Si-Snipe Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Thinking of getting a .223 barrel for my existing 17 Rem rifle so I can change them over. Anyone have any advice or issues concerning this idea providing the local firearms grant me both cals? Cheers Si Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967spud Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 i done one a while ago with 4 calibres on 1 siongle action and another 3 on another norfolk were fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbal Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Thinking of getting a .223 barrel for my existing 17 Rem rifle so I can change them over. Anyone have any advice or issues concerning this idea providing the local firearms grant me both cals? Cheers Si Designed switch barrel rifles tend to be expensive,and the extra barrels likewise,and most have issues about scopes/mounts,often you need extra, and obviously ,zero won't hold for for a different calibre).Maybe need another bolt too,etc. If it's a more basic rifle,then what's the point-a decent barrel will be £500-700-Why not just a second rifle-get the same model if you want similar handling etc.I have some sympathy with the idea,but can't really see how it makes much sense in reality-except for special applications ( air haul safari set,maybe-I would not compromise a safari for a slight baggage saving. Or LV/HV bench rest/similar-which I do have-and there th saving on expensive action/stock/scope etc can be very real.) In most/all applications to carryable field rifles, you won't save much/any money and might spend a lot-for something that has little advantage,and can be a nuisance when its the wrong set up. Maybe I'm missing something,though-I can see two barrel lengths for a shotgun,eg,and would be interested to see the case made and costed for more rifles. I don't think the switch barrel concept per se will be an FAC issue. george Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbal Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 i done one a while ago with 4 calibres on 1 siongle action and another 3 on another norfolk were fine Sounds interesting-any details-and how does this compare to separate rifles ,unless we're talking about a Bat class of action-and specialised chamberings/uses where it can make a lot of sense,and/or saving. george Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967spud Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Sounds interesting-any details-and how does this compare to separate rifles ,unless we're talking about a Bat class of action-and specialised chamberings/uses where it can make a lot of sense,and/or saving. george no both actions are sako 75 one is a long action and one a medium both with a standard .308 bolt face Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967spud Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 no both actions are sako 75 one is a long action and one a medium both with a standard .308 bolt face both have pillar beded custom stocks all barrels are profiled to suit this bedding at the joint, so that they are all the same ext diameter to contact bedding the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbal Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 both have pillar beded custom stocks all barrels are profiled to suit this bedding at the joint, so that they are all the same ext diameter to contact bedding the same Thanks-sako makes sense,and clearly a common profile needed.Calibres? I still don't really see the advantage though,given the work and cost of barrels-and these are beginning to sound very 'custom'. No question it can be done,I was wondering why,allowing for the type of exceptions I mentioned.I wouldn't want the compromise of an fclass stock on my switch barrel when it became a stalking rifle-my point being that different uses need different tools,not just a de luxe spade,which can take off the shovel head and fit a phillips screwdriver. "Compromise" seems the word,as ever,whichever choices are made-just different sets of compromise.No one chambering does it all either,which is partly why I have more than one.I'd probably have more than one full set of golf clubs too,though I dare say you could get round with detachable heads on one hickory stick. george Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967spud Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Thanks-sako makes sense,and clearly a common profile needed.Calibres? I still don't really see the advantage though,given the work and cost of barrels-and these are beginning to sound very 'custom'. No question it can be done,I was wondering why,allowing for the type of exceptions I mentioned.I wouldn't want the compromise of an fclass stock on my switch barrel when it became a stalking rifle-my point being that different uses need different tools,not just a de luxe spade,which can take off the shovel head and fit a phillips screwdriver. "Compromise" seems the word,as ever,whichever choices are made-just different sets of compromise.No one chambering does it all either,which is partly why I have more than one.I'd probably have more than one full set of golf clubs too,though I dare say you could get round with detachable heads on one hickory stick. george action iii calibres .243ai - 6mm br x 2 and .243 action iv calibres 6.5-284 x 2 - 6mm super lr and .284 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si-Snipe Posted November 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Thanks for the comments guys. Spud - did you switch them over yourself? I was thinking more of shooting until I was bored then changing the barrels. Wouldn't be a weekly thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967spud Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 i will be switching my self as different uses are needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si-Snipe Posted November 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Cool. What prices are the relevant tools? My action is an M595. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967spud Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 barrel vice cica £65 and an external action wrench approx £50 -75 or a rear entry wrench same plus youll need an torque wrench for the rear entry type Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldie Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Switch barrel rifles are,'t difficult, however, one caveat.... The diameter of either a sako barrel or a tikka barrel is so minutely different from its tenon diameter....o/d 1.1" tenon...1" that regular switching will end up with "belling" on the barrel shoulder. Be very careful Spud. The very last actions i would use for a switch barrel rifle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967spud Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 thanks dave but all barrels im using are bartlein so should be ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldie Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Bartlien steel is not hard Mark, similar to truflite etc....certainly not as hard as a std sako or Tikka barrel....and they still "bell". Its not the steel quality, but the O/D of the barrel that causes the problem. 0.100" is only 0.050" per side, and thats nothing when using an action wrench. What i would do if i were you, is use a lightweight vice like the BR guys use, and use the lowest torque setting on the wrench you can get away with. Overtightening repeatedly will not only bell the shoulder, but it will slowly decrease the headspace. A datum mark on the underside of the action/barrel would be the best bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967spud Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 thanks dave ive got one of mikmaks vices and dannyt sorting a rear entry wrench ill expect to torque them to about 50 foot pounds danny said the witness marks are a good idea as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbal Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 Thinking of getting a .223 barrel for my existing 17 Rem rifle so I can change them over. Anyone have any advice or issues concerning this idea providing the local firearms grant me both cals? Cheers Si Si, why not just get another matching 595 in 223? As we shall see,there are issues with switch barrels,let alone the expense-and little if any gain,unless you really have to travel light and change the barrel or calibre/barrel-if you just need a change for variety,separate similar rifles offer much convenience.Buying a second expensive custom action changes the costs,of course,and the gunsmithing issues are reduced in one such action,so using just one such action can make sense. george Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palo Posted December 25, 2012 Report Share Posted December 25, 2012 Switch barrel rifles are,'t difficult, however, one caveat.... The diameter of either a sako barrel or a tikka barrel is so minutely different from its tenon diameter....o/d 1.1" tenon...1" that regular switching will end up with "belling" on the barrel shoulder. Be very careful Spud. The very last actions i would use for a switch barrel rifle. Dave Would the sako trg barrels be the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1066 Posted December 25, 2012 Report Share Posted December 25, 2012 Using the Savage action makes switching barrels a piece of cake, and even changing bolt heads is no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted December 25, 2012 Report Share Posted December 25, 2012 I know this usually puts a bad taste in people's mouths but how about Savage action? They are designed for this kind of operation.I have a couple of Savages and they certainly don't lack in the accuracy department.~Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1066 Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 I love my Savages. At one time I had two barrels but only one action and swapped depending on what range I was shooting. Up to 600yds I used the 6BR, over that I used the 6.5x284. I've since bought another action and put together another rifle. I shot it off the benches at Bisley about a month ago. Using a completely untried load I shot 5 consecutive 5 shot groups. The biggest was .47 and the average was .37 moa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 I love my Savages. At one time I had two barrels but only one action and swapped depending on what range I was shooting. Up to 600yds I used the 6BR, over that I used the 6.5x284. I've since bought another action and put together another rifle. I shot it off the benches at Bisley about a month ago. Using a completely untried load I shot 5 consecutive 5 shot groups. The biggest was .47 and the average was .37 moa. Nice! My Long Range Hunter 308 shoots as good as I can hold. It's embarassing when your skills aren't up to the rifle's accuracy. I have only shot it prone off of a bopod but I have shot the staples out of my targets at the end of the shooting day. My .223 is accurate to a frightening degree.~Muir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oaken Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 What i would do if i were you, is use a lightweight vice like the BR guys use, and use the lowest torque setting on the wrench you can get away with Hi Baldie What torque would you recommend for a regularly switched barrel? I read somewhere that some of the BR guys over the pond literally only pinch their barrels up hand tight. Is that true? I have been contemplating a switch barrel for my TRG and got as far as a barrel vice and action wrench. Just have to afford the barrel now! Seems to make a lot of sense to me. One scope,one action, one trigger, one stock, one collection of barrels. Sure its not ideal for stalking use where a few zeroing shots may not be possible but for target/tactical, why not? BTW Thumbs up for savage. I just acquired another accutrigger action that came with 3 barrels and two stocks :-) Rup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldie Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 Difficult to put a correct figure on it Oaken, as i always set switch barrels to a datum point. On a sako i would reckon on around 50-60 ft/lbs, otherwise you are going to "bell" the barrel shoulder pretty quickly, taking it on and off. Not an action i would build a switch barrel rig with, the tenon diameter to shoulder diameter is too small for me at around 0.100". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJR Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 Si snipe, what about flogging the remi and buying a sauer 202? Switching barrels is easy - they lock directly to the bolt lugs and basically headspace that way when swapping barrels. Oddball/wildcat calibres can be accommodated with an adapter which as far as I know Border Barrels make and allow use of after market barrels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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