Tikka Barrel Removal and Install Tool Swap Thread

[686]

[mention]gtriple [/mention] [mention]Jimbee [/mention] I’d like to swap my 270 barrel on my tikka to a 6.5 CM barrel. If you guys are still looking to loan out a barrel vice and tikka action wrench, I would love to take you up on it. This is an awesome thread, makes this site pretty special.

 

[gtriple]

[mention]gtriple [/mention] [mention]Jimbee [/mention] I’d like to swap my 270 barrel on my tikka to a 6.5 CM barrel. If you guys are still looking to loan out a barrel vice and tikka action wrench, I would love to take you up on it. This is an awesome thread, makes this site pretty special.

I'll add you to the list in the OP. Lmk if you borrow somebody else's tools in the meantime.

 

[Jimbee]

[mention]gtriple [/mention] [mention]Jimbee [/mention] I’d like to swap my 270 barrel on my tikka to a 6.5 CM barrel. If you guys are still looking to loan out a barrel vice and tikka action wrench, I would love to take you up on it. This is an awesome thread, makes this site pretty special.

Just mailed tools out today. I'll check with you when they're available

 

[686]

[mention]gtriple [/mention] [mention]Jimbee [/mention] I decided to buy some tools and try to swap the barrel on my T3. It took some work, but I got the old barrel off. One question - the barrel off of another T3 is clocked about 90° off where my other barrel was. See how the text on the barrel is in the wrong orientation. Do you think that indicates there is something wrong or is that to be expected?

 

[Jimbee]

[mention]gtriple [/mention] [mention]Jimbee [/mention] I decided to buy some tools and try to swap the barrel on my T3. It took some work, but I got the old barrel off. One question - the barrel off of another T3 is clocked about 90° off where my other barrel was. See how the text on the barrel is in the wrong orientation. Do you think that indicates there is something wrong or is that to be expected?

I've never swapped a factory barrel and had it clock/indicate correctly.

 

[686]

Thanks! The headspace felt good and it test fired just fine.

 

[Joshua323]

Based on the discussion from the Semi-Custom Tikka thread, I want to offer up my tools that I'm no longer using to others to remove their factory barrels and install new ones.

Here's what I've got and the cost to replace:
Wheeler Action Wrench #1 - $80
PMA Gen II Barrel Vise - $87
Bugholes Tikka Internal Action Wrench - $97
Torque Wrench (up to 80 ft-lb) w/ bit - $50
Some leather from Hobby Lobby

Full cost to replace = $314

I think some others might be willing to include go/no-go gauges if needed. If there's other items that are needed, feel free to post below and we can include them all together.

All of the above tools fit into a medium flat rate USPS box and cost about $15 each way to ship to the lower 48. So about $30 roundtrip.

The deal will be that the "buyer" pays shipping from and back to me plus makes a $5 donation to Rokslide to keep the Classifieds free.

If you have good feedback here, I won't charge anything up-front. If you are newer, then you'll need to pay me the full cost to replace prior to shipping then I will refund you once I get the items back.

I'm local to Charlotte, NC and can loan them out locally too.

Added the below queue so I can keep things in order. I'll give people 3 days to follow through and then move onto the next person.

Current Queue of Renters (in order of posting here or pm'ing me):
@Big_Sky_Guy
@nrh6.7
@qotsa23
@silasbowhunter
@Jfujan
@686


IF YOU BREAK IT, YOU REPLACE IT.

Tools you need for barrel install:

• A sturdy workbench
• A pair of vice clamps or 1/2" bolts and nuts

Tools you need for barrel removal:

• A very sturdy workbench
• A pair of metal or heavy-duty vice clamps or 1/2" bolts and nuts
• A rubber mallet
• You may need some Kroil or other penetrant

Instructions (for both):

1. Fasten the bottom of the vice to your bench and orient the top plate based on the profile of your barrel.
2. Insert your barrel into the vice as far as possible. It works best not on a tapered section.
   • It is up to you if you want to use the leather or other tape around the barrel. PMA states on their site that the vice won't mar your barrel, but that is up to you.
3. Tighten the vice bolts down to a maximum of 40ft-lbs (480in-lbs) per PMA.

For barrel removal:

1. (Optional if removing factory barrel) - spray and soak the barrel threads with Kroil or another penetrant.
2. Slide the black, external Wheeler wrench (with the flat parts on the inside) around the action to one of the two flat spots on the bottom of the action. I prefer the one closer to the barrel.
3. Snug the wrench bolts up. They do not have to be torqued down hard. Just enough to keep it from rotating.
4. Use a rubbermallet and whack the crap out of the wrench handle. I was shocked at how hard I had to hit the mallet to take the factory barrels off. Some are easier than others though.
   • If you are removing a non-factory barrel, you can probably just twist it off as long as it isn't Loctited on.
   • If you are having difficulty getting the factory barrel off, you can try using a breaker bar on the wrench handle.

For barrel install:

1. (Optional) - apply an anti-seize to the threads on the barrel.
2. Thread the action onto the barrel by hand.
3. Insert the internal action wrench all the way into the action.
4. Use the torque wrench to torque the barrel to your manufacturer's recommendation. 80ft-lbs (960in-lbs) is what my Proof recommended but check with your barrel manufacturer.

That's pretty much it. If you have any questions, let me know.

Disclaimer: You use these tools at your own risk. Any damage to your action, barrel, the tools, or any other components are not my liability. I am also not liable for any injuries or damages due to the use of these tools.

Are you still doing this? Is there any wait list?

 

[Joshua323]

I am in the Greenville/Spartanburg area of SC and have the following:

Wheeler #1 wrench
Viper barrel vise
Bugholes Tikka internal action wrench
Bugholes Remington 700 internal action wrench
Snap Torque Wrench (up to 120 ft/lbs) with sockets for action wrenches and adapters for barrel nuts
Savage Barrel nut wrench
308 family go and no-go gauge
30-06 family go gauge
Belted Mag go gauge

I travel quite a bit for work, but if anyone in the area wants to do a barrel swap on a Tikka, Remington, or Savage, we can probably work something out for you to come over and use what I have.

Hey man! I can't believe I just found this! I'm in Spartanburg and I've been looking all day for someone with the tools to install a prefit barrel! I'm new today to rokslide so it won't let me message you yet. Could you please shoot me a text @ 814-449-3870 ??

 

[gtriple]

Hey man! I can't believe I just found this! I'm in Spartanburg and I've been looking all day for someone with the tools to install a prefit barrel! I'm new today to rokslide so it won't let me message you yet. Could you please shoot me a text @ 814-449-3870 ??

I'm not too far either in Rock Hill.

 

[Joshua323]

I'm not too far either in Rock Hill.

Could you shoot me a text? Rokslide won't let me PM people yet cause I just joined today lol

 

[Joshua323]

I'm not too far either in Rock Hill.

I would definitely make the hour drive to meet up!! How can I get in contact with you?

 

[gtriple]

I would definitely make the hour drive to meet up!! How can I get in contact with you?

I'll shoot you a text. My tools are currently out in circulation. Are you taking a factory barrel off or installing a new one?

 

[Joshua323]

I'll shoot you a text. My tools are currently out in circulation. Are you taking a factory barrel off or installing a new one?

Doing both... That's completely fine cause I won't even need them for a couple months! I just wanted to make sure I had the tools all figured out before I ordered the parts. I'd love to get your contact saved in my phone so I have it when the time comes.

 

[HandgunHTR]

Hey man! I can't believe I just found this! I'm in Spartanburg and I've been looking all day for someone with the tools to install a prefit barrel! I'm new today to rokslide so it won't let me message you yet. Could you please shoot me a text @ 814-449-3870 ??

@Joshua323 Sorry, I was out of town for work. I will shoot you a text this afternoon and we can meet up this weekend if you want to just come over here and use my stuff.

What are you changing out to? I may have the gauges too.

 

[Joshua323]

Yeah man shoot me a text! I don't quite need them yet but wanted to make sure I had access to the tools before I ordered my barrel. I'll get your number saved in my phone! I'm switching to a 22 creedmoor, do you have the gauges for that?

 

[HandgunHTR]

I don't have creedmoor gauges yet, but I have a 22 Creed build on my list, so I may have them by the time your barrel arrives.

 

[gtriple]

I don't have creedmoor gauges yet, but I have a 22 Creed build on my list, so I may have them by the time your barrel arrives.

If you end up getting the 22CM gauges, I may come up to borrow them too eventually. I'm in the area often for work. Haven't ordered a barrel yet. I'm deciding between an 18" and a 16.5" build.

 

[Jimbee]

I have a 6.5 creedmoor go guage. I believe it works for all the creedmoors.

 

[HandgunHTR]

If you end up getting the 22CM gauges, I may come up to borrow them too eventually. I'm in the area often for work. Haven't ordered a barrel yet. I'm deciding between an 18" and a 16.5" build.

I am going 19" cuz I am an oddball.

 

[gtriple]

Tools will be available soon if anyone needs them