Won an Axis in 223 last night. Is there likely enough thread on barrel shank to just ream it and screw it down to adjust headspace, or will it need to be setback and rethreaded?


Thanks in advance for any help.

Even if your 'smith turned the barrel back a full turn, so that the roll stamps will be aligned/timed, I don't see why you would need to have any threads cut. There is about twice as much thread length on a Savage barrel as required to screw it into an action and set the headspace with the barrel nut that is covering the unused/unneeded threads.

If I was doing it for myself, I'd cut the chamber without setting the barrel back, set the headspace, and shoot it before trimming the barrel back.

Thanks 260. With that info, I'm thinking a 1/2 turn and re-stamp with AI chamber markings would look better.

Yes, but with a Savage Axis there isn't much you could do to make it look worse, but the 1/2 turn, or maybe a 2/3 turn, reset would put the factory barrel roll stamps on the bottom of the barrel and covered by the stock.

Agreed on the looks, but the price was right.

If you can safely fire the OEM round in an Ackley chamber, unless you are going to sell it why bother with the re-stamp?


Mike

In theory you should be able to fire standard 223 in an AI chamber to make your brass. If after the rechamber the head space comes out right then just add AI to the current chamber markings.

Because a properly reamed standard chamber to AI will increase head space in the original chamber. Necessitating the barrel being screwed in more to allow standard ammo to be shot in the AI.