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switch barrel rifles
 Moderated by: WildBill, wheezengeezer, DesertMarine
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 Posted: Mon Jun 29th, 2009 05:40 PM
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countryboy
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what model of rifle would u recomend for a quick change system in the field. meaning to convert say from 6.5-06 to .338-06 while in the field



 Posted: Mon Jun 29th, 2009 05:42 PM
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countryboy
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i know u can use the savage 110 and rem 700 series of rifles. but i would like to find a system to were i can go from .257 STW to 6.5 STW to 7mm STW w/o the need of a vise or any heavy tools



 Posted: Tue Jun 30th, 2009 12:54 AM
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sdb777
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Thompson Center Encore.....there is no substitute as far as ultimate switch barrel.

 

I'll got a few Savage short actions that have worn one then one barrel, but they get changed on my workbench.

 

 

 

Scott (from .172 to .458) B



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 Posted: Thu Aug 6th, 2009 03:20 AM
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OK Hunter
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countryboy wrote: what model of rifle would u recomend for a quick change system in the field. meaning to convert say from 6.5-06 to .338-06 while in the field
The Blaser R93 is the fastest switch barrel bolt rifle you can find although you might need to look at a different caliber selection.  You can have left hand or right hand by switching a bolt, as well.  Seems like there is 14 different calibers you can choose from including DG calibers.



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 Posted: Thu Aug 6th, 2009 03:57 AM
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Hammer
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Have many switch barrel rifles built on many different actions including Montana 1999, Remington 700, Sako, Savage, Weatherby Mark V, etc.

Have two custom Sakos built by Precision Shooting writer John Dustin with umpteen barrels ranging from 6mm Remington to 470 Capstick.  In the field with a single tool which can be carried in a shirt pocket, can switch barrels in less than three minutes.

Have over 150 barrels for the Savage ranging from 14 Walker to 470 Capstick.  Can switch in the field in less than five minutes using two simple tools.

Remingtons can be swtiched rapidly too.  In the 1970s benchrest competitors routinely switched barrels on their Remingtons between Light Varmint, Heavy Varmint, and Sporter classes.

We commonly sell ourselves on switch barrels rationalizing how the total costs will be reduced by using one action, one scope, one trigger, and one stock with a wide variety of barrels and calibers.  We rationalized going into handloading for its cost savings too.  We are lying to ourselves.

In handloading we load and shoot more, a whole lot more, and actually spend more money than the fellow who only shoots factory loads.


With the switch barrel rifle, we keep adding barrels (and reloading dies) and end up spending many times the amount than if we just bought three complete top-of- the-line rifle setups.


We end up having Shilen, Pac-Nor, Northlander, and other barrel suppliers on our cell phone speed dials.  And the barrel maker presidents like Wade Hull and Chris Dichter have us on theirs.  We join the barrel of the week club.  And Lonnie Hummel of Hornady's custom dies gets to know our children on a first name basis and learns to accept orders from the eleven year old.


This from a switch barrel addict.

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Last edited on Thu Aug 6th, 2009 04:07 AM by Hammer



 Posted: Thu Aug 6th, 2009 05:04 AM
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Rockydog
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Hammer, There is help out there for the switch barrel addicted. I believe it's a ten twist, er... ten step program. Step one: Send all those barrels to me. Step two: Those empty actions will just tempt you to buy more barrels, send those my way too. I've forgotten the other eight steps but I'm sure you'll be fine after you complete the first two.:sofa: I nearly forgot step three, send me lonnie Hummel's phone number. :lol: RD



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 Posted: Thu Aug 6th, 2009 05:36 AM
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hwy40
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I would recomend the Savage 110 as both the barrel and the bolt face can be swapped with relative ease and minimal tools. I have thought about a magnum switch-barrel set up for a while now and the Savage would be my first choice for a platform.



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 Posted: Fri Aug 14th, 2009 02:02 AM
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dho3
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Hammer wrote: Have many switch barrel rifles built on many different actions including Montana 1999, Remington 700, Sako, Savage, Weatherby Mark V, etc.

Have two custom Sakos built by Precision Shooting writer John Dustin with umpteen barrels ranging from 6mm Remington to 470 Capstick.  In the field with a single tool which can be carried in a shirt pocket, can switch barrels in less than three minutes.

Have over 150 barrels for the Savage ranging from 14 Walker to 470 Capstick.  Can switch in the field in less than five minutes using two simple tools.

Remingtons can be swtiched rapidly too.  In the 1970s benchrest competitors routinely switched barrels on their Remingtons between Light Varmint, Heavy Varmint, and Sporter classes.

We commonly sell ourselves on switch barrels rationalizing how the total costs will be reduced by using one action, one scope, one trigger, and one stock with a wide variety of barrels and calibers.  We rationalized going into handloading for its cost savings too.  We are lying to ourselves.

In handloading we load and shoot more, a whole lot more, and actually spend more money than the fellow who only shoots factory loads.


With the switch barrel rifle, we keep adding barrels (and reloading dies) and end up spending many times the amount than if we just bought three complete top-of- the-line rifle setups.


We end up having Shilen, Pac-Nor, Northlander, and other barrel suppliers on our cell phone speed dials.  And the barrel maker presidents like Wade Hull and Chris Dichter have us on theirs.  We join the barrel of the week club.  And Lonnie Hummel of Hornady's custom dies gets to know our children on a first name basis and learns to accept orders from the eleven year old.


This from a switch barrel addict.

This is interesting.  I have read on the switch barrel sites about this, but have never really seen anybody using this.  Could you please explain the technique, with pictures preferably?  The Blaser and SigArms systems are too expensive, as well as the Heym system and while the SigArms system is more affordable, it is no longer availbe in the US, but only as used rifles and barrels. Thanks.



 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 







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There is nothing like the double radius shoulder of a Weatherby cartridge and the magic of the 257 Weatherby magnum.


 Posted: Fri Aug 14th, 2009 02:20 AM
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As to posting the technique...

I did a write-up of the technique on another site and proceeded to get blasted by every gunsmith on the forum worse than if I were proposing Obama socialized health care and a second trillion dollar spending spree.  I do a bunch of spending with gunsmiths and really appreciate their fine work.  Don't want to make any of them upset.  So I will pass on posting it again.

Will say that I had nothing to do with the development of the technique.  Learned it from a diesel mechanic met in a Wyoming prairie dog town.  He was changing barrels between shots at prairie dogs out past umpteen million yards.  After changing barrels, he dialed in the replacement barrel scope settings and was getting prairie dog hits immediately.  He posts over on the varmint hunters forum.  Maybe he will be willing to share it again.

No longer maintain a Photobucket membership so am unable to post pictures.  The pictures have been posted on other sites in the past.  Think there is a picture of one of my Savage rigs with five complete bolt assemblies (222, PPC, 30-06, H&H, and a controlled-feed H&H), six scopes in quick detach rings (three Leupolds, one Bushnell 4200, one Sightron, and one Nightforce), three stocks, and maybe thirty barrels in that one picture.

 

 

.

 

 



 Posted: Fri Aug 14th, 2009 02:27 AM
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dho3
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Do not worry about it, been there done that. I have read about the technique on one of the switch barrel websites. I was just curious, but have no desire to do it. Thanks for your reply. Good shooting and down with Obama.



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 Posted: Sun Aug 30th, 2009 02:46 AM
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OKIE2
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As everyone knows the Thompson and Savage  are the most simple to switch barrels on. But the barrels are expensive for both of them about $300.00 each.  I am getting ready to do 3 Remingtons with the use of a barrel nut from Pac-Nor I have now 12 different caliber barrels and bought new Remington take offs and paid no more than $50.00 to $100.00 for any of them. It is a little more work to make it work as all the barrels will have to be threaded a little longer to accept the nut and reblued where the diameter will be turned smaller for 3 or 4 inches down to the thread size. So my total cost will be a lot less than if I do it with the savage or the thompson.

$3600.00 for 12 new Thompson or Savage barrels.

about $900.00 for my 12 new barrels.

 

 

Last edited on Sun Aug 30th, 2009 03:00 AM by OKIE2



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6.5 rem mag
264 win mag
6.5X55
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300 win mag
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 Posted: Sun Aug 30th, 2009 03:23 AM
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I just like to own more rifles.



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 Posted: Sun Aug 30th, 2009 04:50 AM
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OKIE2
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well beings I have 32 bolt action rifles I thought I would do someting different for a change. where in Kansas do you live I live in terlton ok.



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 Posted: Mon Aug 31st, 2009 02:49 AM
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... the barrels are expensive for both of them about $300.00 each.

 

 

 

There are $300 barrels for the Savage.  Just like there are $300 custom barrels for most rifles.

But there are lots of cheaper barrels too.

MidwayUSA offered for a long time their A&B Savage barrels for $129 and they were frequently on sale for as little as $69.  These are not Shilen Select Match barrels, but there are lots of good reports on them.  New Savage take-off barrels sell routinely for as little as $75 for sporter contours.  Of course, stainless-steel varmint-contour fluted barrels may be $200.  Jim Briggs, dba Northland Shooters Supply, has Savage factory, Shilen, and McGowen barrels in stock all the time at reasonable prices.

No issue with Remington take-off barrels.  No issue with any brand of take-off barrels or aftermarket barrels.  One can find a good barrel amongst any of them.  Each of us should shoot what we enjoy without concern for others' opinions.

But don't think you have to spend $300 for a Savage barrel.  Have over 150 barrels for my Savages and am pretty sure my average cost per barrel is under $100.  Do have some high end Shilen Select Match and Pac-Nor Super Match barrels which pulls the average up a little.  But have rarely paid retail for anything in my life.  Father's orders.

 

.

 

 

 

Last edited on Mon Aug 31st, 2009 02:59 AM by Hammer



 Posted: Fri Sep 25th, 2009 01:24 AM
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Hi All,
Countryboy, I don't mean to hijack your thread, just a quick question for those that are on this subject, if I may.

I am new to this barrel change thing. Are all Savage rifles like that? I bought the wife a Savage model 11 in .223.Can I easily change this barrel? And if so, what can I change it into?

Thanks for allowing the intrusion.
Have a good one, Guy



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 Posted: Fri Sep 25th, 2009 03:16 PM
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Hammer
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The Savage Model 11 originally in 223 Remington can have its barrel switched to many other calibers.

17 Rem Fireball

17 Rem

204 Ruger

221 Rem Fireball

222 Rem

222 Rem Magnum

6 x 45

6 x 47

7 TCU

300 Whisper

 

Other calibers are also possible with a change of boltheads and magazine box.

22-250 Rem

6XC

243 Win

260 Rem

7mm-08 Rem

308 Win

338 Federal

358 Win

 

.

 

 

 



 Posted: Fri Sep 25th, 2009 04:21 PM
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Hammer,
Thanks for the info...very interesting!

Countryboy,
Thanks for allowing the intrusion.
Have a good one, Guy



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 Posted: Thu May 13th, 2010 09:28 PM
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Steffen BJ
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I have a Mauser M03 Extreme with a 308 W and a 9,2x62 barrel. Barrels can be changed in the field in less than a minute and consistently makes 1 inch or smaller groups at 100 yards.

The same scope can be used on different barrels.

 



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