Gunsmithing Barreling a Savage Action

[catronro]

I am thinking about getting a savage target action and a Shilen savage replacement barrel (already chambered and threaded to go on my action) and putting them together myself. I have done some research and I think all i need is:

- Savage barrel nut wrench
- Action wrench
- Go/No Go Gauge

Do I need anything else? Any tips/tricks for doing something like this right.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Barreling a Savage Action

That's it. Just be aware the target action is a "large shank", so make sure the guy selling you your barrel knows that.

Most of us don't bother with a nogo gage, and just stick a piece of scotch tape on the go gage, but if it makes you feel good, use the nogo.

 

[pyplynr]

Re: Barreling a Savage Action

I use all that plus a barrel vise.

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Barreling a Savage Action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use all that plus a barrel vise. </div></div>

I use a shop vise and hardwood blocks in lieu of a proper barrel vise.

 

[catronro]

Re: Barreling a Savage Action

Thank you. Just to ensure I understand. Do you just close the go gauge in the action and then screw on the action until it hits the go gauge, then back it off a little and try the no go until its just right?

 

[hsss]

Re: Barreling a Savage Action

Close it on the the go if it closes on the no go it is too loose.

 

[catronro]

Re: Barreling a Savage Action

Thanks again...one last question. Does anyone know the take down screw spacing on the savage standard target action? I know it could be 4.40 or 3.44 but i have not actually ordered the action yet so i cant measure it and am trying to order the stock.

 

[nhm16]

Re: Barreling a Savage Action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: catronro</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thank you. Just to ensure I understand. Do you just close the go gauge in the action and then screw on the action until it hits the go gauge, then back it off a little and try the no go until its just right? </div></div>

No need to back off, which will likely result in excessive headspace. Close on the go gauge, screw in barrel till it stops, then tighten down on the nut to your desired torque (I use about 50ft-lbs). When you do that, headspace will increase by 0.01-0.02" from the go gauge. You can use a plastigage after to verify how much.

 

[catronro]

Re: Barreling a Savage Action

Awesome...thank you for all the good information. FYI I call savage today and asked about the take down screw, they said:

- Action made in the last two years is 3.44
- If the serial number begins with H is 3.44
- If I get an action and call with the serial number they can give me the exact spacing

So i ordered my action and we will see.

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Barreling a Savage Action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: catronro</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Awesome...thank you for all the good information. FYI I call savage today and asked about the take down screw, they said:

- Action made in the last two years is 3.44
- If the serial number begins with H is 3.44
- If I get an action and call with the serial number they can give me the exact spacing

So i ordered my action and we will see. </div></div>

Action screw spacing for recently manufactured Savage 10/11/12/14/16 short actions (referred to as centerfeeds) is 4.41".

EDIT: I have absolutely no idea about a single shot "target action", so I'm quite probably wrong

 

[nhm16]

Re: Barreling a Savage Action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: catronro</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Awesome...thank you for all the good information. FYI I call savage today and asked about the take down screw, they said:

- Action made in the last two years is 3.44
- If the serial number begins with H is 3.44
- If I get an action and call with the serial number they can give me the exact spacing

So i ordered my action and we will see. </div></div>

Action screw spacing for recently manufactured Savage 10/11/12/14/16 short actions (referred to as centerfeeds) is 4.41". </div></div>

Yeah, but they changed that (again) for the single shot (3 action screw) target actions.

 

[songdogslayer]

Re: Barreling a Savage Action

I have a target action and the two outside screws measure 4.40 and the inner screw is 2.20 from the front screw and 2.20 from the rear screw.

 

[jasonZ]

Re: Barreling a Savage Action

Action screw spacing should be 4.4 or 4.27" depending on "generation" of action. I would also note that a lot of people recommend removing the extractor from the bolt head, which is really easy on a savage, to make sure you don't get a false reading, but checking with nogo or in my case tape on the back rim of the go to verify. Just a tip. I think if you Google that with the hide search engine, or possibly just on Google, there is a nice little video, maybe YouTube even, about the tape trick. Super easy and that's how I did mine. Worked perfectly. Don't back it off when you set the go gauge, just lock it all down, make the barrel nut tight (not to tight) then check with tape or nogo. If all is good, seat the barrel nut down ave your good.