I have a Savage 110 that I just put the 416 Taylor barrel on. It is an easy thing to do except for a few items to watch for.
First thing to do is get a parts diagram so you know what to look for and how the parts are supposed to go together.
I would buy a magnum rifle first just to have the magnum magazine box if I had it to do over again. The standard calibers will work OK in the mag and you can single feed the small calibers.
After that, all you have to do is buy a bolt head for the standard and the small size (223) cases, they are as easy to swap as the barrels but you have to know how the parts fit. Call, email or write Sharp Shooters Savage Specialties, 4970 Lehman Rd., Delphos, OH 45833, 1-419-695-3179,
[email protected]. I recommend calling to get all the information and his phamphlet. Midway has a gunsmithing catalog they will send you will all kinds of goodies for the S.S.B.(Savage Switch Barrel).
The barrel nut is the heart of the S.S.B. so don't be getting rid of it. If you want a rifle with a shouldered barrel, buy any one of the other brand and pay big bucks to swap a barrel. The nut makes it possible to switch barrels anytime you want and to set the headspace to your dies not the other way around. Use a new resized case from you sizing die as a gauge or buy a "go" gauge either way is fine. I just use a resized case and mark it as the gauge for setting the headspace.
If you are unfamiliar with what headspace is and how it is achieved read up on it before you start playing. It isn't hard to understand.
Basically all you have to do is remove the barrel/reciever from the stock, remove the scope, slide the barrel nut wrench down onto the barrel nut, put the barrel into a barrel vise and lock it tight, unloosen the barrel nut. You will have to hold the receiver with a large cresent wrench just behind the nut and recoil lug on the sight base, tape the jaws first, to make it easier. Unscrew the receiver off the barrel, remove the nut and admire your handy-work.
To install a barrel: Screw the barrel nut on the barrel, install the recoil lug, screw the barrel into the receiver, slide the nut wrench onto the nut, put the barrel back into the barrel vise and screw the barrel part way in, put the gauge into the chamber and close the bolt, screw the barrel down until it gently just touches the gauge, screw down the nut. Hold the receiver with the cresent wrench again so it doesn't move and lock the nut firmly, but don't get muscle bound with it. Put on the scope and back into the stock and you're done. Go shoot something. It took me longer to explain how to do it than it takes to change barrels.
I have contacted most of the major barrel makers and many gunsmiths and they will thread their barrels for the Savage 1"x20 tpi, some will also chamber. Sharp Shooters has many calibers to choose from and all the pieces and parts you will need to get started. Send him your receiver for his accuracy job and a flat, parallel recoil lug. For a hundred dollar bill you can have the nut wrench, the accuracy job,(bolt head and receiver faced), the "good" recoil lug and change for a burger. PacNor has just about every cartridge known to man and just about any length you'd want.
Don't let anyone snow you here, this is easy to do and safe as long as you use your head and follow the rules. Cheap, quick, easy and a whole lot more accurate than ANY factory rifle. I learned about the S.S.B more than 30 years ago from a knowledgable gunsmith. This closely guarded secret just got blabbed and now the whole world knows about it. Don't give me no ugly nut-on-the-barrel stuff, Blazers are ugly, Savages are just homely and I would rather have a rifle that shoots pretty, than a pretty rifle. Have a good time with your new toy.
