Rebed savage action with new barrel?

[cp255]

Thinking of putting a new barrel on my Savage single shot target action. I had previously glass bedded the stock. I will only be changing the barrel and not the recoil lug. However, I am concerned that once I unscrew the barrel the lug will not go back to exactly the same place. Should I rebed the gun if I change the barrel?

 

[GenePoole]

I believe (not sure about the single shots) Savages use a notched receiver and a lug with a dimple that fits the notch to keep the lug aligned.

 

[Richard Jones]

Single shots are the same.

 

[Richard Jones]

Here's a single shot action showing the notch and a factory recoil lug. Wasn't the lug part of the bedding process?

 

[Riesel]

IMO, it is best to re-bed, the lug rarely goes back in for a perfect fit.

 

[Blaster 1]

I change barrels on my savage target action all the time 6x47 to 20practical yes it's bedded but I never rebel it shoots great with ether barrel

 

[Bill K]

I belief it will drop right back in. Switch barrels, get it adjusted for headspace and see how it sits back in.

 

[Rat Rifle]

My bet..It will drop right back in.

 

[tobnpr]

Shoot it.
Even if the lug were "off" by a smidge (which it wouldn't be with your action, or using a lug indexing fixture with the standard actions), it shouldn't matter. Assuming your receiver face is true, and the lug is ground and flat- the recoil impulse is straight back and couldn't try to push the receiver off to one side. Non-issue in my book.

 

[Will Henry]

I always make sure there is clearance on the sides of the lug. That way, if there is a little misalignment, it won't be a problem. WH

 

[natdscott]

I always make sure there is clearance on the sides of the lug. That way, if there is a little misalignment, it won't be a problem. WH

No, you need clearance on the FRONT, and BOTTOM, of a lug. The sides and rear surface need to bear on the bedding material.

The sides are what keep the action from torquing against just the action screws, which SHOULD do nothing except act as they are: Fasteners. They are only supposed to hold the action down.

It is for this reason that it is so critical that the sides of the lug are either raked, or perfectly parallel.

I put a layer of 10 mil tape on the bottom, a layer on the front, and I apply a "bead" of clay to the barrel/action joint on the front side, to create a stronger "corner". That way, the owner can use that softer corner as a kind of "funnel", as they drop the lug back into the bedding, rather than fumbling around and possibly damaging a "perfect" right angle.

I've applied the same bead to the rear before, as well. Made no difference, and I've considered doing that all the time.

Anyway. Bed the side of your lugs with a good, low-shrink epoxy.

 

[Will Henry]

Yeah, I experimented with the concept of bedding the sides of remington lugs to address twisting of the receiver in the bedding, back in 1978. I found no merit in doing so. More effective was the use of a very light sprinkling of powdered rosin on the bedding surface. Unless one can be absolutely certain of perfect alignment when tightening the new barrel on, it is better to have some clearance. Or you can rebed. The whole issue of twisting in the stock was of greatest concern with rifles shot from prone, with a sling. We also felt that heavier bullets and faster twists exacerbated the problem. As time passes, I am less likely to make pronouncements regarding methodology. I might think I am always right but have come to realize I am sometimes wrong! Who knows? This might be one of those times. WH

 

[SBS]

Thinking of putting a new barrel on my Savage single shot target action. I had previously glass bedded the stock. I will only be changing the barrel and not the recoil lug. However, I am concerned that once I unscrew the barrel the lug will not go back to exactly the same place. Should I rebed the gun if I change the barrel?

I have had the same concern. Since the lug generally isn't a tight fit on the barrel, it can be a little higher or lower or even canted a little compared to the bedding. When I just change the barrel, I usually hand tighten the nut/barrel, drop in the stock, loosen nut/barrel to allow the lug to align to bedding and then retighten by hand and hope it holds there while I use the action wrench, nut wrench and barrel vise. I think it helps.

 

[ricco1949]

I removed my factory 700 barrel to thread it for a can and reinstalled it using my lug indexing fixture.

However my lug fixture obviously didn't agree with the factory installation as the lug was out of alignment with the existing bedding.

Since I was heading out PD'n shortly I needed a quick fix.

My solution to re-bedding was to loosely install barrel, insert the lug into its bedding slot, bolt the action in stock , tighten barrel in barrel vice, and turn the the entire stock, action, lug setup onto the barrel with a rear entry action wrench like a glue in.

It shot as before and has been sitting that way ever since.....

 

[Old Navy]

Thinking of putting a new barrel on my Savage single shot target action. I had previously glass bedded the stock. I will only be changing the barrel and not the recoil lug. However, I am concerned that once I unscrew the barrel the lug will not go back to exactly the same place. Should I rebed the gun if I change the barrel?

Do you have the ground lug? If so, not to worry. It will go right back in.