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Posted By: simplyme Savage build - 06/24/15
Anyone build a Savage 110 using the shillen barrels. I am wanting to build my 338-06 using the Savage action and do the work myself. Anything I should watch out for.

Thank You
Posted By: efw Re: Savage build - 06/24/15
Watch out for feeling like a dumb-a$$ for having spend 3-4x as much on rifles that didn't shoot as well...

My good friend rebarreled an old pre-accu 110 w/ Shilen 9" twisted SS Match mag contour 25-06 AI in a Boyd's w/ NSS lug & nut and it shoots lights out.
Posted By: Crow hunter Re: Savage build - 06/24/15
There are videos on youtube you can watch that show how to rebarrel a savage. It's pretty easy, you'll need the nut wrench, an action wrench, and a go gauge. I think a 30-06 go gauge will work for the 338-06. Northland shooters supply has everything you need.
Posted By: taylorce1 Re: Savage build - 06/24/15
It's easy to do, but don't fall into the Savage heavy barrel trap. There are a ton of pre-fits out there but most of them are heavy bull or varmint contours, that regardless of how well they shoot they are worthless on hunting rifles. So get a sporter contour at the least for a .338-06, and I sure wouldn't go heavier than a magnum contour. So your biggest issue will be waiting on Shilen to make you the tube.

Or you could just buy this rifle and have no wait: Mauser .338-06 with dies

I'm not trying to talk you out of building a Savage. They're fun to play with, its kind of late me an adult erector set. Ive built a fey myself, but in the long run there is only about $300-350 difference between it and a M700 build anymore.

You need at a minimum a barrel nut wrench and some way to hold the action or barrel. I've cut blocks of hardwood to hold the barrel and used them in a 6" vise, I have used a piece of leather to hold the action in same vise. Once in a pinch I used a large crescent wrench to hold the recoil lug to remove the barrel nut.

The barrel nut can be stupid tight so using a good penetrant like Kroil for 24 hours prior to removing the nut helps. A little bit of heat from a propane torch or goo heat gun works well too. Don't worry about buying a squared up recoil lug and barrel nut unless you're going to have a the receiver squared up as well. With the floating bolt head the factory stuff works well.

I recommend getting headspace guages, at the very least a go-guage. You can just add scotch tape to the rear of the guage to use it as a no-go. Gauges can be bought from several places, or you can rent a set from companies like 4D. I recommend buying a set of guages if you're going to swap barrels on a regular basis.
Posted By: 260Remguy Re: Savage build - 06/25/15
I bought one of the heavy stainless 260 barrels from MidwayUSA a few years ago, screwed it into a Savage 11 action, bedded it in a McM Savage Hunter stock, installed a Bushnell 10x, and it has been a very good shooter.
Posted By: colodog Re: Savage build - 06/25/15
If you go with a Shilen barrel (I have several) I'd recommend you order through Northland or "The Barrel Man" Jerry.
They are volume buyers and as such can get a better price than you can if you order direct and the barrel will drop ship direct to you.

Taylorce1 is correct, most barrels that are "in stock" are Varmint or Bull contours and will wear you out, order the weight you will want to carry!
I'll likely be hunting a 338-06 this year as well.
Check E.R.Shaw barrels as well, I have several and will buy more.
Posted By: WranglerJohn Re: Savage build - 06/25/15
I'm like the old lady that lived in the shoe, I have so many I don't know what to do. I use most barrel manufacturers, have Shilen's, Pac-Nor's, Criterion, Kreiger, Brux's and even a Bergara. Yes they are all heavy varmint barrels, but then I hunt varmints. I really like the Pac-Nor polygonal rifled barrels, super accurate and easy to clean. I use a barrel nut wrench, one of two barrel vises, headspace gauges, and a torque wrench to swap them out - stuff works on the Remington 783 too.

Anyone can do it, and every one of mine shoot ridiculously well, but then I only use the Savage Target Actions.
Posted By: simplyme Re: Savage build - 06/25/15
Thank you for all the information.
Posted By: taylorce1 Re: Savage build - 06/26/15
Sorry didn't realize you're in BC. If I had I'd have never recommend buying that .338-06 in the classifieds.
Posted By: simplyme Re: Savage build - 06/26/15
Originally Posted by taylorce1
Sorry didn't realize you're in BC. If I had I'd have never recommend buying that .338-06 in the classifieds.


Not to worry. I wish we could go back to the old days when I could buy from the USA.
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