I'm replacing a barrel on my Savage and was thinking about replacing the recoil lug with an aftermarket beefed up one such as the Sharp Shooters Supply or the Darrel Holland. will re-bedding the lug recess on the stock be a MUST if I do this? In other words, are the aftermarket lugs of different dimensions OR just stronger/better steel with identical size specs?

Thanks

Roger

The ones I have seen in the past have been thicker metal than the Savage

Most, if not all of the aftermarket recoil lugs made are thicker, but no wider or taller. If you don't have bedding in front of the lug it should fit fine. There is a small tab that sticks out of the lug where it indexes into the front of the action and this might interfere with the fit but it's easy to remove a little bedding material to fit it. I would rebed the action any way though

I put a SSS on mine, it is much thicker and flat unlike the crappy one that Savage stamps out. I had to open up the slot in the stock for the lug a bit to get it to fit.

I would advise anyone that buys recoil lugs from SSS to make sure there isn't a burr raised
on the surface of the recoil lug from the threading process .. I have gotten two of them
like that ... I notified Fred and he said he " would look into it" . I haven't ordered any since and so I don't know if he remedied the problem..