- Banned
- #1
Newtosavage
WKR
Last year, I was looking to cut weight on my mountain rifle so I bought two barrels for my Savage short action - a 20" CF Proof in .308 ($879) and a Shaw 7mm-08 "kit" barrel from Midway ($259). I cut and crowned the Shaw barrel to 20" then shipped it to Twisted Barrel and had them cut six straight flutes in it ($110 + shipping).
Once the Shaw barrel was cut and fluted, it weighed within 1 oz. of the 20" CF Proof .308 barrel. I figured if it shot well enough, I'd keep it and send back the CF barrel for a refund. The Shaw barrel shot very well and I saw no reason to keep the CF barrel, so back it went for a refund, no questions asked. I never shot it.
I wouldn't have thought it was possible to get a great shooting barrel for my Savage that weighs under 2 lbs., for less than $400, but if you go this route, it certainly is. For a bit more, you could have that 7mm-08 chamber reamed to a .284 Win, which will probably be my next build.
Anyway, I just wanted to offer this up as an option to some of you looking for a lightweight barrel. I've owned three Shaws now (two were custom ordered, plus this "kit" barrel) and they have all shot extremely well for me. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
I've ordered two McGowans and one X-Caliber barrel now, and preferred the X-Caliber. But the Shaw "kit" option is in stock now and the turnaround on the fluting was a matter of 10 days wait. Both McGowan and X-Caliber had me waiting 4+ months.
Good luck whatever route you go!
Once the Shaw barrel was cut and fluted, it weighed within 1 oz. of the 20" CF Proof .308 barrel. I figured if it shot well enough, I'd keep it and send back the CF barrel for a refund. The Shaw barrel shot very well and I saw no reason to keep the CF barrel, so back it went for a refund, no questions asked. I never shot it.
I wouldn't have thought it was possible to get a great shooting barrel for my Savage that weighs under 2 lbs., for less than $400, but if you go this route, it certainly is. For a bit more, you could have that 7mm-08 chamber reamed to a .284 Win, which will probably be my next build.
Anyway, I just wanted to offer this up as an option to some of you looking for a lightweight barrel. I've owned three Shaws now (two were custom ordered, plus this "kit" barrel) and they have all shot extremely well for me. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
I've ordered two McGowans and one X-Caliber barrel now, and preferred the X-Caliber. But the Shaw "kit" option is in stock now and the turnaround on the fluting was a matter of 10 days wait. Both McGowan and X-Caliber had me waiting 4+ months.
Good luck whatever route you go!
