So I bought a Savage Target Action ..

Lojak

Lojak

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I decided to buy a Savage Target Action, through Ellwood Epps. It has the .223 bolt face, but I plan on picking up the .308 bolt face from Brownells so I have options. I haven't decided on which caliber to build yet, but I want to participate in the ORA events next year, so it will be long distance.

Anyway, there are additional parts I'll need to pick up over the coming months, particularly a stock. From what I've read, the target action has three screws, and so far I believe only HS Precision makes a stock which will fit it. Am I wrong? I'm looking for other ideas.

I also want to change the bolt handle from the round ball to something else. What options do I have for that in the Savage world? I know Brownells stocks a Savage Arms "tactical" bolt handle, but is there anything else out there?

Also, as the rifle begins to take shape I'll update this thread with my progress (and problems) so others interested in the platform have an idea what to expect.

Thanks,

-- L
 
I tried to buy that same handle from Brownells but because the manufacturer was not registered with somebody???? They could not ship it to Canada so cancelled my order. If you find something I might be interested in buying your original round ball bolt handle. Let me know.
 
You can buy a replacement stock through savage. I would look into a Robertson or other custom stock as well. I can supply you with much of what you need including a threaded bolt handle that will take any knob you want, bbls , stocks, bolt heads etc.

Your off to a good start, good luck with it!


Cheers
Lojak said:
I decided to buy a Savage Target Action, through Ellwood Epps. It has the .223 bolt face, but I plan on picking up the .308 bolt face from Brownells so I have options. I haven't decided on which caliber to build yet, but I want to participate in the ORA events next year, so it will be long distance.

Anyway, there are additional parts I'll need to pick up over the coming months, particularly a stock. From what I've read, the target action has three screws, and so far I believe only HS Precision makes a stock which will fit it. Am I wrong? I'm looking for other ideas.

I also want to change the bolt handle from the round ball to something else. What options do I have for that in the Savage world? I know Brownells stocks a Savage Arms "tactical" bolt handle, but is there anything else out there?

Also, as the rifle begins to take shape I'll update this thread with my progress (and problems) so others interested in the platform have an idea what to expect.

Thanks,

-- L
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Tchardy, thanks for the tip about your order with Brownells.

Juan, I'm planning on talking with both yourself and Jerry over the coming months for various parts, as the money comes available for the build. Glad to hear about the availability of threaded bolt handles, because there are few I've seen on the R700 platform that look pretty cool, and I wouldn't mind having one of those. I'll ping you in a few weeks time about picking up the handle and perhaps the .308 bolt face.

In terms of barrels, I'm leaning towards a Gallaird, McLennan or Krieger at the moment, but in the end it comes down to what caliber I choose. Right now that choice is likely to be a 6mm or 6.5mm variant or .308. I'm tempted to try .223 with 80/90gr bullets, based on the on-going thread on CGN, but my reloading experience is not nearly as extensive as those discussing it, so I'll probably stick to something else for now. I can always swap barrels later on.

-- L
 
A factory bolt handle can have the knob turned off on a lathe, and then can be threaded for installation of a custom knob. Easier to grab a Savage handle in the lathe than a Remington bolt body.
Reminds me of one of the few bad experiences I've had on CGN. Laddie wanted the custom knob; I told him I would alter a handle I had on hand, sent it to him, he was to return his stock handle and send payment with it. Sent the altered handle with custom knob to him, never heard back from laddie.
 
I was considering buying that action earlier in the summer. My plan was to get a 955% laminated stock blank, without mag well, and bed it into that. Am also considering a bedding block anchored to the stock, but laminated stocks are dimensionally pretty stable.

As above, a Robertson stock is another consideration.

An open question. How much better in results/accuracy, is the target action (solid bottom and bridged top) than a standard Savage action?
 
If I was building a rifle again, I would go for the .223. It's cheap to load, barrels last a long time, and with the new 90g bullets it should still shoot really well at 1000 yards. With the right barrel and components, it is no harder load for than any other round. JMTC
 
SandRoad, did you end up buying a Savage Target Action, or did you change your mind? I'm curious as to why.

Robertson stocks are tempting, but I really need to handle a few first before I decide.

shooter64, .223 is tempting for the reasons you outlined, but I still consider the use at long-distance with 90gr bullets to be experimental, thus the reason for my hesitation. I don't want to blow up my action or myself due to my inexperience with experimental reloading :)

-- L
 
Ian's stocks are superior. There are a number of different patterns, so there may be some handling differences, but generally speaking they are ergonomically superior.
Some of the popular tactikewl stocks are clubs in comparison.
I first saw a prototype of the Savage target action years ago. Some were made up when Bob Greenleaf (Savage engineer) was encouraging Savage to sell actions. They incorporate features generally thought desireable for precision shooting.
 
I'm waiting on a barrel from Juan for a build I'm doing and ended up ordering an Accustock from Savage for it. I sure couldn't find many stock options and it's more or less a hunting rifle so it should be utilitarian, but boring to look at.
 
Lojak said:
SandRoad, did you end up buying a Savage Target Action, or did you change your mind? I'm curious as to why.
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I ran out of time, and besides, you bought the very action from Epps I had my eye on. ;) I'm sure some other dealer could get one in.

There is still that question of how much difference the target action makes. The other alternative is to get a repeating action and build from there. Maybe I will have some time this winter.
 
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Here are a couple of styles of savage knobs I have made. Very easy for the do it yourselfer too BTW. I'd be happy to help out with instruction on doing it.

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I'm tempted to try .223 with 80/90gr bullets, based on the on-going thread on CGN, but my reloading experience is not nearly as extensive as those discussing it
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Don't let that discourage you from saving alot of money.

I bought a Savage 223 and along with it my first reloading set up. Sure I spent months reading up on how to reload, and another month dicking around with 223 for the AR and .40 before I put together my first precision load, but it all comes together.

When I ordered my relaoding set up from Mystic, I ordered 6 different types of bullets, Hornady, Berger, Sierra, Lapua, and Noslers, ranging from 69gn to 80gn. Once I burn through these 600 I'll pick up a box of the 90gn projectiles and find somewhere withh 600 yards.

And as it turns out, I can hunt deer with this rifle, so not only am I saving money on a cheap caliber, but I can actual use it to hunt!
 
tiriaq, I'm leaning toward Ian's stocks, definitely. I want to pay a visit to his business sometime in the fall (with his permission of course) so I can get a first hand look, and make sure the LOP of my preferred choice is right for me.

juan, 6mm BR is one of the top three options right now. .308 and .223 are the others. I'll make a decision eventually ;) I like the bolt knob examples you provided as well.

KDX, I thought about going the accustock route, but since I'm leaning toward F-Class, I'll choose a stock that's more appropriate. If I was hunting, I probably would have picked up the precision carbine or one of Savage's .260's.

SandRoad, sorry ;) I'm sure it'll be trivial to get one though! I decided on the single shot version because it will have a larger bedding surface than the repeater action. In this regard I'm following the advice of BR shooters.

Haagen_Dazs, .223 w/90gr bullets is really tempting. That's probably the reason I'm hesitating on choosing a caliber (6mmBR and .308 are the other choices). I'll keep reading the thread on 90gr's, and look elsewhere for advice, and if I feel confident enough that I can reload those successfully, then I'll probably go that route. Besides, I can always build a switch-barrel rifle too.. hmmm.. Tempting.

-- L
 
Lojak, happy to help you with whatever you need.

I am in the process of setting up to offer full Gunsmithing services.

I am also starting the paperwork to be a Krieger dealer.

Stocks really depend on what you want to use the rifle for. Choate makes some really nice and inexpensive stuff. Robertson makes wonderful high end stocks. Lots in between.

As to cal, look at what is being shot at the ORA matches and chat with those shooting them. Pros and cons to everything.

I used to shoot in F Open with a 6.5 Mystic and 260 improved. Now I am in F TR shooting a 223 and 90's.

I am really enjoying the 223 - lower recoil, cost, noise, fuss. WAY longer barrel life. I feel that performance is right there with the 308 but have to get to a few more matches to prove the point.

Recent testing may just put the 223 ahead of the 308.....

All of your options are fantastic and you can easily shoot them all by swapping a few parts.

You do not need a 3 hole stock to mount your action in. Any standard stock will work as the 3rd bolt is really along for the ride.

Let me know if you need some help, parts or services. I have now made precision ground recoil lugs for the large shank action.

Jerry
 
juanvaldez said:
Yes it can drilled out. Both are 2 piece, however I welded around the first with a wire feed to make it a one piece.

Cheers
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Would it be possible to thread a SS varmint bolt handle (the big knob) in order to accept an aluminum knob? I' like to shave 2oz off my bolt handle.
 
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