Re: NEW MEMBER W/ NEW RIFLE
Weclome to the "Brotherhood of the Barrel Nut". Sounds like you have a plan. There are a number of companies that have good replacement stocks. If you consider going tactical, take a look at the Duramaxx on Brownell's web site it's cut for a heavy barrel and is already pillar bedded so all you'd have to do is glass the action. If you decide to replace the factory trigger, a number of aftermarket ones exist that would work well. I use the Rifle Basix and like it for the reasonable price and it is crisp and light for my applications. Sharp Shooter Supply (a site sponsor) has a great trigger and Timney also makes one for the Savage. Try the factory barrel before you decide to replace it. Many are good shooters. You could always fire lap the barrel to smooth it up.
Re: NEW MEMBER W/ NEW RIFLE
well i gotta lay some lead down range 1st. i think a new stock will be my 1st purchase. depending on accuracy ill decide on a barrel or trigger next. but i caint say anything till i shoot it. any body know what the MIN. length for a 7mm mag would be, cut and recrown on the factory barrel would be a cool project if its not a shooter.
Re: NEW MEMBER W/ NEW RIFLE
I built a 280 A.I. couple years and put it in a B&C Duramax. Shoots great and it is a pleasure to shoot. Also have a B&C Medalist (alum bedding block) for another project. Got both from Shooters Discount at good prices. The medalist may be what you are looking for. Definately shoot it first, you may be surprised. Barrel length may be a compromise depending on your particular needs and wishes for the gun. Remember set this up for your particular needs.
good luck
Re: NEW MEMBER W/ NEW RIFLE
Don't be in a big rush to replace anything. I bought a 110 heavy barrel tactical in 300 Win mag in that cheap Tupperware stock. After a little load development it shot 3/8" 5 shot groups at 100 yards and 4" 5 shot groups at 600 yards. Shoot it for a couple hundred rounds and see what you really have and there is plenty of time to throw money in it.
Re: NEW MEMBER W/ NEW RIFLE
+1, shoot it first. If you do decide to replace the barrel, I would go with at least 26" heavy tube. Factory Savage sporters are 24". My 7 mag is the factory sporter in the tupperware stock. Recoil was punishing to say the least even with 145gr handloads. I tried a walnut stock with better recoil pad and the recoil was still uncomfortable so I took a good look at the factory stock and decided to modify it. I first removed the expanded foam in the butt stock and filled that with sand. I then filled the voids in the forearm three forths full of sand and then glassed over that to seal it in. The stock is now heavy enough to fire multiple loads comfortably and the forearm is nicely stiffened.