I just bought a Savage Model 11 with the intention of turning it into a muzzleloader. However, it's a .243 and I've always wanted one of those too. I've understood that you can swap barrels back on a Savage action; the question is, does it completely disrupt the setup? How hard is it to maintain headspace etc?
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Gunsmithing Savage barrel swapping
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Re: Savage barrel swapping
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ATH</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> does it completely disrupt the setup? How hard is it to maintain headspace etc? </div></div>
Kinda. You lose zero for sure.
I found it helpful to wrap the barrel with a rubber jacket (from an inner tube) to prevent it from spinning in the wooden blocks in the vise. Also, you'll need a wooden mallet to break the barrel nut loose. I set headspace by using a fired FL sized case.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ATH</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> does it completely disrupt the setup? How hard is it to maintain headspace etc? </div></div>
Kinda. You lose zero for sure.
I found it helpful to wrap the barrel with a rubber jacket (from an inner tube) to prevent it from spinning in the wooden blocks in the vise. Also, you'll need a wooden mallet to break the barrel nut loose. I set headspace by using a fired FL sized case.
Re: Savage barrel swapping
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EricM40</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You would be better off just buying a separate muzzle loader
</div></div>
Uh, so which manufacturer makes a .45 cal muzzleloader rated for smokeless of an appropriate diameter to size bullets for sabotless shooting?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EricM40</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You would be better off just buying a separate muzzle loader
</div></div>
Uh, so which manufacturer makes a .45 cal muzzleloader rated for smokeless of an appropriate diameter to size bullets for sabotless shooting?
Re: Savage barrel swapping
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 918v</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ATH</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> does it completely disrupt the setup? How hard is it to maintain headspace etc? </div></div>
Kinda. You lose zero for sure.
I found it helpful to wrap the barrel with a rubber jacket (from an inner tube) to prevent it from spinning in the wooden blocks in the vise. Also, you'll need a wooden mallet to break the barrel nut loose. I set headspace by using a fired FL sized case. </div></div>
I can handle a re-zero, it's the headspace issue I'm concerned about. Thanks for the tip on the fired case, I've heard some use a gauge for this but got no specifics.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 918v</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ATH</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> does it completely disrupt the setup? How hard is it to maintain headspace etc? </div></div>
Kinda. You lose zero for sure.
I found it helpful to wrap the barrel with a rubber jacket (from an inner tube) to prevent it from spinning in the wooden blocks in the vise. Also, you'll need a wooden mallet to break the barrel nut loose. I set headspace by using a fired FL sized case. </div></div>
I can handle a re-zero, it's the headspace issue I'm concerned about. Thanks for the tip on the fired case, I've heard some use a gauge for this but got no specifics.
Re: Savage barrel swapping
The barrel nut wrench costs about 25-35 bucks from midway. It depends what type of account you have with them.
With that wrench comes directions to reset the headspace each time.
It will change, I set my switch barrel to as tight of a headspace as possible with the bolt still able to snugly close.
The barrel nut wrench costs about 25-35 bucks from midway. It depends what type of account you have with them.
With that wrench comes directions to reset the headspace each time.
It will change, I set my switch barrel to as tight of a headspace as possible with the bolt still able to snugly close.
Re: Savage barrel swapping
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The barrel nut wrench costs about 25-35 bucks from midway. It depends what type of account you have with them.
With that wrench comes directions to reset the headspace each time.
It will change, I set my switch barrel to as tight of a headspace as possible with the bolt still able to snugly close. </div></div>
Thanks, I'll look up and order the wrench.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The barrel nut wrench costs about 25-35 bucks from midway. It depends what type of account you have with them.
With that wrench comes directions to reset the headspace each time.
It will change, I set my switch barrel to as tight of a headspace as possible with the bolt still able to snugly close. </div></div>
Thanks, I'll look up and order the wrench.
Re: Savage barrel swapping
Theres a wealth of info over on Savage shooters forum if you're looking for specifics.
http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/
Theres a wealth of info over on Savage shooters forum if you're looking for specifics.
http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/
