The most important factor in the accuracy of a barrel is its geometric consistency. The barrel must have a consistent bore diameter from end to end. Even small inconsistencies can wreak havoc on accuracy. Precision Rifled Barrels are a Savage performance innovation designed to enhance accuracy on all centerfire rifle barrels. 

The manufacturing processes of rifling greatly impacts the geometric consistency of the barrel. Button rifling produces barrels that are known for their extreme accuracy due to having consistent bore and groove dimensions. This process involves pushing or pulling a “rifling button” through the bore to create the desired twist rate.  A “rifling button” is cutting tool designed to impart rifling into a barrel once the bore has been drilled to its specified diameter.  The grooves are formed in the bore as the button passes through the barrel.  The button generally completes its work with one pass of the tool down the barrel.  Button rifling is a very efficient and consistent method to rifle a barrel.

Savage’s Precision Rifled Barrels

Savage proudly employs both specialized machinery as well as experienced operators to ensure our rifle barrels are geometrically perfect. Knowing how important geometric consistency in barrels is for accuracy, we have mastered the button-rifling method of barrel making. All of our rifles have perfectly consistent bore diameters and rates of twist. The resulting uniform walls of the barrel are not only more accurate – they’re less likely to walk the point of impact as the barrel heats up during repeated shooting.

In recent years, Savage began upgrading to an 11-degree target crown into some rifle barrels as they are manufactured. A properly cut crown, be it an 11-degree or more traditional style, will ensure that the circumference of the base of a bullet exits the muzzle at exactly the same time as the gasses. The crown came into play when bullets changed from lead ball to conical-shaped projectiles. If the crown is not true or nonexistent, propellant gas will escape on one side of the bullet while the other remains engaged within the bore – resulting in a barrel that is consistently inaccurate.  

As a final step, all barrels are hand straightened and inspected. Our experienced operators are highly trained to look for geometric inconsistencies in every barrel.  As our operators are hand inspecting each barrel, they can spot by eye if a bore is not perfectly straight.  They then use almost century old technology to perfectly straighten the bore.  This is the same way that almost every centerfire barrel that Savage has manufactured since at least the middle of the 20th century – old world craftsmanship at its best.  

Savage has a long-standing reputation for making the most accurate barrels in the industry. Our processes provide the consistency, precision, and accuracy of custom gunmakers, right from the factory.

Learn more about Savage Performance Innovations.