Barrel swaps on a Savage or Stevens is really easy to do (identical actions). Think of it as a big bolt going into a big nut with a jam nut. That'll all it really is mechanically.
The big problem is removing the barrel nut the first time. The factory torques the nut down really tight. The only way I have been able to do the job is to used grooved wooden blocks in a hydraulic shop press to hold the barrel. Not been able to find a table top vise to work.
Once that is done, you never have to torque that nut down that hard again. The last barrel swap I did, I held the barrel in my hand and knocked off the nut with a rubber mallet on the wrench.
All that nut has to do is keep the barrel from moving during operation. No more, no less.
I am shy to use an internal wrench for that first removal. I would hate to twist the action raceways.
I am about to invest in a table top press using a bottle jack to apply the necessary force. Someone that can weld could probably build something from scrap. 4 ton bottle jacks are $15.
You need a nut wrench, headspace guages (I used sized cases) for regular swapping and the addition of barrel blocks and a vise/press for that first removal.
Once you are comfy with the process, you should be able to swap barrels in 5 mins.
Let me know if you would like a barrel
Jerry
