Adapting a Picatinny base to the older Savage M112 receiver.

by Norman E. Johnson

Not all rifles are readily adaptable to meet our specific needs, but with a bit of ingenuity we may arrive precisely at that which we are seeking. Here I am going to demonstrate how seemingly minor changes may draw us ever nearer the pinnacle of rifle accuracy.

When I see a crack of light where accuracy and precision can be improved, I use the resources available to me in attaining this goal. In this particular case, I had an older Model 112B Savage single-shot target rifle with three chamberings. These include a .243 Winchester with a Douglas 1:8 twist select barrel, a 6.5mm Creedmoor with a 1:8 twist Criterion Match barrel, and a .257 Improved 1:12 twist Pac-Nor select barrel. The three cartridges were delivering good accuracy scoped with Talley two-piece machined saddle design bases. With these bases, recoil shoulders immobilize the rings under heavy recoil. Acceptable accuracy notwithstanding, I was convinced that I could…

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