Possible Savage build, wisdom needed!

Potshot21

Potshot21

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Moose Country, Ontario
Hello, CGNers!

I am currently looking at getting a .338 Win Mag rifle. Trying to find one on a budget is proving tougher than expected, as they seem to be fairly rare to find in the first place. So the idea of building my own has now crossed my mind and seems intriguing.

I have never built a rifle before, and haven't really done much tinkering as I'm always afraid I'll mess up my rifles! So I have some questions about doing a build.

1. If I buy a Savage 111 for a donor action, do I need to buy a new bolt to fit a .338 win mag, or is there some kind of standard size for certain calibres?

2. If I purchase a prefit barrel from one of the sponsors, how hard is it to install? Should a gunsmith do it or can I? Will it need to be headspaced?

3. If I purchase a Savage magnum rifle with a DB magazine, will it fit .338 win mag rounds? Will I need a new magazine?

4. Am I better off to just go buy the Savage 111 International Trophy Hunter XP with Accutrigger in .338 Win Mag for $510 plus tax?

Thanks for any help guys! I may end up buying the trophy hunter anyways, but would still like to hear people's thoughts on whether it is better to build or to buy. Plus, I may be looking to do more builds similar in the future.

Once again, thanks for any help

Bill
 
According to the catalogue, Le Baron have the alaskan brush hunter for $650 and weather warrior for $750 both in 338 WM.

If you want to build one they have a stevens 200 in 300Wm for $299. Same bolt face. You will need a barrel wrench and a go gauge (but you can head space off a sized case if your comfortable doing that).
They were selling stevens 200 in 338 WM last year for around $339.

Not much to switching the barrels on a savage.

Oh and yes you might be further ahead if you buy the Trophy hunter you have seen with accu trigger. The triggers on the stevens and the package guns tend to need upgrading in my oppinion anyway.
 
I was considering the Stevens route, but the only ones I have seen are internal magazines. I would strongly prefer a detachable box mag for this rifle, hence why I was lookin at building off a Savage 111 with a DBM. Unless there is a conversion kit for a Stevens, I don't think it is an option for my intended purpose.
 
By the time you screw around doing a switch barrel etc. and purchasing what you need, you may as well buy an $800 ruger from Elwood Epps brand new, you'll likely be further ahead, that or the savage trophy hunter for the $ you quoted. You won't do a custom for less.
 
Epps has Ruger M77 .338wm's in stock for $775. I doubt you will buy a savage and a barrel and have it chambered for less. And even if you do, its still a savage...:p
 
I'd watch the EE for a couple or three weeks. There seems to be lots of good deals on 300 and 338 WinMags on there lately.

Patience grasshopper. ;)



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The Savage with a Shilen prefit barrel and good trigger will out shoot your off the shelf rifle that's for sure. Add a nice stock and you're good to go. That being said it will cost more than your Tika T3 stailess, etc.
 
fatboyz said:
The Savage with a Shilen prefit barrel and good trigger will out shoot your off the shelf rifle that's for sure.....
Click to expand...

Perhaps. I have bought two used 338s right here that cost less than $500 to my door. One was a Vanguard, the other a Model 70, and both would shoot right at an inch.

Potshot21, be patient, keep your eyes open, and you will find one. Then you can spend the other $500 on better glass. :cool:

Ted
 
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