Savage, 338 Lapua bolthead conversion?

A

alinwa

oft dis'd member
My subsonic 50cal project, similar to the .500 Whisper or .50 Beowulf uses the 338L case.

I have some Savages laying around.....a 308 and a 7MM Mag come to mind...

My question is, can I swap in a new bolthead using a Savage replacement part #103960 or #103502?

In ANY Savage action?

Thanks
al

ooops, those part numbers are wrong, those are the standard magnum parts...... but the question stands, will the 338L bolthead fit right into the standard bolt bodies?

And what is the part # of the 338L if it does fit?
 
Last edited:
I bought one of them through Brownell's Special Order Dept quite awhile ago.

Was going to use it in a PTA testing some new cartridges off the Rigby case.

The shank diameter is the same, but the bolt cross pin spacing was different than the short and long action bolt heads I had laying around.

I figured I would make a spacer or another baffle, or see if the Lapua uses a different baffle - I've done neither so far.

If you want this one, drop me a line - it wasn't terribly expensive.

Found them listed on Midway:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/92...l-firing-pin-hole-right-hand-338-lapua-magnum
 
What's wrong with the .50 Beowolf, case? Would seem that more than enough capacity is there for subsonic loads. And higher load density usually gives lower velocity SD, for better accuracy. Especially where vertical spread is a concern.
 
xs hedspace said:
What's wrong with the .50 Beowolf, case? Would seem that more than enough capacity is there for subsonic loads. And higher load density usually gives lower velocity SD, for better accuracy. Especially where vertical spread is a concern.
Click to expand...

Headspacing. I want to headspace on a shoulder to "free the neck up" because vertical spread IS my concern :)

I am also playing with the 404 Jeffery case and am completely open to suggestions but in the end I feel strongly about a firm, consistent headspace stop without a rim.

Thanks for wondering! I AM looking for the quickest, easiest, most painless way to push a 50cal bullet slowly.
al
 
fireball168 said:
I bought one of them through Brownell's Special Order Dept quite awhile ago.

Was going to use it in a PTA testing some new cartridges off the Rigby case.

The shank diameter is the same, but the bolt cross pin spacing was different than the short and long action bolt heads I had laying around.

I figured I would make a spacer or another baffle, or see if the Lapua uses a different baffle - I've done neither so far.

If you want this one, drop me a line - it wasn't terribly expensive.

Found them listed on Midway:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/92...l-firing-pin-hole-right-hand-338-lapua-magnum
Click to expand...

THANK YOU!!

This is exactly the sort of information I'm looking for....... so approximately how thick the spacer??

al
 
for what it's worth

These are quotes from savage gunsmith Fred Moreo. I realize that what you are doing is different than going fullbore 338 Lapua. Meant to be food for thought only.

Putting a .338 Lapua barrel on a standard shank action is dancing with the devil. It is not recommended ,nor encouraged. The Savage 110 BA in .338 Lapua uses a special built large shank action just for that caliber.

The 111 7 mag uses a standard shank barrel,(1.055") and has a large port. The 111 .338 Lapua uses a large shank barrel,(1.120") and has a small port receiver that has thicker lug abutments and thicker bolt lugs. The heat treat is also different.
Using a standard shank receiver will result in case swelling, causing sticky bolt lift, not to mention lug set back. Even with a .338 Edge, I would recommend a large shank receiver
 
I completely agree, I would never build a 338L on the Savage nor on any other factory action.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top