You probably will have the most flexibility with a short action, but that will limit you from using large magnums (I guess you could use a Surgeon XL and switch between 300 Win Mag and 338 LM, but I think that is overkill here in the northeast - you might be able to use something like that, which would be awesome) You need to choose calibers that have the same bolt face, or get new bolts (223 family, 308 family, WSM family) You need a stock or chassis that can accommodate the barrel contours you are going to switch between

Here is what I think you need to make a switchbarrel system work: All three calibers have very different purposes. Something I've been considering if my next duty assignment puts me near a long distance range or near big game is getting a 300 WSM bolt and using the same receiver and mini chassis to switch between 223/6.5 CM/300 WSM. So, I can use a highly accurate 223 as a plinking gun and a 6.5 CM as a match gun. I also had to get a 223 AI mag, again a little tough to find right now. I did have to source a 223 bolt from Surgeon, which I think I was lucky to get in just 2 months. JARed Joplin at APA is fitting both of these barrels onto my Surgeon 591/R receiver. I purchased a Manners T3 mini-chassis and bought a 6.5mm barrel and a 223 barrel. After using it, I realized it's not exactly what I wanted. I have a switchbarrel under construction. long story short the less 'smithing' the better in my book. I repaired the guns at additional expense and sold them as I could not stand to look at them after such a crap-tastic (and expensive) expirience. My only regret is not going this route in the first place.Īfter a horrid experience in which I received my first custom builds, a FN SPR and FN PBR, back from the smith with the finish partially blasted off finish and rusting (the least of the damage). I would second using either a pinned or integral recoil lug. I have noted the barrel and scope ring torque settings and return to zero settings for the scope turrets and found that with minimal adjustment I am back on target after completely switching calibers.

I built my switch barrel rifles on Surgeon actions (591R and 1086R). It takes me about 15 minutes start to finish switching out calibers. I save on scopes, actions, chassis/stocks, triggers and bipods and gunsmithing. The 591R is 260 REM, 308 WIN and 6.5 SLR Improved.

In essence I have 5 customs at a dramatically lower cost. I have only 2 rifles but barrels in 5 calibers.

Instal Joplin 2.12.10