To nut or not to nut

[Ksmirk]

I didn't intend for this to be a pissin' contest just opinions on the barrel nut or no barrel nut sheesh fella's lol

This is not going to be a bench gun and truth I'd NEVER build one as that discipline just really bores me, this one will be a field rifle for shooting steel at unknown range and maybe some PRS just depends. Still debating the caliber but probably will just stick with the boring ol' 243, as for a sloppy bolt that is actually a good thing for me as my lest Remington I fit a bolt, if I recall it was .006" clearance and ya know I locked that sucker up one afternoon because some grass got blown into the action :-O had to cut flutes after that day and truth as long as it locks up good a little slop never hurt anyone I know BUT I don't know any BR folks either. This rifle is going to be beat and banged around as shooting field is a bit different than other kinds of shooting so I think I'll be fine, just when I put things just do the same thing as I have in the past, indicate the barrel good, cut the threads to match the action, and get that headspace within' .001" and cut a good crown I think things will turn out well

Fella's thanks for the opinions about the barrel nut as I rather appreciate them and some I found comical so thanks for the laugh. Later,

Kirk

 

[LawrenceHanson]

I’m with the no-nut guys. My wife keeps my savage nuts in the fridge.

My gunsmith once explained to me why he prefers to re-barrel Savage actions without the barrel nut. It was a fairly long and detailed discussion. To boil it down he basically said getting rid of the barrel nut is a better way of fitting a barrel for precision shooting. This guy has built some winning benchrest rifles in my area and when he offers me advice I go with it.

 

[rpierce]

Ive done a decent amount of rebuilds on the savage fclass rifles. First thing I do is single point true the action including threads and bolt head and throw the nut away. Get a aftermarket lug and shoulder it like a Remington w a Brux barrel. Then bed the stock. Every one has shot 1/4 moa or better.

 

[Ksmirk]

Lawrence nice looking rifle! and Ryan thanks for the info, now I've got another barrel to look at... and here I had it narrowed down to 2 lol Later,

Kirk

 

[X Ring Accuracy]

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

Savage has about 100 different bolt spacings, so options are limited.

True statement

 

[shortgrass]

I didn't intend for this to be a pissin' contest just opinions on the barrel nut or no barrel nut sheesh fella's lol



Kirk

What did you expect? Any time the "nut or nutless" questions comes up you'll get opinions from both camps, those who build for absolute precision and those who want to change barrels themselves.

 

[waterfwlr]

I see no benefit of going nutless. But being able to swap barrels myself sure is..

 

[338 Mollett]

I'd go nuts out ! ;D

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

I like my Savage nuts and will be keeping them. ;D I have compared the Savage Target actions with barrel nut along side a custom rem 700 clone action and the Savage was just as accurate. For my purposes the limiting factor is the "nut" behind the trigger. ;D

 

[Ksmirk]

Well I have one built with a nut and I guess I'm going to have a steer for the next one lol as for being able to swap barrels out I'm not really worried about that as the only reason I'd change the barrel is if it's a turd and doesn't group or gets shot out.

100 different bolt spacings? I'm only aware of 2 with the short actions... 4.275 and 4.410 is there something I'm missing?

Wirelessguy2005 I have found most of my problems are with the nut behind the trigger... sometimes the nut just forgets how to drive a rifle lol Later,

Kirk

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

100 different bolt spacings? I'm only aware of 2 with the short actions... 4.275 and 4.410 is there something I'm missing?

Yeah, some of the model 12's have 3.4" spacing. Then there was the time everything was built on long actions, even .223's...........

 

[Ksmirk]

I recall the 110 actions and even knew a guy who had one of the 110's in 223 shot well just looked sorta out of place with the spacer in the mag and the ejector being so long BUT it made sense as they could just produce one action and cover it all, I'll have to check as my memory doesn't recall the 3.4" but then again I don't pretend to know everything as I learn everyday. Thanks and I will look into the 3.4"... I know I can call Kevin and he will make the stock to fit my action and honestly I'm not even sure what the bolt spacing is on the one I have waiting on me but it's got the ascu trigger so it's one of two spacings either way there are plenty of ways to get around things with a mill. Later,

Kirk

 

[missed]

I run both of them. Accuracy differences between the two, none.

I am working down on action numbers ( new Mausingfield), so I swap barrels ALOT. Swapping barrels on a shouldered barrel is much nicer as I leave mine in the stock, rear entry wrench and swap it. The nutted barrels have to come out of the stock to get the wrench on the nut. But I do have my nutted barrels marked so I just line the marks back up (after they have been properly spaced the first time)

 

[LawrenceHanson]

Turning a pig's ear into a silk purse...yes you can! But it will cost you! Is it worth it? Only you will ever know.

 

[CharlieNC]

Displaying the nut gains you a psychological advantage since the nutless will dismiss you as noncompetitive

 

[Ksmirk]

Lawrence there's a Med Palma Bartlein 6mm 1-7.5 headed my direction as you read this and that shank is 1.25" dia think I can get the nut over that? :-O hehe gonna go nut free this time as I hear you can have more fun without the consequences or surprises lol

Thanks fella's for all the opinions, suggestions, and comedy. Later,

Kirk

 

[AckleymanII]

My first Savage 112 with a 22/250 12 twist, I cut off about 3/8" and re chambered it with a 22/250 AI match with zero freebore. Action is skim coat bedded, upgraded recoil lug and barrel nut, Harrells muzzle break and stock old style trigger that I tweeked down as far as possible.

First trip to the range, got it on paper at 100.

This is the second trip to the range, groups shot in the order displayed, loads from other 22/250 AI's that I coyote hunt with.





On the third trip to the range, I verified the 38.5g load with the pmc brass, cci 200, and 55g Noslers. Then stuck some 53g Fowlers in the same load, jammed the lands, shot two groups in the 1's, and I do use a Leupold 36x.

So, I am a little bit perplexed at the accuracy of a non trued savage to begin with, bolt handle that feels like a jack handle off of a T model, a flopp'en in the breeze bolt head, barrel nut, and a 3 lb trigger(but Crisp...oh, yea).

My style has been Hall M's, Panda's, trued 40 X's, and Savages have been Obama Trash.

I think that the main issue with the barrel nut is that you have cheap trash on your gun, not sure if you are pragmatic if you want to think that way.

I don't know if this particular platform will shoot any better if I pillar bed the action, put on a 3 oz trigger, and have the action trued???

I am beginning to ask myself what dollars spend in what area will give you an improvement in accuracy.

Maybe I have been chasing perfection for perfections sake, not what makes a rifle more accurate, in certain areas. Also, pride of ownership weighs heavy in a decision.

Barrel nuts are very practical, but does not show pride of ownership to most.

I think that I was one of the very first shoot a camo McMillen BR stock in a Registered match way back in the 80's, there are a few of them on the line now..swirl cammo.

 

[jonbearman]

It is true the savage looks better without the barrel nut. Does it help , well that is a matter of opinion. I will continue with the barrel nut for now till someone can confirm it makes a great accuracy improvement. I have some savage rifles and all have the adjustable headspace with typical CBI or whatever barrel. I have tried shilen, Cbi, brux, and even Er Shaw. The brux is the best so far and I have one shilen that shoots well. I do what I can do to try and mitigate some of the afformentioned problems. I have one that cycles almost as smooth as my panda. There is no exception to quality. Trying to compete against all the custom actions is a joke, they are two different animals.

 

[Ksmirk]

I have a box stock Model 12 that I put in a B&C Medallist stock that will put a grin on your face overtime you shoot it, it's one of my pasture poodle rifles and it has a 6-24 Baush and Lomb so that helps a bunch to see the little aiming points, my 308 I built probably 6 years ago got a new scope so got it out for some range time and while it's got a Mcgowan barrel and a list of other goodies it will just make you shake your head about how the first bullet hole just gets bigger after each shot.... both have barrel nuts. My little brother just got a LRP in 260 and that thing was hard to pick a load during development! all were well under an inch @ 100 but at least a few loads popped up that had potential... stock factory rifle so I'm not real sure how much more you can do to these ol' cheap ass rifles to make them shoot better BUT hey no good reason not to give it a shot Later,

Kirk

 

[Ksmirk]

Well got the barrel screwed on and I'll have to admit I like the no nut! get my stock back from Jeff and maybe here in the next month or so get everything else so I can get some range time. Fella's thanks for all the info and advice! Later,