Savage Headspace question

1340

1340

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In the boonies
I did a search, but would like more info on Savage headspacing. I understand the barrel threads into the action and the nut is used to hold the barrel in position. How tight should the bolt close? Some people use sized cartridges to headspace, others use gauges. I'm not reloading at this point so for a new action and barrel wouldn't gauges be best?
What torque is the nut tightened to? Any other info you could give me?
Good places to get a barrel nut wrench and headspace gauges?
Thanks.
 
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The barrel nut from factory is extremely tight. An action wrench or vise should be used with a barrel nut wrench when removing a factory barrel. DO NOT use a rear entry action wrench on factory installed barrels. You can tighten the barrel nut to 40-50 lbs/ft and rest assured that it is tight.

With a headspace gage that has the ejector cut out or if you remove your ejector, the bolt should close with no increased drag when compared to an empty chamber and not close when too tight. Since this uses a barrel nut, the headspace measurement will shrink .001"-.002" when the barrel is torqued so be sure to recheck after torquing the nut. Measure your common scotch tape and then place a piece on the end of the headspace gage. The tape usually measures .002" so if the gage closes without a piece of tape then wont close with a piece of tape your perfect. 2 pieces and your still Ok but not as good as one.

Get a new recoil lug when you order the wrench, sharpshootersupply is the answer for everything savage. Brownells is great too.
 
I've heard that Savage uses some kind of Loc Tite type of thread sealer which is why the nut is so hard to get off. Also heard a bit of heat from a heat gun helps. I don't know any of this first hand. Can anyone confirm or refute this?
 
Savage does not use anything on the threads, several people that toured the factory and a couple of videos showing assembly confirm this. Sometimes people ask because they find residue of cleaning products that have seeped in.
 
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