Building a custom Savage rifle over time

[Bigeclipse]

All,
I am looking to start my custom savage build. I have decided I will never be able to save up for a custom rifle and spend 2-3000$ on a rifle without my wife getting mad but I could buy pieces here and there to build a semi-custom savage with out upsetting her/knowing how much I am spending on it haha. I plan on buying a donor rifle/action, custom barrel, and custom stock. I have a few questions.

1) can I expect 1/2MOA or better with my reloads? is this a game of chance or is it pretty easy to build these rifles to 1/2MOA.

2) What donor savages to look for. I am pretty sure I want to do either 7mm rem mag or 300 winmag. I know the 110s are what to look for but there are just soo many of them.

3) What barrel manufacturer to buy from trying to keep budget down but still expect decent results and not on a 6+ month waiting list?

4) Which stock manufacturer to look at? Again considering budget. (this will strictly be for hunting...not competition.

5) Can I do the build myself? I know you need to buy certain tools to install the barrel. I do know what headspace is but have no clue how to measure it. I have been reloading for 2 years now. I can change my cars oil and brakes. Do you think I can handle this? What is the cost of these tools? If you think i can handle it...any threads or discussions/articles on measuring headspace/installing savage barrels that you might recommend?

Thanks!

 

[SavageShtr]

I've built one on a madel 12 short action and have used two target actions. I would find a model 110 in stainless to do your build. I used Benchmark barrels on two and a Douglas on the other. I was able to easily get half MOA and better with hand loads with all three. I didn't have anything done to the actions. On two of the builds I have stockade prairie dog Taticals on them and one has a bell & Carlson. I enjoyed building them and the end results were even better. You will have fun the frustrating part will be the waiting to get everything together. If I can remember correctly the benchmark barrels took only three months to arrive and I think they were a good price. The stockade stocks were a different story. The first one I got only took three months I think do to getting it and finishing it myself. The second one took six months but was well worth it fit and finish was top notch. Good luck and keep is posted.

 

[Mike 338]

Benchmark Barrels have, in the past, had a sale on their barrels after Christmas/beginning of new year. Good price, good barrel and about 3 week delivery. No idea if it will extend to this new year but something to consider.

 

[stomp442]

Half moa is easily done with a savage action and proper loading. The builds are easy to do and buying the proper tools definitely makes things easier. Head over to savage shooters forum they are willing to help and have all the information you need. Be warned though that once you build one the next one is not far down the road.

 

[SavageShtr]

All,
5) Can I do the build myself? I know you need to buy certain tools to install the barrel. I do know what headspace is but have no clue how to measure it. I have been reloading for 2 years now. I can change my cars oil and brakes. Do you think I can handle this? What is the cost of these tools? If you think i can handle it...any threads or discussions/articles on measuring headspace/installing savage barrels that you might recommend?

Thanks!

Yes you can do it yourself. You will need a barrel vise and a barrel nut wrench. Give pacific tool and gauge a call and order your head space guages in the caliber you want. I would suggest deciding on the caliber then ordering those gauges. When you get the barrel, put the barrel nut on the barrel then screw the barrel onto the action. It is best to remove the extracter and ejecter plunger from the bolt head. Slide the go gauge into the chamber and close the bolt. Screw the barrel on till it stops don't force it. Tighten the barrel nut. Then if you have a no-go guage insert that and then try to close the bolt, if it will not completely close the head space is set. Don't try and force the bolt closed. I would suggest wrapping your barrel from infront of the barrel nut to the muzzle with tape so not to scratch it when sliding the barrel nut wrench on. Again good luck with your build.

 

[Bigeclipse]

Benchmark Barrels have, in the past, had a sale on their barrels after Christmas/beginning of new year. Good price, good barrel and about 3 week delivery. No idea if it will extend to this new year but something to consider.

Yes you can do it yourself. You will need a barrel vise and a barrel nut wrench. Give pacific tool and gauge a call and order your head space guages in the caliber you want. I would suggest deciding on the caliber then ordering those gauges. When you get the barrel, put the barrel nut on the barrel then screw the barrel onto the action. It is best to remove the extracter and ejecter plunger from the bolt head. Slide the go gauge into the chamber and close the bolt. Screw the barrel on till it stops don't force it. Tighten the barrel nut. Then if you have a no-go guage insert that and then try to close the bolt, if it will not completely close the head space is set. Don't try and force the bolt closed. I would suggest wrapping your barrel from infront of the barrel nut to the muzzle with tape so not to scratch it when sliding the barrel nut wrench on. Again good luck with your build.

Half moa is easily done with a savage action and proper loading. The builds are easy to do and buying the proper tools definitely makes things easier. Head over to savage shooters forum they are willing to help and have all the information you need. Be warned though that once you build one the next one is not far down the road.

I've built one on a madel 12 short action and have used two target actions. I would find a model 110 in stainless to do your build. I used Benchmark barrels on two and a Douglas on the other. I was able to easily get half MOA and better with hand loads with all three. I didn't have anything done to the actions. On two of the builds I have stockade prairie dog Taticals on them and one has a bell & Carlson. I enjoyed building them and the end results were even better. You will have fun the frustrating part will be the waiting to get everything together. If I can remember correctly the benchmark barrels took only three months to arrive and I think they were a good price. The stockade stocks were a different story. The first one I got only took three months I think do to getting it and finishing it myself. The second one took six months but was well worth it fit and finish was top notch. Good luck and keep is posted.

I know it highly depends on brands and such but can you all give me estimates for cost on barrel and stock? Where do you all look for donor rifles? Should I try and find a savage with accutrigger? My brother has an older savage 110 without accutrigger I could use. The bluing on the action is less than desirable though but not rusted.

 

[stomp442]

Prices all depend on what you want. Savage prefit barrels run anywhere from around $200 to $400 depending on where you get them and what brand. Stocks range from $100 to well over $500 just depends on what you want and how much you want to spend. Older savage actions work fine. There are tricks to tune the factory trigger or there are aftermarket ones that you can drop in.

 

[7magcreedmoor]

Welcome to the club. Read the article "Long Range Rifle on a Budget" by Jerry Teo on this site if you haven't already. I kept coming back to it over and over, until I couldn't resist any longer. Last year's build was assembled by pros, this time I am doing it all myself. The last time I sent the donor rifle to EABCO for a varmint barrel and brake, and SAV2 trigger. I think it was about six weeks turn-around. Bought a stock from Boyd's, and had a local gunsmith do the fitting and pillar bedding for me. It shoots so well I had to have another one, so I prowled the local gunshops and found a used 111 with detachable box mag (centerfeed) in 30-06 in the el-cheapo plastic stock. Barrel vise from Midway, barrel from PacNor (not cheap, but they rebarreled a rifle for me several years ago and quality is worth every penny in my opinion) another boyd's stock, SAV2 trigger, 20MOA rail, Burris rings and inserts, JP brake. I have not added up the receipts (not sure I want to) but the satisfaction can't be beat. The barrel isn't here yet, but everything else is done and I've been shooting to my heart's content with the original tube, right around 1MOA (no real load development, just throwing some components together for now) I'll spend the time on load work when the 280AI barrel comes.

 

[7magcreedmoor]

Last year's pro build and this year's DIY

 

[the shotty]

I'll throw my $.02 in as I'm doing the same currently. The 116 models are the stainless if you want to go that route otherwise a 110 or 111 would work fine. You could also pick up a Stevens long action for the donor, sometimes they can be had cheaper. As for price I've picked up two Stevens long actions brand new for $200 and a new savage 111 for $250. Just shop around. For stocks I have used Boyds stocks before they are good for the money and turn around time. I currently have a stockys on order that should be here any day and everybody that I've talked to likes them a lot. Its been a 10 month wait but hopefully well worth it. My price on his money saver prairie dog was like $355. As for barrels you have a number of options, criterion, shilen, and McGowan can all be hadfor about $300 for a prefit and a number of places stock them. Mcgowen outlet has a very large stock of barrels ready to ship. Tools have been mentioned, I having used an action wrench for mine but it may be good to have. A few thoughts/comments on the donor action. I would look for one that already has a magnum bolt face I.e.already chambered in 7mag or 300 wm as you will need the magnum bolt face anyway and it would save you from buying extra parts there. In terms of the actions themselves the three digit designations are for long action(ie 110,111,112,116) and two digit is for short actions. You could potentially build a 7mag or 300wm out of a short action but it would be single shot and you may need to pull the bolt to eject a loaded round but it is doable if the price is right for the donor or if you want to use one of the target actions for extra strength. You can buy stripped actions from northland shooter supply as well if you don't want to deal with stripping down the donor.

 

[clemens]

Pawn shops good place to look for savage rifles. I found a Savage 16 in a pawn shop this last weekend had heavy barrel (fluted) bipod, Zeiss 3x9x40mc on it nice shape over all in .308 not to bad a deal At $800 considering all that at new price cash price prob walk out at $700 if someone in this area was interested. I have found 110, 111 for $275-280 at pawn shops. Did find a brand new Stevens 200 for $275 at black sheep here in Couer d' Alene ID might find something in that range where you are at. I too am thinking of going this route of building my own. Good luck.

 

[Bigeclipse]

I'll throw my $.02 in as I'm doing the same currently. The 116 models are the stainless if you want to go that route otherwise a 110 or 111 would work fine. You could also pick up a Stevens long action for the donor, sometimes they can be had cheaper. As for price I've picked up two Stevens long actions brand new for $200 and a new savage 111 for $250. Just shop around. For stocks I have used Boyds stocks before they are good for the money and turn around time. I currently have a stockys on order that should be here any day and everybody that I've talked to likes them a lot. Its been a 10 month wait but hopefully well worth it. My price on his money saver prairie dog was like $355. As for barrels you have a number of options, criterion, shilen, and McGowan can all be hadfor about $300 for a prefit and a number of places stock them. Mcgowen outlet has a very large stock of barrels ready to ship. Tools have been mentioned, I having used an action wrench for mine but it may be good to have. A few thoughts/comments on the donor action. I would look for one that already has a magnum bolt face I.e.already chambered in 7mag or 300 wm as you will need the magnum bolt face anyway and it would save you from buying extra parts there. In terms of the actions themselves the three digit designations are for long action(ie 110,111,112,116) and two digit is for short actions. You could potentially build a 7mag or 300wm out of a short action but it would be single shot and you may need to pull the bolt to eject a loaded round but it is doable if the price is right for the donor or if you want to use one of the target actions for extra strength. You can buy stripped actions from northland shooter supply as well if you don't want to deal with stripping down the donor.

my brother has an older savage 110 7mm mag he said he would give me. The blueing is faided on the bolt handle quite a bit but no rust. It has one of the internal box magazines and no accutrigger. I could use that, not sure internal box magazine would limit me in stock choices. when you say shop around for actions...are you doing that at local gun shops or online? If online...im assuming you will need to do an FFL transfer? thanks!

 

[stomp442]

Sounds like your brother has an older flat back action with a staggered feed magazine. Lots of stock options available for these at Boyds or stockys. The fadded bluing is easily fixed with some Brownells gun kote.

 

[Bigeclipse]

Sounds like your brother has an older flat back action with a staggered feed magazine. Lots of stock options available for these at Boyds or stockys. The fadded bluing is easily fixed with some Brownells gun kote.

when I go to boyds they have a few different things listed for the 110...do I want a bottom bolt release, FP top bolt release, intermediate, top bolt release...not sure what any of that even means. I am assuming it is how the bolt will come out of the stock...maybe where a button is located? It has been a while since I have seen his rifle but I do know you had to press the trigger down to get the bolt to come out. Not sure if it was while holding a button or something.

Also...I think I am wanting a synthetic stock...are theirs any good or very flimsy?