Savage Project

[joed]

I’ve decided on a new project that will convert my Savage 10FP to another cartridge other then a .223 Remington. I’d like to stay in the .224 arena and the cartridge needs to function through a short action.

I’ve always had a liking for cartridges that are somewhat different then what the masses are shooting. You can tell by looking in my safe, there is a .25-06 that I never thought would still be a factory loading in the 21st century. Another great one is a .300 H&H mag that resides in the safe along with the .25-06. This one is another of my favorites. Maybe it’s time for something in the .224 caliber.

Because the rifle is a Savage the only changes that need to be done are change the barrel, bolt face and magazine follower.


Now to the cartridges I’m considering for the Savage:

Having owned a few .22-250’s I have to admit this one has a lot to offer. The cartridge is not much larger then a .223 but offers more velocity. All the rifles I’ve owned that were chambered for this cartridge gave fantastic accuracy.

Another choice I’m considering is the .220 Swift. I don’t know much about the Swift, never owned one and only know of one person that has owned a rifle chambered for this cartridge. The Swift is capable of producing higher velocity then the .22-250. A 55 gr bullet at 3900 fps? When I think about that I almost start salivating. This is my first choice for the conversion. I’d like to hear from anyone that has ever owned a rifle in this cartridge and what you think of it.

 

[desidog]

Is your .223 barrel shot out?

By the time you spend loot on a new barrel, reface your bolt for the larger .22-250 casing, head-space it, new follower, and sort out any feeding issues that occur, and spend time on it, phone calls, postage, etc. Wouldn't you be better off just buying the rifle you desire, in addition to your .223? I mean, Savages aren't exactly scarce or expensive, as the options go...and .223 isn't so far removed from .22-250 performance IMHO to justify all your time, loot, and effort. Also, with .22-250 you'll wear out a barrel much faster than .223 and ammo costs more.

 

[natman]

I have to agree that this project doesn't make much sense considering that you could just buy a Savage chambered in 22-250. A 22-250 is considerably larger than a 223, so it would require some major work on the bolt face and feed rails, not to mention the new barrel.

If you really don't want a 223, sell it and buy whatever it is you do want.

 

[joed]

The old barrel is not shotout but I'm no longer a fan of the .223 Rem as I need something for long distances.

Not cost effective? I found a Douglas match barrel for $259 and Savage barrels for $50, the bolt head is $20 leaving the magazine. If I went with a Savage barrel I don't see the conversion being more then $110. I'm a big fan of aftermarket match barrels. A gunsmith is not even needed for the work as I have a barrel vise and access to go-gauges.

A new Savage 10FP is probably $425 new. Then throw in a Timney trigger which I added to the present rifle and the cost of a new rifle is probably close to $500.

 

[Boba Debt]

No offence but you're being silly.

I would sell the 223 and buy a new Savage in what ever caliber you want.

 

[mshootnit]

Get a Shilen 26" barrel in 22-6mm improved. There was a great article on it awhile back titled "Half Mile .22s" Screw that sucker on there and never look back.

 

[husker]

243

 

[HOOfan_1]

.204 Ruger, same rim diameter as the .223 so you can keep the bolt and just rebarrel.

Or if you want something pretty rare... .225 Winchester.

Both of these easily trump the .223 for velocity

 

[d3lta58]

Where are you finding 10fp's for 425$ new?????

 

[mbogo]

You can swap the bolt head to one in the .473" case head size (~$20), have the barrel rechambered to .22-250 (or .22-250AI) (~$60-100), replace the follower (~$12), and you're done.

mbogo

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Well actually you all seemed to have missed the OP's question. He was not asking about 22/250 he was asking about .220 swift which in my meager opinion is a much better round for varmint extermination that the .223. Had one for many moons and loved it myself. Something about a 50 grain bullet going 3950fps just gets me all warm and gooie inside

Another choice you may want to consider, while you are thinking about odd things, would be the .223WSSM. Has a bit more "umph" than the .220 swift but it is a bit rough on barrels at the max velocities. If you did go with either the .220 swift or the .223WSSM I would strongly recommend chrome lined barrel for either in case you did want to play a lot with the max loadings of either. Either way, good luck and happy building of whatever you choose.

 

[joed]

I'd prefer the .220 Swift but the .22-250 is not out of the question either. I looked and don't see where Savage offers barrels in .220 Swift.

I threw in the towel on using the .223 for groundhog hunting, it just doesn't have a flat trajectory needed for the 500 yard shots that I keep getting.

For the life of me I couldn't see how it wasn't cost effective to convert the gun as mbogo pointed out.

 

[nelsonal]

Good project, I'm working on the same thing with a shot out 7mm Rem Mag to .35 whelen, but mine will be slower because I have a new stock that's inletted but that I need to size and finish.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

joed let me go get my little one and then Ill come back and see if I can find you one for a reasonable price. Ill try for chrome lined and non lined as well and post both for you if I can find some.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Ok joed, I talked to a buddy of mine and he reminded me of some issues you would have with a .220 swift. One would be, if you are going to load more than a 50 grain ball you will have a feed issue since that action is just a hair to short but you would have no problems at all with a 22-250. He gave me a number for you to get a good barrel at a reasonable price. His are a little above what you wish to spend.($575) for a chrome molly and ($625) for a SS. He said Jim Briggs would have a factory barrel around there for much less. Ill shoot you a PM with Contact info for both

 

[LoonWulf]

Shilen will make any barrel you like for around 250-300 tho i dont belive they do chrome. I have and E.R. Shaw on my old 700 action thats a flyswatter. Even the stock savage barrels tend to shoot good to great, so you might want to just look at rechambering your .223 to a larger cartridge and in the same shot get a 1-9twist that will do up to 75grns on the bigger rounds like the 22-250, 220 or even the 22-.243/22-6mm (and improved versions) if your a hand loader. More of a good thing still? .22-6.5remington magnum or a shortened .284 case LOL

If you need a bolt face ive got a spare .473 face laying around.

If you get a gunsmith to do all your work for you and dont buy the tools whole cost should be less then 500 with a new barrel (90% of thats going to be in barrel cost LOL)

 

[joed]

Looks like it's the .22-250 since there is a feed issue with 55 gr bullets in the Swift. I won't cry but I'd have loved to do the Swift.

 

[joed]

I don't know who makes barrels for Savage. The last barrel I purchased was 2 years ago, a heavy SS match by Krieger for a Rem 700 VS in .25-06 that I had owned for quite a few years. I gave up on the .223 and started using the .25-06 for the rest of the season.

After varminting with the .25-06 for 30 years the .223 was a disappointment which is why I want to change it.

 

[LoonWulf]

I Freedom Fighter i was wondering why the .220 wouldnt work out of the savage action? All my manuals and refferance books likes a coal of 2.7" or less for even the heavier load and my model 10 will take 3.1" loads with no issues. Just asking since i never worked with the .220 and there might be something im missing.

Joed, pretty much everyone makes barrels for savage LOL. ER shaw makes drop ins, as does Shilen, Walther, and A&B on the cheap cheap side. Im going to order a .264 win mag barrel for my 110 later this month from either shaw or shilen, they seem the best price for what you get. A friend of mine uses a Hart heavy barrel on his long range rig and another likes bartlien (i think thats the name, hes said it but i never looked since his barrel cost more then my rifle and scope together)

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

LoonWulf, Not sure just going by what one of the top Savage guys told me as far as building a 220 swift on a short action. Mine was built on a k98 mauser action with a Hart barrel many many years ago. Had many rifles built on that action type and have yet to complain about a single one. I am thinking though it may have something to do with bullet depth seating too close to the lands on the longer bullets but I am not sure. We didn't get to in depth on it.

Also LoonWulf, Bartlein Barrels are not too awful expensive at all really in comparison to all the others out there they are actually quite competitive for what you get. But boy are they slow as molasses on a winter day. 8 months or longer.

 

[joed]

Where are you finding 10fp's for 425$ new?????

Darn, you're right. I did an internet search and found 10fp's for $570. Throw in a Timney trigger and the price is over $600 for a new 10fp.

 

[LoonWulf]

I used to see savage actions for sale on either midway or brownells that with accutrigger maybe? i dont rember the price

 

[joed]

I guess it's not a Savage project anymore. Threw in the towel on the .223, and made the decision for the Swift. Looked high and low and found 2 choices, Rem 700 VS SF II and Savage 12 FV from the Custom Shop. I chose the Remington.

Thanks for all the info and help.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Joed, whatcha gonna do with that Sav 10 you have then? Could you be talked out of it maybe hmmmmmmmmm????? I wouldn't mind having another project rifle laying around for the wife to fuss about!! May have a little something laying around you may want. Shoot me a PM

 

[joed]

The Savage is for sale, complete as it is. I'm not sure what it's worth but it is a 10fp in .223 with a Timney trigger and Leupold VXII 6x18 variable scope. Hasn't been shot much but I just don't need a .223.

You should see that .223 shoot the 69 gr match bullet, that was the reason I kept it.