Savage project with Shilen barrel completed

[Davemuzz]

Well, I received my Shilen barrel that I ordered back in January for my Model 12 stainless single shot Savage action. I ordered a 23" stainless Shilen barrel in 6.5x55 Swede. I picked up the M-12 stainless action...it was new, unfired, from a fellow who bot it for a project and then decided to go in a different direction. So I got it for $305. The stock is a Savage laminated sporter contour that I got from Jim Briggs for $130, and the Barrel from Shilen cost $280. So, the total for this project was $720.....which is about the same price as a NIB Savage M-12 stainless Savage, except this project now has a custom barrel for the same price.

Here are some pics of the gun and my first target after I zeroed the scope in. This one is a shooter and I am quite happy with the results. Oh...Berger 140 grain VLD's over 46 grains of Reloader 22.

Dave

[LaOtto222]

Very Nice Dave. She is a beauty That looks like a sporter weight barrel? How much does she weigh, trimmed out, just like the picture?

[Davemuzz]

LA-O,

Well....my only "in home" method of weighing it is the bathroom scale. Now...I dunno how accurate it is....but it seems to "make sense"...kind of. The only "add-on" from the picture is a butt stock shell holder, and when I did the weight-in I had nine cartridges of 140 grain berger's in the holder. The total weight of the gun, cartridges, and strap came to 11.5lbs. That makes some sense with the laminated stock.

However, the gun doesn't seem to be "unwieldy" or front heavy, or difficult to hold up for an offhand shot. So, maybe the bathroom scale lies somewhat?

Oh yeah....it is a sporter contour barrel....I ordered it in 23" length and had 'em put that "fancy" target crown on the end. (Knowing the clutz that I can be....I didn't want to ding the end of the barrel and have it mutz up the accuracy.....you know.....when I'm out in the field and that 17 point triple drop tine stands broadside at 125 yards!!!)

I do find, at least at the range....so I'm going to assume at the field, that I really like the single shot bolt action. The "feed tray" is exceptionally easy to use. Open the bolt and "toss" a round in it and the action is machined so the cartridge settles to the bottom and the bolt pushes it easily into the chamber. Nice stuff!!!

Dave

[LaOtto222]

I am shocked that it weighs that much I was thinking 9 pounds max. Does that action take 2 or 3 screws? I do really like the rifle.

[Davemuzz]

LA-O,

The action is the two screw model. I think the long range target model's have the 3 screw's. As far as the weight is concerned, I think you may be closer than my bathroom scale. It doesn't feel much heavier than  my Marlin 1895XLR (Which is 7lbs).  If I had a "real scale" that weighed on the low end, I'd tell ya what it really weighed.

Dave

[LaOtto222]

There is some thing special about putting your own rifle together. You may have as much in it as if you went to the gun store and bought one off of the shelf, but you still could not get one in the 'Swede. And you do not have the satisfaction of putting it together yourself. It looks like it will be pretty accurate too. Do some more load development and get a few more bullets down the tube, and you will be sub MOA easily. Not bad for a "sporter" weight barrel.

[nomosendero]

Dave, nice project & a fine rifle. I bet the rifle will shoot better as you fine tune the loads.

[Davemuzz]

Nomo,

Thanks. Yeah...there is actually one more thing that I can do that could actually make the existing loads tighten up like a Ford engine running without oil at 6000 RPM. I haven't bedded the action yet.  Yeah....I know.....you may say....What???....you didn't wha?. But the truth be told, once I headspaced it, got the barrel free floated and the scope mounted.....I was itchin to shoot it. Plus...spring gobbler season is right around the corner....and I have so many things to do the prep for that.

So....once I shoot a bird (overconfidence is overrated) (I will shoot a bird with a 12 ga. shotgun...not the Swede) I'll settle down and bed the action. I already have the Davcon sitting on the shelf.....and the last thing I wanted to do was a rush job on the action bedding.

Dave

[trotterlg]

I would guess your wieight is correct.  I have a Savage 10 in 17 Remington with a 24 inch barrel .500 at the muzzel and a wood stock with a 4-12 Swift scope and it weighs 9 1/2 pounds empty.  These things are not light.  Larry

[gethuntin]

what type of rings did you use..

[Davemuzz]

what type of rings did you use..

I used the Burris Signature Zee (Weaver style) rings http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=416175&t=11082005  These have a plastic insert in them that prevent any marring to the scope tube and you don't need to emory the inside of the rings to have them line up for the tube.


Dave