I picked up my new 12F today from my FFL. It's been sitting there a week while I was on vacation. I ordered an action & stock from Jim at Northland, plus a McGowen barrel in 6.5x284 from him as well.

Here's the pics...

As unwrapped before assembly:











After installing and headspacing the barrel... (I'm getting really good at this, it took me longer to round up the tools than to do the job).





I still don't have a base and rings yet... Can't decide on which ones I want...

???

Slim, That is going to ROCK, wow I need another F class rifle now...

Sweet!

LWD

A lot of the guys who shoot 1000 yard events at my range use that round. Have you concerned about what some say is shortened throat life with the 6.5X284 round?

Sako,

Well, they're probably willing to make more of them...




I didn't even try the factory Savage barrel. I've had too many issues with them lately... So I found out Jim at Northland Shooters Supply would order me one in, pull the barrel, and sell me the action and stock combo for a discount. I also bought and had a McGowen barrel shipped with it when it came in.


Rusty,

I've heard that too. I've also heard that the 140 gr bullets, Berger, Sierra, etc seem more stable if shot in the 2900-2950 fps range. This would in effect be "throttling back" the Norma chambering a bit. Maybe that will help extend the life some?

If not, and the barrel shoots good, there's plenty of meat in it to cut it back and rechamber a couple of times...

I've also heard that the 6.5 x 47 Lapua is "easier" on throats? I could always cut it back and chamber to that if I had to.

I'll probably just run it as is and start counting rounds and see how she goes...

Hello,
You will definitely like the chambering you selected for long range shooting. As to barrel/throat life, it is somewhat of a short life, most get somewhere in the area of 1000-1300 rnds out of one, but as you say and especially w/ the Savage you can switch out the barrel easily for a new barrel or recut the original one. I don't know about two times recutting, but one for sure. Most of us in my area use the Sierra 142's, but some do use other brands, but Sierra pretty much dominates. I have no experience with your barrel mfg., but do with Krieger and Douglas and throat life is about the same for either. I shot 300WinMag for some years and got even less throat life, but believe the 284x6.5 is pretty much state of the art at this time. Glad to see Savage catering to long range shooters with this offering and am sure it will work well.

martin