what's with the shanks?

[devildogandboy]

i have been browsing this site for some time considering building my 1st rifle the way i would like it. well, i keep seeing terms like small and large shank referring to barrels and i wonder if this has anything to do with s/a or l/a or is it the thickness of the threaded portion of the barrel where it meets the receiver.
can somebody help here? any input would be appreciated!
thanks in advance.

[cruiser49]

Not being really familiar with all Savage rifles except the ones I own, I'll tell you what I know. Savage makes two barrel shank dimensions (the threaded part joining the action and barrel); a 1.050" standard or small shank, and a 1.112" large shank according to info I found on the Shilen site. The large diameter is generally found in the target and LRPV models.

[82boy]

Look no further than the FAQs section.
http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php/topic,513.0.html