savage model 12 and a barrel swap

[lue_119]

Hi I'm new here come here to read all of the time and find a lot of good info but today I need a question of mine answered and I thought this would be the place. But anyway I own a savage model 12 with heavy barrel in .243 now from the reading I've done the .243 is the .308s little brother now from what I understand the casing are even the same the bullet is just bigger in the .308 and I was just curious since the savage has such a easy barrel to change out would it be worth to buy a barrel chambered in 308 for it just to have another caliber or does switching out the barrels like that affect how its going to shoot? I'm just curious there isn't nothing wrong with my .243 by any means Its just 308 ammo is so cheap and is another caliber to shoot but please leave me some feed back and thanks

 

[gotboostvr]

It's not exactly something you'd do at the range. You need a few tools, a go-no-go gauge, a deccent work space and some free time. It's doable if you're handy, but not "quick change"

 

[lue_119]

Yeah I would set up a bench at home I just been curious of the affect and if anyone else may have done it and have some first hand experience lol its a great rifle in 243 I just wouldn't mind having another caliber that can pack more punch and reach out further I love my long range plinking and that is what makes me a lil more curious

 

[browningguy]

Yes that works easily enough. Larry Racine machines flats on the end of the barrels so you can easily change at the range with just a wrench and a no go gauge.

http://www.lprgunsmith.com/lpr_switch_rifle.htm

 

[tryshoot]

Welcome to the High Road. Love all my Savages.

 

[lue_119]

Awesome thank you for the reference so much! And thank ya tryshoot.

 

[rcmodel]

Plan on spending some time & ammo shooting and re-zeroing the rifle scope every time you dink with the barrel change.

IMO: Unless you reload and can make your own semi-affordable ammo?
It would be cheaper over the long haul to buy another rifle & scope in the caliber of choice.
Then zero it once and be done with it.

Switch-barrel rifles sound good in principal, and theory.

But in actual practice?
A WHole lot of extra barrels that are never changed gathering dust in the back of a lot of gun safes, closets, basements, & dusty garages all over the country I betcha.

rc

 

[lefteyedom]

Barrel changes on the Savage is a simple process. After you have done it a few times it is no big deal.

Switch barrel Savages are great, if you are not constantly swapping back and forth. Ideally I would use one caliber for Varmint hunting and then change over to the other for Deer/Elk season.

If you are wanting to shoot different calibers during a shooting session or during a day of hunting it is better to have two separate rifles.

If you are using quality scope and scope mounting hardware adjusting the zero between barrel swaps is a matter of having the correct dial-in. Having two scopes with the same quick mount rings is a good way to go.

Your 243/308 would be a great hunting combo. Consider the 260 Rem in that mix.

have fun

 

[lue_119]

That was one of my concerns was the scope sighting in and yes it can be a hassle with zeroing I just thought id check and see what others thought and I'm really glad I did cause I've learned some new things right here and a 260? I've never heard of it