If the shoulder has deformed, the use of a shim may be appropriate. If it is the threads which have loosened, the technique is to set up the threads by using a radiused punch to move the threads toward the shoulder. Lightly tapping around the threads will do the trick. This is the traditional method. An alternative is to make a threaded sleeve of 4140 ( a vee thread of the same pitch as the square thread on the barrel) which is then threaded on, almost to the shoulder. You want to space the sleeve away from the shoulder about the amount you want to move the top of the thread. Then, with the barrel held in the barrel vise, hit the sleeve a pretty good shot, square on, with a hammer. You don't want to over-do it so hit and try. The vee thread will bend the square thread forward rather than starting a sheer at the root. Either way works but the first method is quicker while requiring a deft touch. The second method may be a little more precise. Regards, Bill
that Savage would not have noticed the barrel shoulder barely fit in the first place? A flat washer that is a bit bigger than the barrel O.D. seems appropriate to me. If it comes back, I'll do that. He said he may have me do it if it comes loose again. I also advised him to consider loctite if he intends to use it much. I think the medium loctite may do the trick.
Pete
The thing is, since there is very little torque applied when tightening the barrel on, there is no need for a lot of shoulder. Still, I agree there should be a reasonable amount of shoulder contact. Regards, Bill