gunsmiths specializing in Savage rifles?

[DPtoo]

I'm finally getting around to adding a medium-caliber boltgun to the cabinet, and being a lefty I have tentatively decided on a Savage long-action in 30-06. Applications will be short-range informal target and hunting. Right off the bat I'd want to have some basic gunsmithing done; trigger job or aftermarket trigger, squared/trued action, scope bases epoxied or soldered on, good medium taper barrel fitted, decent rear peep sight & front blade installed, etc. The way I look at it, being a lefty I can't just buy and sell a whole flock of rifles willy-nilly to get what I want, so I might as well have two or three really good "lifetime rifles" custom-built.

I've searched the web a bit, but what I found was that most boltgun plumbers want to work on Remingtons or the kilodollar aftermarket actions. The other thing is that some folks have a rather unconventional grasp of the word "custom", by which they mean for $2000 here is a list of what you get on my standard custom rifle.

So, can you folks recommend any riflesmiths who specialize in the Savage and do actual custom work?

 

[4 eyed six shooter]

DPtoo, For the type of shooting that you intend to do I really don't think you would need the action trued and a new barrel. Scope mounts go onto the action with screws, so they would not need to be soldered on. An aftermarket trigger would be a good addition though. The savage rifles a really accurite right out of the box. My suggestion would be to buy the rifle, put in an aftermarket trigger and see how it shoots. Glass bedding the action would help the accuracy far more than the custom action work you are talking about. I work on Savage rifles and can do the type of work you requested at a reasonable price. I just hate to see you spend alot of money that you really don't need to. E Mail me at [email protected] if you want to talk about your rifle. John K

 

[DPtoo]

Factory barrels these days are too light for my tastes. I want extra weight out front to help with offhand, plus the added weight will help reduce recoil. I'm not too interested in shooting 25-50 rounds over a day thru a 7.0 lb .30-06. And Savage is currently fitting 22" barrels to their .30-06 rifles, and in that cartridge I think 24" makes more sense.

And if I'm going to replace the bbl and do the trigger, might as well square and true the action while its apart. The last thing I want to do is buy the rifle, send it off for preliminary work, get it back and have an accuracy problem, ship it out again, etc. Life's too short, and the common carriers can't be trusted these days. Ten years down the road, if I want to put a real match-grade bbl on it, I would already be good to go.

Concerning the scope mounts, I'd rather avoid having a base screw back out at a bad time. Plus, the factory holes aren't always aligned with the bore axis, apparently.

 

[Badger Arms]

I think you are missing something here. Your requirements can mostly be filled by Savage. The "squaring" of the action is already done at the factory. You can't get any more square than a lathe and Savage receivers and bolts are both turned on lathes. You could spend the money, but don't expect anything different accuracy wise. Then you want a medium taper barrel. Well, they have one. It's on the 110FP which is offered in 30-06. I also believe that this rifle is pillar bedded and is offered with Savage's new 'accu-trigger.' These rifles are as accurate out-of-the-box as they need to be for anything short of benchrest shooting.

This model Savage has a free-floated, medium taper, 24" barrel mounted to a pillar-bedded action with an adjustable trigger. All you need to do is have a front site put on and chose what you want to do with sites.

http://www.savagearms.com/centerfire/varmint/10fp.htm

 

[DPtoo]

I may be wrong, but I don't believe Savage is offering any of the long-action "P" series in left-hand versions anymore. Seems like they've thinned their catalog down a bit, they don't seem to offer .260 Rem either. As I understand it, the P series has a blind magazine, which kinda bothers me; in case of a jam, I'd prefer to have the option of getting at it from below as well as above.

 

[Glockster35]

Look up Claude Gatewood, he seems to know them pretty well and has written many articles on their triggers.

I followed his instructions on trigger smithing and came away a winner.

 

[cratz2]

That seems like a lot of money to be throwing at what is a budget-priced rifle. I would give serious consideration to just buying a Savage 111FL (sporter barrel, left hand), replacing the trigger with a SharpShooter and having the rear peep sight installed. Should be done with it for $500. If you want a different stock, get a Boyd JRS.

I'd imagine the work you mention will cost in excess of $1,200 including the original rifle and will be capable of 1% better accuracy. Maybe. On the other hand, if you have money to throw away, why not start with a Model 70 or 700?