Re-Barrel a Savage Model 12?

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ginnz

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Hi guys,

I have a Savage model 12 with a 26" stainless fluted BBL with 1-10 twist. I've been setting it up for long range coyote killing, and am using a leatherwood ART II M-1000, its all working very well, BTW.

Anyways, my load im using revolves around the 155 gn PALMA bullet, either the Sierra 155 gr, or the Hornady A-Max 155 gr..... So far, its been working good. The only real precision shooting ive done is at 100 yards, and it shoots .5" if i do my part. This week i've been starting to dial the M-1000 in for longer range, and yesterday zero'd it at the 250m, as required, then started to shoot at 400, and 500m.... All I was trying to to accomplish is to the cam dialed in for my load. I got it pretty close, but with 30 kph winds, there is more work to do.

I know the 155 gr. bullet needs a higher twist rate, say 1-12, or 1-13 or even 14. Im wondering, what would it cost me approx. for a new 26 -30" high end 1-13 twist BBL, installed? anyone have an approx price? I'm just curious, as maybe it would be more cost effecient to just buy a whole new used rifle with the higher twist rate bbl?

thanks for now... oh, and the wind looks better this afternoon, I made 50 rds of 155 gr A-Max over 45 gr Varget, i'll head out again and see what itll do. If i can get 3-4" groups at 500m, maybe it'll be good enough. My goal is to be able to put them in the kill zone at 700m, in ideal conditions.

Ginnz!
 
I wouldnt worry about a rebarrel, but I would switch bullets. if you want to shoot well way out there, run a heavier bullets with a higher BC.
 
Somewhere in the $450 to $600 range or a new barell. Of course you may well choose to go with a heavier bullet but it isn't really necessary as the 155g bullets are certainly good enough for long range ( look at Palma and F/TR for example ) but do consider expanding your selection to include the Lapua Scenar and the 155.5 Berger Fullbore.
 
the great thing about the Savage rifles is the barrel nut making it possible for anyone with the right wrench and a go/no-go gauge to change their barrel.

I know several dealers sell Shilen prefit barrels that require no machining. Mystic and Juan Valdez should be able to hook you up for a couple hunfread bucks.
 
A wise man who has probably shot more 155s than just about anyone in Canada once told me "it's hard to overstabilize a good bullet" as he was convincing me to try some 2155s for practice in my 10 twist. The first time out I shot a 49-6v at 300m; apparently he knows what he's talking about! If you're shooting an honest 0.5 with your factory barrel I'd call that good, and just focus on trying to learn how that load works in the wind.

Good luck!
 
Thanks for the input guys.... I took it out today again to set the M-1000 ART II up better, it was finally pretty much dead calm. And i managed a 5 shot, 5" group at 700m, off the hood of my truck and a couple cabella's bag's! For me, that's awesome! It seems the 155 gr. A-Max work very well in the 1-10 twist, and I got my M-1000 cam set up to work with the load! Its amazing, just twist it to the range, and shoot! I actually tried out over 800m, but things didn't work out as well, the true distance was unknown as my range finder craps out at 800y. (need a better one!) :)

I'll keep practicing with the load, and getting better with wind, and it'll all come together i'm sure! Oh, and BTW, the 2155's are the older 155 sierra, the 2156 is the newer "palma" bullet with the retardedly high B.C! I have some of those as well, But i find the Hornady A-Max (30312) to work as well.

ginnz.
 
I'd try 168 grain bullets first before a $500+ dollar barrel swap. Then 175 grain next. That barrel might even stabilize a 155 gr bullet out to a 1000 yards. Try it first!!
 
Twist is not an issue. A decent barrel (and you obviously have one) and a match bullet will not show the results of over-stabilization.

The 155 will shoot well to 1200 yards if given enough velocity. Your short barrel might have an effective range of 800 to 900 yards.

The other bullet to consider is the 175gr weight, but I would only try those if 155 was not working. It is, so stick with what works.

The Sierra 155 will tend to drill a hole. the Amax will mushroom. Use whichever suits your purpose.

And, when discussing twist, if you are looking at 1;12, 1:14 or 1:13, you are looking at SLOWER twists, not faster.

After you have 5000 rounds through that barrel, order a new custom barrel. A 1:13 28" or 30" would be a good choice. It would shoot 155 to 180 gr bullets.
 
Haagen_Dazs said:
the great thing about the Savage rifles is the barrel nut making it possible for anyone with the right wrench and a go/no-go gauge to change their barrel.

I know several dealers sell Shilen prefit barrels that require no machining. Mystic and Juan Valdez should be able to hook you up for a couple hunfread bucks.
Click to expand...

I agree whole heartedly.

The factory barrel will only take you so far, no matter how good it is. It will set you back $500-600 but you can do it all your self; saving on gunsmithing fees.

Do your research and then get the barrel ordered so that when you wear out your factory tube, you are ready to start new load development the next day.
 
Test 178gr AMax, Berger 185gr Jaggernaut, Sierra 175gr MK. Might fit the factory throat length better (?)

Certainly less drift in a given breeze at LR.

Coyote is a pretty darn small target at 700yds. Just make sure hits are possible.

Enjoy

Jerry
 
Although I had a capable rifle, I never took shots at coyotes or wolves much beyond about 450m as it was far better to call them closer.

...I suppose however that it comes natural to most of us that when there is lead in the air there is hope...
 
Haagen_Dazs said:
the great thing about the Savage rifles is the barrel nut making it possible for anyone with the right wrench and a go/no-go gauge to change their barrel.

I know several dealers sell Shilen prefit barrels that require no machining. Mystic and Juan Valdez should be able to hook you up for a couple hunfread bucks.
Click to expand...

"...couple hudred bucks" ? is there a sale on?
 
If you have a barrel that can shoot a 5" group at 700m, don't even think about rebarrelling.
If you don't have one, get a chronograph.
45gr Varget under a 155 is pretty mild. You might consider more powder. This equals more velocity, which reduces wind drift at longer ranges.
Play with a ballistics program. If the velocity is high enough, 155s will compare favourably with other bullets at long range. Sometimes it can be difficult to get heavier ones moving fast enough out of a shorter barrelled .308.
Be careful with 168s for long range. I've seen them keyholing at 700 and 800m. Lapua Match ammunition fired from C3A1 rifles..
A few weeks ago we were experimenting with an electronic target system at 1000m with a 6.5-.284 and a .308. .308 velocity at that range was around 1300fps as measured by the system, still cleanly supersonic.
 
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