Big Horn Origin barrel

[UndFrm]

The Zermatt Origin action mentions that it'll take a "savage small shank". Now pardon me if my questions are too basic.

Would I need to buy a barrel but?
The barrel maker mentioned that he can do a "shouldered prefit". Does that mean I won't have to worry about the headspace while installing this barrel? If so, I don't suppose I would need a barrel nut?
The other option he gave me is a "standard barrel nut prefit". I'll have to get a separate barrel nut for this, is my guess.

Out of the 2, what would be the preferred option? My understanding is, and please correct me if I am wrong, I won't need a go, no go gauge for option 1 - shouldered but will need for the option 2 - barrel nut prefit.
Any other differences

Thank you

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

The Zermatt Origin action mentions that it'll take a "savage small shank". Now pardon me if my questions are too basic.

Would I need to buy a barrel but?
The barrel maker mentioned that he can do a "shouldered prefit". Does that mean I won't have to worry about the headspace while installing this barrel? If so, I don't suppose I would need a barrel nut?
The other option he gave me is a "standard barrel nut prefit". I'll have to get a separate barrel nut for this, is my guess.

Out of the 2, what would be the preferred option? My understanding is, and please correct me if I am wrong, I won't need a go, no go gauge for option 1 - shouldered but will need for the option 2 - barrel nut prefit.
Any other differences

Thank you

You got it. Pre fit is just that, it sets the headspace for you (though it's always a good idea to check headspace with something, be it a Go, or a case made to function as a go, ect) . A barrel nut set up uses the nut to allow you to set the head space. I'd definitely prefer a prefit with no nut

 

[Robert4]

Both work fine. The barrel nut type does give you the option to set headspace to match another rifle of the same caliber that you might have.

 

[stevieb92]

It's always a good idea to check headspace with gauges once the barrel is installed, no matter the style. The accuracy potential of both styles is about the same. Most shooters won't be able to shoot the difference. Some people prefer the shouldered style. Some people prefer the nut style. I prefer the nut style that Southern Precision Rifles (bugholes) makes, called the BugNut.

 

[vinniedelpino]

I've used both on my origin and performance-wise I couldn't tell the difference.

The barrel nut is pretty fugly is all, and that's the main reason they're not super popular.

If I was building a super overbore barrel burner I'd probably go back to the nut. You can get some wicked accurate barrels from NSS for about the price of a premium blank.

 

[Birch7]

Off the shelf nut barrels will be lighter given the same profile, because max diameter is less at nut. Zermatt makes a decent looking nut.

 

[stevieb92]

Off the shelf nut barrels will be lighter given the same profile, because max diameter is less at nut. Zermatt makes a decent looking nut.

No true with the Southern Precision Rifles (bugholes) BugNut barrels. @Bugholes

 

[NHPiper]

I had PVA spin up a 300PRC origin prefit off an Osprey blank. It was fast and totally worth it. Snagged an action wrench off a guy on eBay and it torqued right on.

I have messed with the barrel nuts on 3 other builds. It is a little more finicky to torque on, check headspace, etc. The prefits have me sold.

 

[Birch7]

No true with the Southern Precision Rifles (bugholes) BugNut barrels. @Bugholes

If you call a custom bugnut barrel and blank “Off the shelf”

 

[stevieb92]

If you call a custom bugnut barrel and blank “Off the shelf”

Well it is sitting on my shelf…

 

[Braunie1]

Barrel nut for me. I like the fact that there are a pile of manufactures making savage pre-fit barrels, lets you try a few different ones without spending a ton or waiting for a smith to spin one up. Also changing them is a piece of cake.

 

[6brshooter]

Shouldered if it's gonna be a switch barrel rug, or add a set screw/red loctite nut to barrel. This is mainly for consistent brass fit when switching barrels. If it's a 1 barrel rig, whichever, but shouldered looks better. Criterion is offering shouldered origin/solus barrels through Northland shooter supply. He keeps popular caliber/contours on hand.

 

[D0ntTr3@d0nM3]

Shouldered if it's gonna be a switch barrel rug, or add a set screw/red loctite nut to barrel. This is mainly for consistent brass fit when switching barrels. If it's a 1 barrel rig, whichever, but shouldered looks better. Criterion is offering shouldered origin/solus barrels through Northland shooter supply. He keeps popular caliber/contours on hand.

I've never heard of Criterion barrels before but it appears they do have them in stock. I have been trying to find a barrel for the Origin action (.308) I plan to buy. Do you know anything about the quality of Criterion barrels? Also I am very new to all of this. I've never even owned a bolt action rifle before. What contour would you recommend? From what I have learned from doing research a heavy barrel is better for accuracy. In my mind I would go with heavy palma or bull. For the 30 cal options there is like 4-5 options for 308 and twist rate options. Again based on the research I've done the lower twist rates are supposed to be better, but Idk if that applies to a long range .308 rifle or not.

 

[Bakerman87]

Shouldered if it's gonna be a switch barrel rug, or add a set screw/red loctite nut to barrel. This is mainly for consistent brass fit when switching barrels. If it's a 1 barrel rig, whichever, but shouldered looks better. Criterion is offering shouldered origin/solus barrels through Northland shooter supply. He keeps popular caliber/contours on hand.

How repeatable is the set screw and loc-tite setup? I have a small shank savage prefit proof 6creedmoor barrel on my nucleus action with a barrel nut. It took me 3 tries to get the head space as it was the first bolt gun I ever put together. I have loads dialed in for it. And I don’t really want to take a chance starting over. I think it will be many years before I will have shot enough to maybe burn out this barrel. I get out once a month with 30-50 rounds at best every month of the year. I have been thinking about getting a shoulder 6.5prc barrel for this action and using it for hunting. I have a barrel vise the internal action wrench and the appropriate torque wrenches. I have seen people mention the set screw idea but I didn’t have a ton of faith in it repeating over and over again.