Stronger Action?

[DannoBoone]

Which has a stronger action - Remington (700) or Savage (probably Model 12)
for a build?

[Catfish]

I don`t think there is much difference. If your going for a 1 time build eather will do a good job for you. If I were going to build a bench gun I would not use eather. I personally like the Savages better because they are so much eaiser to head space and I shoot some barrel burnners and change barrels more often than most people. If your going to work on it yourself once again go Savage.

[the jigger]

I have used Savage/Stevens actions to build the following:
250/3000
250/3000 Ackley Improved
257 Roberts
220 Swift
All are shooters. The flexibility of the Savage action makes it ideal for an economy build.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

[Drilling Man]

Which has a stronger action - Remington (700) or Savage (probably Model 12)
for a build?

  I don't know what one is stronger, but i have used the 700 Rem. action to build numerous rifles from .458 Win., 340 WBY and all kinds of others.  I've always been happy with the 700 Rem.s i've owned.

  DM

[Frank46]

Just a thought here but the members here could provide more info if we had an idea what cartridge you are looking for. That said, I'd have to go with either the savage 1st and winchester second remington would be my third and last choice. Frank

[DannoBoone]

Just a thought here but the members here could provide more info if we had an idea what cartridge you are looking for. Frank

Good idea, thanks. I already ditzed the idea of using a Rem action, as it would be easier and less expensive to do a switch barrel
idea off the Savage, or maybe even a Marlin XS7. And I should have asked about the strongest receiver, rather than action. Seems
that the Marlin is borrowed design from Savage, Remington, and to a lesser degree, Winchester M70.

The action itself wouldn't need to be of upmost strength because it will be protected by a breech plug. The barrel will be a
.45 PacNor 1:20 or 1:22. This will be a smokeless muzzle loader arrangement. I do like the idea of it being a switch barrel using
the XS7 in original 7mm08. The original tupperware stock will have to go......Boyd's is now making fully finished laminated
stocks for that model now. Sans scope, I think I can keep this project under 1K, and be just as good as those made by
Richard's Custom Rifles.

My main concern right now is, strength of the receiver.

[Swampman]

The Remington is much stronger.  It will withstand 130,000+ psi.  The end product will have much better resale value too.

[Drilling Man]

  I had a switch bbl 700 Rem. for quite a long time.  I had about 10 bbls for it, and it worked perfectly.

  DM

[Frank46]

Danno, never saw that one coming. Since your going 45 caliber I'd suggest the faster of the two twists. But kinda sorta have to say this. Using the 45/70 as a benchmark I would think you would have to start low on the smokeless and work up.
Reason is that with the 45/70 you have a set case for your powder. With a front stuffer the bullet will be seated directly on it. Using case capacity your smokeless chamber is way less than what a 45/70 would give. Pressures would build up faster and maybe even higher than a 45/70. That is why I suggest starting way low (cast bullet loads) and then work up slowly. Hope this makes sense. Frank

[DannoBoone]

Thanks, Frank. Very good advice for starting out on any project. The barrel/breechplug assembly is already proven. That's why the
inquiry about the strength of the receiver. The action will be getting less of a pressure challenge than normal because of the BP.
The barrel is by PacNor and has the same contour and dimensions as the .50 barrel on the Savage 10MLII. It readily handles the
maximum load pressures (even beyond) of the .45-70, even though the bullets are much lighter, thus faster speeds. Anyone who
has seen the receiver on a 10MLII knows just how massive it is, even to the point of over-engineered. But it is no longer made, NOT
because it is unsafe like many have tried to make it sound, but many other reasons, non-acceptance of smokeless being a major
reason.

Quite a few similar models to the one which I will be making are already out there, using Savage and Rem700 actions. I intend to
come up with one which will be very safe, just as accurate, and cost less than four digits.

Jigger, I am a Savage fan, also. Three VLP's in .22-250, .243 and .25-06. But these, I want to leave them just as they are. Be aware
though, Marlin is out to be just as much a success as Savage this time around with their XL7 and XS7's. Switch barrelling would be
pretty easy with these, too.

Thanks to all for your responses.

[Frank46]

Danno, thanks for taking the info I posted in the spirit in which it was given. Sometimes I have trouble putting a concept into words. While it may sound right to me, it may not to others. Keep us posted on your project. Frank

[moorepower]

The reason that the Savage can have issues is the fact that the breach plug design they used is not the same one that was used to develop the smokeless muzzle loader. The flame cut around the plug and gas cut until it cuts the metal around the plug. From the looks of the failures and the round counts on those rifles, most folks would not encounter the problem, but it will happen with enough rounds down the tube. With Blackhorn 209, what is the point? With the proper primer and breach plug flame path there is little to be gained. FYI I am a Savage fan and have two LRPV and a Kevin Rayhill blueprinted Stevens 200 with McGowen barrel.

[semperfi1970]

Some may call me crazy but I love the Ruger actions. Stronger than most but a nightmear to customize. I think I like the fact they are based on the grandfather of all bolt actions and have a controled feed and ejection. Like I said, I may be crazy.

[GWC]

One thing to consider is the plethora of add-ons and aftermarket parts available at reasonable prices for the Rem. 700 platform.