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Barrel
installation using the BugNut
The BugNut
works in a similar manner to the traditional Savage barrel nut system, but the
barrel is machined differently to accept the different dimensions of the
nut. Savage nuts are not useable with a
BugNut pre-fit barrel; BugNuts may
work on a Savage or Remage pre-fit barrel, but will leave unsightly gaps
between the nut and barrel, and may leave exposed threads on the barrel tenon. BugNut
Pre-fit barrels are made specifically for a certain action, and if applicable,
with a certain thickness recoil lug. In
some cases, switching to a thicker recoil lug than what the barrel was machined
for can cause a dangerous situation.
Instructions:
Remove
existing barrel, and clean action threads, lug abutments, and action face (if
necessary) with a brush and solvent. If you
are removing a factory barrel, a wire brush may be necessary to remove rust,
Loctite, or other material present in the action threads. Clean your pre-fit
barrel blank with solvent and air pressure, making sure there is no debris or
packing dust on the threads or in the chamber.
Clean the inside of the nut as well. When all is acceptably clean, lube
the barrel tenon threads with a light amount of lube. I use Loctite C5-A (copper
based), you can use grease, anti-seize, or other appropriate high pressure lube.
It is
recommended to remove your plunger ejector from the bolt, if equipped. This will interfere with the “feel” of the
bolt when checking headspace. Most are
held in place with a cross pin, and retain the ejector under spring
pressure. Take care to not launch your
ejector and spring when removing your punch from the cross pin hole.
Screw the BugNut all the way up the barrel
until it stops on the tenon shoulder. If you are using an action with removable
recoil lug (Remington, Savage), use a fixture to hold the recoil lug in place
and prohibit lug movement/rotation when under torqueing force of the nut.
Place the
barrel in your barrel vise, gripping the barrel near the breech and nut, do not
clamp on the nut. Insert your clean
headspace GO gauge into the chamber,
insert your bolt into your action and close the bolt. You can leave your trigger in the action, but
put the safety on if possible
Screw the
action on to the barrel tenon. It should
screw on and stop short of the nut. If it does not stop short of the nut, stop
the install immediately and call Southern Precision Rifles.
Your barrel
is now set for minimum SAAMI headspace; a small amount of additional clearance
on your chamber is recommended. Unscrew
the action approximately the width of two or three scope base holes, and then
unscrew the nut towards the action face/recoil lug. Snug the nut against the action with moderate
finger pressure only, and remove the headspace gauge. Place a small piece of scotch tape (approx.
.002 thick) or a small piece of notebook paper (.003-.004) either on the bolt
face, or on the GO gauge base.
Insert the gauge and close the bolt. You should feel some resistance with
whichever “spacer” you chose to use. If
youre satisfied here, and you have a no-go gauge, remove all tape or paper and
insert the no-go now. The bolt should not close on the no-go
gauge. If the bolt closes on the
no-go, rewind, double check, and start over.
If all is good, remove the bolt and gauge
Assemble
your BugNut wrench over the nut in whichever orientation suits you, and makes
torqueing the easiest. Insert an action
wrench in the action. In opposing
motions, you want to torque the nut against the action, while not allowing the
action to unscrew. You are not torqueing
the action into nut, merely resisting the actions tendency to unscrew with the
nut, only the nut should move.
Recommended
torque values:
After
desired torque is achieved, re-check your headspace with whichever method you
used initially. If your headspace has
changed, rewind and re-headspace again.
Install the ejector back into the bolt, patch out the chamber and bore
of the barrel, and you’re ready to go shoot
if you have questions or concerns call 239-289-2338
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