My Savage died

[CharlieNC]

A quality prefit such as Criterion is an excellent shooter for approx $350. If you just want the same level of basic performance you can typically get a new or slightly used Savage takeoff barrel for $75 from an individual at savageshooter website.

 

[leclairk]

I will call Northland and see if they have a Criterion in stock. If not I’ll probably try for a Shilen.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

The reason you buy Salvage is to rebarrel you’re self, McGowan prefit around $350 barrel nut wrench $30, go,nogo $70 barrel vise $70, there is plenty how to on the internet. Keep the tools for next time or sale and recoup some of your money. Take better care of your next barrel and you should easily get 2500 rounds out of it

 

[JFrank]

I will call Northland and see if they have a Criterion in stock. If not I’ll probably try for a Shilen.

You could also call Stan at Douglas Barrel

 

[jeffreybehr]

First get a new gunsmith, then some cleaning supplies like Wipeout, a cleaning rod and a brushand clean it. It will probably shoot great again. Or youtube how to rebarrel a Savage. Then order a barrel from Northland or similar, $300 for a new 6.5 CM barrel.

https://northlandshooterssupply.com/barrels/criterion-savage/
https://www.ebay.com/itm/EABCO-Accu...959262?hash=item3b388ee4de:g:REAAAOSwMJVdcnRD

I bought a Savage 110 Benchrest rifle several years ago, before I had my right-shoulder joint replaced.. It was chambered in 6.5-284, same caliber my first BR rifle, 'smithed by Bill Shehane, that I bought 13 years ago.


With my worn-out shoulder, the 6.5-284...

...had too much recoil, so I bought a 28" heavy barrel, barrel-nut wrench, and two headspace gages from Northland (link above), this time in 6.5 Creedmore.. It was very easy for me to switch barrels, and a'shootin' I went.. Turns out the 6.5 Creedmore still had too much recoil, so I bought from Northland a 30" heavy barrel in 6XC, which I still have but don't shoot any more.

Unless you really want to spend $2500 to change rifles, I too recommend you buy a new barrel, barrel-nut wrench, and two headspace gages for your current Savage and spend on load development and shooting the maybe-$2K you didn't spend on a new rifle.

FWIW, the 6XC performed very well in my very brief life with it, but with the popularity of the 6mm Creedmore and the small differences between it and the 6XC, if I had to do this rebarreling over again, probably I'd pick the Creedmore.

 

[338 dude]

I hear you on a new barrel. My smith likes Douglas barrels. New barrel will run me about a $1000 installed. Or I buy a far superior Daniel Defense for $2500. I’m not sure what route to take.

1000 installed on the savage seems a little high I’m sure you could do it for less

 

[Riesel]

lecilairk, You should take a deep breath and back away from the clutter. the recommendations are all over the place. Most concur, however, that your gunsmith may be suspect
and not have your best interest at heart. Get another opinion. Sounds to me like the first thing needed is a real good, and I mean real good barrel cleaning, and some tutorials
on cleaning you rifle after a session of shooting. After a good cleaning, shoot it some and see what you have, then pick a direct that's not a knee jerk reaction.
You need a plan.

 

[edwardware]

Your Savage didn't die, it's just starting to loose its baby teeth!

Get a Criterion barrel on that and go shoot.

Also, anyone who quotes you real money to install a barrel on a Savage believes you to be ignorant. It takes 20 minutes and $50 in tools.

 

[redrockranger]

I hear you on a new barrel. My smith likes Douglas barrels. New barrel will run me about a $1000 installed. Or I buy a far superior Daniel Defense for $2500. I’m not sure what route to take.

Find a new gunsmith........

 

[hoz53]

I have a Savage Model 10 GRS in 6.5CM. Lately it has not been grouping well so I took it in for a checkup. Gunsmith says the throat is completely shot. It’s cracked, pitted, and full of copper fouling that he said you could never get out. The gun is only 2-1/2 years old and has seen maybe 1500 rounds. I could rebarrel the thing but at this point I’m tempted to just scrap it. Any idea what would cause this? This isn’t the first problem I’ve had with it. When it was 6 months old I had to send it back to Savage because the chamber was so rusted I could barely open the bolt after I fired it. It lives in a safe in a temperature control room with a dehumidifier in the safe. I’m tempted to contact Savage and see what they say, but given it’s well past the warranty period I am probably out of luck. I love the gun, it shot lights out until it didn’t. I’m lusting over the new Daniel Defense Delta 5 Pro. It might be time for an upgrade.

and one more thing- now with the 50.00 or so borescopes available, you could get one and learn to use it. Then you can figure out whats going on in your rifles yourself. Id get the rifle back from the guy, get a borescope and clean the heck out until its as clean as you can get it. then try it - if it doesnt shoot then get a new barrel and install it yourself.

 

[Hohn]

Thousand bucks to screw a barrel into a Savage? Get a new gunsmith. You could do it yourself with a better than factory barrel for less than half of that.

Absolutely. A smith charging $1k for a barrel nut rebarrel is ripping you off. You can get a cut Brux or Bartlein for $550 and install yourself. Even if you need to buy barrel wrench and go gauges you’ll still save a ton.

There are zero advantages to skipping a prefit with a barrel nut. Only if using a shouldered barrel would I consider paying anything like what your smith wants.

 

[MatthewsCarbineCo]

1500 rounds is where you would change the barrel..
If you want higher round count in a barrel life cycle. Move to 30 caliber. Throat errosion is less severe than in 6.5mm, 6mm, .243 caliber round s

 

[leclairk]

Everyone take a deep breath, I don’t need a new gunsmith. I‘ve worked with this guy for years and he is well respected. I bought a Criterion barrel from Northland and he is going to install it for $125. Problem solved. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

 

[Hohn]

First get a new gunsmith, then some cleaning supplies like Wipeout, a cleaning rod and a brushand clean it. It will probably shoot great again. Or youtube how to rebarrel a Savage. Then order a barrel from Northland or similar, $300 for a new 6.5 CM barrel.

https://northlandshooterssupply.com/barrels/criterion-savage/
https://www.ebay.com/itm/EABCO-Accu...959262?hash=item3b388ee4de:g:REAAAOSwMJVdcnRD

My CBI from NSS took all of 15 minutes to install and that’s only because I was being super picky about headspace being dead minimum.

 

[Ggmac]

Everyone take a deep breath, I don’t need a new gunsmith. I‘ve worked with this guy for years and he is well respected. I bought a Criterion barrel from Northland and he is going to install it for $125. Problem solved. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

So why did it rust shut ? That could of helped it with the life , but 1500 rounds is so so if you dont handload or clean it . Get the $50 borescope and check your cleaning process . Its the only way to learn . If your my age go out and buy whatever you want . Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
If your happy with your smith , thats all that matters , you had to be curious of a savage barrel price ?
What cartridge is the old barrel in ? 22-250 or another hot cartridge ?

 

[Pawnee Bill]

I hear you on a new barrel. My smith likes Douglas barrels. New barrel will run me about a $1000 installed. Or I buy a far superior Daniel Defense for $2500. I’m not sure what route to take.

You need a different gunsmith! This guy is a ripoff artist!!

 

[300_whisper]

1500 rds shouldn’t burn out a 6.5CM unless youre firing like a machine gun at the bench. I would do a good cleaning first. If that doesn’t work....

Get a chambered prefit, go/no go gauge, watch a 5 min YouTube barrel on how to install, and you’re good to go.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

My CBI from NSS took all of 15 minutes to install and that’s only because I was being super picky about headspace being dead minimum.

Hohn, having never done a savage nut prefit is there anything you would add to the video above? I noticed in the video they used the action wrench and said not to use a barrel vise. I have also read to tighten barrel down on go-gauge then back off just a hair before tightening nut, and also to remove go- gauge when torquing nut. I have no idea if the last sentence was correct or not. Thanks!

 

[jelenko]

1000 installed on the savage seems a little high I’m sure you could do it for less

Like, a LOT less

 

[338 dude]

Like, a LOT less

Probably in the ballpark of $600 would be closer