I'm curious, still running my factory 6br barrel but at some point I may get the itch for a nicer barrel. I've seen the full circle wrenches but between my scope and rail hanging over the barrel nut I'll have to remove the scope & rail to get the wrench on there. Are there any "C" shaped savage wrenches that allow removing the nut without the hassle of scope removal?
None that I know of. However since this is the FIRST removal of a factory barrel take the pain and remove the scope and rail (if needed...the note above on the muzzle end screw is MOST important). I have removed about 4 factory Savage barrels ( I buy Savage ACTIONS now) and never ran in to a tough one, however they may be out there. Also once you install your new barrel there is no need to tighten the nut to any extreme at all. It is hard to find (I have not yet) any published torque amount but I tighten the nut to 40 ft.lbs. This is after using anti seize so my 40
with lube is much different than a dry 40. In fact there are torque
reduction tables published that give you the % of reduction
with different types of material on the threads (it's an impressive reduction). Mine at 40 have never come loose or moved. Lacking published data on the torque I will put a dot of paint on the nut and barrel so that a quick visual check will show me if anything moved. (Never has, yet)
Once your new barrel is on and you wish to switch it the removal is a known factor and you can use a strap which works fine.
I am working on a nut that will take a common spanner wrench with the two holes which would allow nut removal with out taking anything else off.
Naturally you need more than two holes on the nut or once the headspace is set they
could wind up with the scope interfering access to them.
The above is merely what I do and not a statement concerning the
correct or the
different way others may do it. Just what works for me on my rifles.
p.s. If a picatinny rail were to extend over the nut I'd trim it as I've never needed a scope ring to extend that far.
AND that front rail screw
should be short enough
not to touch the barrel threads...if it does (measure) trim it. (the first 3 threads do 75% of the work in a bolt.