rebuilding .308 rifle

longrangehunter · #1 08-28-2008, 09:23 PM

I have a great shooting Savage .308, ( under 1 MOA at 100 yds. ) but knew that it was capable of better accuracy because the factory stock was terrible! The injected stock that it came with has been modified to the point where there is not much else I can do to it to improve it. I added 1/4 inch steel piano wire by inletting them and sealing them in with slow type epoxy. This was done to keep the forearm from bending when it became hot in the summer sun! It bent so much that the barrel touched the stock. I also added over a pound of lead to the butt stock in an effort to keep the rifle on target after firing. Nothing has really worked!

So I have ordered a new Bell and Carlson Medalist stock for it. Next comes a new trigger from Basix, the 4 oz. to 3 lb. model. My question is this, knowing that all barrels eventually wear out, what would some of you suggest for a replacement barrel? My budget will allow about $300 to $400 for this barrel. Would you go with another factory barrel or an after market barrel? Last question, how much more does fluteing a barrel add to the cost?

Thanks,
longrangehunter

jb12string · #2 08-29-2008, 05:05 AM

Depends on the gunsmith you take it to. You said savage so I gotta mention sharp shooter supply, the guy only works on Savages, his prices were reasonably last time I checked and the work he did for me was excellent

Darkker · #3 09-06-2008, 09:32 AM

I have REALLY been happy with barrels from E.R. Shaw. Very close to the "big Name" makers in terms of accuracy, and half the price.
A heavy barrel Shaw with fluting is only going to run you about 2Bills.

faucettb · #4 09-06-2008, 04:56 PM

You can rebarrel a Savage yourself with nothing more than a barrel nut wrench, barrel vice and a go headspace gauge for the cartridge your rebarreling to. The wrench and vice and headspace gauges are available from Midway and Brownell's. Brownell's has the instructions in their tech section on how to do it.

As for barrels Savage seems to be making some good ones, but I've had good results from Douglas and several other aftermarket barrels. Fluting looks nice, but really does nothing for accuracy so your spending extra bucks for looks not accuracy.

Check the barrel prices at Midway and Brownell's.

faucettb · #5 09-07-2008, 08:17 AM

Here's some stuff to check out.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...20110%20BARREL

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...20BARREL%20KIT

longrangehunter · #6 09-09-2008, 02:24 PM

Howdy,

The only reason I even mentioned fluting was because I had been told by several shooters that it really helps with cooling when you are shooting several rounds on hot summer days and that it can also help with keeping the rifle "jump" dowm to a minimum. Is this true or just more hype than truth? I have a friend who even installed one of those rubber "vibration reducers" on his barrel but he said that he honestly could not tell any difference. So are these devices in the same catagory as fluting?
BTW, the Brownells folks are great! Especially the men who work in the tech dept.

Thanks,

longrangehunter

longrangehunter · #7 09-09-2008, 02:47 PM

Hello Bob,

I forgot to mention that after corresponding with Unclenick that I also changed my mind on triggers. Brownells has an excellent competition trigger ( three lever type ) that looks as nice as a Shilen or similar style trigger and the staff at Brownells also recommened it as well. To be honest, Unclenick had already suggested the better trigger as well. This forum has some really sharp people on it! Wish I had found it years ago.

Ken
longrangehunter

COHIBA · #8 09-26-2008, 03:58 AM

you have a long way to go to wear out a barrel on a 308.

Quote:

...H-S Precision a while back I was shown the results of a 10,000 round barrel test. They took a brand new heavy tactical rifle, c/w one of their cut-rifled barrels and shot it for about 2 1/2 months. They used CO2 during the test to cool the barrel down. This increased the shots per day to about 750 rounds.
After breaking-in the barrel they shot an initial test group with Federal Gold Medal - a 3-shot 100 yard group - then started shooting Winchester 150 grain Power Point factory ammo. The barrel was given a minimal cleaning every 40-50 rounds, and a thorough cleaning every 200-250 rounds. After exactly 1000 rounds were fired they cleaned the barrel and shot a 3-shot test group with Federal Gold Medal match, then put another 1000 rounds of Winchester through it and repeated this for the entire 10,000 rounds.

At the end the barrel was still shooting less than 3/4" for 3 shots @100 yards. This test burned over 62 pounds of ball powder and the fired brass filled five large plastic pails.

Warren Jensen

10,000 rounds of Lithuaninan FMJ is going to run about $5400. get the picture?

longrangehunter · #9 10-02-2008, 06:03 PM

Yes! I got the picture! Looks like a new barrel is the least of my problems. I ended up with a Choate Varmint stock and a SAV 2 trigger. The competion trigger was junk. The side plates were already loose on it. AS for the Choate stock, I have nothing but praise for that stock! It is complete in every detail and has provisions for adding weight if needed. Plus you can change length of pull easily, and also change height on the butt stock as well. I called Choate and asked about painting the stock, ( camo) and no problems there either. About the only thing they won't cover under their warranty is removal of material from the basic stock. They also state that IF you ever break it they want the old stock and they will give you a new one free!

longrangehunter

jb12string · #10 10-02-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longrangehunter

Yes! I got the picture! Looks like a new barrel is the least of my problems. I ended up with a Choate Varmint stock and a SAV 2 trigger. The competion trigger was junk. The side plates were already loose on it.

Doesn't sound like anything a timney couldn't fix

m141a · #11 10-03-2008, 01:47 AM

As Bob suggested, I was going to recommend Savage also.

The Barrel i had in mind would come from a model 12 varminter exactly...
http://www.savagearms.com/12fvss.htm
It's a fluted stainless, heavy. Any of those companies that do the cera-coats could make it match your gun in color, but if stealth is NOT an issue, leave it stainless......

smokey262 · #12 10-06-2008, 06:59 PM

Try Jim Briggs of Northland Shooters Supply. I have purchased several items from him, including complete rifles, and have experienced fantastic service each and every time. He is a heck of a nice guy too.

E-mail - briggs.j-b@q.com (that is Q.com not G.com)
Phone - 763/682-4296
Fax - 763/682-6098
Mailing address:
PO Box 333
Buffalo, MN 55313

Here is what he has

Here is a current list (10/2/08) of Savage Pre-Fits by Shilen and McGowen Barrels that I have in stock for immediate shipment: (limited inventory)
Shilen:
26" - Stainless Select Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 204 Ruger - 10 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Select Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 22-250 - 9 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Select Match - Large Shank - Bull - 22-250 - 9 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Select Match - Large Shank - Bull - 22-250 - 8 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Select Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 243 Win. - 10 Twist - $269.00
28" - Stainless Select Match - Large Shank - Bull - 243 Win. - 8 Twist - $289.00
26" - Stainless Select Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 6mm BR Norma - 8 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Select Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 25-06 - 10 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Select Match - Small Shank - Bull (Yes Bull) - 6.5X47 Lapua - 8 Twist - $269.00
30" - Stainless Select Match - Large Shank - Bull - 6.5X284 Norma - 8 Twist - $309.00

McGowen:
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 204 Ruger - 11 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 223 Rem. - 8 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Large Shank - Bull - 223 Rem. - 8 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Large Shank - Bull - 22-250 - 8 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 22-250 - 9 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Large Shank - Bull - 22-250 - 9 Twist - $269.00
28" - Stainless Prem. Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 6mm BR Norma - 8 Twist - $289.00
28" - Stainless Prem. Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 6mm BR Norma - 10 Twist - $289.00
28" - Stainless Prem. Match - Large Shank - Bull - 6mm BR Norma - 10 Twist - $289.00
28" - Stainless Prem. Match - Large Shank - Bull - 6mm BR Norma - 8 Twist - $289.00
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 243 Win. - 9 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Large Shank - Varmint (yes, Varmint) - 243 Win. - 8 Twist - Bead Blasted - $269.00
28" - Stainless Prem. Match - Large Shank - Bull - 243 Win. - 8 Twist - $289.00
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 25-06 - 10 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 260 Rem. - 9 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Large Shank - Bull - 260 Rem. - 9 Twist - $269.00
28" - Stainless Prem. Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 6.5X47 Lapua - 8 Twist - $289.00
28" - Stainless Prem. Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 6.5X47 Lapua - 10 Twist - $289.00
30" - Stainless Prem. Match - Large Shank - Bull - 6.5X47 Lapua - 8 Twist - $309.00
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 308 Win. - 10 Twist - $269.00
30" - Stainless Prem. Match - Large Shank - Bull - 308 Win. - 10 Twist - $309.00
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 30-06 - 10 Twist - $269.00
26" - Stainless Prem. Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 300 Win. Mag. - 10 Twist - $269.00

Shipping on all 26" Varmint Weight Barrels (48 States) - $12.00
Shipping on all Bull Barrels or all 28" and 30" Barrels (48 States) - $14.00

Jim Briggs
NSS

smokey262 · #13 10-06-2008, 07:05 PM

Jim also has these Savage factory barrels (I have no affiliation at all with Jim, just showing what he has)

The following New/Unfired Savage or Stevens Factory Barrels are available: *** Updated 10/2/08 ***

Sporter Weight - Blued - No Sight Barrels
22" - 270 Win. - $75.00
24" - 270 WSM - Large Shank - $75.00

Savage Varmint/Tactical Weight Barrels
26" - 204 Ruger - Blued - $150.00
26" - 204 Ruger - Stainless Fluted - $185.00
26" - 22-250 - ST FLT - $185.00
*** Add $12.00 for S&H to your door on the above listed barrels (48 States) ***

Savage LRPV or Large Shank Target Action Barrels ($14.00 S&H on these Barrels)
26" - 223 (1 in 7 Twist) - Stainless - $250.00
26" - 22-250 (1 in 9 Twist) - Stainless - $250.00
26" - 22-250 (1 in 12 Twist) - Stainless - $250.00
26" - 6mm BR Norma (1 in 12 Twist) - Stainless - $250.00
30" - 6mm BR Norma (1 in 8 Twist) - Stainless - $285.00

Ridgerunner · #14 10-06-2008, 09:19 PM

LRH:

With sub MOA performance from your existing set up, I am wondering why you would want to replace the barrel.

A new stock (free floated) and trigger replacement, should still offer you years of shooting pleasure.

smokey262 · #15 10-07-2008, 02:47 PM

Sub MOA means different things to different guys. Does it mean a 0.955" three shot group 2 times out of 5? Does it mean 0.350" 5 shot groups every time?

Chasing the elusive holy grail of accuracy is fun and personally rewarding, albeit mildly expensive and frustrating. Asking why is not a valid question sometimes