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.