Gentlemen:
I've been trying to loosen the barrel retaining nut on my Savage 111, off and on for a few days now, using a SSS nut wrench and wooden barrel blocks from same.
The wrench fits well and is certainly beefy enough, though the blocks did not fit the barrel very closely- I finally made a "bedding" cast on the block channels with auto-body "Bondo". Rosin was applied and the blocks now make more (not perfect) contact with the barrel. Even with the fix, the entire barreled action merrily turns in the blocks as I rap the end of the wrench with a mallet, even when the blocks are held quite firmly in a decent bench vise.
Is there any way I can fabricate a better barrel-locking system?
I've tried soaking the nut / barrel junction with Kroil to break any possible corrosion or hardened factory assembly lubes, and it doesn't seem to help.
Furthermore (and I know I'm gonna get a few about this), which way does the nut turn to loosen? Looking from the back of the action (normal shooting position) does it turn clockwise or counterclockwise? SSS says counterclockwise, but I dunno.

Currently puzzled, moving rapidly towards frustration

Rosse

I was in your same shoes when I started my project. I soaked mine in Break-Free for 2 days then made blocks out of two one inch thick pieces from my woodpile with wedges cut out of each to fit around the barrel some. Here was the hard part. Tighten the vice down so hard that you question actually stripping the bolt threads and the wood almost "flows" around the barrel to make a perfect "seal". I tightened mine so hard I needed leather gloves to keep the wrench handle from cutting my hands. Then with the above done I put the SSS wrench on so it was straight out to the side and gave it a quick wrap with my framing hammer (clockwise from a shooting view). TaDa. The good news is this was the last time it will be that dificult, 10 mins. and I can have one off and thread the new one in. hope it helps.

NBHunter:
I had the barreled action and the SSS wrench "cold soaking" in the freezer chest for about 1 hour now. Read your post 2 minutes ago. I took the action out of the freezer, clapped on the barrel blocks, torqued them tight in the vise (with the help of a hand-sledge) and BINGO!, the nut came loose on the 3rd rap.

(3 minutes away from keyboard)

The action now wears a new PacNor stainless.

Sir, thank you kindly for your advice

Rosse

Done that, been there. An action wrench makes the whole thing a lot easier. A proper barrel wrench, too, but the action wrench is better. HTH, Dutch.