Here I Go

[sbarcewski]

Awhile back I asked about a LA Savage I found in a LGS. That ended up not being the rifle for my project because I found this at the same shop a week later.



A Stevens 200 in 300WM.
Action and Blot both look good and an out the door price of $299 was even better. The scope is a BSA which will go in the ever expanding parts bin for friends and the stock will have a similar fate.

I plan to build this up as a LR Shooter so stayed tuned.

Here are my thoughts on the project:

New barrel (heavier contour & and need in put on length and twist)
Bolt work & Recoil Lug (fluting and handle from SSS)
Choate Stock (found a deal on one for less than $200 so I snatched it up)
Bottom Metal & Inletting by CDI
Cerakote Action & Barrel (Not sure on Color or Camo yet)
Optics (Millet/Mueller or Weaver right now. I know I can spend more, but I have been really happy with these two brands for years)
1 Piece 2MOA Weaver Base (Found it today for $29 local)
Harris Bi-Bod
Sling
Rear Bag
Hard Case
Drag Bag/Mat

Cost To Date - $528 (rounded to nearest dollar)


Here are some more before pictures







Stay Tuned

[JCalhoun]

What will the new barrel be chambered in?

[airdale]

No after market trigger? The rest sounds like a solid build. You'll really be happy after Fred returns your action... buttery smooth and bling too.

Keep us up to date.

[sbarcewski]

I had given serious thought to a trigger, but it seems that the factory one breaks clean and does not have a bad pull. Odd I know but something I want to shoot once I get it built up and then change if I want/need to. It should be fine to change it as the last thing, right?
I was going to stick with 300WM for the caliber. I know there are lots of better BC calibers out there, but I have experience with the 300 and a boatload of tech support both for shooting and the caliber from some guys at work who have lugged the 300 in some not so friendly places. If I don't like the caliber I can always build another! :)

[Maztech89]

If you are having a time and true done by SSS, I think, am NOT positive, but think you need to stick with that trigger that was there for the T&T or you will lose the benefit of it. Somebody will come along here and let you (us) know for sure.

[dnsmith]

I had a muzzle brake installed on my 110 in .300 mag, otherwise, looks like good plans to me. I can't imagine it would be comfortable to touch off that sporter in stock form, especially with the eye relief on that BSA scope ...

[sbarcewski]

So after reading responses to date, I have a question. I have never had a rifle/action & barrel timed/trued.
With the threaded set-up of the Savage/Stevens platform, what does this do and how does it do it for accuracy. I get how a beefier and squared up recoil lug interacts with the stock better. Does a T&T just carry that principle to the action? Thanks for the input.
I really can't believe someone would want to shoot a 300WM in that tupperware stock. It would be brutal I imagine.

[stangfish]

In the Faq section you will find this article that tells you what a timing and true job does.
http://www.savageshooters.com/conten...uing-Explained

[sbarcewski]

Update:
Ordered and received a Choate stock for a deal @ $199. It has since been reshipped to CDI for in-letting and I received an update today that it is in the mail back to me!
Found a Black Hawk Bi-pod on clearance for $40 locally so picked it up and tried it out on a .308. So far I like it and will move it over to the .300 when needed.
Ordered a Bushnell Elite Tactical 6-24x50 Mil-Dot SFP.
Ordered a McGowen 26" 1:10" barrel from Gun Shack today.

Cost to date (Rounded to Nearest $):
Donor Rifle: $299
Weaver 20 MOA Base: $29
Choate Stock: $214 (includes Shipping)
Stock Inletting: $269
Bi-Pod: $40
Optics: $650
Barrel: $289
Total: $1,790

Pictures of items when they arrive.

[03mossy]

Its going to be a heck of a rifle when its done!!!!!

[sbarcewski]

Update:

The man in the big brown truck was very good to me the least couple of days and I'm getting ready to start really working on this thing. Here are some pics:


All the old girl taken apart.


Action Wrench and Barre Nut Wrench. These two items took my action and barrel apart in about 30 seconds once I got the barrel into the vise!!


New Stock back from CDI and already got some work done to it. I did not like the "Cups" that are in the Choate and will install QD cups


McGowen 26" 1:10 barrel




Bushnell Glass


Black Hawk Bi-Pod


Pretty Much all of the "New" parts ready to get going. Still waiting for the new Barrel Nut and Recoil Lug (should be here tomorrow!) And I need rings for the optic.

I couldn't wait and mock it up for the post. I will be using different rings as stated above.


Cost To Date (Rounded to nearest $):

Donor Rifle: $299
Weaver 20MOA Base: $29
Stock: $214
Inleting & Bottom Metal: $269
Bi-Pod: $40
Optics: $650
Barrel: $289
Tools: $139
Recoil Lug: $25
Barrel Nut: $14
Total $1,968

Picking up the correct media on Sat and will begin serious work next week when I get off of work. Stayed tuned.

Scott
.

[SlimySquirrel]

Looking good Scott!

I'm interested in your "Cups" that you are going to install. When you say "Quick Release" , As in the push button ones?

I reckon some QR Warne Low rings will work for your scope as well...

[sbarcewski]

Yeah the push button QD Cups. Probably going with the ones in the link below.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/960...polymer-stocks

[jonbearman]

How heavy is the choate stock? You build looks very nice and I personally cant wait till we see how good the mcgowen shoots for you. I have a new ss .308 heavy barrel just sitting and waiting for me to get off my couch and change it out for next season.

[sbarcewski]

According to the literature 6.2lbs. I have not weighed it, but I am planning on filing in the grip and butt-stock for extra weight and a little bit more of a "Solid" feel. It is not bad with those two areas hollow, I just feel better about it.

[sbarcewski]

Picked up the media a while ago, and after things have settled down around here (floods and what not) Got going this AM. I picked up a muzzle brake from Nathan at Muzzle Brakes and More so added a little more to the price tag but I am in the might as well phase.

After tracking down some 120 media for blasting and cleaning, this is what the parts look like after a trip through the cabinet.


Business end threaded and ready


Action


Bottom Metal and Misc parts (Lug is not in the Picture)

While I was blasting I threw in My project 1911 Slide & Frame as well as a "test" AK mag for yet another project.




Cleaning and Cerakoting starts tomorrow AM. Going with MagPul FDE.
Pics won't be up until this weekend though (I gotta get back to work on Thursday)

[03mossy]

Thanks for the update. I just finished my 270wsm in Magpul FDE (duracoat). I think you will like the color.

[sbarcewski]

Guys & Gals,
It has been far to long since I updated my build (funny how Life, Work, Kids, Wife seem to take away my "Free" time) so here is the latest update with a question thrown in as well. (Mods if this is now in the wrong place please forgive and I will move it.)

Pictures awaiting upload tonight, but all things are Cerakoted (Magpul FDE) and test run of assembly went well. Working on my texture of the stock today and will get that done as well as the first coat of paint on the stock this weekend.

Here is my question: Please tell me if I am missing a step (I really don't want a bomb to go off next to my head when I range test her)

Do I have the steps right for barrel/action assembly and head-spacing:

1-Barrel nut fully threaded onto barrel
2-Recoil Lug on barrel
3-Barrel Nut Wrench on barrel
4-Barrle into Barrel Vise
5-Anti Seize the Barrel Threads
6-Action Threaded part way onto Barrel
7-Action Wrench onto the action
8-Bolt into Action
9-Headspae Go Gauge into action and close bolt
10-Screw barrel down to contact the "Go" Gauge (until the barrel stops)
11-Check positioning of Recoil Lug for engagement
12-Work bolt several times. The bottom of the bolt throw should feel "tight" at no other time should the throw feel "tight" or "stiff". This is minimum head-space
13-Hand tighten barrel nut then engage the barrel nut wrench and tighten with wrench.
14-Recheck head-space with bot throw as above
15-Remove "Go" gauge and place "No Go" gauge in chamber
16-Try to work action GENTLY! and the bolt should not close on the "No Go" gauge.
17-Engage barrel nut wrench and torque wrench then torque barrel nut to spec 40 foot lbs?
18-Recheck head space with both "Go" & "No Go" gauges
19- Go shoot!

Thanks

I'll get pics put up tonight

Scott

[sbarcewski]

It took awhile, but here are the pics of the components Cerakoted.


Barreled Action


Bottom Metal



Close Up Of the Action



Stock is drying and will have pics soon.

[eddiesindian]

A little FYI on that Choate stock. Keep on eye on the frt adjustable bipod lug. It wants to works itself loose and move forward after youve sent a couple of rds. Happens more-so if you finger tighten the bipod as opposed to using a screw driver or allen wrench.
Dont forget to use a good quality paint promoter to apply on the stock before you paint the plastic.
So far its looking good........congrates.....

[eddiesindian]

I really like the color scheme....desert tan?

[sbarcewski]

I dimpled the rail to "Set" the locking screws into. I also went with different adapters (Harrris #4's) if memory serves. I id wonder about them "moving" when I took everything apart. The color is Magpul FDE and the stock will be a shade or two lighter with a black spider web.
Order a few misc part today and I should finish the stock by the end of the week.

[Chrazy-Chris]

I'm really liking this thread... keep it up bro! Can't wait to see the final results!!! I'd like to have your refinishing skills and equipment. That turned out looking great- I can't wait to see how it looks in the stock when you get done with that piece!

P.S. I have the Bushnell Elite fixed 10x on my 18" heavy barrel AR build and it is the most solid scope I have ever used. I think you'll be happy with your Bushnell. It looks like the turrets are the same if not very similar.

[sbarcewski]

There are plenty of "High End" scopes that are an absolute joy to look/shoot through. I'm not laying my life or someone else's on the line at when I shoot so I really can't justify the $2,000.00 plus for one of those. And to be honest I think the Bushnell is a quality scope that gets the job done just as well. The refinishing takes some time and patience and %90 is the the prep, but my wife HATES it when I oven cure parts in the kitchen!!!!

Pictures of the stock are forthcoming.

Anyone have input on the head-spacing steps I outlined earlier in the thread?

[foxx]

I think you have the steps to installing and head spacing the barrel down pat.