Got My Name on a Savage

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telecaster1981

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Well, I finally pinned down a Savage to do a precision rifle build with. Found a Savage 11 in .243, BARELY used for $275. Even has the Accu-Trigger! Now I just have to go lay my money down and bring it home! Also, I have to get to ordering parts. Once I'm done it'll have the following:

-Pac-Nor 30" Cylinder contour Super Match barrel

-Choate Ultimate Varmint or Choate Ultimate Sniper stock (undecided)

-Millett TRS 4-16x Mil-Dot scope

-Milled and trued recoil lug

-Harris Bi-Pod

and, if I can make it work, it'll take M14 mags! :evil:

Anyway, can't wait to get started. Sorry if this seems kind of like a duplicate thread for those of you who have been kind enough to lend me advice on similar topics. If anyone can think of anything I else I need to improve this project, I'm all ears!
 
Sounds great to me! I am partway through building a Savage 110 in 35 Whelen, have already assembled and fired it with the new barrel and a Rifle Basix trigger. Based on the results from that, I have decided to build it further, with the following modifications.
-custom recoil lug
-square and true the action(including bolt)
-custom glass-and-pillar bedded walnut stock
-aluminum trigger guard

The barrel is an Adams & Bennett barrel, but as it is already shooting sub-MOA, I think it will be very accurate once complete. (especially once I get a stock that fits decently.

How are you planning on fitting M14 mags to it?
 
I wouldn't do M14 mags on this. I know they do on one M700 sniper deal I read about, but I'd go with a single-shot follower if anything. But then, my M11GL in .243Win. is still like it came out of the box when I bought it.

The hardwood stock comes pillar bedded. I haven't felt the need to change it. That barrel's totally free-floating. I can slide a cleaning patch... not a dollar bill, but a patch... all the way back to the receiver.

Mine came with sights on the barrel. I do intend to change the rear sight off for an aperture, but I haven't made up my mind which one. I can tell you I figured out the Williams FP I'd planned on aint' gonna work like I thought. I may wind up going with XS... set it for 300yds or so and forget it.
 
why would you want to true the bolt head? isnt the savage olt a floating desing? i dont think that it will do anything? i could be wrong, but please correct me if i am wrong.

also, adding just a trued recoil lug wont do anything if you dont true the action and barrel nut also. well, maybe a little, but for full effect, all the mateing surfaces have to be square to each other, and the threads.

i am currently working on a old 110, that i am turning into a 7mm rem mag, and 308. i couldnt make up my mind, so i am making it a switchbarrel. dont really know the "true" meaning of switchbarrel, but thts just what i am calling it. i think that it should be easy enough if i have gauges and the barrel wrench with me. well see though, i have to read up on what a switchbarrel rifle really is.
 
You might check around a Savage forum and see how happy people have been lately with their pre-fit Savage barrels from PacNor. Not saying anything is wrong with them, but.........
 
Hey Ski,

Has something happened to the quality of the Pac-Nor's lately? I seem to remember reading a LOT of positive reviews on them.

Mustanger,

Wouldn't a single shot follower be exactly the opposite of what I'm going for by trying to fit M14 mags? They may not work, but then again, they might!
 
Wouldn't a single shot follower be exactly the opposite of what I'm going for by trying to fit M14 mags? They may not work, but then again, they might!
Click to expand...

telecaster1981, The single-shot follower is, of course, limited to single-loading, but it's more likely to work than the amount of modifying necessary to make M14 mags fit. As I said, my M11GL is box stock and the 4rd follower works just fine. The Rem700 I read about modified to M14 mags... they took a good bit of metal out of the lower part of the receiver. That can't be reversed, and if it's not done right you have a paperweight. I haven't heard of this done to a Savage. I'd err on the side of caution on stuff like this. You maybe can get another receiver and/or stock, but the cost defeats the purpose of your $275 used rifle. And single-loading a bolt action like this probably isn't going to slow you down from loading M14 mags.
 
I just found out that Shilen has prefit Savage barrels too, and not much more money. Would this be a better route?
 
I never read the entire thread, but I'm not sure the Pac-nor group buy on Savageshooters went well. It may have nothing to do with the barrels, and everything to do with ordering a large amount with a large group. I know a lot of guys said they would go with Shilen from now on. People have had good luck with LW too.
 
Well, I may indeed go with a Shilen. Long before I ever thought of doing a custom build, I knew the Shilen name meant quality and it gives me the warm fuzzy feeling. They're not really any more money than a Pac-Nor either. Hey, Ski, what's up with this:

http://www.accuracyarms.com/Shelin_Savage.htm

Are these seconds, or do these guys just buy cheap and sell cheap? Seems like a great deal to me!
 
In my honest opinion, it sounds like you are going to have a extremely good build. If you do figure out how to convert to m14 mags please post pics and such, as i am working on the same thing.

My only suggestion is that if you are going to spend $170 on a stock, look around for a bit, and see if you can find something better than an "Ultimate Sniper" or "varmit" its a good rugged stock, but the little things add up that make it inconvienent and not worth the $170 you will pay for it. Things such as, a special adapter to use a harris bi-pod, which can and will slip. The grip cap opening uses a philips screw slot, a slot would be much better as a coin could be used to open it. The grip areas are a bit rough, and it hurt my shooting alittle, as i had to work to get a comfortable grip. The rear stock adjustment thing, might as well unscrew it and throw it away. offers sooo little adjustment and in the field it is just something else for brush to catch on. The little things add up.

Just my $0.02
 
I haven't followed any of your other threads, but why are you going to do all this work and expense and stick with .243 chambering? What exactly are you going to use this build for?
 
Mustanger,

I think I knew what you were getting at...I was just giving you a hard time! :D I'm just hoping I can get something like this going:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=277093

I guess the guy modded the lips of the magazine in order for the mag to seat high enough to feed properly. I don't mind modding a few mags to make it work, but I certainly won't be grinding away at my action. It's not worth it to me...I'm just curious to see if I can make it work without too much hassle.
 
Boutique?


Hmmmmm... never considered hard core long range shooters as 'boutique' trendy. :rolleyes: While the .243 is a fine cartridge, it certainly can benefit from velocity increases like the simple 6mm Remmy to the .243AI, 6mmAI, 6-.284 or even the 6.5-284. Some of these others also hold world records.... none that I am aware of remain for the .243.

Thus my question how exactly was it going to be used.
 
Markbo,

I don't have anything against the .243 at all. The barrel that comes on the rifle I'm buying is skinny, and I'm looking at a heavy barrel, long range precision rifle. Other than that, I like the .243, though I hear it's a real barrel burner, another reason to go with .308?

Sniper,

I agree with you on almost every point you make, but for some reason I really like the configuration of the Ultimate series stocks. After spending some time behind the wheel of my buddy's Savage with the Ultimate Sniper, I have come to appreciate the utility in the design. I don't like the elevation wheel thing...it's going out the window (that's what a sand sock is for anyway)! I'll probably replace the screws on the grip compartment with something bigger, like you say, that can be opened with a coin or other common tool. Funny thing you mentioned concerning the Bi-Pod attachment. I've read a couple reviews with the same concerns as you, but I've seen no problems with my buddy's Bi-Pod/stock. The Harris Bi-Pod attached firmly to the rail and has 'stayed put' so far. Perhaps we haven't used it enough yet??? Time will tell, eh? I've also thought about applying that imitation Rhino-lining stuff you can buy at Wal-Mart to the grip areas and forend for this look/feel:

http://www.snipercentral.com/tango51.htm

It's getting an oversized bolt handle too.

I guess I'm open to suggestion on the stocks, but as of right now, I've found one that works reasonably well for me and that's what I figured I'd stick with. Still looking at the Stockade line of stocks as well...that Woodchuck sure looks a lot like a McMillan doesn't it?
http://www.stockadegunstocks.com/images/stocks/woodchuck_large.jpg
 
You're asking these questions on the wrong forum though.
Click to expand...

But...I...Like...THR...:(

Don't worry, I've had my nose in everyone's business over at the Savage Shooter's forum...picked up some good intel!

Thus my question how exactly was it going to be used.
Click to expand...

Not sure on that one yet. More than likely, it'll turn into an expensive farm toy for popping steel plates (or white-tails) at extended ranges. There's a possibility I'll be getting into some 'tactical precision' shooting matches (or whatever they're called :confused:) in the future once my buddy gets back from life in the USMC and needs a spotter to compete with...ha! Not to sound too tin-foil-hatty, but I don't see much point in having a firearm that wouldn't be useful in a SHTF scenario...I have Battle rifle (Garand), an 'assult' rifle (M70 underfolder), a service pistol (Browning Hi-Power), a backup/concealed carry pistol (Radom P-64) and several 'survival' rifles in .22lr...what's missing??? A precision rifle. Hopefully won't ever need it.

And part of me just wants to build a rifle that'll out-shoot the M40 my friend is currently training with. :neener:

More than anything, I think it would be nice to have a rifle around that's more accurate than I'll ever be so I can continue to improve without having to worry about being limited by my rifle.

Myriad reasons for me building this rifle.
 
FWIW I have a Choate Ultimate Sniper stock. Cooincidentally on a Savage 110 in .270. It is a very - very - comfortable stock to shoot from the bench or prone. No issues with the adjustable wheel or a bipod. BUT.. it is too heavy. I don't use it if I have to actually carry anything around for any distance.

But there is no question that an already accurate out of the box rifle shot better when mounted in that stock.
 
Well, good! Someone else actually likes the Choate stock! I feel less alone anyway...


Oh yeah, forgot...I need a 20 MOA base...and some Warne rings. Quick detachable or no?
 
But...I...Like...THR...

Don't worry, I've had my nose in everyone's business over at the Savage Shooter's forum...picked up some good intel!
Click to expand...

I wasn't saying not to be here, but you don't ask Corvette questions on the Mustang forum.

I've got some Farrell bases, with Burris Signature zee rings. I think EGW makes a nice base, for less money. Hope you have a lot of adjustment in your scope, my 4200 ran out of adjustment going down. It's bottomed out for a 300 yard zero. Guess I need to put some offset inserts in my rings.
 
Supposedly the Millett TRS has 100 MOA of vertical adjustment, so hopefully I'll be set for that. My buddy with the Savage used the Burris Zee rings on his build and they seem really solid! How do you feel they compare with other steel rings such as Warne? I was checking out the Warne just because, one, they don't cost an arm and a leg, and two, they have two tightening screws per side instead of one. Is the number of tightening screws a legitimate concern for my applications? I'll have to check out those EGW bases too!
 
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