.35 Whelen - Savage 110

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

I just ordered one of those quick-change bbls for the Savage 110 from Midway, chambered in .35 Whelen.  I hope I don't regret this choice.

Now I'll be looking for a used Savage 110 in .30-06 or .270.  

Has anyone else used these bbls?  Apparently switching bbls is about a 1hr project - with the right tools.

So what are the right tools?  Do I need a fancy wrench?  And I'm guessing a Go-gauge and a No-go-gauge.  Anything else?

I'll be using this for Deer, cast-bullet plinking, and elk - sigh - someday.

[huntswithdogs]

I believe that Midway also sells the wrench that loosens the barrelnut. It should be listed under Gunsmithing supplies or with the barrels. You may need  barrel vise.


HWD

[pagris]

BJJ:  This article should provide you with some good information on doing the barrel swap:

http://www.savageshooters.com/Articles/BarrelSwap.html

In addition, the barrel wrench is on sale this month at Midway (though it still seems expensive to me for what it is):

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=288765

Good luck!

[bajabill]

how is this going, im considering it myself

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

It's going well so far.

I've got the barrel since Midway was clearing them out for $90.

Then Gander Mt. was clearing out a Savage 114 for $250, I couldn't pass it up since I was figuring on spending that amount on a used beater.  This one has nicer wood, for a Savage.

Also Gander might do the barrel swapy-changy for free since I bought the gun there.  It was evening and the smithy wasn't there to say for sure - and I didn't have my .35 bbl with me.

Then it's sights/scope.  Not sure whether I should go with a peep sight or cheap scope.  I can't afford a nicer scope at the moment.

[Slamfire]

Frank DeHass included instructions and a drawing for a Savage barrel wrench in his book "Bolt  Action Rifles". The appendix is worth the price of the book.

[bajabill]

what is the 114 chambered for, I guess if it is based on an -06 cartridge, the bolt should work fine.  Do you understand the particulars with different threads for the savage barrels?

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

BajaBill,

No I don't understand particulars for different threads for Savages.  Can you tell me about them?

The 114 is a .30-06.  My understanding is that the Savages are all about the same except that the 100's denote a long action.  Then after that the different numbers refer to with sights, w/o sights, nicer wood, cheaper wood, etc.

[bajabill]

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=432109

hit the technical specs and info link on this page.  I think it makes sense to me now.  I had seen conflicting info on this subject before.

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Whew!  Ya had me nervous there for a while.

Nothing particular about the 114, just the large-thread magnums that are not compatible.

I would have been totally surprised if a .30-06 Savage 114 had different threads from the 110s and 111s.

[bajabill]

Sorry for the scare

I have been confused with this for a while now, some references I read said the barrels wont work on newer guns, but dont spell out the distinction between the magnums and standard rifles.  I think savage may even have some info about this that may be "less than helpfull".   Let me know if this works.  I want to do it, but need to find a left handed -06 based gun to start with.  Or, I may get a new 30-06 with the accutrigger, and use my old one for the whelen conversion.  Ultimately, if I go thru the effort, I want the whelen to be a lefty.  Hope that is not a show stopper.

[longwalker]

Here goes,

I purchased an Adams and Bennet Barrel from Midway a couple of years ago. I took a ..270 wincester and made a 338-06. It is very easy but you will need a couple of things.

Savage Barrel nut wrench.

Some type or press or vice with oak jaws to protect the the barrel from turning.

You will need a fixture to clamp the the receiver to remove the barrel. Some strength will be needed to break it free. I used a little heat sparingly applied and the barrel came free.

You will need go  / nogo gages

You will most likely need some barrel inletting tools as the new barrel will no doubt be larger that what you have.

Did I mention locktite ?

I would estimate this to be a several hours job rather than a one hour job.

I did it and would recommend it. You will have yourself a nice medium bore rifle for almost no money. Mine shoots great. In fact I put three down the tube the day I made the conversion.

Good luck,

longwalker

[bja105]

Skip the lock tite.  Use anti seize paste, and you can remove the barrel without twisting your action.

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

For those interested:

The .35 Whelen bbl fits the .30-06 action perfectly, but the Adams & Bennett bbl is a "factory magnum" contour, meaning the bbl is thicker toward the muzzle.  This requires taking out some wood from the bbl channel.

So the swappy-changy isn't quite as straight forward as it may appear.  However, if you're not concerned on the appearance, a single pass through a router would to the trick.

The smith offered to do it for $30.  He'll do a more professional job than I could, and since it's Savage's finer walnut stock I took him up on the deal just to keep the thing looking as good as a Savage can look.

So all-in-all I've got $405 sunk into this thing just to have a .35 Whelen.  That's still $200 less than a Remington 700.  Of course I could recoup a few bucks if I can sell the original barrel.

Anybody want to buy a brand new .30-06 Savage factory barrel?  Never fired, no sight taps.  I'd be happy if I got $60 for it.

[Varminter]

Will these barrels fit a stevens 200? I'm looking to do the same thing to a 200. Either a 35 Whelen or a 338-06 for elk when i move to CO.