AICS bottom metal for Savage 10TR with bottom bolt release, is this possible?

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Astute Observer

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Hey all, so I'm trying to find a bottom metal to use AICS mags that will fit a Savage 10TR. Unfortunately it's got the dreaded bottom bolt release. Am I out of luck? Does anybody in Canada sell any bottom metal that would accommodate the bottom bolt release?

I've found models with 4.400" holes, 4.275" holes, and 4.423" holes - not even sure which one is right for the Savage Accustock.

Or should I just eat the extra cost and get a chassis? I'm already shooting .6MOA with just the factory Accustock so I'm hesitant to change too much - if it ain't broke, I don't want to fix it, but I do want to use AICS mags.

Thanks!
 
10TR, or 10T-SR?

I know on the 10T-SR the spacing is 4-7/16" or 4.4375". Basically, there is only one option that I'm aware of, that is definitely for the bottom bolt release - and that's the PTG (Pacific Tool and Gauge) DBM. But, they list it as 4.423". So..., maybe that'll work? Big gamble for $170USD.

Atlasworxs has their Savage DBM, which is not for the bottom bolt release. I bought two of them hoping they would work on a .308 10T-SR (and a future .223 purchase) - unfortunately the spacing wouldn't work and I had to return them to Australia. It was close, really close... But, unless I removed the spacer/bushing, it wasn't going to work.

Basically, the bottom bolt release makes you almost entirely SOL.
 
I'm in the same boat but was thinking is there is an option to change it to top bolt release.
I think its only the release knob is different. I wonder if anyone has that part .
 
Well... I'll be damned. Now to try and find if ANY retailer in Canada carries two of those parts. We all know Brownells is a joke right now for shipping, and Numrich isn't operating.

Edit: Does anyone know what the Savage part number is for the top bolt release sear? Brownells doesn't seem to have the parts, and Numrich is sold out.

The question still remains, though, what sort of DBM will actually work with the action screw spacing.
 
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Uther419 said:
I found a couple us forums that talked about the conversion, you just need to change the bolt release sear out for the top type and modify the wing to fit the rounded reciever

Cheers https://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?26264-Convert-Your-Bottom-Bolt-Release-To-A-Top-Release
Click to expand...

I put my 10tr with bottom release in a Stealth chassis and ran into the same issue.

Couldn't easily find the sear with top release (didn't look too hard to be honest lol) so I fabricated a lever that I mounted to the sear so it works the same.

Spent too much time on it compared to buying a sear (if you can find one) but it works and looks good :)
 
bertn said:
I put my 10tr with bottom release in a Stealth chassis and ran into the same issue.

Couldn't easily find the sear with top release (didn't look too hard to be honest lol) so I fabricated a lever that I mounted to the sear so it works the same.

Spent too much time on it compared to buying a sear (if you can find one) but it works and looks good :)
Click to expand...

Got some details on the lever you made up? Top bolt release actions seem to be more rare these days so being able to convert would be handy knowledge
 
laker415 said:
Got some details on the lever you made up? Top bolt release actions seem to be more rare these days so being able to convert would be handy knowledge
Click to expand...

Here are pics of my bubba bolt release.
Should have taken pics of the lever before installation, that would made it easier to explain.

It is hooked onto the pin on the one side and then attached to the front with a rivet through the existing hole.
Added some cold blue and done.
It has zero play or wiggle and works great. Could have made it a little bit shorter but now i have a bit more leverage.

If needed i can remove the rivet and the lever comes right off and the trigger assembly is returned back in original state.















 
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Interesting solution.

I haven't had either of my 10T-SRs apart in a while, but I seem to recall the sear already has a hole in it - correct? Also, what material did you make your release out of?

As an aside, Brownells technical/gunsmiths aren't of much use; all they'll say is we don't sell the sears - won't provide any part numbers. I did notice there is one Savage sear listed on their website, and it's in stock. Says it's for the Model 112-116, in Stainless Steel. No photo of the part, and they're $20USD ~$30CAD.

Put in a support ticket with Savage, not that I expect them to actually say anything besides "we don't sell parts like that to end users, only gunsmiths".
 
Yes, there is a hole in the front already so no drilling, filing or anything on the sear.
Also the pin going through was long enough to hook the lever on.

The lever was made from a mild steel galvanized corner bracket that I had laying around.
Put it in some hydrochloric acid first to get the zinc off :)
(Otherwise it won't take cold blue)
 
Well, someday soon I'll have to dig around and see what kind of "scrap" metal is available and go to work. Thanks for the photos and followup.

Certainly a better solution than hoping that Brownells part is compatible, in addition to the absolutely insane shipping rigamarole one goes through ordering from them...
 
Just stupid that this part can't be ordered easily and affordable from a Canadian distributor.

Good luck if you going to fabricate something :)
 
I've heard from a few companies, that Savage doesn't like to distribute trigger/bolt parts widely. Apparently they're okay with sending these parts to "qualified" gunsmiths... Most likely it's some sort of convoluted legal argument about liability, dreamt up by a panel of corporate lawyers.

And they'd probably have a meltdown if a company was to start offering parts to "modify" the trigger assembly. Think of the children.

Hemming and hawing what to do at the moment, I have some metal around that may work; but the question still remains about the availability of AICS DBMs for the 4-7/16" / 4.4375" rifles. I hate the idea of ordering something, especially as expensive as some of the DBMs are; only to find out they either won't work at all or will require modifications to work...
 
bc308 said:
Try part #103871.
Click to expand...

I assume that's the Savage part number?

I did hear back from Savage, "sears are restricted parts - and will only be sold to certified gunsmiths". Maybe some other retailer would be able to get their mitts on them...

Edit: Western Gun Parts has the sears; but like Savage won't sell them to commoners.

Make your own release is going to be the only viable solution.
 
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An update, of sorts...

Still haven't had a chance to play tin basher - maybe once the weather goes to pot. I have been searching on and off for a distributor/gunsmith/gun store that can get that Savage sear (part #103871). Western Gun Parts had them for a short time; but apparently it takes 6+ months to get parts from Savage... Anyway, latest news from another gunsmith is that, according to Savage, the part has either been discontinued or is no longer available for sale (most likely the latter).

SO, once again, if you want to convert your bottom bolt release Savage to a top bolt release; you'll have to play gunsmith/tin basher. Or, maybe you can get the part... somewhere?
 
Savage makes a 10 rnd mag for those guns I have 2 SAVAGE 55185 MAGAZINE 308-WIN/6.5-CRE SHORT MATTE BLUED 10-SHOT Product Code: 55185 they are not as nice as the ACIS but work
 
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