New to Savage 110 Rifles, need some info

[JimFromTN]

I have the opportunity to get an older model Savage 110 30/06 for a good price.  I was really wanting a 308.  How difficult is it to convert a Savage 110 30/06 to a 308 considering the 308 is a short action and the 30/06 is a long action?  I was doing a little research on Savage drop in barrels and I came across a site where a guy said he bought a Shilen barrel for his Savage 110 but it would not work because his rifle was built back in the 1960's.  Is this true?  If so, where would one get a barrel for the older model 110's or are they not a drop in at that point and require a gunsmith to thread and install a barrel?  And lastly, what years model 110 do the current drop in barrels work with?

Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

[4given]

I'll bet it would be cheaper to just buy a 308 if that is what you really want.  Plus you would have the short action.  A Stevens 200 is pretty much the same rifle as the old mod 10 and mod 110 I am told.  I picked up my 200 short action in .243 for just a little over $200. If you don't like the synthetic stock any wood stock that fits the Savage 10 will fit.

[trotterlg]

My thoughts are like this:  There may be no difference in teh action length between your 30-06 and the 308, early years they only made one length.  Early on the barrel breach was recessed like a Remington is today, then they went to a flat breach, it is easy to tell which you have by looking.  The bolt head fits into the recess on the ones with recessed breaches, so the locking lugs are back from the bolt face about a quarter inch or so.  Not really too big of a problem, but it does take a little work on the barrel to make it fit the older guns.  The barrel nut and threads are the same on old or new unless it a newer target action or one of the Magnums, then the barrel threads are larger, but this is not very common and will not apply to your gun, only to new barrels or barrels taken off newer guns.  Good luck, Larry

[JimFromTN]

I emailed the guys at sharp shooter supply about it and they said it would be no problem to swap out a 30/06 barrel with a 308 and the bolt face would not need to be changed.  I responded back asking them about feeding the shell properly.  They have not gotten back to me.

[Redcap]

Jim,

[Redcap]

Jim, I have two 30/06 Savages converted to shorter cartridges.  One is a .260 and the other is a .243.  One has a clip and the other is a box magizine.   I have had no feeding problems with either one.   

[digs68]

My thoughts are like this:  There may be no difference in teh action length between your 30-06 and the 308, early years they only made one length.  Early on the barrel breach was recessed like a Remington is today, then they went to a flat breach, it is easy to tell which you have by looking.  The bolt head fits into the recess on the ones with recessed breaches, so the locking lugs are back from the bolt face about a quarter inch or so.  Not really too big of a problem, but it does take a little work on the barrel to make it fit the older guns.  The barrel nut and threads are the same on old or new unless it a newer target action or one of the Magnums, then the barrel threads are larger, but this is not very common and will not apply to your gun, only to new barrels or barrels taken off newer guns.  Good luck, Larry

This is not true, as I have found out the hard way. See my recent "Savage 110E Stock Question" thread.

[the jigger]

Unless you have some kind of sentimental attachment to this rifle you will be better off to buy a Stevens 200 in 308.
By the time you buy a barrel and pay the smith for his time you will have spent more than the cost of the new rifle.
Another consideration is the availability of aftermarket parts for the 200. you've already experienced the stock problem.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

[JimFromTN]

I don't think I will have the stock problem seeing as mine is a 30/06 which is a long action.  I may have gone overboard.  I ordered a 26 inch McGowen barrel in 308 with a heavy varmint contour for $225 plus shipping.  As soon as I get it, I am sending it to Sharp Shooter supply to have them install it as well as time and true the action along with adding one of their recoil lugs.  That should be somewhere around $200.  Then I plan to order a rifle basix trigger for about another $100.  As for the stock, I want to order the money saver prairie dog stock from stockade and finish it myself.  Thats another $250.  So by the time it is all said and done, I will have somewhere around $1100 in the gun without any optics.  I realize I could have bought myself a really nice varmint or tactical rifle in 308 for this but the barrel and the stock would not be nearly as good and the action would not be as tight.  I am also doing it as I get the money so I don't have to throw down $1000 up front.  I should end up with a 1000 yd shooter.  I know I couldn't hit anything at 1000 yds but at least I'd know somebody could.