Savage just changed the twist rate on the Weather Warrior in 7mm-08 Rem!!!

[MCMXI]

UNBELIEVABLE!!! :banghead: When I bought a Weather Warrior 16 FCSS in June of last year, the rifle shipped with a 1:11.5 twist barrel. The thing just wouldn't shoot 139gr SST bullets at all. I recently (yesterday) switched the barrel for a McGowen with a 1:9 twist and now I discover that Savage recently (and very quietly) changed the twist rate to the INDUSTRY STANDARD for 7mm-08. Somehow I doubt they'll give me $50 for the crappy factory barrel they sold me. Notice the comment at the bottom of the page "Appearance and specifications subject to change without notice". You're not kidding!! I bet this McGowen barrel still shoots better than the new 1:9.5 barrel ... I'll just have to keep telling myself that. Anyone thinking of a rifle in 7mm-08 should take a look at the Savage Weather Warrior now that the geniuses at Savage have their act together on this one.

 

[reuben mishler]

Wow! I can't say that I've ever really payed much attention to those items at the bottom of the screen on pages such as that.

Good thing cars aren't like...getting a mystery engine every time. Might as well be if they aren't going to give you the barrel specs that you are after.

Have you contacted Savage and asked them what the change was for, and what ammunition they suggested with the different twist?

 

[R.W.Dale]

Look on the positive side, folks complained and savage not only listened but very promptly acted.

Now compare that to another company who has been getting complaints about a certain part for the better part of a CENTURY

 

[MCMXI]

Have you contacted Savage and asked them what the change was for, and what ammunition they suggested with the different twist?

My guess is that they changed the barrel based on all the internet crap they read mentioning how their 1:11.5 barrel is a POS!!! For the new barrel they're now recommending factory ammunition using a 140gr bullet ... big surprise there. I bought this rifle based on all the Savage hype and can only blame myself for lack of due diligence. If you look at 7mm bullets, they typically range from around 100gr all the way up to 175gr. I want to shoot ANY bullet over that range with some degree of accuracy. The 1:11.5 barrel couldn't handle 139gr bullets so there was no hope for anything heavier. Anyway, this is good news for anyone wanting to buy and shoot rather than buy, buy a barrel, and shoot. I sound bitter but really I'm just annoyed by Savage's stupidity. Every other 7mm-08 manufacturer that I looked at uses something around 1:9.

 

[MCMXI]

Look on the positive side, folks complained and savage not only listened but very promptly acted.

That's a good point but it doesn't take a whole lot of effort to cut a different twist rate in a barrel. The real question is what was Savage thinking in the first place. As I said, I'm the idiot that bought the thing so I really should take some of the blame.

 

[MCMXI]

Now compare that to another company who has been getting complaints about a certain part for the better part of a CENTURY

Are you talking about Remington?

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Hate to bring it up, but how is it Savage's stupidity if you knew the rifle had a slow twist rate and bought it anyways?

 

[R.W.Dale]

At the end of the day (of the rifles first trip to the range) I really really doubt you'll be lamenting the purchase of that sexy McGowan barrel you're showing off in the othet thread.

 

[MCMXI]

Hate to bring it up, but how is it Savage's stupidity if you knew the rifle had a slow twist rate and bought it anyways?

I think I covered that it posts #4 and #5.

 

[MCMXI]

At the end of the day (of the rifles first trip to the range) I really really doubt you'll be lamenting the purchase of that sexy McGowan barrel you're showing off in the othet thread.

HA! HA! You're right as usual. I did a SUPERB job of inletting the AccuStock this evening and now that sexy barrel and action are just waiting for a new one-piece base and then it's off to the range. It took me a while to see the light, but I'm done with Remington. I have three 700s that I'll never sell and that will keep up with the very best rifles on the planet, but I'm done with Remington's arrogance and antiquated ways. My next rifle will be another Weather Warrior or maybe an ICON but definitely chambered in .30-06 and yes, this time I will check the barrel twist rate BEFORE I buy. If it's a Savage, I might still swap the barrel for another McGowen ... we'll see.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Just saying...it is a consumer market. It may have made very little sense for Savage to put that twist rate on the rifle to begin with, it makes even less for you to buy it. Looks like enough people either made the same mistake or complained before they had buyer's remorse and Savage did the right thing.

I didn't even know this option existed until this thread. So you mean I could get me a Weather Warrior in LH .30-06, get a 24 inch magnum contour 1:9 twist .280 Rem barrel, have it reamed out for .280 AI, and install it by myself with a few replacement parts and common tools? Would McGowen ream it out for .280 AI as well? I too have been looking at the Weather Warriors to replace a M700 BDL that doesn't feed right. I've been impatiently waiting for a standard length beltless .284 caliber magnum from a major manufacture, but as it appears everybody would rather have six different short mags to choose from instead, I'll have to improvise. So I am looking to get something that comes close to duplicating the performance of my M700 7mm Rem Mag, without a belt, and without the word "short."

 

[MCMXI]

Just saying...it is a consumer market. It may have made very little sense for Savage to put that twist rate on the rifle to begin with, it makes even less for you to buy it. Looks like enough people either made the same mistake or complained before they had buyer's remorse and Savage did the right thing.

You're absolutely right. I am an idiot for buying the Savage but as krochus (R.W. Hart) stated, it'll be a distant memory once I shoot the new barrel. It's good that Savage made the change though ... good for others that is. These Weather Warrior rifles are really good rifles for the money. I'm not a big fan of the AccuStock and will dump this one at some point. But the rest of the rifle is excellent.

So you mean I could get me a Weather Warrior in LH .30-06, get a 24 inch magnum contour 1:9 twist .280 Rem barrel, have it reamed out for .280 AI, and install it by myself with a few replacement parts and common tools? Would McGowen ream it out for .280 AI as well?

Yep!! I'm no Savage expert (obviously) but all you need to do the swap is the barrel wrench, go/no-go gauges, and a way to hold the barrel. McGowen can cut any chamber you like and they have very good prices on drop-in Savage barrels. My barrel was $285 delivered and that included a recessed target crown, reaming the chamber, cutting the contour, polishing and lapping ... how they do all that for the money is beyond me.

 

[R.W.Dale]

You're absolutely right. I am an idiot for buying the Savage but as krochus (R.W. Hart) stated, it'll be a distant memory once I shoot the new barrel. It's good that Savage made the change though ... good for others that is. These Weather Warrior rifles are really good rifles for the money. I'm not a big fan of the AccuStock and will dump this one at some point. But the rest of the rifle is excellent.



Yep!! I'm no Savage expert (obviously) but all you need to do the swap is the barrel wrench, go/no-go gauges, and a way to hold the barrel. McGowen can cut any chamber you like and they have very good prices on drop-in Savage barrels. My barrel was $285 delivered and that included a recessed target crown, reaming the chamber, cutting the contour, polishing and lapping ... how they do all that for the money is beyond me.

There are ways around that if need be. Some I've used gauges on, some I've set headspace to match my dies and a couple you couldn't even get a gauge for anyway.

 

[HOOfan_1]

also seem to have taken the Euro Classic off their website. That website seems to change almost every couple of days

 

[kludge]

I bet this McGowen barrel still shoots better than the new 1:9.5 barrel ... I'll just have to keep telling myself that.

I have little doubt that it will, not to mention you won't have to work nearly as hard to clean it.

It the long run I think you'll find it was worth the $300.

There are ways around that if need be. Some I've used gauges on, some I've set headspace to match my dies and a couple you couldn't even get a gauge for anyway.

smart. very smart.

 

[MtnDog]

Why two 7mm-08's?

Just curious if anyone knows why Savage lists two 7mm-08's for some of their models and what the difference is between the two? Thx.

 

[hardluk1]

Run the numbers at savages site to find out. Might be as simple as wood and plastic stock. They also changed the 223 a while back. Big deal. You buy a twist that does what you wnt with the bullet weight needed. Look across the 223/5.56 rifle line. twist runs from 1-7 to 1-14.

 

[cmdc]

Gentlemen, I am reading this thread with interest, because I have a Weather Warrior with the dreaded 11.5 twist rate. I called Savage and they can re-barrel the rifle for $280. I'm thinking, from reading these posts, that the McGowen barrel would be better, though. Is it something that a competent gunsmith can do, or should I send it in to Savage?

 

[Hoth206]

A competent gunsmith or a minimally mechanically inclined person with a few inexpensive tools and the ability to follow directions.

To me it's Savage's best selling point, you can swap barrels in about 15 minutes on the tailgate of your truck with a vice, 2 headspace gauges, a barrel nut wrench, an allan wrench for removing the action from the stock, and a rubber mallet.

 

[Frogomatik]

Gentlemen, I am reading this thread with interest, because I have a Weather Warrior with the dreaded 11.5 twist rate. I called Savage and they can re-barrel the rifle for $280. I'm thinking, from reading these posts, that the McGowen barrel would be better, though. Is it something that a competent gunsmith can do, or should I send it in to Savage?

If you have a gunsmith that can't do a re-barrel job, I'd be looking for a new smith.

 

[hardluk1]

maybe if folks talked to and complained to a manager there about how inaccurate the rifle is they could be talked into changeing your barrel to a new twist rate free. Seems a 1-9.5 would be just right for a 140gr bullet. Try to go beyound the talking heads that answer the phnes. ruger changed a barrel for me many years ago.

 

[BoilerUP]

Here's a (not so) secret:

Savage originally made the 7mm08 in a 9.5 twist, then for whatever reason switched it to 11.5, then switched back to 9.5 when their customers raised holy hell about not being able to use common 7mm hunting bullets.

If you're stuck with a 11.5 twist, you'd probably be best buying a takeoff 9.5 twist barrel or an aftermarket barrel; McGowen is a great option but there's always the ER Shaw SS sporter kit on Midway for $200...

 

[nathan]

Two months ago i bought the Marlin XS 7 in 7mm 08 with profire trigger, the gun has a 9.5 twist and 22 inch barrel. Using WInchester supreme 140 gr ballistic tip it was 1 inch grp at 100 yds.