savage target actions

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ozman

Guest
I was thinking of buying a Savage target accutrigger action but I got some questions. I seems it comes in 2 configurations a .223 and a .308. The first question is:

1. Would it be possible to convert say the .223 action to something like a .220 swift (my fave round)? I heard you would switch the bolt face/head to do so. But can you buy a 220 swift bolt head for it? And if so where would you get it and about how much for it? The plan was to get a good barrel then and build the rifle from there. Also do they make go/no-go gauges for the swiftie? I would need them to headspace the gun. I am a stickler for doing things right so I would NEVER use a fired case for this (especially since this would be my first build).

2. What would be a reasonable price for the new target action? I can get these actions right now for a good price (I am a FFL in Kansas) but wonder if I could make any money selling these. I AM NOT greedy but for a practical investment I wonder what kind of demand for these exist. I also DO NOT like to plug stuff on these boards since I got kicked off one before for trying to do the posters a favor and offer some great values. I DO NOT want to pay to advertise these since the supply is rather limited and my capital is too. If this post offends ANYONE just ignore it please ok? I am really WAY TOO nice when it comes to selling stuff. hehe TIA

ozman
 
For a 220 swift the action with standard bolt face (308) should work fine.
Check on http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/

A lot of people without an FFL get them from Jim Briggs aka northlander and have them shipped to their FFL. His pricing will give you an idea of where the market is at.

James
 
Yes you can

Bolt head swap required or you can buy the entire bolt as stated above. You can get a go-gauge for $25 in almost any caliber. You need a $30-40 barrel nut wrench and some form of an action wrench ($50-80 or make your own) and your set. 2 years ago I had never own a Savage/Steven. Now I have of standard shank size actions with 4 premium custom barrels and a couple of cheaper ones that still shoot good. Once someone walks you through it (barrel swap) once you are set to go. I learned just by reading up on it. www.savageshooter.com has or will have some videos demostrating barrel and bolt swaps for its paying members. Best $12 I every spent. I just got a target action a few months back and since they use a large shank barrel, I have to start my barrel collecting again. The great thing about the Savages is that you can buy a top notch pre-fit custom barrel for $269 and just screw it on and set the headspace. Get tried of it? Their is a great market for these barrels and you can recover 60-80% of your cost if it isn't shot out.

Its a win win deal.

Luck, tiny
 
Tiny:
According to my supplier you can get a .223 bolt head (18185) or a Standard Caliber Bolt Head (18184). I took the plunge and ordered 2 of the Standard Caliber Bolt Heads. I want to put a .220 Swift barrel on one of these actions. Will I have to replace the bolt head? The salesman said this standard bolt head would work with ANY short action caliber. Is this true? Will I still need to get the .220 bolt face for it or not? I am slightly confused at this point. And yes I should of asked this BEFORE I ordered 2 of them I suppose. lol TIA

ozman

PS For the record both the above actions are right bolt, right port. You can also get the actions in a right bolt, left port configuration. I just figured the classical set-up to be more useful for me. They are both the same price though, although the left port seems to be less available. Oh one more thing. I called Savage to ask about this and they were of absolutely NO help at all. In fact they refused to even discuss this matter with me and told me to "talk to my gunsmith". So don't bother to call them (or email them since they won't accept email either).
 
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I converted a 308 Win Savage 12BVSS ("standard bolt head") to 220 Swift and it works fine with with the standard bolt head. I changed no parts except the barrel.

If you look up the case head diameter on the 308 (standard) and the 220 Swift you will see the rim diameters are the same.
 
call lisa or fred a sharp shooter supply, 1-419-695-3179, they have all the parts and can walk you thur on the phone, they also have actions to ship to your FFL all kinds of trick parts too!! Sometimes takes a while to get thur on phone(mom & pop operation) but I've never gotten anything that was less than first class from them

the wind is my friend,,,,,,,,,,,

DD
 
JD:
That's great news man. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do anything to the bolt. What brand of barrel did you go with on that rifle? I was leaning towards a Schilen myself. The only drawback is that the drop ins are ALL 26". I was kinda wanting a shorter one for up to 200 yds. I shoot mostly here on my private range and it's only 200 yards. I also need a nice stock too. I read that the Stockades were good stocks. What ya think? Are they already bedded and completely drop in? I need something real easy this first build. Lock, stock, and barrel has a nice looking prairie dog stock special for $275. Too bad the pic on their site is kinda bad. I can't tell what color it is. But they say it will fit almost any Savage. Here's the link if anyone's interested:

http://www.lockstock.com/prodinfo.asp?number=STOPDM

ozman

PS Btw David that is one of my fave sayings shooting trap here in Kansas. The wind had better be your friend or you can forget shooting here. lol
 
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I've had a couple of the Stockade stocks... they come w/ an aluminum bedding block in them. Neither of mine have been bedded, and both shot great. This second one probably could use some bedding - contact is not 100%, but it still shoots very well. Kevin Rayhill is a pretty good guy to deal with.

As for the drop-in, or otherwise known as PTC - pre-threaded & chambered - barrels... SSS can make 'em in different lengths - they usually use Douglas blanks, which shoot far better than I ever expected, or can order other blanks if you request. Stockade uses Benchmark barrels and can make you up what you want also. Pac-Nor will set up any of its standard or wildcat chamberings as a PTC barrel for an extra $100... so right there the sky becomes the limit as far as what length, what contour, what rifling, what chamber, etc. that you want.

Good luck,

Monte
 
Shilen barrel

FYI - the standard length is 26". Shilen will make them at any length you want. Buy them from a 3rd vendor and order exactly what you want and save +$100. The Barrel Man or jim @ Northland Shooter Supply both will get you the exact barrel you want. +16 weeks wait at the moment. Order now and it'll be here before the spring thaw....

tiny
 
Gee thanks a lot for all the info and help guys. The anticipation of putting this thing together is starting to make me drool. I am already starting to dream of what I am going to do with the SECOND action. I know it sounds kinda mad but has anyone ever shot a 7.62X39 with an accurate barrel on it? I really like this round since it's SO cheap to get mil-spec ammo for it. I just wonder what kind of accuracy is possible with it. Perhaps put a sporter type barrel on it for a super-sweet deer hunting rifle?! HMMMMMMM The possibilities are endless.

ozman

PS Btw I love AK's. And I recently picked up some really nice mil-spec Wolf hollow points that are dynamite on milk jugs filled with water. lol I am practicing my point and shoot hip technique on them. It's a blast.
 
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Look at McGowen Barrels website

I just ordered a prefit from them - they promise a 4 week wait

I am putting the barrel in a RBLP target action in an all aluminum stock I got from McRee precision.

First McGowen barrel for me, first McRee stock. We will see how it works out.
 
Andrew:
How much was the barrel and stock? Price is everything to me. And was that action a Savage or what? And how did it set you back man? TIA

ozman
 
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It is a 3 bolt Savage right bolt, left port target action - had it for a while - around $450, if memory serves.

http://www.mcgowenbarrel.com/

Barrel - a 28 inch 1-12 twist 1 inch (or slightly greater) diameter - 28 1/2 or 29 long and 1.06 thick are okay - not shorter or thinner though. Polished finish. $345 for the prethreaded and chambered barrel, $152 for a installed muzzle brake

http://www.mcreesprecision.net/

Look under hunter for pictures

The stock is set up with the 3 inch benchrest fore end and the bag rail, coated in Coyote tan. 505.00 for the stock, 150.00 for the coating. If you are a registered gun board member, he discounts it to 615.00. Got the stock in 2 weeks, coated. The rail and benchrest foreend were extra cost options, I believe.

If all works as planned, no additional work is needed to the stock - no bedding or painting - bolt in the action and go.

When shopping for stocks, make sure you get one for the 3 bolt action target action. I don't know if the regular stock for the 2 bolt action would work.
 
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Go to Brownell and under "How To" way down you will find a "How To" on rebarreling a Savage and it's Free.

Tom
 
"What brand of barrel did you go with on that rifle?"

Mine is Douglas 26" chambered by Sharp Shooters Supply that I bought slightly used.

It probably shoots as well as I can. For example using 52 Gr Berger Match Moly bullets and N540 powder, 4 consecutive 5 shot groups at 200 Yards were:

.473, .475, .598 and .411 MOA

Also I was wrong about the action when I said 12BVSS. It is actually a Stevens 200 but that does not change anything as the bolt head is the same as I mentioned earlier. The Stevens action is just a cheaper version of the Savage without the Acutrigger.
 
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action

Ozman,

Don't know if they are still there, but MidwayUSA.com had a couple of Target actions on clearance for less than $400. Someone on the 6mmBR.com classifieds had a couple of H&S Precision LRPV stocks for sale for $200. Buy your 220 Swift barrel and you are set to go.

Luck, tiny
 
Well I got the 2 Savage target actions yesterday. I notice though that there are no screws for the trigger guard or for the stock. I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it. There is a warning with the paperwork about "proof testing" the action before use. I guess that is basically seeing if it blows up when shot. I figure I will do like the guys on Guns n Ammo do on TV and put it in a lead sled, tie a string on it, and get back a ways. It says to use a "proof" load but that's silly in my opinion to try to blow it up deliberately. I will just use a factory load for the test. I usually underload my .220 Swift ammo a little anyways as I like to keep the pressures down. I figure if it holds together with the factory load that's "proof" enough for me. Now I need to order a good barrel and stock and a set of go/no-go gauges. I think I will get the action wrench from Midway and also a barrel vise. I should then be all set for the final assembly.

ozman
 
There is a warning with the paperwork about "proof testing" the action before use. I guess that is basically seeing if it blows up when shot.

>>>>>>>>>>>> Remember, this is "Lawyer Speek"..... "Proof Testing".................

But not a bad thing to do with an unknown action..... Just a "hot" loading book SAMI load will tell ya wether safe or.............

Never "Proofed" any of my mass produced or custom individually bought actions............:confused:

May be I'm just lucky...??!??

Good luck on the Savage Build...! Big fun!
cale
 
Tiny:
Could you provide a link to those actions at Midway for me? I did a search and found nothing. Also could you get the link for the stocks? Oh btw Midway has a reasonable set of Forster .220 swift headspace go/no-go gauges for 18.49/gage. They also got a nice action wrench by Wheeler for $52.99 (710783).And a nice vise also by Wheeler for $55.99 (226100). I think I am going to go with both of these. That way I am set up for any other swaps I do.
TIA Tiny and all.

ozman
 
Inspiration?!?!

I was just thinking and had an idea. Since I already have a Savage .308 F/TR why not get the barrel in the same contour and length as the F/TR?! Then all I have to do is swap out the two. Kills 2 birds with 1 stone on the stock that way. Or even if I get a nice stock as mentioned earlier I could then also use the .308 in it too! And just for the record I better ALSO get a barrel nut wrench with the action wrench, vice, and gauges or I will be bugged when it comes time to assemble the thing. lol

ozman

PS And btw "the solution" also solves the mystery of the trigger guard and stock screws since I would be using the ones in the F/TR. Bingo.
 
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