Since the weather is slowly getting better, I decided it was time to finish my savage build that I've been accumulating parts for over the past 6 months. I started out wanting to do a budget build in the $1200 price point. After 6 months of part searching and looking at hundreds of ads on the EE, I have finally built a budget rifle I can call my own.
Specs as Follows with a breakdown underneath.
Savage 11 Hunter LH (Originally 300WSM, now .308)
Savage 30'' target Barrel (From a Savage 12 FT-R)
PTG Flutted Bolt Body
PTG Bolt Head LH .308 Large Shank
PTG Match Recoil Lug
Glades Armory Bolt knob
ATRS 20MOA Base
Choate Tactical Stock
It all started with a Savage 11 Hunter in 300WSM. I bought the rifle new and parted everything out except the action and trigger. I got most of my money back from selling the parts that were being replaced. All in all the action cost me $325 after I sold everything.
Many people know this, however some may not. Savage rifles chambered in a WSM cartridge come with a large shank barrel thread, which allows you to pick off a savage target barrel on the EE for pretty cheap. My barrel is a 30" stainless target barrel in 308. It came off a savage 12 FT-R. This ran me $80 shipped.
Being cambered in 300WSM originally, I needed to change the bolt face to accept the 308 cartridge. A quick call to PTG in the US and I got myself a LH Large Shank bolt head and a flutted bolt body and a few other goodies. This was the longest wait period as it took 9 weeks to be manufactured and shipped. For the Bolt head, Body, Recoil lug, and Barrel nut, along with import / duties the tab came to $310.
Alberta Tactical Rifle supplied me with a beautiful 20MOA base for the Savage SA. It came with mounting hardware and the provided wrench. I believe these run around $140 and is well worth it. I suggest bedding these as no base and action are a perfect fit.
Bolt Handle is a Glades Armory LH stainless hatched. These are extremely high quality and are a two piece design. These run at $60.
It took me a while to find a stock for this build. I was going to wait until I had enough funds for a AX or a AI chassis, however it wouldn't really be a budget build if the stock was worth as much as I originally wanted to spend on the entire rig. A quick look on the EE and I snagged a Choate tactical stock for $300 shipped. Stock was fully adjustable comb, length of pull, and recoil pad height. The stock is a little on the heavier side, but for $300 I couldn't go wrong.
Overall, great rig. Shoots very well too. Im getting 1/2 - 3/4'' moa with 41.2gr of Varget and a 175gr matchking in Hornady Brass. I hope this encourages people to pursue their builds next winter!
Specs as Follows with a breakdown underneath.
Savage 11 Hunter LH (Originally 300WSM, now .308)
Savage 30'' target Barrel (From a Savage 12 FT-R)
PTG Flutted Bolt Body
PTG Bolt Head LH .308 Large Shank
PTG Match Recoil Lug
Glades Armory Bolt knob
ATRS 20MOA Base
Choate Tactical Stock
It all started with a Savage 11 Hunter in 300WSM. I bought the rifle new and parted everything out except the action and trigger. I got most of my money back from selling the parts that were being replaced. All in all the action cost me $325 after I sold everything.
Many people know this, however some may not. Savage rifles chambered in a WSM cartridge come with a large shank barrel thread, which allows you to pick off a savage target barrel on the EE for pretty cheap. My barrel is a 30" stainless target barrel in 308. It came off a savage 12 FT-R. This ran me $80 shipped.
Being cambered in 300WSM originally, I needed to change the bolt face to accept the 308 cartridge. A quick call to PTG in the US and I got myself a LH Large Shank bolt head and a flutted bolt body and a few other goodies. This was the longest wait period as it took 9 weeks to be manufactured and shipped. For the Bolt head, Body, Recoil lug, and Barrel nut, along with import / duties the tab came to $310.
Alberta Tactical Rifle supplied me with a beautiful 20MOA base for the Savage SA. It came with mounting hardware and the provided wrench. I believe these run around $140 and is well worth it. I suggest bedding these as no base and action are a perfect fit.
Bolt Handle is a Glades Armory LH stainless hatched. These are extremely high quality and are a two piece design. These run at $60.
It took me a while to find a stock for this build. I was going to wait until I had enough funds for a AX or a AI chassis, however it wouldn't really be a budget build if the stock was worth as much as I originally wanted to spend on the entire rig. A quick look on the EE and I snagged a Choate tactical stock for $300 shipped. Stock was fully adjustable comb, length of pull, and recoil pad height. The stock is a little on the heavier side, but for $300 I couldn't go wrong.
Overall, great rig. Shoots very well too. Im getting 1/2 - 3/4'' moa with 41.2gr of Varget and a 175gr matchking in Hornady Brass. I hope this encourages people to pursue their builds next winter!
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