To nut or not to nut

[Ksmirk]

Howdy fella's, about to start another build on a Savage 10 action and just being curious what are your results barreling by the normal practice other than the barrel nut option? seems I can find more options for 7 or 7.5 twist 6mm in normal barrels than Savage barrels. I'm guessing either way would work fine just curious if anyone has gave this idea a go or not. Later,

Kirk

 

[Dos XX]

I have been nut free for over 2 years. Do it. It only hurts for a little while.

 

[riflewoman]

I have been nut free for over 2 years. Do it. It only hurts for a little while.

This wins the internet for today :-*

 

[Ksmirk]

LOL ya know when I posted the subject I didn't even think about it but dang can be sorta funny!

Honestly I don't see where it would be too much of an issue to loose the nut. I may just give it a go AND I can get my barrel fairly easy

Dos XX great reply! Later,

Kirk

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

I don't see any point in owning a Savage over a Remington (or clone) when going nutless (hahahaha!). Arguably the floating bolt head, but otherwise I see more negatives than positives. Not knocking Savage (I own a couple), but the nut and the bolt head are their strong points.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The nut is only there for non gunsmiths to change the barrels, which was not the original plan when they were trying to mass produce them as cheap as possible.

 

[Ggmac]

ERShaw has a semi custom version of the Savage called the MK7 . It's nutless , very accurate and a GREAT buy .

 

[shortgrass]

The nut is only there for non gunsmiths to change the barrels, which was not the original plan when they were trying to mass produce them as cheap as possible.

I'm thinkin' it was all about simple, mass production. Savage never had any intentions of having anyone but them (the Savage Arms Co. or their reps) change barrels. That's why the 'slick' barrel nut came into existence,,,,,, made it more difficult for the average to mess with it. It's known as "product liability", and lawyers love it! I've never seen an Owners Manual for a new Savage rifle (most all get thrown away, no doubt) but I'd bet there's lengthy disclaimer in it.

 

[Terry]

I have Savage rifles both ways. I see no difference in accuracy. There is a difference in cost. Prefits usually $300, w/o nut $500.
I do like being able to switch barrels between guns and head space them myself.

 

[savagedasher]

Savage has ben light years ahead of gun manufacturing .
( 1 ) Floating bolt head One bolt body any caliber 223 to what ever you want .
The floating bolt head also lets the bolt head seek the center when the chamber is cut off center from the true bore. Barrels still are chambered off the turned OD of the barrel.( Including most pre fits )
Good custom barrels the threads and chamber are cut off of true center of the barrel .
Premium barrels the barrel is timed . That is a true custom Nut or nut less,
( 2 ) Nut you can take any chambered barrel and put it on any action with the same thread size and set head space.
( 3 ) Thread barrel the threads can be cut and chambered by almost any one.
( 4 ) Combine the three and you have a savage. Lowered the cost of making.
( 5 ) The blade on the trigger is a lawyer proof trigger. Un modified it can't be slam fired.
Savage Makes guns that shoot and are lawyer proof, that for a reason. Cost being the main factor. Larry

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The nut, trigger, and floating bolt head are not there for accuracy. Theyre there to get past the horrible tolerances of mass production. The bolt fit is so loose they had to come up with a trigger that wouldnt go off when you wiggle the bolt handle. Thats why nobody will make a good trigger for it. If they wanted you to change barrels they wouldnt have came up with the smooth nut. I know a savage shoots well and i like em. But getting rid of the nut is the first step in getting rid of horrible tolerances and doing something right on em.

 

[Ksmirk]

This one I am promise will be chambered indicating off the bore and more than likely within' .0005" as I know the guy and how anal he is about things being right

Bigblueabdgoldie, you say you see a negative there... what may that be if you don't mind me asking?

Once this barrel is on it will more than likely not be coming off anytime too soon, I get the being able to change the caliber by spinning off the barrel and the accu-trigger won't be on this build! they are great for what they are buying have a habit of not pressing the seat block bar and that is one loud click lol about the only thing savage on this will be the action. I built a 308 years back and used the barrel nut but have been thinking here lately about why I did so thought I'd get a few opinions. Later,

Kirk

 

[savagedasher]

I have a sharp shoot supply Replacement trigger that sets at 3 Oz and is as good as any. The problem with the target action the threads are so large that 1.125 barrel don't have enough diameter for a shoulder. My nut is 1.300 OD. My Stole Python Will be getting a nut . For the same reason. Larry

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

Bigblueabdgoldie, you say you see a negative there... what may that be if you don't mind me asking?

-Savage triggers and aftermarket offerings leave a lot to be desired when it comes to target rifles. There are options out there (SSS Evolution, Sav-2, etc.), but none of them are known for ease of adjustment, low pull weight, or reliability. The Savage trigger design just doesn't lend itself well to low pull weights.

-Hard bolt lift. No matter what you do to them, they always seem to be stiffer than other action designs. Not a big deal for a range toy or a hunting rifle, but for the benchrest guys that like to run their bolt fast and have their sights stay on target this is a huge drawback.

-Sloppy bolt fit as mentioned above. Also, some have poor primary extraction.

-Stock choices. You can always have custom stocks made, but Savage has about 100 different bolt spacings, so options are limited.

Not knocking Savage, they are what they are. I have a custom .243 that hammers and I just bought a .308 F-T/R off a member last week. They are good rifles, just lack in certain areas. If I'm paying $500+ for a barrel I would rather put it on a different action.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The nut, trigger, and floating bolt head are not there for accuracy. Theyre there to get past the horrible tolerances of mass production. The bolt fit is so loose they had to come up with a trigger that wouldnt go off when you wiggle the bolt handle. Thats why nobody will make a good trigger for it. If they wanted you to change barrels they wouldnt have came up with the smooth nut. I know a savage shoots well and i like em. But getting rid of the nut is the first step in getting rid of horrible tolerances and doing something right on em.

+1!!!

If the Savage design was so superior they would hold some Benchrest records.

 

[Terry]

"But getting rid of the nut is the first step in getting rid of horrible tolerances and doing something right on em."

With all due respect. Can you back this up? I don't see "horridle tolerances".

 

[Dusty Stevens]

When you break the nut loose does the barrel wobble or is it a finely fitted thread?

 

[savagedasher]

Bigblueabdgoldie, you say you see a negative there... what may that be if you don't mind me asking?

-Savage triggers and aftermarket offerings leave a lot to be desired when it comes to target rifles. There are options out there (SSS Evolution, Sav-2, etc.), but none of them are known for ease of adjustment, low pull weight, or reliability. The Savage trigger design just doesn't lend itself well to low pull weights.

-Hard bolt lift. No matter what you do to them, they always seem to be stiffer than other action designs. Not a big deal for a range toy or a hunting rifle, but for the benchrest guys that like to run their bolt fast and have their sights stay on target this is a huge drawback.

-Sloppy bolt fit as mentioned above. Also, some have poor primary extraction.

-Stock choices. You can always have custom stocks made, but Savage has about 100 different bolt spacings, so options are limited.

Not knocking Savage, they are what they are. I have a custom .243 that hammers and I just bought a .308 F-T/R off a member last week. They are good rifles, just lack in certain areas. If I'm paying $500+ for a barrel I would rather put it on a different action.

I have both The red blade that I re worked and the Evolution.
As far as the sloppy bolt and the hard bolt lift for less then $ 100.00 and some hard work that can be cured. I can run mine as easy as most actions. The target action has only two bolt patterns. Both can be drilled and taped so they fit either stock if you want. The best shooting gun that I have has a re worked bolt Red blade re worked trigger and is un bedded on pillars. The club record group and score at 300 and 600 hundred first and second small. It has a special nut made 1.300.
The 300 record was by my son I have the record at 600 my Grand Son won the last 1000 YARD Both 10 and 20 shot small Larry

 

[savagedasher]

When you break the nut loose does the barrel wobble or is it a finely fitted thread?

Just like all guns do. Depends on how they are fitted. Larry

 

[Terry]

When you break the nut loose does the barrel wobble or is it a finely fitted thread?

No more that my custom guns.