Savage barrel swap

Sisco · November 3, 2002, 11:35 PM

I know I've seen this topic before but couldn't find it with the search function. Posted in the rifles forum but it wasn't getting much attention.
Midway USA offers Adams & Bennet barrels for the Savage 110, claiming it's no big deal to swap. My thinking is why buy three rifles when I could change barrels.
Is the swap as easy as they claim?

Jim Watson · November 4, 2002, 01:01 AM

There is a big article in the new Guns & Ammo plugging the Midway stuff to change out barrels on Savage 110.

It does not sound like a real involved **gunsmithing** job, probably ok for diy once you accumulated the tools you need. Prices for necessary and desirable tools are listed in the article. You can cost it out and compare vs another rifle or hiring it done.

But it is a gunsmithing job. It does not make the 110 a switch-barrel rifle you can change calibers on in a few minutes. I think the author said it was about a half-day's work for him under the eye of Midway's shop. And if you make a major change in case size or shape, you will have to alter the magazine, which makes it a one-way change. Unless you want to get an extra magazine box for the new caliber.

Sisco · November 4, 2002, 01:34 PM

I'll go look for the issue of G&A.
I knew it would'nt be the kind of thing you could do in the field but didn't know it would be that involved.
Thanks!

Bogie · November 4, 2002, 03:44 PM

Huh? 'Taint hard at all.

Call Fred Moreo at Sharpshooters Supply.

Buy a barrel nut wrench (may want a vise too...).

Tell him what case head size your rifle has (i.e., .222, .308 or magnum).

Buy a barrel that is chambered in a compatible caliber. If you want a non-compatible caliber, buy a new bolt head and interchange.

Unscrew old barrel. Save it.

Screw in new barrel with headspace gauge.

You're done. Unless you wanna screw with the magazine.

JAMES L.SMITH · November 7, 2002, 04:59 AM

Is it the October or November issue of G&A?

Sisco · November 7, 2002, 09:49 AM

Must be the October. Picked up the November issue yesterday, nothing in there about it.

Clemson · November 7, 2002, 12:14 PM

Add to the above: Remove scope and mounts, Remove barreled action from stock, retorque stock screws, reinstall scope and mounts, rezero scope.

I would rather have three rifles, but that is just me.

Bogie · November 9, 2002, 06:24 PM

Yeah, you may want to remove the scope, but you shouldn't have to remove the bases...

My 6BR savage has a Remington-style headspaced barrel - All I need to pull it off and put it on is my barrel vise and a rear-entry wrench - the one from my 1990 Stolle Panda fits just fine.

With the Remington style barrels, you don't even need to pull it out of the stock, much less take off the scope.

November 3, 2002, 11:35 PM	#1
Sisco Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Location: KS Posts: 1,558	Savage barrel swap I know I've seen this topic before but couldn't find it with the search function. Posted in the rifles forum but it wasn't getting much attention. Midway USA offers Adams & Bennet barrels for the Savage 110, claiming it's no big deal to swap. My thinking is why buy three rifles when I could change barrels. Is the swap as easy as they claim?

November 7, 2002, 12:14 PM	#7
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 880	Add to the above: Remove scope and mounts, Remove barreled action from stock, retorque stock screws, reinstall scope and mounts, rezero scope. I would rather have three rifles, but that is just me. __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

November 4, 2002, 01:01 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,168	There is a big article in the new Guns & Ammo plugging the Midway stuff to change out barrels on Savage 110. It does not sound like a real involved gunsmithing job, probably ok for diy once you accumulated the tools you need. Prices for necessary and desirable tools are listed in the article. You can cost it out and compare vs another rifle or hiring it done. But it is a gunsmithing job. It does not make the 110 a switch-barrel rifle you can change calibers on in a few minutes. I think the author said it was about a half-day's work for him under the eye of Midway's shop. And if you make a major change in case size or shape, you will have to alter the magazine, which makes it a one-way change. Unless you want to get an extra magazine box for the new caliber.

November 4, 2002, 01:34 PM	#3
Sisco Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Location: KS Posts: 1,558	I'll go look for the issue of G&A. I knew it would'nt be the kind of thing you could do in the field but didn't know it would be that involved. Thanks!

November 4, 2002, 03:44 PM	#4
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	Huh? 'Taint hard at all. Call Fred Moreo at Sharpshooters Supply. Buy a barrel nut wrench (may want a vise too...). Tell him what case head size your rifle has (i.e., .222, .308 or magnum). Buy a barrel that is chambered in a compatible caliber. If you want a non-compatible caliber, buy a new bolt head and interchange. Unscrew old barrel. Save it. Screw in new barrel with headspace gauge. You're done. Unless you wanna screw with the magazine.

November 7, 2002, 04:59 AM	#5
JAMES L.SMITH Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 1999 Location: Lakeland Fl.U.S.A. Posts: 173	Is it the October or November issue of G&A?

November 7, 2002, 09:49 AM	#6
Sisco Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Location: KS Posts: 1,558	Must be the October. Picked up the November issue yesterday, nothing in there about it.

November 9, 2002, 06:24 PM	#8
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	Yeah, you may want to remove the scope, but you shouldn't have to remove the bases... My 6BR savage has a Remington-style headspaced barrel - All I need to pull it off and put it on is my barrel vise and a rear-entry wrench - the one from my 1990 Stolle Panda fits just fine. With the Remington style barrels, you don't even need to pull it out of the stock, much less take off the scope.