Is any savage 110 or 11x action good for doing a custom build?

[8uck5nort]

Is there any thing I sould look for when acquiring a donor action for a custom build. Example is there a difference from an older to newer model that will not work or be a impedement?

[james]

If memory serves, some of the older Savage bolt rifles with a larger diameter section of the barrel, where the rear sight was attached are different.  I think they had an extractor slot cut in the barrel and the threads or diameter were different than the 110/ 10 is now.

[8uck5nort]

Is there a FAQ or something that id's the change by action s/n or something along those lines?

[the jigger]

If you can find a used Stevens 200 long or short action it will make an excellent donor for whatever you care to build . I have used the 200 action for three of my "poorboy" customs: 220Swift, 257 Roberts ,and 250 Ackley. All three of these rifles are excellent shooters.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!!

[8uck5nort]

After some digging on the internet I found and interesting FAQ on Savage rifles specifically relating to swapping barrels.
http://www.switchbarrel.com/Savage%20FAQ.htm
Interesting read.

[LaOtto222]

I have used Stevens 200 also for a couple of custom builds. They shoot well and they are still available. I am going to post a few pictures of 2 different 200s that I have worked on. There are other options out there, just be careful about action length and shank size. Also match up the body/head size to keep problems down. i.e. stay with the 308 family for Short action, 30-06 family for long action and 223 for the 222 family. Savage Axis does not lend itself very well to customization. Stocks are hard to get and the recoil lug is not attached to any thing, it fits into a slot in the bottom of the action, between the barrel and action. The magazine can be picky about feeding, too.







These were shot at 200 yards, both were "cheap" Stevens 200 actions.

Good Luck and Good Shooting   

[8uck5nort]

LaOtto was that from the GBO shoot? I think I have seen at least one of them in person.

[LaOtto222]

Yes both of them shot over in OHIO and you saw them. They were shot at a true 200 yards with the guns as shown. I can shoot at 200 yards at my place, but I have to drag a heavy target stand out another 100 yards in the field, so I do just about all my shooting at 50 or 100 yards at home.

Good Shooting and Good Luck

[superd]

Most WSM and Ultra mags have a different thread pattern on the barrel that is detected by a step in the barrel in front of the barrel nut. Otherwise any model would work. I have done a few and found with a little of the right knowledge making an accurate rifle is not unobtainable by someone with an ability to use a wrench. Bought all my donors off the used rack at local shops. Just had to watch to make sure I was buying long action guns for long action calibers. Used short action 10 and 11 on all my short cartridges

[fullup3]

I have built quite a few rifles on Savage actions and here is what I would look for.   The newer models of 10/11 or 110/111 are the easiest to find accessories for.   Savage has changed the bolt pattern a couple of times on the short actions.  The newer ones made in the last several years are 4.4" spacing and are called "centerfeed" actions.  These are the easiest to work with if you plan on building your rifle with Detachable bottom magazine.   The older centerfeed models are 4.27" spacing and are called "staggered fee".  There are still some aftermarked options to allow a DBM rifle on these actions, but they are rather expesnive and limited.    The long actions should all have the same screw spacing.     Due to the floating bolt head, barrel nut, accutrigger, etc,  Savage makes a great platform to easily build a very accurate custom rifle out of.  Plus, there are many very good barrel manufacturers making prefit barrels that you can install easily.    The stock choices are not quite as robust as for the Remingtons, but there are quite a few option available from budget up to expensive.  You can visit savageshooters.com and they have all the info you could ever imagine for a Savage.  Good luck.