What to look for?

[longcruise]

This is my first post here and just wanted to mention first off that this is a very informative and well managed forum.  It has been a pleasure reading over the past few days.

So, the question(s).  

I want to put together a savage build.  My first thoughts were to get one long action and barrels in 338 Fed, 7-08 and .35 Whelen.  Now, I'm getting away from the idea of a single switch barrel action and thinking three separate rifles.  That way If a hunt could employ both a 7-08 and a .35 Whelen there would be no messing around with barrel swaps in camp, etc.

Originally Considered simply purchasing a Stevens 200 as the base action, rebarreling, restock, polish and blue etc.  That could still be an option but since I live in a large metro area, there are frequent opportunites to prowl the gun shows looking for older Savage rifles that would be prospects for my project(s).

So, are their any models or vintages to avoid for any reason.  If you were doing this project, what would you not buy?

[dolomite_supafly]

Rather than prowl the gun shows, prowl the pawn shops. I passed on a left handed 25-06 last month for $239. I should have bought it but figured I would find a lefty short action pretty easy, no luck so far.

I would also pay the membership here and check out the classifieds. There was a rebarreled 200 for cheap recently. It sold for $375 I think and had a fluted 308 barrel, bipod and scope. There are deals here on this board but there are deals in pawnshops also. I would avoid gun shows as most times they are overpriced, even the individuals.

Also, parts are abundant in the classifieds here. There are NEW brand name barrels for sale right now. No wait like if you were ordering them.

Dolomite

[Eric in NC]

You would want to stay away from the VERY early 110s as they had a different bolt face/breech set up and aren't simple barrel swaps.  There are also "short action" 110s (110s not 10s - chambered in 243, 308 etc.) that have the same action length and bolt but don't have as long a mag well cut out - so you can't load long action rounds in the mag if you swap to at 35 Whelen etc.

[82boy]

Welcome to the site.

For the most part the savage action has gone through many years unchanged.  As mentioned earlier the early guns 58-through the 60's  used a different bolt head design, and barrel chamber. Most times they can be identified buy a large bump in the barrel about 2 to 3 inches past the barrel nut.

Also as mentioned there are the first generation short actions (some call them "J" actions) that use a long action but have a cut out for a short magazine, and use a different bolt spacing. The only problem with this is the different bolt spacing but if you going to use a aftermarket stock from SSS (Sharp Shooter Supply) they can set you up with the proper inletting.

When looking at guns take along a set of calipers, and measure the bolt spacing from the front action screw to the rear action screw. ( Don't pay attention to the trigger guard screw.) A long action (Regardless of magazine design.) will measure 5.062. A 1st gen short action will measure 4.522. A second gen short action (staggered feed and has a two digit number IE 10,11,12,16) will have a measurement of 4.275. The newest action or 3rd gen gun (center feed magazine 2006 on) will measure at  4.400.

Depending on what your plans are you may want to avoid the third generation short actions do to the lake of aftermarket stocks available. Most stocks are for the 2nd gen, but there is more and more coming out for the thirds, but it is slow.

One last action to avoid is the cast actions. The have the scope bases cased into the receiver.

Other than that you good to go, an older savage is a good way to go. I have found several older 110 for around 200 bucks, and it is cheaper than buying an action.  You may want to talk to Jim Briggs (Northland) he carriers a large section of new actions, barrels and stocks.

Good luck, and as mentioned a paid membership would also help you to find good deals in the classified section.

[longcruise]

Thanks, all good tips and info.

I realize that the gun shows can be difficult.  I have made a few good buys there but only about one good buy for every 200 goodbyes!

There's a show in town this weekend so it should be worth a look.  I checked out Northland and that may be the way to go.