Made a Savage Axis in 9mm - multi-caliber bolt action but have questions.....

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aesache

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Hey Everyone,

So I finally did it i made a bolt action 9mm savage axis. However i have a few questions i am stuck on. Here is some backstory. I used a green mountain barrel blank. Turned down the entire barrel to a uniform length. I then did a test thread on the end of the barrel that i was going to cut off (1.055"-20) and it turned out great. so i threaded the other end as well and will cut it to length once i get it working perfectly.
Made an easy "D" bit reamer (on my drill press no less)

So I had this crazy thought. I now have a 20" barrel that is threaded for a receiver on both ends. Can I chamber the other end in 357 magnum or even 357sig? then if i get board of one caliber i can just switch the barrel around, change the bolt face and have another caliber?


So some other info for those that care:

At 100 yards it shoots minute of pop can so i am happy.
I made this a single shot (modded stock magazine sled insert that was 3d printed) so feeding is a non issue for me
ejection of spent casing is far less than ideal. you have to pull the bolt real fast due to the very short 9mm case. The long action of the Axis was not a great option but it is what i had available.
 
It can be done. I recall a Norm Johnson article in Precision Shooting magazine years ago where he chambered a 6mm Remington in one end and a 6 PPC in the other end of the barrel. Really shot well too.
 
JJ-65 said:
It can be done. I recall a Norm Johnson article in Precision Shooting magazine years ago where he chambered a 6mm Remington in one end and a 6 PPC in the other end of the barrel. Really shot well too.
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what about twist? does it really matter if it is right hand or left hand twist? My gut says no but any experience?
 
I had a .458 barrel trheaded &chambered 45-70 at on end for a Rem Rolling block and threaded & chambered for 45-90 Winchester high wall at the other end.. I made it as a "curious" gunshow item at first but it did work quit well in actual trials. I could even fire the 45-90 end without removing the entire Rolling block action from the other end, just removed the two pins and blocks.
 
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Direction of the twist does not really matter if you are shooting something that is appropriate. British SMLE and Lee Enfields in .303 had a right hand rifling while the Ross in .303 had a left hand rifling.

The 9mm and the .357 have slightly different diameters, but if you work up loads, it should work all right. I have fired a lot of .38 jacketed bullets in the 9mm pistol, along with a ton of cast lead ones.
 
Mongo62 said:
curious what your using for a mag setup?
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Single shot only. I use a factory savage axis 223 magazine with a 3d printed follower that extends over the feed lips of the mag. Drop the round in and close the bolt. its orients itself in the "U" shaped follower. Very simple and mag can be used for just about any round.
 
I have run into a bit of a roadblock.

Does anyone know where i can get a cheap savage bolt head? I would like to chamber the other end to 357 magnum. i figure i can run the bullets through a sizer if i need to. If it would shoot cast without gas checks and without leading boy that would be cool.

I might even be able to get 357's to feed from the mag
 
I remember a couple of articles saying that not all barrels would shoot well from both ends: hammer forged yes, broached no.

Let us know :).
 
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camster said:
Awwww man! I was sure my "chambered at both ends" was a million dollar idea...
I keep reading write ups about crowns, and decided a well cut chamber would make for an even crown, but haven't tried it yet though.
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A few years ago, a machinist on another forum bought a surplus rifle with a couple of inches or so of pitting close to the muzzle. He drilled the pitted part out (to keep the sights if I remember) and said the gun shot 2 1/2" at 100yds. So there's hope that your idea will shoot well at least one way :).
 
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Just to make an observation. Any rifle action with forward locking lugs will give feeding/ extraction issues with short pistol cases because the short case wants to fall into the cavity provided for the locking lugs. A better choice for this type of effort is a rifle with a rear lock up. Lee Enfield or Rem.788 for instance.
 
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