New to Savage bolt action rifles and have a few questions

[papabearxx]

I have been shooting rifles for over 30 years. In that time I have only owned one Savage. A model 99 250-3000. This was my first deer rifle when I was 12. Recently I have been thinking about building a long range hunting rifle. While doing my research I have seen that there a lot of people going with Savage actions for this purpose. Today I was looking around in a local pawn shop and found a Savage model 111 FCNS in .300 win mag for $300. Well after a little haggling I walked out of there with it for $250. I felt that this was a great deal. This is an older model without the accu trigger. Once I got home I realized I really don't know any about Savage rifles. So I could use some help. I have been looking at new triggers, stocks, and barrels. I have a couple of questions. First, when looking at stocks it asks if it center feed or non center feed. My rifle is a blind mag that feeds from the center but staggers each round once loaded. I assume this is the non center feed? Am I right on this? Also I have seen that there are a couple companies that have prefit barrels for these rifles. pac-nor, Shilen, and McGowen. Which one is the better bet. And then triggers. I have used Timney triggers with OK sucess over the last few years on Winchesters. Like I said just OK. I also see that Rifle Basix makes a drop in trigger for this rifle. And a little cheaper. What are you using for your Savages? Any help with this build would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[bootsmcguire]

Rifle Basix is a good trigger that many members here really like. The SSS triggers are also quite popular.

As to Identifying your magazine give this article a read and that should help you identify which one you have.
http://www.savageshooters.com/content.php?269-How-To-Remove-Your-Blind-Mag-Body-and-Follower-(SF-and-CF)

I would read through most of the articles on this site on the Home page and that will tell you a fair amount of what you want/need to know about Savages.

As for barrels, Shilen, Pac-Nor, ER Shaw, McGowen, and CBI (Criterion) all come to mind. I have had all but the Shilen and all have treated me well. For the money I like the CBI barrels.

[papabearxx]

Thank you very much for the response. This answers my questions. I am looking forward to this build.

[jhelmuth]

Papabearxx.... you may need to become a paid member here to access the articles. But - you can easily tell a CF from a SF by noticing where the mag is attached (or not). If it's attached to the action, you have a SF model.

Also.... hole spacing on the action is 4.40" CTC from the front to the rear action screw holes (and 4.27" on the SF models)...

[papabearxx]

OK so I took the stock off the rifle and found that the magazine is attached to the action. So it is a stagger feed. This makes looking for a stock a lot easier. I ordered a rifle basix trigger. Now just have to decide on what barrel to order. Well, then glass. But one piece at a time. Thanks for all the help.

[bootsmcguire]

Remember you have a 300WM so the screw spacing is 5.062" because its a Long action. the 4.27" and 4.40" spacings jhelmuth speaks of are for Short actions.

If you can't read the articles here is a thread on it as well.
http://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?30484-How-To-Remove-Your-Blind-Mag-Body-and-Follower-(SF-and-CF)

[papabearxx]

Thank you. That is good to know. I will keep that in mind with my search of stocks. I was under the impression that there was a large aftermarket parts selection for Savage. I have to say that I must be looking in the wrong places. Stocks especially are very limited for this rifle. Anyone has any good leads on quality stocks please let me know. I know manners has some but it kills me to spend 500+ on a stock. Maybe I am being cheap again.

[bootsmcguire]

Depends on what types of stocks you are looking for. Check out Boyds and Stockys.

Boyds has some nice laminates available for the LA-SF that you have. I have been thinking about one of their Thumbhole Varminters or a Tacticool for one of my rifles.

[jonbearman]

You can check out stockade stocks,his price is fair and I have had a real good relationship with fast shipping if it is in stock etc.SSS stocks are sweet but take a long time to get as Fred is busy as heck.