- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Starting a build for a "custom" bolt action rifle
Posted on 4/25/13 at 12:39 pm
Posted on 4/25/13 at 12:39 pm
Hey guys,
One hunting activity I enjoy is prairie dog hunting. Unfortunately, it's been too many years since I've been on one. I'm working on a trip now. I've always wanted to have an extra rifle I could have available for a friend to come even if don't have a varmint gun. I'm correcting that now. Two years ago Academy Sports had a clearance sale on the Stevens Model 200 bolt action rifle. It was basically a pre Accu-Trigger Savage. I bought the last 3 at the Lafayette store, all in 270 Win. One was used as a deer hunting rifle gift from a group of men to a pastor. That left me w/ two. One is now being converted to a 221 Remington Fireball. I've ordered a McGowen s/s barrel in that caliber from these folks, LINK /. It's prethreaded for a Savage action. It should be here in 9-11 weeks. A local gunsmith will change out barrels and set the headspace for $50. Savage attaches their barrels to the action different from other gun makers so that it's not nearly as big a deal to just change out the barrel and set the headspace. Thought about doing it myself, but when I considered I'd only save $50, I chickened out.
For a litte extra money, he's also going to install a better recoil lug and install a 223 sized head for the bolt. I'll use a snap in magazine adaptor and shoot the gun single shot. Should end up w/ an economical (only uses about 2/3 powder of 223) and gentle shooting (shooter should be able to see his own hits/misses) gun reliably capable of handling prairie dogs at short to moderate ranges. It's been a while since I've had a gun project like this so I'm really excited. The only drawback is going to be finding brass, but I've got a starter supply already from my 221 Fireball Contender handgun barrel. I'll let y'all know how the project works out.
And for all you 300 Black Out fans, the web site above shows at least 2 McGowen barrels on sale for that cartridge. At least one of the barrels is for a Savage bolt action. Any Savage gun chambered in the 308/30-06 family of cartridges could be converted to 300 BO w/ the same process. If one started w/ a 223 sized cartridge, one wouldn't need to change the bolt head, but still might need the magazine adaptor.
One hunting activity I enjoy is prairie dog hunting. Unfortunately, it's been too many years since I've been on one. I'm working on a trip now. I've always wanted to have an extra rifle I could have available for a friend to come even if don't have a varmint gun. I'm correcting that now. Two years ago Academy Sports had a clearance sale on the Stevens Model 200 bolt action rifle. It was basically a pre Accu-Trigger Savage. I bought the last 3 at the Lafayette store, all in 270 Win. One was used as a deer hunting rifle gift from a group of men to a pastor. That left me w/ two. One is now being converted to a 221 Remington Fireball. I've ordered a McGowen s/s barrel in that caliber from these folks, LINK /. It's prethreaded for a Savage action. It should be here in 9-11 weeks. A local gunsmith will change out barrels and set the headspace for $50. Savage attaches their barrels to the action different from other gun makers so that it's not nearly as big a deal to just change out the barrel and set the headspace. Thought about doing it myself, but when I considered I'd only save $50, I chickened out.
For a litte extra money, he's also going to install a better recoil lug and install a 223 sized head for the bolt. I'll use a snap in magazine adaptor and shoot the gun single shot. Should end up w/ an economical (only uses about 2/3 powder of 223) and gentle shooting (shooter should be able to see his own hits/misses) gun reliably capable of handling prairie dogs at short to moderate ranges. It's been a while since I've had a gun project like this so I'm really excited. The only drawback is going to be finding brass, but I've got a starter supply already from my 221 Fireball Contender handgun barrel. I'll let y'all know how the project works out. And for all you 300 Black Out fans, the web site above shows at least 2 McGowen barrels on sale for that cartridge. At least one of the barrels is for a Savage bolt action. Any Savage gun chambered in the 308/30-06 family of cartridges could be converted to 300 BO w/ the same process. If one started w/ a 223 sized cartridge, one wouldn't need to change the bolt head, but still might need the magazine adaptor.
This post was edited on 4/25/13 at 1:07 pm
3
Posted on 4/25/13 at 12:42 pm to TigerOnThe Hill
Sounds like a sweet project. I love the .221 rem, but I would have had to go with .220 swift just because I like it even more 
Decided on a stock and/or scope yet? Trigger work? Give us some more details man. I know you're not just stopping at a new barrel...
Decided on a stock and/or scope yet? Trigger work? Give us some more details man. I know you're not just stopping at a new barrel...
Posted on 4/25/13 at 12:49 pm to TigerOnThe Hill
quote:
And for all you 300 Black Out fans
Posted on 4/25/13 at 1:17 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
I would have had to go with .220 swift just because I like it even more
Indeed, the 220 Swift is a FINE gun!
quote:
Decided on a stock and/or scope yet? Trigger work? Give us some more details man. I know you're not just stopping at a new barrel..
The barrel is a "heavy sporter" contour, part way between a "pencil" barrel and the usual varmint barrel. For now, I'm hoping to use the factory stock. I've got an older Simmons "44 Mag" 6-24X scope to use. Will use Burris Signature Z rings (the ones w/ the plastic inserts) and a Weaver base. I've done some work before on Savages w/o the Accu-Trigger so I'll try that again. Usually a matter of adjusting a screw and replacing a wire.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 2:23 pm to TigerOnThe Hill
You gonna glass bed it or anything?
The lack of information is killing me here...
The lack of information is killing me here...
Posted on 4/25/13 at 3:42 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
Ya. Youre not giving me anything to go on here. Headspacing the barrel is a combination of using the proper reamer and guages. Seeing as the reamer is about $100 a d the guages are $60, Id consider the $50 bucks he charged you a deal.
If you are going to build a rifle change out the stock one good dealer I tend to drool after their merchandise on a daily basis is Stocky's stocks. They have just about every mfgr from McMillian to Hogue. I have another place that sells wood dropins complete with recoil pad that are advertised as 99.5 percent, very minor inletting needed. Some of them are absolutely beautiful.
If you are varmit hunting accuracy is paramount. I know some people buy the remington sps and pull the stock and free float the barrel, but inlight of their recent sell out I cant in good conscience recommend their products any longer. The long route consists of buying the compiling the pieces around the action. One day I want to build one of a surgeon action and bottom metal but the action alone costs $2000.
By the end of the summer I am going to strip my 700 to the receiver and rebuild it into a beast. Then Im going to build a couple custom rifles for family and friends.
I forgot. Make sure to properly bed and mount your scope
This guy does it right.
LINK
If you are going to build a rifle change out the stock one good dealer I tend to drool after their merchandise on a daily basis is Stocky's stocks. They have just about every mfgr from McMillian to Hogue. I have another place that sells wood dropins complete with recoil pad that are advertised as 99.5 percent, very minor inletting needed. Some of them are absolutely beautiful.
If you are varmit hunting accuracy is paramount. I know some people buy the remington sps and pull the stock and free float the barrel, but inlight of their recent sell out I cant in good conscience recommend their products any longer. The long route consists of buying the compiling the pieces around the action. One day I want to build one of a surgeon action and bottom metal but the action alone costs $2000.
By the end of the summer I am going to strip my 700 to the receiver and rebuild it into a beast. Then Im going to build a couple custom rifles for family and friends.
I forgot. Make sure to properly bed and mount your scope
This guy does it right.
LINK
This post was edited on 4/25/13 at 3:46 pm
Posted on 4/25/13 at 9:44 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
You gonna glass bed it or anything?
The lack of information is killing me here...
I'll try it out first w/o glass bedding. Of the 3 Savage bolt action centerfire guns I have, I've been pleased w/ the accuracy w/o having to glass bed any of them.
Not trying to be evasive w/ the info, but didn't want to bore y'all w/ the details if they're not wanted.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 9:45 pm to TigerOnThe Hill
You mind sharing your email addy with me? I'd like to pick your brain on some reloading stuff? Thx
tdjudgesmails@gmail
tdjudgesmails@gmail
This post was edited on 4/25/13 at 9:48 pm
Posted on 4/25/13 at 9:50 pm to hypnos
quote:
Headspacing the barrel is a combination of using the proper reamer and guages.
Not on a Savage/Stevens. You get the gauges, I got the wrench. We got that savage barrel installed/headspaces in less than 30 minutes.
Even then, for $50 Id let him do it.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 9:53 pm to TigerOnThe Hill
quote:
Not trying to be evasive w/ the info, but didn't want to bore y'all w/ the details if they're not wanted.
Some of us like details.
Whats different about the Savage barrels that you dont have to headspace with reamers and gauges?
Posted on 4/25/13 at 9:54 pm to TigerOnThe Hill
A 221 fireball in a long action?
Posted on 4/25/13 at 10:07 pm to hypnos
quote:
Ya. Youre not giving me anything to go on here. Headspacing the barrel is a combination of using the proper reamer and guages. Seeing as the reamer is about $100 a d the guages are $60, Id consider the $50 bucks he charged you a deal.
There are a number of custom barrel makers (like the one who made mine) that produce replacement barrels for Savage bolt actions. These barrels come prechambered and prethreaed for the action.
Savage barrels are attached to the action differently than are other barrels. A reamer is not needed since the replacement barrel has already been chambered. One removes the barrel nut attaching the existing barrel to the action, unscrews the barrel and then removes the barrel. Screw the replacement barrel into the action, set the headspace, then tighten the barrel nut to tighten the action to barrel. Here's a YouTube video that shows it better than I describe it. LINK
ER Shaw makes a replacement barrel kit for the more popular rounds. The kit includes a barrel nut wrench, headspace gauges, bore paste and anti-seize compound. They don't make a kit for the 221 Fireball so I would've had to buy the headspace gauges/wrench separately. That also was one of the reasons I decided to not try it myself. Here's a sample kit.
LINK
There's a whole culture of shooters that centers around making "switch barrel" Savages. These guys have multiple different barrels but one action. They switch out barrels depending on the need. Lots of good info here. LINK
Posted on 4/25/13 at 10:23 pm to TigerOnThe Hill
So what you are saying basically is that savage actions attatch to the barrel like ar barrels? I know it isnt an exact comparison but i still think that its pretty cool.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 11:14 pm to hypnos
New respect for savage actions after watching that vid and seeing the groupings at the end. Thanks gentlemen 
Posted on 4/26/13 at 12:18 am to hypnos
quote:
So what you are saying basically is that savage actions attatch to the barrel like ar barrels? I know it isnt an exact comparison but i still think that its pretty cool.
Guess what.....I don't know anything about how an AR barrel attaches!
Nevertheless, I agree w/ you that the Savage set up is pretty cool. Looking at the pics at this site, it looks like Ruger's new American rifle also uses a barrel nut. LINK Posted on 4/26/13 at 12:49 am to TigerOnThe Hill
I read about that new ruger american in my issue of american rifleman. It won the NRA rifle of the year. I have no Idea how they put all that expert work into a factory rifle for that price. Id love to tear one apart to see if its true.
Posted on 4/26/13 at 6:06 am to TigerOnThe Hill
Does savage still sell triggered actions?
I always thought that was one of the cooler things theydid
I always thought that was one of the cooler things theydid
Posted on 4/26/13 at 12:05 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
Does savage still sell triggered actions?
I believe they still do. I've read on a handgun site of people buying just the Savage action w/ Accu-Trigger and using that as the basis to build a bolt action handgun. That's the only way to get a new bolt action handgun nowdays. The Remington XP-100 and Savage Striker were both discontinued some time back....
Posted on 4/26/13 at 12:06 pm to TigerOnThe Hill
Downshift,
Here's a link for the "Savage Target Action." I bet one could have a fun time building a rifle/handgun from this action! :-)
LINK /
Here's a link for the "Savage Target Action." I bet one could have a fun time building a rifle/handgun from this action! :-)
LINK /
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News