Small or Large Shank for custom build

[shoresg]

Are there any advantages or disadvantages using small or large shank barrels/actions?
None magnum caliber bull barrel.

[LoneWolf]

Large shanks are normally required for Savage Prefits on magnums because of the reduced shank diameter with the lack of a shoulder and heavier shank. In a standard caliber you won't see any difference.

[varget204]

No,the small shank are 1.060 -20tpi,the large shank are 1.200,I have a Savage Predator 110 Long Action,it has a Small shank barrel and barrel nut,the same as my Savage 204 ruger.The Large shank is for the Larger Magnum Calibers

[A&8's]

Most custom barrel makers recommend not going over 26" on a small shank....this would be total lengthen including any muzzle device.

I have a 28" bull contour on my 300WM small shank Stevens 200 (I know, I know, All Stevens are small shank) and with the APA Fat Bastard I'm over 30" However, bedding a few inches in front of the chamber relieves some of the stress on the small shank.

[Robinhood]

No,the small shank are 1.060 -20tpi,the large shank are 1.200,I have a Savage Predator 110 Long Action,it has a Small shank barrel and barrel nut,the same as my Savage 204 ruger.The Large shank is for the Larger Magnum Calibers

Some of this information is incorrect. There are no 1.200 diameter barrels from Savage. The "Large Shank" is 1 1/8 - 20.

[varget204]

Hit wrong key on lab top;large shank is 1.120 16 tpi,Not 1.200"

[efm77]

The large shank is still 20 tpi, not 16. They are 1.125" diameter, 20 tpi.

[Dave Hoback]

Bugholes has many of the big names in prefit barrels & a proprietary barrel nut they call their “Bugnut” which can accept any barrel contour up to 1.25” breech and still fit Savage small shank. I may try it in the future and use either a Bartlein or Brux barrel. Little more expensive overall, so that is to be considered.

As to your question, the answer is NO, there are no advantages to using a LARGE shank(1.125-20) vs a SMALL shank(1.060-20). For consideration, remember that the Remington 700 action uses 1.060-16tpi & even Tikka uses 1.00-16.

[geargrinder]

I agree with Dave.

I have built many WSM's and RUM's on small shanks. I built a 338 Edge that had a 32" #8 contour barrel that was free floated. It was so incredibly accurate, all the way out to a mile.

Hot loads, and heavy barrels. Never an issue with a small shank.

The advantage was only on paper for the standard magnums and smaller.

I think the only real need was in the Lapua.