Savage Magazines 101 ???

[HighRez]

Hello All. I'm new to Savage, the Forum and about to embark on my first build. I've been doing a lot of reading and research trying to piece together info over the last few weeks, but still am unclear on the various Savage magazines and their implications on a build. I looked at a used LA at a gun shop this morning as a possible donor. The magazine was contained entirely in the stock, no bottom opening or plate. Is this a staggered feed or center feed? Also, since I'd be shooting steel to 1000 yds. with my build (no hunting,) I have considered single shot. Do the target actions make provision for single shot with a feed plate of some sort that holds the round being fed into the chamber? A Savage magazine overview would be helpful but can't find one in a search.

One last thing .... Long Shank, Short Shank? What is this and what are the build considerations? Magazines 101 anyone? Thanks!

Bob

[snowgetter1]

I believe it is on the home page articles there is one covering different magazine types and parts. A centerfeed is the newer version and is easy to tell because the mag feeds directly in the center. I have had both and the newer centerfeeds give you more options and most parts are interchangable. They also seem more reliable.

[82boy]

Welcome to the site.
If you look in the FAQs section you will find most of your questions answered.
http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php/topic,3883.0.html

http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php/topic,513.0.html

http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php/topic,512.0.html

http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php/topic,11526.0.html

http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php/topic,10750.0.html

That should get you started. To answere a few others;
No the single shot guns do not have a cut out in the bottom of them. (Both target and standard action.)
Target actions only come in short actions, and large shank.
Both Staggered and center feed guns have a blind mag. ( A magazine consealed inside the stock.)

[stumpjumper400]

I gather form your post that you want a long action. Most savage nuts can tell just by looking at the gun if it's center or stagger. Another way is taking the stock off and if the mag box stays in the stock it's centerfeed. The other way is look at the feed lips as stated before. If you are going to single load then it doesn't matter the mag type. A SSS single shot ramp can be made to fit even on a stagger feed with some filing. To my knowledge, action screw spacing on the long action has never changed. If you are looking for a donor gun to use the action off of, the large or standard shank size doesn't matter either. You would just have to order a barrel that has the same. I think the rum actions were the only long action large shank type. I don't own one so I can't confirm.

The target actions are single shot only and have no cutout for a mag. No ramp needed. The only production target action with a mag is the blued LRP action.
Hope this helps

Steve

[stumpjumper400]

82 beat me to it.

[HighRez]

I gather form your post that you want a long action.


Actually I was wanting to do a short action. It's just that the gun I was looking at today was a LA. I'll be building a .284 Winchester. You mentioned shank size. I'm still not sure what is meant by shank size. And how does this relate to receiver/barrel fit? I'm sure the answer is in all the links you guys have provided, but just askin'. Thanks a lot for the help.

Bob

[stumpjumper400]

shank size is just that. There are 2 different size barrel diameters at the threads. The general hunting action is small or standard shank. All of the target actions and some of the WSM's are large shank and maybe the RUM's. I'm sure that the links 82 gave you would go into that. Centerfeed vs staggerfeed.......there used to be only a few makers that made stocks for the CF. Now that it's been out for a while, people like boyds are making them. If your aim is for bench type guns then the big names come to mind. If you want a detachable setup then you will pay more for the stock simply because of the maker. There are some that will inlet your stock for the factory dbm.

[HighRez]

Guys, thanks much for pointing me to all the "basic" info. This helps a lot. Looking forward to the build ... this will be fun (and potentially addictive.)

Bob