I have been using a LaBounty action wrench and bench mount steel clamping vise for a while now. With this setup I have removed several barrels so far but in all cases, I did not care about the barrel being removed so I clamped it tightly against the jaws of the vise and then turn it with that massive LaBounty action wrench. However, I am getting ready to remove a good barrel that will be remounted so I need a profesional quality barrel vise to do it properly. I was looking at the Brownells steel clamping barrel vise assembly but it looks very long (4" in length?) and I don't think it will fit over the shank lenght of the barrel since the distance between the sight base and the reciever is shorter. I am looking for a barrel clamping vise to be just long enough (1.5-2" most) to cover the shank of the barrel. Any insight about this problem? Any advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Take a look at the vise that midway has, I have seen this vise personally. it might be what your looking for.

The Brownells vice is excellent. Why can't you remove the rear sight? Is it soldered on?

You don't have to remove the sight, just make a bushing to fit between the sight and the front of the receiver.

Are you worried about gouging or scratching the barrel? If so I would suggest you just buy a pack of lead shims. Brownells car Here ies them

Thanks guys for the suggestions. Some sights are difficult to remove, especially those with an intergal sight base. I don't see any reason to have the barrel vise longer than the shank lenght of the barrel, which should be about 2" max. Thanks to a member of this forum, I found a vise that might work for me but I don't know for sure until I have it in my hands.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3621072884&category=31709#ebayphotohosting

Here is one I made with a 6 ton hydraulic jack and few pieces of metal and two 3/4" bolts. Check it out in my photo album at www. RVB Precision Shooting web page rvbprecision.com

BTW........I make barrel blocks out of Aluminum and contour them to particular barrels with Brownells Steel Bed. They work great and haven't scratched a barrel yet. Lots of powdered Rosin helps!

RVB,

Thanks for the info. You got a very unique barrel vise there. I like the idea of bedding the block specifically to a barrel contour. I will have to keep that in mind when I work on my vise. Also, you got a good website there with a lot of info. I just read an article on your website about accuralizing the Ruger No. 1...very interesting indeed. Thanks.