Cracked my first nut today. Thank you to the members!

I just wanted to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide instruction and encouragement to those interested in Savage barrel swaps.

I "cracked my first nut" today - an old Stevens 200 7mm-08. It was tough. It took me about 10 tries to get the barrel secured in the vise, but I finally did it thanks to a tip about table sugar.

I am a pretty accomplished mechanic and consider myself handy with tools, but I didn't expect the sense of accomplishment I felt today when that barrel nut came loose.

So thanks to all of you who posted advice and encouragement. You never know how many folks you've helped along the way.

You left the bolt in? :o:der:

Edit: and the scope bases!

Just giving you a :boink:

In all seriousness it doesn’t matter! Good job! Table sugar is a new one to me also.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RustyShackle

You left the bolt in? :o:der:

Edit: and the scope bases!

Just giving you a :boink:

In all seriousness it doesn’t matter! Good job! Table sugar is a new one to me also.

---

LOL

I had already found the headspace on the new barrel when I took the pic. :D

I couldn't find any rosin in my little town, so I did some research and saw a few people suggest table sugar. So I tried it. And guess what. It worked fabulously and washed right off!

BTW, that "barrel vise" is actually some brackets and grade eight bolts I found at the local Tractor Supply. :D

I love that, repurposing stuff. How much the brackets run ya, and what are they originally for?

Congrats on the Nutcraker

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RustyShackle

I love that, repurposing stuff. How much the brackets run ya, and what are they originally for?

---

Those were hitch mounting plates from Tractor Supply. $16 ea. plus another $3.75 for the bolts and washers. I probably should have just ordered a barrel vise from Midway, but I was already into the project for more than I wanted, and didn't want to pay shipping. These plates worked fine, and it was handy to be able to lock the lower part of the plate in my vise on my workbench. Gave me a solid platform and nice working height.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Newtosavage

BTW, that "barrel vise" is actually some brackets and grade eight bolts I found at the local Tractor Supply. :D

---

That's a fantastic home-brewed barrel vise! I'll be rummaging through the scrap bin at work tomorrow and putting one of these together. Thanks!

My pleasure. Just be sure to use Grade 8 bolts and nuts. I don't think grade 5's will handle the job.

I've read that brown sugar works in place of rosin, and wondered if regular sugar would work. Good tip.

I've got a barrel vise new in the box I've never even tried because the action wrench method works so well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jpx2rk

I've read that brown sugar works in place of rosin, and wondered if regular sugar would work. Good tip.

---

Dont know if you saw my thread, but just this morning I used the sugar trick in place of Rosin. I used the Demura Raw cane sugar crystals. I was ready to cut the barrel nut.

Better watch cracking nuts. It's as addictive as other forms of it. LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Duckbill

Dont know if you saw my thread, but just this morning I used the sugar trick in place of Rosin. I used the Demura Raw cane sugar crystals. I was ready to cut the barrel nut.

---

Yea, I finally saw that. I'm glad it worked out. Now that I've done one, I don't think I'll have so much trouble in the future. Biggest problem now is deciding what my next caliber might be. LOL

Results from yesterday morning - exactly what I was after. Now my 7mm-08 handles 162's like a pro.

Attachment 4596

What barrel did you use?

I was very lucky to be offered a blued factory model 10 with the 1:9.5" twist. This was ideal since my Stevens action was blued and not matte black like the newer Savage actions and barrels. Same contour and finish as the Stevens 200 barrel that came off.