Smoothie newbie had a problem.

[Larry (Omaha)]

Got my Ken Nutting 20 ga, 48" barrel and started work on a new build. Been makin furniture and mullin over a zillion details one needs to consider for a total new smoothie.
Never thought about my little problem as I have been busy with details I am familiar with. My brain farted and I thought, how am I gonna pull that breech plug, as the barrel is not octogon, but round and worse yet, tapered? Oh crap, this could be tough I though, as I have no clue how to hold the barrel. All you who know how to approch might think, no big deal! It really isn't when you have a plan that works.
I read on the net, someone used Rice Barrel octogon aluminum jaws along with leather to cushion against barrel damage. I didn't have a whole lot of faith in that, but tried it. The barrel spun at the same speed as the wrench locked on the breech plug. Needed something else here, so I placed some wet/dry (black) sand paper on top of the leather and snugged the bench vice up again. (with the Rice jaws) Wow! That plug came out slicker than snot. Anyway here is my take for a brain fart concern that came out OK.
Larry

 

[Indy Durtdigger]

I use one of these from Brownells. Using wood blocks and usually copper or brass shims to keep the barrel from turning is handy. Anytime I run into something different all I gotta do is make a new set of blocks.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Sheet lead and rosin is great for this sort of thing.

 

[Rob M.]

You done good . Another way is to grind a flat on the bottom . I kinda like it when bedding round barrels too but sure helps with unbreeching them as well . Also ....the Breech plug tap technique. Many times if you put a breeched barrel in a vice and wrench on plug , you twist on wrench , nothing or the barrel comes out of the vice . But ...if you put the wrench on the plug , esp . when turning down into the vice not out , and you hit the wrench handle with pipe or hammer , tighten vice , hit handle again ....and keep this up youll see at the witness mark , its turning ....then pretty soon ....there it goes !

 

[bud in pa]

My vise has 8 inch jaws and probably weighs in at 50#. When I used to work on unmentionables I would take 2 pieces of 2x4 8inches long and run a groove down the center and cinch the barrel in them. Took the barrel out of a 1916 Mauser, no trouble.