Savage Caliber Switch

[tbige]

Have a .243, which I believe could be readily rebarreled to .223 or .308, but would really love to convert to 6.5 Swede without simply buying another gun (I understand all the arguments for doing so).

Anyone know what would be involved, assuming it could be done at all?

 

[ojibweindian]

Switching .243 to .308 involves a barrel switch and head spacing.

.243 to .223 or 6.5 will involve messing around with the bolt face in addition to other things. If you want a .223 or a 6.5, it may be a better idea to get another rifle chambered for one of those cartridges than to rechamber your .243. Most likely, rechambering costs for conversion to .223 or 6.5 would be more than the price of a new/used rifle.

 

[MLC]

The 260 Remington is doable in you gun.
The 6.5 swede is a little too long when loaded to regular OAL's to fit in most short actions. Most US made brass for the 6.5x55 uses the same size case head, but the Euro stuff is the original dimension.
There are numerous wildcats in 22 based on the 308 case but no factory chambering that I can think of.
With the 260 all you'd have to do is buy a barrel and have a smith thread and install it.

 

[only1asterisk]

The barrel nut on the Savage allows for easy barrel swapping. If you want, you can even learn to do it yourself. The Swede is too long in all of it's factory loading to work in the Savage short action. Switching to 223 Rem would be a pain, but a 22-250 would work fine as will 308 and 260.


David l

 

[ocabj]

Savage Barrel Swapping instructions
Savage Bolt Head Swap instructions

 

[tbige]

If a .260 is do-able, that'd be GREAT. From what I've read, it shares most of the outstanding attributes of the Swede. Can't understand why more makers don't offer it and hope it's survival doesn't depend on Remington, a company in which I have little confidence.

So, .260 it will be.

Thanks, guys.

 

[ojibweindian]

ocabj

I did not know it was that easy. I learn something each day here!

 

[Kilroy]

.308 Kit

Here for your kit

Also check out...

Savage Shooters

 

[tbige]

Kilroy: Looked for my .260 barrel and Midway says it's "coming soon." One they offer for Savage specifically is a a 1 in 14 twist, which seems awfully slow (they offer two more in 1 in 10, which seems more appropriate). Price is very attractive, but what's your take on Adams & Bennett quality?

 

[tbige]

As long as we're on the subject of barrels, does anyone have any opinions, experience with Douglas? They offer .260 in twists of 8,9, 10 and 12 -- all of which sound better than 14. How about wait times?

 

[Detritus]

Looked for my .260 barrel and Midway says it's "coming soon."

to heck with midway!! want stuff for a savage you talk to/go through
Sharp Shooter supply.....

SHARP SHOOTER SUPPLY
4970 Lehman Road
Delphos, Ohio 45833
419 695 3179
Email: [email protected]
(they have a little "sponsor page" at varminthunters.com but all it does is give yo the above into and some pics)

their catalog is nothing but savage "stuff". the company's main forte is things to trick out or otherwise change or upgrade a savage.

i know they sell the barrel-nut wrench and barrels, though i think you have to get the headspace guages youself (or borrow/rent them from your local gunsmith).

don't have the little paper catalog they sent me (looks to have been done with a fancy color printer and desktop publishing suite on run of the mill 8-1/2x11 copy paper from office max. kinda cute IMO), but i beleive that each chambering that they sell barrels in, is available in a range of twist rates (unlike that listed at midway).

like i said SSS is pretty much THE place to shop for savage upgrade/etc parts.

also follow the link Killroy gave to the savage shooters website, then go over to teh forums and take a browse around ask questions etc. i joined over there a little while ago, and while nowhere near as active as THR, that offset b/c it's one place where EVERYBODY has a savage, so if you don't have to wade through the stuff you're not looking for to find the info you want.

 

[Badger Arms]

Tbige: Check your PM. Thanks.

 

[Kilroy]

Specs found on the Adams & Bennett web site:

260 Remington 1-9" #360-206

Adams & Bennett web site

 

[withergyld]

Direct link to Sharp Shhoter from another thread
http://www.savageshooters.com/sharpshooters/

 

[Detritus]

great! they FINALLY got a real website. (i think the owner may have been involved with set up of the Savageshooters.com site, so that maybe why the better site is there, and the outmoded one i gave a link to was on another varmint/target shooters website)