Barrel change from .308 to 338 Lapua

[tracker366]

I know changing the barrel is not that hard but what all will be involved in changing my model 12bvss to a Lapua 338 magnum, if it is possible. Thanks in advance.

[WinnieTheBoom]

You can't do it. 1) your 12bvss is a short action 2) your 12 bvss is a small shank and 3) the .338 Lapua can't/shouldn't be shoehorned into any action - the 110 Lapua action is heat treated differently to withstand the higher pressures of that cartridge. This conversion that you're talking about would be extremely dangerous.

I cannot stress this enough. Please do NOT attempt to do this.

[tracker366]

Thank you. I should have realized that.

[darkker]

I have no idea if there is actually any heat treatment difference, but the long Vs. Short advice is spot on. Not sure you could single feed the empty brass through a short action....

[WinnieTheBoom]

I have no idea if there is actually any heat treatment difference, but the long Vs. Short advice is spot on. Not sure you could single feed the empty brass through a short action....

It's somewhat a topic of debate as the physical dimensions of the 'standard' 110 action and the Lapua 110 action are virtually the same (diameter, length, bolt interchangeability, etc.). However, the receiver was heat treated differently for the .338 Lapua to be able to handle the higher pressures that come with that size cartridge. Furthermore, standard 110 actions are actually small shank, except for the BA models (even the .300 win mag) in order to keep tooling costs down when producing the 110 BAs. So large shank actions were only available in WSM, BA, and/or .338 Lapua factory Savage rifles.

[geargrinder]

So large shank actions were only available in WSM, BA, and/or .338 Lapua factory Savage rifles.



Don't forget the 375 Ruger actions. Long action large shank.

Physically, it can be done and some have done it successfully. As stated above, it is not a good idea and takes the action beyond what it is safely designed to handle.

[tracker366]

Thank you all for the info guys. I'll have to figure out if I will just sell it to my buddy or maybe keep it .