Savage 10 .223 to .243?

[Huntmac]

Hello all,

I figured I would join this site since I seem to have become a Savage fan...hard not to be! Well I have decided to start a custom gun and I have an older .223 Model 10 action. I was wondering if I would be able to convert this to be a .243 that would be able to shoot the longer bullets. The stagger fed magazine is too short for the .243. Is there anything that I can do about that? I would prefer to have a repeater rather than a single shot. Thanks for your help!

- HuntMac

[snowgetter1]

You can change the boltface out to get to the 243. May have to change the firing pin or alter new boltface to accomadate one or the other or it could just work right the first time. The magazine can be exchange for a 243/308 family one. It is possible and very addicting. Search the site for more specific explanations of all your questions.

[GaCop]

You can change the boltface out to get to the 243. May have to change the firing pin or alter new boltface to accomadate one or the other or it could just work right the first time. The magazine can be exchange for a 243/308 family one. It is possible and very addicting. Search the site for more specific explanations of all your questions.


+1 and welcome to the forum! The interior length of the mag box will dictate the maximum length you can seat bullets and still work through the mag. If you want to seat bullets farther out, you'd have to go to a long action.

[Jbpmidas]

I just made the conversion to .308 from .223. I want to shoot mag length though. I changed the bolt face. I still need to change the front baffle and magazine box. I think I can remove the spacer inside the box and only need a follower then.

First 3 shot group from my build was .219 at 100 yards. I've shot groups that are close to that before, but it is so much more gratifying to shoot that from a personal build!

[Huntmac]

Ok so my shopping list is a New boltface, magazine box, barrel, and stock. Where can I get a magazine box? I have tried sss but they don't have anything that will work with a staggered magazine. Could someone point me in the right direction? I'd really like to use this action instead of buying a long action. But if it isn't possible I will have to save some more. Again thanks for all of your responses and help!

[jglover_81]

Midway should have the magazine and follower

[Huntmac]

The only one I can find is for the .223. They don't have them for the .308 family. I checked Brownells also.

[Huntmac]

Never mind I found it! Now if I just bought a bolt head and a new baffle can I use the same extractor and firing pin?

[Jbpmidas]

I bought the pieces to keep 2 complete bolt faces. That will be easier to swap calibers later. If your bolt has the long baffle, you will need to modify it or replace it also.

[Huntmac]

Thanks for your help guys. I am going to order the parts tonight.

[Jbpmidas]

Any updates?

[Sammichman]

What have you done for a barrel ,,I just swithched from 243 to 223 so I have a Factory Barrel if your interested