So I've got a savage 111 in .270win I'm contemplating slowly over the next couple years as funds permit build it slowly into a custom rifle. I've heard that the savages are pretty easy to rebarell, but if I wanted to change calibers from .270, what is required? New barrel, new magazine, and what else? No idea what caliber I want to go to, or if I want to switch at all. Just mulling it over right now.

Not a dumb question. It can get confusing. Yes you will need a new barrel if you're going away from the 270.

To keep your action and bolt as-is you have some choices on new cartdges.

6.5mm- 6.5-284

7mm- 280 Remington (what I'd do)

.308- 30-06

Yes there's a long list of other cartridges but those are a few examples. You'll need, at minimum a new barrel to make your rifle into one of those. You could keep everything like it is if you choose to.

Ask Chad what that 270 will actually be able to do for ya now! He's a fan

I learned to shoot long range with a 270, so yes, it will do it. Load up a 135 Sierra match king, or 130, 140, 150 VLD, or a decent hunting bullet, like an SST, and it will work fine. It shoots flatter than a 308 Win, and will buck the wind better. But, a good barrel and some rifle work will be better than the factory rifle.

FiremanJG will be on here shortly to debate ya! Lol

do a 280 AI or the 6.5-284

Thank you. That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. My plan is to make the caliber change the last thing I do. It currently shoots fine. Figured I'd go trigger first, then new optics, then stock, then barrel. By then I'll know for sure If I want to change calibers.

Absolutely the perfect order!

Just make sure the stock you're currently using keeps the barrel free floated no matter what the forearm is rested on.

Nah. Chad and I have agreed to disagree on some things. 270, SFP, MOA, I'll let it go with him. But no one else.

Building a semi-custom rig off a Savage action could not be easier. I just put one together, turned a .308 into a 6.5 creedmoor. You can buy a drop in barrel, I bought a Criterion Light Varmint from Jim over at Northland Shooting Supplies. He is a stand up guy and will walk you through the entire process.

I am just waiting on a Manners stock to complete my build. If you need any help give me a shout.

Will do. Thanks.

280 AI...great long range round...shoot the 270 awhile...you might find out you like it.

Ed

My thoughts is shoot the 270 now since you have it. It will definitely do the trick with good ammo. I can attest to that. You can easily get it under moa, and with good (not great) ballistics. But, if you want to spend the time and money on a new barrel, then the common LR calibers in 6.5mm and 7mm, even .308", will perform better.

For a Savage get a prefit, either McGowen or CBI both make great shooting button barrels.

I don't own a Savage rifle, never owned one in fact, other than an O/U .223/12 ga. But John Barsness recommends that Savage owners who want to upgrade take a look at ER Shaw's offerings for Savage. Shaw has always had a reputation of making very so-so barrels, but according to Barsness, they've re-tooled with modern equipment and are turning out top-flight stuff nowadays. And apparently the price is right.

It might be worth looking at Shaw's website or giving them a call. Again, I have NO personal experience here, but Barsness knows what he talks about and is honest to a fault.

Shaw is the guy who patented the spiral fluting and sent letters to people who were "duplicating" it. I personally wouldn't buy a tricycle from the guy.

To your point, he does make a pretty good barrel for Savages so your info is right.

You holding it against someone that they protected their patent?

That was my thought too. That's what a patent is for.

I LOVE my 280 Ackley (Nosler) but I am not shooting it much these days since it's not threaded..

I have a desire to do a custom 7mm-08 with a threaded 16-18" barrel pretty badly right now!

Come on....a patent for spiral fluting.

I get if a guy has a new bolt design or something functional but spiral fluting? Yes, I blame Shaw for being a DB there. It's the equivalent of me getting a patent for webbing a stock...stupid.

Shilen is another option

http://www.shilen.com/savageBarrels.html

its expired now.

Was able to claim that it dampened vibration and shortened accuracy node so it was "functional" from my understanding. I think it was stupid too.

No doubt it probably would have made him a ton more cash if they would have let other shops do it and charged them a royalty if that is permitted.

Think they tried that lot of shops just said no and changed the type and pattern to get around patent. patent is only as good as the amount of money you have to back it up. Saw that when I worked at bowtech. Every bow company infringes on each others. But after bunch of lawsuits was pretty much you can use mine if I can use yours. Binary cams, roller guards, s glass in the limbs. goes on and on. But they can be a necessary evil