Savage switch barrel caliber suggestions???

[Jimlaw83]

So I'm absolutely in love with my Savage FCP-K 308. She is shooting darn near surgeon type groups, and with this 2000mr powder, she is doing great to a kilometer. I just checked my logbook, however, and in the last 4 months I have already gone over 1000 rounds down the tube. At this rate it will be needing a barrel change by next December, but maybe a lot later. Regardless, I want to keep the action and trigger, and will be looking at doing two different calibers to switch between, sometime in the next year. I'd kinda like to do something like a 264/6.5 something for deer and 1k target (will prob do a medium varmint contour), and something with more oomph and range for the impending out west elk trips, and perhaps mile shooting?? I'm kind of stuck in the whole 260 rem vs 6.5 creedmoore debate, but also the 300 wsm vs 7mm wsm.

I'd be interested to hear thoughts on the latter, and also any specific barrel manufacturer recommendations. Seems like a million make drop in savage barrels nowadays. I love 308, she go me started in hand loading, but thoughts are already turning to the next horizon.

 

[jeo556]

Re: Savage switch barrel caliber suggestions???

Your rifle being a .308 Win I really don't think that you'll need a barrel that soon. That seems to be one of the arguments that people point to when debating calibers is that .308 is really easy on barrels.

If you're shooing benchrest and an eighth of an inch is going to lose you a match, maybe, but for steel or hunting I think you'll be fine for quite some time.

 

[redbullitt]

Re: Savage switch barrel caliber suggestions???

Agreed. I feel like it will shoot plenty well for a while to come.

That said, I put a 260 rem barrel on mine and couldnt be happier. Same boltface magazine etc. You could always just put another 308 barrel on it, maybe one with a faster twist or different length or something?

 

[coug]

Re: Savage switch barrel caliber suggestions???

I think it will last past boredom for you. that being said the 6.5 creedmoore is a lot nicer to shoot longer range than the 308. it will buck wind a little better and carry more energy down range. and still has decent barrel life. shoot the 308 till your cross eyed and tired of it and then turn it into a 6.5 what ever. but then I'm one of those guys who jumped on the 6.5 wagon and cant seem to find a good reason or place to jump off. I love the 6.5 caliber I own 2 of them one in the 6.5x47 lapua and one in th 6.5-06 AI and they are my favorite builds that I have done. that being said I would build a 264 mag instead if the 6.5 Ackley if I had it to do over. you get the same barrel life. And with the .264 you don't have to fire form.