Switch barrel rifle

[mart]

I have found a left handed Weatherby in 375 Wby with a second barrel chambered for 340 Wby. The barrels have to be changed by a gunsmith. I was considering getting it and having made into a switch barrel rifle. Is that feasable? How expensive is it. I never really thought much about a change barrel rifle before but this seems like it might be a good set up. Any advice or ideas.

[Bug]

You will need a barrel vise with the correct size insert to fit your barrel, some powdered rosin, an action wrench to fit your action, and a BIG vise well-bolted to a VERY sturdy table. Depending on the type of bbl vise, it may bolt to the table itself & eliminate the need for the vise. After the removal of the original barrel, it's not that big a deal, as you only need to tighten a bbl up to about 100 ft/lbs, max. I watched Shilen (the son)reinstall the bbl on my .300 WBY, and he just gave the wrench a hard spin to tighten it down. Kinda like he let inertia, and the sudden stop set the bbl in place. Most actions are a bear to unscrew the first time (Remington uses loctite), but after that it ain't no big deal. I have been intrigued by this idea for a long while, and am just now going ahead with the project. FWIW,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Bug.

[mart]

Bug,

Thanks for the info. My idea was for a change barrel set up that didn't require a barrel vise or a wrench but only a quarter turn to remove the barrel and install the new one. Thanks. Mart

[gunnut69]

Interupted thread takedown systems aren't new..  The old Savage M99 used one and as many do it had problems.  They can loosen with use(assembly/dis-assembly).  A better idea is a system that uses a full thread but doesn't draw the barrel up as tight as a permanent installation.  The barrel is then restrained by some mechanism from loosening.  This is the type system the M99 went to when the interrupted thread takedown proved weak..  Good luck and keep us posted on your pregress!!  from the gunnut69