Rem 700 switch barrel question

[hemiford]

Been studying this idea lately. Reading about Savage-type barrel nut
conversion, etc. Not sure what I believe or what I understand at this point.

On a Rem, some are saying that you must fasten the recoil lug to the
receiver somehow, by welding, or pinning. I don't understand the need
for this, so, my question is: Why ?


Let's say you want to re-barrel. Unscrew the original and then begin
the process to set up the new one, thread - chamber - headspace, etc.
Finally the new one goes on and stays (for a while).

You just switched barrels.

Hmm, I think I want to try something with the old barrel; unscrew the
new one and screw the old one back on, but this time no setup machining
is required, sure goes quicker.

You just switched barrels.

Repeat as desired, or even add a third barrel into the rotation.

----------

So far, it's not been necessary to have the recoil lug pinned in any
of these operations.
Each particular setup is a complete and distinct rifle in it's own right,
it doesn't know any "switching" ever happened.

What am I missing ?

 

[Michael Eichele]

We pin the lug to the action to ensure the lug is always aligned properly.

Imaging performing the perfect pillar bedding job and then changing barrels. If you don't get the lug lined up perfectly, the action screws won't line up with the receiver properly. Pinning the lug keeps everything the same every time.

You can always use an alignment tool but its easier if its just pinned. Pinning them isn't a way of joining them either. It just holds the lug in place so it can't rotate out of alignment.

Most guys who have switch barrel guns aren't gunsmiths. They just want and need to change things quickly, easily and as idiot proof as possible with as few tools as possible.

 

[MudRunner2005]

We pin the lug to the action to ensure the lug is always aligned properly.

Imaging performing the perfect pillar bedding job and then changing barrels. If you don't get the lug lined up perfectly, the action screws won't line up with the receiver properly. Pinning the lug keeps everything the same every time.

You can always use an alignment tool but its easier if its just pinned. Pinning them isn't a way of joining them either. It just holds the lug in place so it can't rotate out of alignment.

Most guys who have switch barrel guns aren't gunsmiths. They just want and need to change things quickly, easily and as idiot proof as possible with as few tools as possible.

I think that's the about the best explaination I've ever heard. Quick, simple, and to the point.

 

[hemiford]

Well thank you much !
So, EXACT repeatability, particularly important in a bedded stock.
What a great forum, thank you again !