Rechamber or new barrel?

Carbonman · #8 03-22-2006, 05:23 PM

The Savage rifles that are chambered for WSM cartridges have a 1.125"x20 tpi shank to safely accommodate the fatter cartridge.
Your 308 is a 1.055"x20 tpi shank and is not recommended for the WSM or Ultramag series. The exception is if you have it breeched up like a Remington 700 without the headspace nut.
It may also be adequate if you go with a chrome-moly barrel. I know folks do the WSM conversion on the 1.055 shank, it just doesn't have enough meat left to be entirely safe.

Maico · #9 03-25-2006, 04:21 AM

If the Savage is too small dia. then why is remington's ok to chamber anything with a 1.062 shank. The actions are about the same thickness I think so I don't understand that statement.

Carbonman · #10 03-26-2006, 10:14 AM

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If the Savage is too small dia. then why is remington's ok to chamber anything with a 1.062 shank. The actions are about the same thickness I think so I don't understand that statement.

[/ QUOTE ]

In the Remchester group of actions the peak pressure area of the barrel is ~1.200". The 1" or 1.062" x 16 tpi threads are inside the action and supported by same. The Savage barrel's breech end is 1.055" and the threads extend significantly forward out of the action to accommodate the headspace nut. Unless the Savage is breeched without the headspace nut it leaves you with ~ .250" wall thickness at your peak pressure location. (1" in front of the base of the seated bullet.) Likely this is OK with chrome moly or chrome vanadium steels. With 416R stainless combined with cold weather it is below minimum safety margins. If you use one of the 410 stainless blanks from Krieger you add some resilience in cold weather, however, it's pushing the edge of the envelope.

Maico · #11 03-27-2006, 05:43 PM

Ok Carbonman that makes sense. Sometimes the old brain is not fully engaged. Yep that's the problem.

Carbonman · #12 03-27-2006, 11:51 PM

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Ok Carbonman that makes sense. Sometimes the old brain is not fully engaged. Yep that's the problem.

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Maico,
Not a brain engagement issue! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] I'm a visual kinda person too. I've drawn a bunch of prints with these wall thickness issues in mind for our carbon fiber barrels.
Mike

120mm · #13 03-30-2006, 06:44 AM

Thanks for the info. So it's chrome moly/vanadium or leave it alone.