Rebarreling a Model 12 Behchrest from 6.5-284 to 6.5 Creedmoor...with pics
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/k2...pszfbzyyj1.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psdatpucsg.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psbjgy3pi7.jpg
New on the top.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pstgkpf3xf.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pspuanxwac.jpg
Fortunately, the stock's barrel channel fit the new barrel perfectly...
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psslp6fzhd.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psx1sp2hms.jpg
Here 'tis finished.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psdjhmv6mh.jpg
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.
