Rebarreling a Model 12 Behchrest from 6.5-284 to 6.5 Creedmoor...with pics

[jeffreybehr]

Bought this year the 6.5-284 and couldn't get it to shoot as accurately as I wanted--it was capable of less-than-1" groups at 100 yards, but I wanted better. I was also becoming more sensitive to recoil, even with a 14-pound rifle, so I chose the Creedmoor. Read lots of notes on barrel quality and was drawn to Shilen. After looking over Northland's site, I determined that, because of the magic-barrel-nut technology of the Savages, I could do it myself. I talked to James at Northland, selected the barrel--the stainless select match, 28 inches long*--I ordered it, new nut and recoil lug, two headspace gages, a short barrelnut wrench, and an action wrench/clamp. With beadblasting, shipping, and CC fee, the total was about $660.

All arrived today, and I managed to remove the old and install the new, going very slowly, in maybe an hour. Here are some pics.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/jeffreybehr/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_action%20vice_1500w_zpszfbzyyj1.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/jeffreybehr/media/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_action%20vice_1500w_zpszfbzyyj1.jpg.html )

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/jeffreybehr/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_brld%20action%20in%20vice_1500w_zpsdatpu csg.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/jeffreybehr/media/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_brld%20action%20in%20vice_1500w_zpsdatpu csg.jpg.html)

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/jeffreybehr/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_brld%20action%20in%20vice2_1500w_zpsbjgy 3pi7.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/jeffreybehr/media/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_brld%20action%20in%20vice2_1500w_zpsbjgy 3pi7.jpg.html)

New on the top.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/jeffreybehr/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_barrel%20butts_1500w_zpstgkpf3xf.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/jeffreybehr/media/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_barrel%20butts_1500w_zpstgkpf3xf.jpg.htm l)

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/jeffreybehr/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_empty%20receiver_1500h_zpspuanxwac.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/jeffreybehr/media/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_empty%20receiver_1500h_zpspuanxwac.jpg.h tml)

Fortunately, the stock's barrel channel fit the new barrel perfectly...
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/jeffreybehr/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_barrel%20gaps_1500w_zpsslp6fzhd.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/jeffreybehr/media/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_barrel%20gaps_1500w_zpsslp6fzhd.jpg.html )
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/jeffreybehr/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_barrelgap%20front1_1500w_zpsx1sp2hms.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/jeffreybehr/media/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_barrelgap%20front1_1500w_zpsx1sp2hms.jpg .html)

Here 'tis finished.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/jeffreybehr/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_complete%20rifle_1500w_zpsdjhmv6mh.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/jeffreybehr/media/Shooting%20stuff/Savage%20model%2012%20Benchrest%20in%206%205-284%20Norma/Model%2012%20Benchrest%206dot5%20Creedmoor/2017Mar14_complete%20rifle_1500w_zpsdjhmv6mh.jpg.h tml)

The new barrel weighs about two ounces more than the 29" original.

Will get it to the range Thursday--****ed doctor visits!--and see how it goes.


* The original is 29 inches.

[rogue4998]

Nice

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[jeffreybehr]

Nice. ...

TYVM.

Have this aft. been measuring distance to lands of 6 bullets using the Hornady O.A.L. tool and ogive-measuring caliper-adapter; see
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/another-finding-the-lands-story.3921823/#post-36946311

[scooterf79]

Very nice! Nice write-up as well. The NSS tools are really nice. I like mine.
Can't wait to see your target results.
Scooter

[savatage]

Nice job...What does it weigh ? I have a savage model 12 bvss 22-250 I want to do the same thing...Thanks for posting.