basic savage + prefit proof barrel = accurate lightweight hunter?

[davsco]

lefty here trying to get a new lighter weight hunting rifle (elk). would like 300wsm or 2nd, 300 winmag. honestly, the tikka t3x lite prob is all i need, lots of lefty options, but just not real sexy, plus no brake. i'd jump on a fierce fury or christensen ridgeline if they did lefty in these calibers without big lefty tax and big lefty wait.

so, just saw that proof makes pre-fit barrels for savage. i've built AR uppers and lowers from scratch but never touched a bolt gun. any idea if this is just drop-in, or would some gunsmithing (regarding barrel and action, and/or stock/forearm inletting) be involved? their barrels are $940 so thinking this would be a little under two grand all-in, assuming no real outside gunsmithing is needed.

is there any way i could end up with an easily sub-moa rifle this way or is this a dumb or bad idea (and if so, what's a better way)?

input/thoughts appreciated

 

[Skunkworx]

Generally they’re pretty simple. Set head space and then torque your barrel nut to hold the barrel in place. It’s almost as simple as an AR barrel.

 

[kengel2]

Midway has the barrels for $829.

 

[Buttersdad]

just as skunkworx stated, its very easy and all you need is an action with savage threads, barrel nut, headspace gauges, and a way to torque the barrel nut down via vice and action wrench. I built a 6.5 creed with a bighorn tl3 action, proof cf savage prefit barrel, and an arc barloc barrel nut. came out beautiful and shoots .25-.5 with factory match ammo. I use the barloc barrel nut because it allows barrel changes without a vice or action wrench. My build is based off a short action so you would just need a long action to get into the 300magnum.

 

[davsco]

thx for the info, sounds like it is workable. any input on getting the savage 110 storm for this? says the barrel type is 'heavy magnum.' just don't want to waste my time and $ if the stock is flimsy, action crappy, etc. it's listed as 7.25# so thinking the proof barrel (even going to 26") would knock off a pound or two.

 

[steve123]

I'm trying to keep from cracking up here man and you're not making it easy.

Uh, salvages are by far the non sexiest rifles out there and you might be the first to use sexy and salvage in the same sentence. Tikka, I wouldn't say they are super sexy but they aren't ugly, besides there is a cool factor in Tikka in that they are made well, which that is what makes for a solid foundation to build off of.

Lose the carbon wrapped idea if you are on a budget, that's not the place to spend the money when that same money buys a nice chassis. Hunting is about the first shot, maybe the second if you messed up, so a decent lighter contour stainless barrel will be more than fine.

You can buy Tikka prefits.

Tikka triggers are GTG as is, adjust to suit.

Buy a used Tikka at a good price, it won't cost much, and go from there.

A friend recently got a Tikka CTR by trading a mossberg shotgun and $200, lol. That rifle shoots so well that all he did was put a brake on it, he's done.