Barrel Vise?

[kmw1954]

Have the NSS Action wrench and the Savage barrel nut wrench for both the grooved and smooth nuts. When I did my Model 11 last which had a Smooth nut I struggled with it and trying to get the nut wrench tight enough to keep from spinning. It was suggested to get a barrel vise.

So my question is which one? Maybe only using this once a year, more or less so I do not need a top of the line high dollar investment just something that will work safely w/o damaging the barrel. Let's see what ya got!

 

[JFrank]

I use the 21st century vice C clamped to the bench, and wrap a cardboard TP roll around the barrel to protect the finish.
thttps://www.brunoshooters.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=barrel_vises

 

[dfariswheel]

Brownell's also sell barrel vises of that type, BUT you need to bolt them to a really solid bench, or what a friend does..... bolt it to a truck bumper.
He can change barrels on his Kelbly action rifles right there on the shooting line.

 

[earlthegoat2]

For Savage, I just use a Wheeler action wrench put in a good vise attached to a heavy bench. Keeps the action stationary which is all you need for barrel nuts.

 

[kmw1954]

For Savage, I just use a Wheeler action wrench put in a good vise attached to a heavy bench. Keeps the action stationary which is all you need for barrel nuts.

Have only done one and that wasn't my experience.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Have only done one and that wasn't my experience.

I did it just like in this video but I had the barrel nut with grooves.

 

[kmw1954]

I did it just like in this video but I had the barrel nut with grooves.

Seen that one long ago.

 

[jmorris]

I have made them using double split set collars can put them into the lathe and quickly machine tapers in them using the compound rest if needed then weld them to a fixture to hold or a handle/torque wrench adapter.

 

[Varminterror]

I have the Wheeler and the Viper, both were around $50 when I bought them, which was within spitting distance of the cost to build them myself, let alone realized labor value. I also have one of the action wrenches like pictured above - forget who made it, maybe Wheeler, but I can’t think of the last time I used it. I lust after a SAC modular vise, but I always have other projects which take my fun money focus away from it - it’s in line behind an AMP press.

But to be honest, for Savages, a barrel nut wrench and an Action Rod is about as handy as it can get. Clamp the barrel nut wrench in a standard vise, run the barrel through it, stick the rear-entry wrench into the action, bob’s your uncle, easy peasy, and no opportunity for your barrel vise to slip (of course, if you have a smooth barrel nut, the nut clamp can still slip, but that’s unavoidable).



Don’t overthink the bench - sure, we need something which can withstand ~100ft.lbs. of torque, but that’s really not so complicated. I’ve removed and installed dozens of barrels with either of those vises above bolted to a Black & Decker Workmate portable/folding workbench. I keep the vises in a toolbox under my bench with a set of bolts and wing nuts, I slap it on the Workmate, use a cheater bar on my torque wrench, and I never break a sweat. A lot of guys use Inline Fab unimounts, it’s just not THAT much force when we’re talking about the actual strength of steel and wood.

 

[kmw1954]

Thanks so much everyone. Am just trying to get prepared for a barrel swap coming up and don't want to have a repeat experience as the last time. The Action wrench and the smooth barrel nut wrench did not work.

 

[LoonWulf]

I generally pipe wrench smooth nuts off and replace them if the normal wrench slips.

 

[Nodakdad]

I put my vise in a 20 ton press instead of using the bolts. No slipping

 

[Blue68f100]

The use of rosin helps to keep the barrel from turning in the barrel vice.

 

[Bcwitt]

2 blocks of wood in a standard bench vise will work for most barrels.