Question on recoil spring/buffer spring sizes

[Adam Lee]

Hey guys, I’m tinkering with a pile of parts here and wanted to be sure of what is what!
I just used my new Model 8/81 barrel tool to properly disassemble two of my 81 barrel jackets. The first one was my 1948 standard 81 in .300 Savage. Came apart fine, mainly due to the fact that I had done it done years ago. The second assembly was my 81 Krieger project barrel jacket and that barrel cap has never been removed. Previously, I was successful in simply removing just the barrel nut alone - which ultimately allowed me to remove that barrel (which turned out to be bad) - but left me with the recoil spring and buffer spring still within the case.

If you followed me this far, you will understand that today I was finally able to take that .300 Savage Krieger jacket completely. The recoil spring measures approximately 10-3/8” in length. Here’s the rub.

Some years back, when I first removed the barrel assembly completely from my 48 standard 81 also in .300 Savage I believe I reassembled it with the wrong length recoil spring from a 35 Remington assembly I had also taken apart. The spring I just took out of the 48 standard 81 measured 11-3/4 in length.

I dig back into my parts box and discovered that I have 2 springs that measure 10-3/8, and the one long one at 11-3/4.

Does the 35 REM run with the longer 11-3/4 and the .300 Savage run with the 10-3/8?

Sorry for the long post, I’m just problem solving here and have stuff apart. I’m pretty sure this subject of different length recoil springs for different calibers has been discussed before, but I couldn’t find measurements.

Thank you!
Adam Lee

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[Adam Lee]

Ok, I went back into the Henwood text to see if the differences in recoil springs and buffers was mentioned. Yes, it was!
According to Henwood, there were two sizes of buffer/recoil springs. One covered the 35 REM and then also the later addition 300 Savage, the other was the 25/30/32 family.
Unfortunately I’m still not sure as to what I have on terms of recoil springs. I have 2 shorter and one longer springs; both short ones came from my 300 rifles. Not sure if the inner diameter of the buffer spring is the determining factor there, because I don’t have a 25/30/32 type to compare. Fun and games!

[Phyrbird]

Adam,
I guarantee the 25R buffers is DIFFERENT than all the others. I think the 300S & the 35R are the same, from earlier research on the factory parts lists. There may be a difference in the 30R & 32R, not certain.
I recall there are differences with the barrel sleeve recoil springs, BUT I have no data so far about the bolt recoil spring..

[Adam Lee]

Thanks, Phyrbird.

I have an old buffer that came with the Frankenrifle I got some years ago from Roger, which has a 35 Rem barrel and bolt, that is shorter than the two buffers from my later 81's in .300 Savage.

Kind of makes me wonder if that old buffer in the Franken-8 is for a 25?

Of course, pictures and measurements would help - let me get right on that. One minute!

Adam Lee
Model 81 buffer on left (.300 Savage barrel assembly) and Model 8 older buffer on right (came to me with a 35 Rem barrel assembly)

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[Adam Lee]

Also just to mention, both my .300 Savage barrel jackets have the identical buffer as on the left. Sort of looks parkerized finish.

Thanks for checking in!
Adam Lee

[Phyrbird]

Coil thickness & cross section is way too big for 25R, perhaps some spring set in the right one. Way to define if they are alike: count coil wraps, measure cross section h x w. I do note they are slightly different in the corners of the coil wire. That could be the difference of when they were manufactured.

[Adam Lee]

Coil thickness & cross section is way too big for 25R, perhaps some spring set in the right one. Way to define if they are alike: count coil wraps, measure cross section h x w. I do note they are slightly different in the corners of the coil wire. That could be the difference of when they were manufactured.

Thanks for your observations on the differences between buffer springs. Now that I have reassembled the rifles, the proof will be in the pudding. On to the range!

Adam Lee