be a switchbarrel WITHOUT a barrel nut. I don't know that is supposed to work, but will look for photos or videos.

Phil

 

[Hoier]

Ok I've never had a switch barrel with a shouldered barrel but I have seen guys change them. Looks like they just put the barrel in a barrel vise and stick action wrench that fits inside the action and uses lugs like on your bolt. Then just screw the other barrel on and tighten it up. The guy I seen do it didn't use headspace gauges but I would to start with anyhow.

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

A shouldered barrel just snugs up against the action -- no need for a nut as long as 1) the barrel was chambered for the specific action you have; or, 2) the action is one where EVERY action from the manufacturer has the same headspace dimensions. As has been mentioned, most good custom actions satisfy criterion #2.

Even if #2 above isn't true, your gunsmith can measure your action on the first barrel, and then won't need the action again to chamber additional barrels.

 

[Phil3]

I am perplexed. How is a "shouldered barrel" that snugs up against the action any different than a normal barrel (which has a shoulder) which is tightened up against the action? From my point of view, it seems like ALL threaded barrels are switchbarrels. ???

Phil

 

[Hoier]

No the barrel will have the shoulder set to headspace on a specific action. So if you have a gunsmith chamber a barrel for say your Remmy 700 then you should be able to take that barrel off and put it back on. But you couldn't screw it off and screw it onto another Remington.

 

[Phil3]

Wouldn't that be the case for any barrel on any action? I must be missing something very fundamental here.

Phil

 

[Hoier]

That shoulder is cut different for each specific action.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Do away with the barrel nut and all your problems to away.
Barrels will headspace identical, scope settings will repeat, and you will not need to take action out of stock or remove scope to switch barrels. Have barrels machined like a Remington 700 and you are good to go.

 

[Phil3]

Call me dumb, but if a barrel on a regular action is chambered and headspace is correct, that barrel is now a switchbarrel? It seems to me that "switchbarrel" is nothing more than set of ordinary barrels that produce proper headspace on a specific action. ??? People say they can switch barrels quickly, but with substantial barrel tightening torque, it seems like a bench mounted barrel vise and proper wrench to twist the action are needed. In another words, the same tools required to remove and install any barrel.

Phil

 

[Erik Cortina]

Yes, any action with two or more barrels headspaced identically is a switch barrel rifle, as long as the recoil lug is integral or it's pinned to the action to keep it in place and indexed while switching barrels.

You will need a barrel vice and an action wrench to switch barrels. If using a barrel nut, you will also need a nut wrench. Barrels with a shoulder are much easier to interchange on a switchbarrel setup than with a barrel nut.

 

[Taildrag15X]

Do away with the barrel nut and all your problems to away.
Barrels will headspace identical, scope settings will repeat, and you will not need to take action out of stock or remove scope to switch barrels. Have barrels machined like a Remington 700 and you are good to go.

Listen to what he says, and take a look at the way Larry does it.............

http://www.lprgunsmith.com/lpr_switch_rifle.htm

 

[ArticWolf]

I have several switch barrel rifles from LPR gunsmith Larry is real good guy to work with and his rifles perform as advertised

 

[HTSmith]

Erik and others, just to confirm (Cuz I spent too much money on a scope). I can screw my bbl off and screw another on without issues. I had been removing the scope, which is a pain. I've been torquing to 100 ft lbs. Is that too much?