Savage switch barrel rifle in the making! **PICS**

F

Frazer

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Roblin, Manitoba
So I have had the pleasure of reading and learning here for quite a while.I usually spend most of my time here in the precision rifles forum and when Jerry (Mysticplayer) started using the savage/stevens as a platform for a precision rifle, I started to pay close attention. I decided after lots of reading and searching that I would find a stevens model 200 in the new centerfeed 3rd generation action style. I was sold at the thought of being able to take a blind magazine gun and turn it into a detachable box magazine or hinged floorplate with just swapping parts. I found a brand new HS Precision stock off of a model 10FCP and ordered the bottom metal directly from savage arms. I then took my stevens 200 chambered in .243 Win and unscrewed it from the battleship grey stock and dropped it into the HS stock. It fits great but I know I need to bed it properly. I found a floorplate off of a magazine someone had spare and fit my blind magazine box into it, converting it into a detachable box magazine. I took my bargain scope off another rifel I had and I have put it all together, this is how it looks now.

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Then I wanted a magazine floorplate to match the stainless bottom metal so I got one in .223, and the WSM family of cartridges. This was because that I found out that I could not only convert calibers of the same base diameter, but change the bolt head and the only limit was the action length. So now I have all of the magazines I need for a true short action switch barrel rifle. On my list of next things to buy are a couple new bolt heads and an entire "tribe" of prechambered, prethreaded shilen barrels.

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So after getting this all together, I want to swap out my stevens action for a Savage stainless steel version. My main reason for this is the stainless finish of course but also the accutrigger. I know not everyone likes the accutrigger, but the beauty of this gun is that I can get a standard sporter barrel, a standard detachable box magazine stock and I can use this gun for hunting. I don’t want a 4 oz. Target trigger on a gun I may use for hunting. I normally don’t load my rifle when hunting until I am ready to shoot but I like the versatility of the accutrigger. Another reason I want to swap it out for a savage action is the larger, easier to operate tear drop safety, the stevens has a narrow bar that can be challenging to use with gloves on.
 
What are you going to do with that stevens action when you get the SS action? :D

It looks a lot nicer than my stevens by the way. Bar the scope of course. insert snooty nose in the air emoticon here.
 
warrenb said:
What are you going to do with that stevens action when you get the SS action? :D

It looks a lot nicer than my stevens by the way. Bar the scope of course. insert snooty nose in the air emoticon here.
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I think the scope is not really all that bad. I have used a banner 18 power for fun on the cheap and it didn't let me down. But if we are being snooty the weaver rings gotta go. I used a pair once and they were loose more often than they were tight. Lots of frustration was provided to me by those rings. Plus they like to leave marks on the scope. But don't get me wrong. I am loving your project big time.

Here is my 10fcp.

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cdnredneck_t3 said:
Ok guys. I am kinda stealing the thread and kinda not. How would you convert a blind mag 10FP to a detachable mag. I have access to a mill so I would not have a problem milling out the bottom of the stock and inletting the action if necessary.
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Confirm the action spacing you have is the new gen 4.40".

Grab a bottom metal assembly from Savage. Mill to match. Enjoy.

If you have the old gen 4.25", it will require a whole bunch of mods and has not proven successful for me.

Frazer, nice job.

Jerry
 
Well the rifle simply came to me as is in .243. I really am in the process of saving up enough cash for a barrel in .260 Rem, another in .223 and a third in .300 WSM. I can only do so much as cash allows. As was stated, this is a switch barrel rifle in the making, so a work in progress really. I plan on selling the entire stevens rifle after I get my SS action. Barrel swaps on these savages are simple; tust unscrew the barrel lock nut, unscrew the barrel, thread in the new barrel until it touches the correct headspace guage and lock it down with the nut again. It certainly appeals to me, being able to do most of the work myself.

Yes, I certainly need a new trigger gaurd, right now im just using the one that came with my stevens. Its a temporary solution for sure.

Yes, weaver bases and rings are going away eventually too, to be replaced with burris sig zee rings and a farrel base.

I have all of best laid plans but unfortunately I have other bills to pay right now and I have to do this as money finds its self avaliable.

Thanks for all the kind words.
Frazer
 
You also need to consider every time you swap a barrel even using a go gauge your brass will never be fireformed. Every time you swap your barrel there will be a difference. It may be small and unnoticeable, but it may really suck too.

I have a stevens 200 that I planned on using as a switch barrel between 7mmRM, 300WM and 25-06AI, but it is just a 7mmRm just cause it seems like too much work. The 300WM barrel is very lonely without an action.
 
MagnumPeanut said:
You also need to consider every time you swap a barrel even using a go gauge your brass will never be fireformed. Every time you swap your barrel there will be a difference. It may be small and unnoticeable, but it may really suck too.

I have a stevens 200 that I planned on using as a switch barrel between 7mmRM, 300WM and 25-06AI, but it is just a 7mmRm just cause it seems like too much work. The 300WM barrel is very lonely without an action.
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With some practise, you can set the headspace EXACTLY where you want it.

I regularly swap barrels and can set it up so previous ammo shoots just fine and previous die settings work.

The process is infinitely adjustable so you can literally set the headspace to the thou you want.

Swap the barrel a few times and you will see what I mean.

Jerry
 
Barrel swaps on these savages are simple; tust unscrew the barrel lock nut, unscrew the barrel, thread in the new barrel until it touches the correct headspace guage and lock it down with the nut again.
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The parts you missed are that the rifle has to be removed from the stock and the scope has to be removed from the rifle in order to get that wrench over the lock nut. So basically the entire rifle has to be stripped down to its component parts every time you swap out barrels. Then once the new barrel is in, the stock and scope have to be replaced and the rifle re-zero'd.

Not exactly what I'd call a painless and quick process. I think you will find the novelty will wear off very quickly once you have done it a time or two.
 
Suputin said:
The parts you missed are that the rifle has to be removed from the stock and the scope has to be removed from the rifle in order to get that wrench over the lock nut. So basically the entire rifle has to be stripped down to its component parts every time you swap out barrels. Then once the new barrel is in, the stock and scope have to be replaced and the rifle re-zero'd.

Not exactly what I'd call a painless and quick process. I think you will find the novelty will wear off very quickly once you have done it a time or two.
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How are other switch barrels made?? does a guy leave the action in the stock and twist the barrel off?? I thought the action and barrel would have to removed and with the use of a barrel vise and an action wrench, was the acceptable prcatice?? I am just learning
 
There are a number of ways that a switch barrel can be made. Most require the rifle to be taken apart and bolts loosened/removed then the barrel released from the action.

However, there are take downs that only require a lever to be opened and the front half of the rifle twisted and pulled apart. HS makes/used to a make a really cool set up. Lots of Win lever rifles have/had this done to them to make packing into the bush easier.

There are target rifles where the action stays put but the barrels are spun on and off.

There are rifles like the Masada and Blasers were a couple of bolts loosened allow a barrel to be swapped. Some AR's have this feature now.

AR's and the new Rem's mimic the Savage/Marlin with a barrel nut but the barrel has a flange that limits headspace.

Break open single shots just need the barrel slipped off the hinge pin.

Etc, etc, etc.

Lots of different ways to get the job done.

The Savage/Stevens and Marlin allow barrel swaps in a wider range of chamberings at a much lower cost for parts/barrels. Simple and modular.

Accurate too.

Jerry
 
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