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? on a barrel savage swap

Highpoint

Highpoint

Full Member
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 19, 2011
288
0
40
Cullman, Alabama
#1
I have decided to do a barrel swap on my Savage 12 VLP 22-250, in a hs p stock. I have got my mind simi made up on either 7mm or.300 WSM( if current action will hold the pressure, think it will, and know about bolt face swap), 7mm08, 260 rem, or maybe a good sugestion from replys along these lines. I have been reloading for years so bullet selection is not a problem.

My decision is based on the fact its so hard to see those tiny holes at matches out to 520 yds( I also shoot .308 win in these matches).

My question is being new to barrel swaps, would this be a project that easy enough for me to handle? I have not desided on a barrel mfg, but I am fairly sertain with proper tools and go & no-go guages , I could get it done.

If I do everything right is there any accuracy I would be loosing by not taking it to a gunsmith for a profesional job? The gun is going there eventualy for a brake instal anyways.

Please dont get out the popcorn on me, I could not find enough of all the answers I was looking for to totally make up my mind on a home project, and Thanks for the answers ahead of time.
 
#3
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

Yes, it's easy enough.

I've built several small shank WSM's and 338 Edges.

Just do your homework and take it slow.

You'll also need a firing pin assembly. The short action magnums are different length than the short action standards.
 
#5
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

I've swapped barrels on two Savages, and have four others getting ready to go "under the knife". If I can do it and not blowed myself up real good, you can too.

Its an addictive, painfully expensive hobby, these barrel nut rifles...
 
#8
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

I am just now going down a similar path, but I'm going from a .300 win mag, first Savage I've owned. Thus far I have removed the barrel and talked to a gunsmith. I got a wheeler #2 action wrench and a wheeler barrel nut wrench and had the old barrel off in 5 minutes. After seeing the simple design of the barrel it will be very easy to install a new barrel, using a go gauge and some shim stock. Another point you could consider is that if you're worried about the small shank to large shank issue, I talked to a gunsmith that quoted me around $75 to open up the receiver, which I will have done for my wsm build. I prefer to have the larger shank style barrel.
You could also call a gunsmith and see what their price would be to remove the barrel, install a new barrel, and/or open up the action, which could possibly be cheaper than spending around $100 for tools and gauges. I wanted the tools so I opted to do the barrel stuff myself and never asked about the other prices.
Regarding another point of yours I don't think you'll lose any accuracy doing the barrel yourself, though a gunsmith could do some work on your action, which could help out some.
 
#9
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

I thought about the same thing, only in 7mm SAUM. It looks like there is more seating options with the slightly shorter case. When it's time to rebarrel I'll probably go with 260 for the longer lasting barrel and easier/cheaper to shoot. Maybe.
 
#12
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

desicion was made today for a 24" 7mm-08 with flutes and brake. And now just got to get her ordered...What contour barrel is the majority of people not concerned with weight getting for a tactical looking paper puncher these days.
 
#13
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HighPoint</div><div class="ubbcode-body">desicion was made today for a 24" 7mm-08 with flutes and brake. And now just got to get her ordered...What contour barrel is the majority of people not concerned with weight getting for a tactical looking paper puncher these days. </div></div>

Thinking of doing the same thing my self, bout how much did that run you?
 
#14
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

Swaps are simple as simple can be with the right tools. If you already have a favorite round, use a once fired case as your headspace gage, then double check it with a GO and then a NO GO gague. Make sure the barrel doesn't sping when you tighten. I use a Sharpie to make reference/witness marks to make sure nothing moves over time. A small dab of blue loctite on the threads secures things too (DO NOT USE RED LOCTITE or over do the blue.. just a drop, if you even want to put any on)

As far as barrels go..once you add flutes and break/threading the price goes up pretty fast. There is only like $20 difference between Match and Super Match. I've read that you won't notice a difference in shooting them.. they are both lights out. The Super Match MAY just clean up a bit faster, but the Match is not a hard cleaner.

Here is the price breakdowns:

Contoured & Polished Standard Match Grade Chrome Moly Blank $260.00
Contoured & Polished Standard Match Grade Stainless Steel Blank $290.00

Contoured & Polished Super-Match Grade Chrome Moly Blank $285.00
Contoured & Polished Super-Match Grade Stainless Steel Blank $310.00

Prefit to Desired Caliber Add $125.00

Muzzle Brake / Add-On Add $130.00
Muzzle Brake / Add-On / Timed Add $150.00

Barrel Fluting Charges (3-4 Flutes) $100.00
Barrel Fluting Charges (5-6 Flutes) $125.00

Approximate Delivery Dates:
8 to 10 weeks for Standard Barrel Blanks
10 to 12 weeks for Prefit Barrels
14 to 16 weeks for Fitted and Chambered Barrels
 
#17
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

HP, no I'm not in the business.. just a consumer. These are the prices off the PacNor pricing list on their website. As Waynea_91 mentioned too, you can try Devin at Sin-Arms sells barrels as well ([email protected]). He does Brux and Rock barrels as well as a few other makes of barrel. Hit up Savage Shooter Forums, they have a section specifically for aftermarket barrels. Lots of options.
 
#18
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

Called around today and it looks like my barrel options will be limited to either brux or douglas. Everyone else was a 5-6 month wait. Any opinions on the better barrel? Also looks like I will be going 26" with no flutes at all and brake will come later down the road, might get the barrel chopped while its getting a brake instal.

Between brux and douglas what's my better option?
 
#19
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

Did you try getting in touch with Kevin Rayhill? He deals with benchmark barrels and normally has some in stock.

I take it you got in touch with Jim Briggs as well???

McGowen has some overstock pre fit Savages...not sure what calibers they have on hand, but worth a try.
 
#22
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

I just did mine myself yesterday. Had an action wrench and barrel nut wrench. Locked the action wrench (specifically for savage 110) over the lug area, clamped the wrench in the vice, inserted the nut wrench and one small wack with a rubber mallet and it was off. I have my gauges coming in the mail tomorrow to put on my new criterion prefit. It was that easy, no smith required. PS. Criterion is the button rifling division of Kreiger and they are super cheap until September.
 
#23
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TonyAngel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you checked out Krieger's inventory list. They do have some barrels in stock and if they happen to have what you want, you can have it in under a week. </div></div> they have a sporter barrel in stock for 7 mm 08 but no varmint or target barrels
 
#24
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

Im going to do some more calling around tomorrow and see what else I can get in a month or so wait. Right now I am working 13 hour nights and time is limited on research and rounding up gun parts.

Thanks again for the help
 
#27
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

got up and did some shopping today, finaly got in touch with Jim at NSS. Last couple of ties I tried got no answer. Got my barrel ordered, specs are....

Criterion
7mm-08 rem Match chamber 1-9 twist---small shank
simi polish stainless steel
26" long 1" diameter at muzzle
11 degree target crown

Jim was telling me that I didnt need to order the no go gauge becouse you can temperarily modify the go gauge to a no go. Anyone know what this trick is and if its safe enough to use. He said to call back when I get my barrel and he would walk me through it.

Thanks again for all the help and info
 
#29
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HighPoint</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jim was telling me that I didnt need to order the no go gauge becouse you can temperarily modify the go gauge to a no go. Anyone know what this trick is and if its safe enough to use. He said to call back when I get my barrel and he would walk me through it.

Thanks again for all the help and info </div></div>

get good quality scotch tape, not the thin dollar store stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KICBv-0U87Y
 
#32
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bpnelson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I highly recommend McGowen barrels.</div></div>

I just ordered 2 barrels in .458 from McGowan directly and was quoted <span style="text-decoration: underline">4 weeks</span>. We'll see. Dude on the phone was super helpful, even when I wanted a really fast twist they didn't have listed. Pricing was far less than web-site as I only wanted short 16" tubes. So far, these guys are GTG.
 
#34
Re: ? on a barrel savage swap

My last 2 mcgowen barrels (6.5 creedmoor and 308) have been great and were delivered in 4 weeks and 6 weeks, respectively. they were both stainless barrels, 1" at muzzle. the 308 was 18" matte finish and the 6.5cm was 26" polished.

Check with mcgowen directly, they used to offer 10% or 15% off (cant remember, but one of these) to first time buyers with them.

Shoot them an email or give them a call.
 
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