F Pre Fix 110 in 243

[JoeBrook]

Hi all. I have the opportunity to pick up an F prefix 110, made about 1990, chambered in 243 for a good price. The reason for the good price is it is missing the bolt.

Savage doesn't have any NOS bolts for the rifle but the deal is too good to pass up almost.

I am having problems finding a replacement bolt and not even sure which one I would need. Would a standard long action carrier fit with the right head? Does anyone sell complete assemblies? Where can I find just these parts?

I am new here still and using the mobile platform but I will try to get some photos that I was able to grab up.

Thanks for the help

[JoeBrook]

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj522/joseph_allen3/IMG_0696_zpsg3rmvktf.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/joseph_allen3/media/IMG_0696_zpsg3rmvktf.jpg.html)

[JoeBrook]

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj522/joseph_allen3/IMG_0697_zpssskz1ren.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/joseph_allen3/media/IMG_0697_zpssskz1ren.jpg.html)

[hereinaz]

Any long action bolt with a bolt head for .243, .308, 30-06, etc will fit. There is a post that has all the compatible list.

But you MUST headspace the bolt to the barrel. It is just like a barrel chang.

[JoeBrook]

Thanks for the reply! I tried to search the forum before posting but couldn't find my question or a similar one.

With that said does it have to be a long action of the same generation or is it any long action? As I am new to savage is setting head spacing relatively easy?

I am in southern AZ, btw.

[hereinaz]

Yeah, AZ!

You have a 110 flat back. Meaning, the back of the action where the scope mount is flat.

Pretty much all long actions are interchangeable, except the old ones with the ejector in the action. As long as the bold head has the ejector in the bolt head you should be good.

Because you have a flat back, the flat back baffle and handle will look best. The baffle is flat and the bolt handle is flattened there.

[hereinaz]

Check out these FAQ

http://www.savageshooters.com/content.php?123-savage-faq-s

[hereinaz]

Look on youtube for how to swap a barrel and headspace a savage.

Basically, you will need a go gauge and no go gauge to see if the barrel needs to be threaded in or out to get in the right headspace. You could get lucky, and the bolt is headspaced right.

If you make it to Chandler, I can help you with it.

[JoeBrook]

Thank you. Makes the decision to buy much easier.

[hereinaz]

The bolt will be about $125 to $150. Maybe a little less.

I personally would not pay more than $275 for a whole gun (when it is a short action cartridge in a long action) in that configuration, even with a bolt. You can watch and get an old short action .243 off gunbroker for $300 or less. I have gotten savages for $300 and less out the door at pawn shops. I would say max 125 or absolutely no more than 150 for the gun without the bolt. Look at ebay to see the going prices for a used bolt. Whoever has it now should discount it for the gunsmith fees to confirm headspace.

However, it does have the awesome Savage three screw trigger! It is as good as a $100 Timney, and as good or better than the accutrigger.

The main reason I would look past it, is because it was originally a .243 which is a short action cartridge in a long action. Looking at the mag, it looks like you can only run short action if you chose to get a new barrel. So, you likely could not rebarrel it into a long action 30-06, without machining or dremeling out a lot of steel from the bottom of the action so that a long action bullet would feed.

[hereinaz]

But, it is certainly a great way to get into Savages. If you do it, there is a good chance it won't be your last.

[CriterionBarrels]

If you're interested in sourcing bolts for your Savage, you could give Pacific Tool & Gauge a shot.

Components can be found here:

http://pacifictoolandgauge.com/search?controller=search&orderby=position&orderway=desc&search_query=savage+bolt&submit_search=

[JoeBrook]

I don't have a need for a 243 but because it is a nice small caliber I figured it would be good for my wife and kids plus I like guns.

The price is very much right for it. I don't want to talk about the price until the gun is actually in my hands. Don't want to jinx the deal.

You brought up up a good point about the mag though. Could this be converted by the DIY gunsmith to accept DBM?

I have become a not so great DIY gunsmith over the years and I enjoy taking old guns and making them work again. Especially because the price is usually right and I don't care how long I have to wait to source parts or how much time I have to put into them.

[rosewood]

Since u will have to get a bolt and headspace it, I don't think I would give more than $75- $100 for it. Unless u already had the tools for headspacing, maybe a bit more then.

[hereinaz]

DIY gunsmith could machine/dremel the port longer on the bottom of the action to open it for a DBM.

[JoeBrook]

I will definitely talk to them about fees for setting the head space.

I really appreciate all of the feed back. I have seen long actual bolts on EBay. I am guessing all I would have to do is swap out for the smaller bolt head and everything should function, correct?

i really can't stress how much I appreciate the feed back. Thank you all.

[hereinaz]

Look in the FAQ for bolt head size compatibility.

Anything from 22-250 to 30-06 is going to use the same bolt...