Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Building a Bolt Action

[GHarman]

Gunny,

I was in I Corps also! All over that part of the country! Yes! WE DID Chew the same dirt!

Gunny, we are not dumb! We just have our nitch! Our unique gifts! GOD does not make mistakes! Even in this imperfect World!

Semper Fi!

GregH

 

[HHhuntitall]

Good explanation on the Savage, Gunny ... . BUT... . Savage will only sell their bolt heads to lisenced gunsmiths, anymore... . Just FYI. I used to be able to get them, and usually got 2-3 a year, but now I have to go through a dealer to get them... . I still think they're the best bang for the buck, IMO.

I have no doubt that im blessed in the place I live, I wake up roll over and am equally in wonder of WHY ME!!!!

Me three, BIG!! People ask me how I'm doing, usually just to be nice... . my response is,"Better'n I deserve, not as good as I'd like... . " Always makes them think about it!! I had a great Uncle, was in Saipan, Guadal Canal, and Iwo Jima, IIRC, among other places. He always said, "There ain't no bad days here in the states, boy. " He died an old bachelor, living in a two room shack, with two single, pull string lights in the center of each room... . and I believe he died content.

 

[KBurgoyne]

how strong is the savage action. as compared to a 700 or mark 5. ive been looking at a couple 338 lapuas. weatherby just came out with their trr. I love the design and feel of the mark 5, but hate the friggin twig barrels they put on them. the savage fcp hs is built like a 338 mag should be, im just wondering how tough they are.

http://www.weatherby.com/product/rifles/markv_tr/trrcustom_magnum

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/first-outing-savage-110fcp-338lapua-81838/

 

[HHhuntitall]

Well, I'm not much of a fan of Weatherby... . I feel they're compensating for something! :-laf They're overated and over priced, IMO. (I've got lots of those, if you haven't noticed! ) The Savage action is a bit stronger than the Remington, I'd presume. I've seen numbers on it, and think it wasn't much, but I do know the lugs are longer on the Savage than on the Remington, and just a touch wider, which translates into more surface area, which equals more strength. Seeing as how I believe Savage has better quality control, I'd trust their rifles to take higher pressures than Remington. Also, have you ever read through the reloading manuals? The test rifle is usually a Savage test rifle. IT's really easy to change out barrels. Savage also has a division dedicated to Snail type bullet traps. They do a LOT for the DOD, and I believe all the training traps at Langley, Va are installed and maintained by Savage.



As for the reliability of the Savage in . 338 Lapua, you'll have more issues with the trigger group than you will with anything else, if you maintain and service the rifle properly. I've seen some of these 10 series of actions shoot out 2-3 barrels and never have an issue with the bolt, action, or anything related. I've got a 7mmMag that's got close to 1,000 rounds through it, and the lands are starting to go away, but never had an issue with the bolt... ... Had it not go off a few times, as the trigger group malfunctioned, but that is the ONLY complaint I can think of with this rifle. LOTS of 168gr Sierra's and 154 Hornady's sent down the hole over the last 5 years or so... ... . I traded for a 30-06 that the barrel was shot out of, and it had been neglected pretty bad. It came from Washington, so it was rusted pretty good, but had a black plastic stock. I beadblasted and sent it out to be Salt Nitrided, after installing a new Shilen barrel in . 280Rem... ... I sold it to an old man down the road, and when he passed away, I went to the estate sale/garage sale the family held..... The wife didn't have any guns out, so I presumed they weren't selling them, but in visiting with her, it came up, and when she realized I was the guy he traded with, she led me in the house, and I got to buy back all the long guns the guy had. All the handguns had been claimed by family, but the old Savage was still there..... Beat to bloody hell. It came with close to 250rnds of brass he had shot out of it. I kept it, and it's been the "loaner" whenever hunting and someone needs a good rifle, and now it's got a new Broughton . 280 barrel and H&S stock on it..... Still the "loaner" but a bit nicer, now. Never any issues with the reciever. And it was square when I unscrewed the first barrel!! Both lugs touched evenly, and the facing was square!! Amazing!!



I'd like to have one of the new Savage's like in your link. I built one on a Surgeon XL action, and don't really like it that much... . I also built one on a Remington 700 action, but it's too short for the 300gr bullets to feed properly when seated out like they should be for accuracy and powder capacity. Not sure what the Savage's box length is... ...



The old 7mmMag.....

 

[BIGNASTY]

HH

Question do you hunt with a full magazine of rounds? I usually only load 1 at a time because my Hunting rifles have been converted to single shot except the wifes 300 Win Mag she still shoves them thru the floor plate. A follow up shot is not a problem with mine I have them ready on the side if time allows or they are on the butt stock in a holder.



BIG

 

[HHhuntitall]

Yes. I like to have as many as I can in the magazine... . Recoil can be a problem, damaging the tips on some bullets, affecting accuracy, but I want those rounds under my bolt... . I can't have them on the stock, as I shoot off either shoulder, depending on angles, direction, speed, daylight... ... I keep a shellholder on my belt that can be opened rather quickly with one hand, and the shells pulled and inserted into the action with one hand. I typcially shoot Left handed, so I can keep the rifle on my shoulder, open the bolt Right handed, and insert shells, keeping the rifle in swing and my eyes on the targets..... It's helped me kill a lot of hogs over the years..... as many as 29 in one day in two engagements. Had to reload both rifle and ammo pouch between. Those types of shooting sprees are what made me entertain the idea of an autoloading rifle years ago.....

 

[CBlack]

Gunny,

Thanks for the all the input. Information overload between you Gary and HHunt.

Good idea on the Savage rifle and one that I'm going to take a look at.

Right now I'm in limbo as to what I really want to do. I do want to target shoot for fun (BR included) but not compete at this moment. Although competition will come later. And I am interested the mid- to long-range target shooting.

Regarding Stiller actions... They've told me they have the one I want on the shelf, ready to ship if I want it. Very prompt response from them. My BIL has a rifle or two with them and speaks highly. Also his smith in OK uses them almost exclusively.

I'll be sure to keep everyone posted as I go along.

Cheers

 

[Gunny]

Mr. Black,
I hope that if a Stiller is the way you want to go that they do have one for you. Jerry Stiller is a fine guy and I will not have anthing but good things to say about his actions. Good Luck to you...

Roland

 

[HHhuntitall]

Gunny,



Thanks for the all the input. Information overload between you Gary and HHunt.



I'll be sure to keep everyone posted as I go along.



Cheers

Sorry 'bout that..... seems I have opinions on lots of things... .



Please do keep us updated. I like coaching when the players are committed and willing to learn... .