Re-barreling a 10ML II

[Tarheel]

I have a 2003 Savage 10ML II and would like to rebarrel it but it seems that this is not a popular, or even advisable, thing to do. Are there any options?

[dannoboone]

Popularity has gone to putting stuffer barrels on CF actions.
Many say it gives them peace of mind to have locking lugs on
an action for further "safety" in the event of a double load
and barrel failure. Seems like a bit of paranoia to me in lieu
of the fact there was never a failure of the breech plug area
when people were blowing the barrels of their 10MLII's. Some
photos showed shredded barrels that exposed the front of the
breech plug, but they held from being propelled backwards
thus doing the same to the bolt....never happened.

Advisable? A new barrel will not be any different than the
one you have as far as strength. Stay away from the insane
loads some are using in their 20# plus rifles that shoot
325-350gr bullets over 3000fps. Just use what you have been
using and you will be fine.

PacNor MAY again start doing 10MLII barrels again that they
had to discontinue for a time because of the fire. I believe
you can still get one from McGowen. There are probably 'smiths
out there who can do the work from barrel blanks.

Before the fire, I got a .45 barrel from PacNor and did all
the conversion myself...not rocket science!

[billc]

My last SML, I sent my action and a new breach plug to McGowen. They put everything together with one of their barrels. You can change caliber or ignition as you wish.