Tooling for action and barrel work

[Rich S]

Im looking to get into truing actions and chambering barrels for Remington 700s and Savage actions. I would like to make as much of the tooling as possible. I was thinking of starting with a barrel vise, action wrench, spider for action work and spider or other jig for bolt work. Any recommendations, sketches, general dimensions, photos, links to other post ect.... would be appreciated.

For the spiders are most folks using copper/brass softners on the bolts or is anyone using nonmetalics?

 

[jkohler]

There's what I use for action Truing. The screws are acting on the front ring only.

I also made a copy of a brownells barrel vise and a bunch of aluminum bushings

 

[Danny1788]

The screws arent hard to make but i just bought mine from mcmastercarr
http://www.mcmaster.com/#brass-tipped-screws/=10o59wr

i used the 3/8-24 but i would recommend using the 1/2-20 becuase the tip is .250" brass and the tip on the 3/8-24 is only .1875"

I made my action truing jig and bolt truing jig out of a piece of 3" .500" wall DOM tubing. I would recommend using 4" heavy wall aluminum tubing. The DOM is very heavy and probably not needed.






I threaded mine internally 2-1/4" 8 tpi and I just thread it on to my spindle. No chuck or back plate used because I have a threaded spindle.
3.00" OD x .500 wall x 2.00" ID 1020 DOM Round Steel Tube
I used 3/8x24tpi brass tipped screws from McmasterCarr.com 1" long with no heads.
front screws are roughly 1/2" from the face of the tubing.
roughly 4" back from the front screws for Rem 700 SA
roughly 5" back from the front screws for Rem 700 LA

my bolt truing jig is made pretty much the same way, but i hold it in my four jaw chuck so there is a gap for the bolt handle to go into.

 

[Danny1788]

here is my rear spider nothing special. just welded it the jam nut and i can screw it off/on when i want. Even though it never comes off.



i used a cheap bald eagle spider plate mounted to a face plate to make my head stock as short i could.

 

[Rich S]

All
Thanks for the post. Im getting some good ideas. Im looking forward to getting started. Looks like the screws from Mcmastercarr are the way to go for the price. Think Ill see what a local fab shop has for off fall on heavy wall pipe.

Anyone making scope ring laps? I was wondering if plain cold roll is adequate. Also should they be turned to size or 1 or 2 thousands undersized? I measured a friends and his 1" was 1 under and the 30mm was 3 under.

 

[Danny1788]

I just bought the wheeler scope ring lapping kit, pretty easy to use. I have thought about tapping the ends to use a power drill to lap but haven't yet.

 

[Danny1788]

I am in no way or shape a pro. Im a back yard warrior so take my ideas and tooling with a grain of salt. Im still learning too. But as I have been told many times, it's more about you and the machine and knowing how to use it then the fancy equipment you have. If your setup is good a sow's ear can make a silk purse.