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Easiest switch barrel

Prefit threaded chambered ready-to-screw-on barrels have been seen on sale for less than $60. Factory take-off barrels for $25. Specialty barrels as high as $500.

With the variety of stocks, triggers, barrels, and the swappability of bolt heads, the Savage truly is the Erector Set of Rifles.

Been looking for the downside for quite a long time and haven't found it.

Some yo-yo said it didn't look as good engraved and gold enlayed as a Pre-64 Winchester...

Many gunsmiths don't like it cause there ain't no money in a Savage for them.



.
 
"Many gunsmiths don't like it cause there ain't no money in a Savage for them."

While this may in fact be true, if you think you can simply buy a pre-threaded and chambered barrel, screw it on, and have a rifle that anywhere near the quality of a properly gunsmithed rifle...you are mistaken. The Savage is a do-it-yourself system on the cheap, thats why they have gained such a following.
 
The original poster stated he wanted a switch barrel hunting rifle. He did'nt want to win the super shoot his first time at the bench.
A Savage will perform that function better than most and save him a ton of money to boot.
 
savage shooters supply makes a recoil lug with a screw on it to alighn it with the slot in the face of the savage action. this works very well as you don't have to set the head space except when re-barreling this works for me very well. I've thought about milling a slot in a remington receiver to do the same thing. treeman
 
Treeman,
All my Remingtons have a slot in the front to accept a Savage [SSS ] lug. I also have a Rem bolt with a Savage bolt head conversion and all my Rems end up with floating tangs.

The only real downside to the Savage is the trigger/sear design. I switched over to Remingtons so I can use Jewel triggers.
 
chino69 said:
Hammer said:
Have read and heard folks discuss at length the optimum torque for the barrel and nut on a Savage. Some go into quite scientific and engineering sounding arguments.

Talked to Bob Greenleaf, chief engineer at Savage for 30 years. He said they didn't even have a gauge for it when he was there. It was however tight the lady on the assembly process made it that time.

He said someone got a new wrench after he left and that the current ones are way too tight.

He has some switch barrel ones that he tightens by hand without any fixtures. Holds the rifle upright between his knees and tightens it with his hands using a plain wrench.



.

Hammer,
I found an article in Machine Design 8/24/2006 entitled 'Keeping Firearms on Target' that discussed Savage's manufacturing processes. The torque from the factory is 70 ft/lbs. which is plenty. I torque my Savage pre-fit barrels to approx. 35 ft/lbs. and it is plenty; never had one loosen.

Lou Baccino
Chino69
 
tightneck said:
"Many gunsmiths don't like it cause there ain't no money in a Savage for them."

While this may in fact be true, if you think you can simply buy a pre-threaded and chambered barrel, screw it on, and have a rifle that anywhere near the quality of a properly gunsmithed rifle...you are mistaken. The Savage is a do-it-yourself system on the cheap, thats why they have gained such a following.

Tightneck,
I'd like to add this to your above post. I have several properly gunsmithed Reminton 40X single shot rifles by Clarence Hammonds and a Savage single shot put together by Sharp Shooter Supply's Fred Moreo. All three rifles are set up as switch barrel rigs with barrels from Pac Nor, Hart, Kreiger, etc. The Savage is not far behind in the accuracy department from the Remingtons. When comparing costs between the two methods, the Savage wins hands down. For an exceptional varmint rifle or for someone who doesn't want to go the gunsmithed route, Savage has alot going for it. The Pac Nor barrels that I've had made as pre-fits shoot exceptionally well. Looking through a Pac-Nor barrel with a borescope doesn't look any different than a Kreiger or a Hart and shoot just as well. I've shot a fair number of one hole 5 shot groups with my pre-fit barrels on my Savage @200 meters that are just as tight as my 6mm BR Kreiger.

Lou Baccino
Chino69
 
Chino69,

I would submit to you that your Savage IS properly put together...not just the average shooter slapping a pre-fit on. From what I've read, Fred does a great job truing and timing the Savages, rebarreling, and stock work. That's not what I was referring to. I have trued both Remington and Savage actions, and neither is satisfactory for true accuracy work until they have been trued. That if you care about things being straight. Will they shoot well without the truing? Probably so. 80%-90% of all accuracy gains are in the barrel IMHO. But I just cringe at the idea of a several hundred dollar barrel and chamber job getting screwed into an action that is crooked. If a shooter wants a half minute target rifle, thats fine. But I deal in sub .250" MOA, and halfway don't cut it.

BTW, I've been to Clarence's shop on a number of occasions, even had him build me a rifle a while back...
 
tightneck
Average shooter here with unsmithed actions.
If any of my Savages either prefit of factory tubes can only shoot .5 moa average they get unscrewed and put in long term storage.
I do agree with your contention that the barrel is ultimately responsible for accuracy. I call it "bore condition". While the physical condition of the steel is very important its matching the powder and subsequent fouling in the bore that I feel is key.
Reading these conditions is the other key.
 
:D:wave: i keep hearing bout switch barrel guns. my big question to alot of peeps is if your not using it for match why not just go buy a encore?!?!? 30 seconds to go from .223 to a .416 rigby mines about as accurate as you can get for a factory rifle. ya dont always need a bench gun to make animals do flips
 
I never really like the Encore. Maybe it's just the fact that it is a single shot. The price is a bit high for starters. could have a Stevens and a couple factory take-offs for the initial price. They are a good gun just not what I'm looking for. Thanks everyong for the post really enjoy reading the replies. Learning a little with every post.
 
30xs

If you want a "True" switchbarrel on any action call Larry and see what he recommends.

http://www.lprgunsmith.com/lpr_switch_rifle.htm

Real nice guy to do business with.
If your just looking for a hunter or club comp shooting rifle and the ability to switch cartridges at will buy a Savage.
 
tightneck said:
Chino69,

I would submit to you that your Savage IS properly put together...not just the average shooter slapping a pre-fit on. From what I've read, Fred does a great job truing and timing the Savages, rebarreling, and stock work. That's not what I was referring to. I have trued both Remington and Savage actions, and neither is satisfactory for true accuracy work until they have been trued. That if you care about things being straight. Will they shoot well without the truing? Probably so. 80%-90% of all accuracy gains are in the barrel IMHO. But I just cringe at the idea of a several hundred dollar barrel and chamber job getting screwed into an action that is crooked. If a shooter wants a half minute target rifle, thats fine. But I deal in sub .250" MOA, and halfway don't cut it.

BTW, I've been to Clarence's shop on a number of occasions, even had him build me a rifle a while back...

Agreed. It is not good sense to screw a custom barrel on an action that hasn't been printed, trued, etc. My next project will start with a custom action; still looking at various manufacturers. Any ideas or experience?

Lou Baccino
 
chino69 said:
My next project will start with a custom action; still looking at various manufacturers. Any ideas or experience?

Lou Baccino

Lou,

Contact Wade at Shilen. I heard wind of a new action in the works that will use standard Savage threads, the barrel nut, and floating bolt head, but will be mounted in a Remington type-round reciever and comes with the Shilen trigger,which is a direct swap with a Jewel or any other Rem700 equiv.). Don't know if they are released yet by I am saving my pennies for one. All the advantages of a Savage with the trigger and stock selection of a Remmy. Best of both worlds and with custom action tolerances.:) Plus any of my current 10 Savage barrel with screw right in.

I have been looking for a release to tell about them but haven't seen it yet. Call Wade, he will give you the low down.

Luck, tiny
 
tiny
Very interesting. Sounds like a very smart move.
I can say this though. If a custom action maker starts copying Savage technology theres gonna be a lotta stuff hittin the fan in the shooting world:D
This I gotta see.
 

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