.260 Predator

[shoots100]

Since NY's predator seasons is over and my XG50 thermion is down at pulsar getting a checkup, I decided to work on my .243 predator.
Specifically, taking it apart and seeing if I can change barrels without screwing up the rifle.
Took all sorts of measurements, heated it up with the heat gun and found that the strap wrench I was using to back up the extension wasn't getting any bite on it.
The nut, lug and extension were turning in unison.
Changed course and put the extension in the trusty old viper vise and the nut loosened easily.
Thankfully Savage didn't use the sealant they use on the Axis rifles !
The .243 Impulse barrel has the same dimensions as the small shank .260 criterion barrel I had laying around.
I threaded the .260 barrel into the extension using the same measurement as the .243 barrel and it wasn't close to a safe headspace.
I had to go in a couple thousandth's more to get it right.
Incidentally, the factory .243 barrel needed blue painters tape for it to "No Go" when checking headspace, not scotch tape, so I used the same painters tape to headspace the .260 barrel too.
My .260 dummy rounds feed flawlessly from the AICS mags too.
Can't seem to post pics here for some reason, so I'm linking a short video.
Enjoy.

[E6Chevron]

Sounds great. Where did you get the wrench for the barrel nut?

Is it the same as used on the Savage 110?
TIA

[AlexV4RR]

Sounds great. Where did you get the wrench for the barrel nut?

Is it the same as used on the Savage 110?
TIA

Its a different nut. I had to grind down the inside nubs of the small shank tool. not a lot but it works well now.

[BearFootBowHunter]

Its a different nut. I had to grind down the inside nubs of the small shank tool. not a lot but it works well now.

is it the same barrels as the 110 or other model?

[shoots100]

Same small shank barrels.
I got tired of waiting for Savage to supply parts for the impulse line, so I already designed, made and tested a barrel nut that has flat sides on it that fits into the stock.
The impulse barrel nuts are short and beveled.
You'd have to hog out the stock a pretty good amount if your going to use any of the aftermarket barrel nuts.
I also had an issue with the recoil lug fitting over the threads on the new carbon fiber barrel, but a few short passes with some emery cloth on the barrel threads took care of that.
The CF barrel threads were real pointy compared to the six other barrel threads from different manufacturers I had on hand.
All of the other barrels had no issues with the recoil lug fitting on them.
In another week, all of the parts should be made and tested, so I'll be putting the rifle back together to do some long awaited field testing while predator hunting in NY state.