switch barrel rifle systems...

1

1stmar

New member
Besides Savage, is anyone familiar with these systems? Seems to work like the savage with a nut that locks the barrel in place at the appropriate head spacing. Looking for info on:

Is there a loss in accuracy
Are they field replaceable - can anyone do it, what tools do you need
Are they really cost effective
Recommendations on who to have install
Do can you order replacement barrels from Hart, Kreiger etc already set up or do you need to ship the barrel out for this service

Thanks
 
R

RC20

New member
If you cold be more specific.

Blasser (sp?) makes an expensive system.

Remington can be changed into a Savage type setup.

Robertson Arms makes a switch barrel Semi auto rifle that uses a dimple index with a slightly cross threaded screw that does not come out (and it returns to POA really well by the way)

Savage you have to sight in again as you never get it quite back to where it was.
 
M

Mobuck

Moderator
I wouldn't really consider the Savage barrel attachment as "switch barrel" since it requires the use of gauges to properly set the headspace when changing barrels.
I've changed a couple of Savage barrels over the years and it's not as simple as some might indicate. The threads don't always loosen easily and may require considerable torque to move.
 
W

Wyosmith

New member
The Browning BLR can be had in a take-down system, so I assume you could order one with 2 or more barrels.

I am making one right now on a small ring Mauser with 2 barrels. One in 9X57 and one in 257 Roberts. But such custom work is not cheap. My way of doing it involves 2 barrels with 2 forends and 2 scopes. So when you swap the barrel you also do so with the scope and they are pre-zeroed. I include a set of dies for each caliber and the load the barrel/scope is zeroed with.
 
R

RC20

New member
I wouldn't really consider the Savage barrel attachment as "switch barrel" since it requires the use of gauges to properly set the headspace when changing barrels.
I've changed a couple of Savage barrels over the years and it's not as simple as some might indicate. The threads don't always loosen easily and may require considerable torque to move.
Click to expand...

I am not sure what I am seeing there, it almost looks like a pre set nut remage hand tight.

While not as quick as the RA XCR, not as bad as you seem to have run into.

The initial nut removal can be a bugger, once that is done, you just need the wrench and the gauge.

Pop off the old one, head space the new one, tighten the nut and good to go (I do use nickle anti seize)

I still use the nut wrench to put 50 lbs or so of torque on it.
 
1

1stmar

New member
Old roper thats what i was looking for. Looks to be about $135 per barrel once the pin is set.

Thanks
 
F

F. Guffey

New member
There are switch barrel systems and then there are those that can build a system that is a switch barrel system. I built a 30 Gibbs riffle, I built the rifle with one receiver, one bolt and one barrel. And then I built two more rifles with different receivers with the same barrel and same bolt. There was not .001" difference in length between all of the chambers.

F. Guffey
 
1

1stmar

New member
Thanks for the replies. Certainly finding the right smith is key. If i decide to pursue will give justin sip a call.
 
D

Dfariswheel

New member
My buddy is a VERY excellent long range shooter and a President's 100 shooter.

He's had two precision rifles built that can have the barrels switched on the range.
Each part is built by different builders; One man built the aluminum steel insert receivers and bolts, another the barrels, another to stock them, and another to nitride the barrels.
He mounts his own scopes.

The first is a total custom setup with custom receiver, stock, barrels, bolts, semi-custom Schmidt & Bender scope and titanium silencer.
Total cost: About $15,000 BEFORE he started buying the extra bolt and extra barrels.

He has the one receiver with two bolts; one for 6mmBR and .308 and one bolt for .223.
He has custom barrels in .223, .308, 6mm and last I heard one other caliber.
To change the barrel he has a barrel vise he can mount on his truck's trailer hitch and a action wrench made for him by the receiver maker.
He can pop one barrel off, and tighten another on using a small torque wrench.
He says he's usually only off target by less then 1/2 inch at 100 yards.
He says he doesn't have to torque the barrels that tight.

Granted all this is very high end equipment built by the best makers in America, and who are talking to each other about how the barrels, receivers, and bolts are going to fit with each other.
 
1

1stmar

New member
For this to work for me it has to be idiot proof, no tools. The one i linked was $3300 for the rifle. Not sure about the additional barrel. Seemed reasonable. To replace a match grade barrel its roughly $350 for the barrel and another $350 or so for the install. Throw some shipping in and your at $800-900 plus the turn around time while your are without the rifle. Looking to drive down the cost and turn around time. If i can spend a little more up front and then send the barrel to a smith have him retrofit and install my self could cut down on time without my rifle and possibly costs.
 
O

old roper

New member
1stmar, I had barrel vise and action wrench for changing barrels on that Panda action. I ordered barrels from Kelby and I order couple so I always had barrel. I think you need to talk to who's ever is going to furnish switch barrel system and find out on extra barrels.
 
R

RC20

New member
I'd rather have a second (or third, ad infinitum) rifle.
Click to expand...

Looks like the OP got his answer.

Vearing off topic, having worked with two switch barrel types (XCR and Savage) I agree with the above.
 
D

DPI7800

New member
I started down that road a while ago. I quickly determined that the systems that allow for where still to restrictive for what I really wanted to eventually do which is not be limited to one head size. I started to look areound some more and kept finding my self looking at the Sakko TRG M10 and the AI AXMC.

The TRG was cheaper up front until I found that the only way to do other calibers mother than factory offered is you had to purchase a factory BBL to sacrifice and press off the chamber extensions and then have that pressed on to the BBL of your choice. No thanks.

The AI doesn’t have this issue. Able to get a huge variety of calibers, only restriction is on the AI action length you choose, SA or magnum length. If magnum length action your restriction is to cases that have .473, .532 or .588 head diameters which allows more choices than I’ll be able to acquire in my lifetime most likely.
 
R

RC20

New member
My issue was moving back and forth and wanting to work with a given caliber was disruptive.

I though the XCR idea would be good for the milgary as they could have kept a stock of barrel in various length at home base and then issued as needed (ie not done on patrol or combat)

QQB in Iraq seemed to favor the 14 inch M4 highly. Shades of WWII where about half the Infantry Rifle companies wound up with sub machine guns (not issues do likely traded with tankers who did have them as issue - at least the US side tended to not need them (alwyas excpeitons) as they were on the attack.

Afghanistan it seem to be longer was better but at least some short when searching Villages and all short if fully in town QQB again.
 
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