Savage bolt heads

[rickdavis81]

I bought a .243 Savage 110 a while back. Thinking it was a short action and not paying much attention. Got home and measured and realized it was a long action that savage just milled out for a short action magazine opening. Didn't matter being I already had a long action stock to use. Decided I'd use that action to make a 300 blackout. Couldn't find a long action .223 bolt head, just short action heads. Figured they'd be the same. Apparently not.
They short action has a shorter shank and the lugs are shorter. I lucked out that savage has an adjustable firing pin. Being an older model the firing pin hole was also larger then the new ones. So I bored out the head for the larger firing pin (not the tip but the larger shank), adjusted the pin length for the proper protusion. Also had to mill out a slot on the tail of the head. The bolt body had a tab for alignment that the new ones don't.
So any way, if you end up needing a long action .223 bolt head you can use a new style with a little work. Hopefully that helps someone out sometime.

 

[FEENIX]

Try PT&G.

 

[geargrinder]

It's also easier to dremel out the dimple from the bolt body than to mill a slot in the bolt head.

You could also machine a small spacer to make the difference in the bolt head tennon length. Then you wouldn't have to adjust your pin or swap pins when going back to standard and magnum sized bolt heads.

 

[rickdavis81]

I have access to a few mills and lathes at work. Probably woulda took me longer to find my dremel in my shop. Saw PT&G made heads but didn't feel like paying that much for one.

 

[FEENIX]

I have access to a few mills and lathes at work. Probably woulda took me longer to find my dremel in my shop. Saw PT&G made heads but didn't feel like paying that much for one.

The cost is basically $25 difference from the factory part - now do an activity-based costing of your time and effort and see if you come up ahead. Sometimes it's more cost effective to go with what's already available ... just saying .

Good luck!

 

[rickdavis81]

Did it on my break at work. So technically I got paid $25 to do it . And I already had the short action head.

 

[FEENIX]

Did it on my break at work. So technically I got paid $25 to do it . And I already had the short action head.

Hopefully, they won't deduct it off your next paycheck.

 

[rickdavis81]

My boss is on the forum too. So hopefully not.

 

[geargrinder]

I have access to a few mills and lathes at work. Probably woulda took me longer to find my dremel in my shop.

True, but you'll have to do it for every bolt head you want to put in that bolt body. Removing the dimple will make it compatible with any bolt head.

 

[Evanb]

Seems you guys have already felt my pain. Maybe you can help. I am converting an 1979 vintage Savage 110S from .308 to .223 since I found an original 110V .223 barrel available. The big delemma is the .223 bolt head you are discussing. I see that the long action bolt head is needed but hard to find.
What is the simplest way to go?

 

[geargrinder]

Seems you guys have already felt my pain. Maybe you can help. I am converting an 1979 vintage Savage 110S from .308 to .223 since I found an original 110V .223 barrel available. The big delemma is the .223 bolt head you are discussing. I see that the long action bolt head is needed but hard to find.
What is the simplest way to go?

Simplest way is to buy a long action 223 bolt head from PTG. Then buy a 223 mag box and follower from midway.

 

[greggc1960]

What problems crop up when goingthe other direction, small to big? I had a 06 110 converted to 338 378 Weatherby, thought the bolt head would fit fine from the 110BA ( heavy magnum ). PTG piece, says .050 longer lugs. Is that radially ?

 

[SidecarFlip]

Hopefully, they won't deduct it off your next paycheck.

In our shop thats called 'Government' work.

 

[MNbogboy]

greggc1960,

What problems crop up when going the other direction, small to big? I had a 06 110 converted to 338 378 Weatherby, thought the bolt head would fit fine from the 110BA ( heavy magnum ). PTG piece, says .050 longer lugs. Is that radially ?

Most likely they are talking "longer" towards the barrel (like the factory magnum lugs)...This length difference is taken care of during headspacing.

My builds have gone from Mag to .473 and to small rifle with every combination
in between, nothing is impossible...with these Savage/Stevens, except that some have had trouble with chamber stretch/case sticking when using small shanked barrels with some of the magnums...When others have not with the same caliber and loads...Go figure

EvanB

Seems you guys have already felt my pain. Maybe you can help. I am converting an 1979 vintage Savage 110S from .308 to .223 since I found an original 110V .223 barrel available. The big delemma is the .223 bolt head you are discussing. I see that the long action bolt head is needed but hard to find.
What is the simplest way to go?

I believe that all you need is any short action .223 bolt head...The added length behind the pin is not required....But you most likely will need the small diameter firing pin and adjustment....Or you can drill out the new bolt head as mentioned earlier in this post...

The dremel trick is quick and simple on your bolt body...(years ago I did it with a small file one time)...A new factory bolt body should be only about $35 - $50 from Savage Shooters Supply...Call Lisa for the actual price as I haven't bought any for a couple of years...

Good Luck on the builds,
Randy