My First build is done, except for stock

[bootsmcguire]

Have been a Savage fan for a few years now, but so far all I have is factory stock rifles. Been cruising the site here for a few months now, and of course I caught the fever! ;D So here a couple weeks ago I picked up my first donor gun. Its a new Stevens 200 LA, in 30-06 ($245). Now I have always been a fan of the 30-06 but I never liked the fact that a majority of them have pencil barrels and light stocks, which just let the caliber thump you around. So I decide to build the one I want.

I got off the phone with Jim from Northland a couple hours ago, and I must say he was the most helpful individual I have had the chance to talk with. He answered all my questions and was friendly and professional. I could have talked with him for longer, but after an hour and a half I figured I had taken up enough of his generosity with his time, and ended up with a new Savage Magnum Countour SS 30-06 barrel($125), barrel wrench ($25,with lifetime guarantee), new NSS recoil lug ($27), and NSS three screw trigger kit ($37.50) on the way. I would recommend Jim to anyone.

I've got a Swift 4-12x40 to go on for now, and the only thing left is to find a stock. I am doing this build on a budget so I may just work over the "Noodle" stock that comes on the Stevens' (like so many of you have posted threads about doing), but i would like to find another to get me by until more funding is available to get something nice. I may put in a SSS Single shot follower so I could put on an older LA stock, haven't decided.
I'll keep you all up to date on progress once all of my parts get here. Jim said it would be a couple weeks.

[BrentWin]

If you don't care for the "noodle" stock, I would pick up a Duramax stock. It will run you around $100 and you can sell your tupper ware stock for $25. It will have a varmint barrel channel, but I have a magnum taper barrel in one and it looks fine.

I fact, if your tupperware stock is one of the tan one's, I will give you $25 for it now.

[cowboyarcher]

I think he's got a centerfeed, but it could be made to would in a staggeredfeed stock. . .

[BrentWin]

Good call Cowboy, I only have stagger feeds so that is all I think of.

Thanks for the correction

[bootsmcguire]

It is a Centerfeed, and no its not tan, I wish it were. With a little work it wouldn't be a bad stock, but right outta the box it was touching the barrel in a couple places. With only a $25 estimated value it might be worth my effort to try and stiffen it up and work it over. I dunno, cross that bridge when i get there.

[Crankfire Systems]

If you don't care for the "noodle" stock, I would pick up a Duramax stock. It will run you around $100 and you can sell your tupper ware stock for $25. It will have a varmint barrel channel, but I have a magnum taper barrel in one and it looks fine.

I fact, if your tupperware stock is one of the tan one's, I will give you $25 for it now.

If you want a tan stevens long action centerfeed stock, I have one from the Academy sale guns .270 that I would be happy to send you for whatever the shipping is. LMK

Thanks,
Emory Jones

[scottkr]

PM Sent.

[BrentWin]

pm sent

[bootsmcguire]

Got all of my parts today and couldn't wait, had to go ahead and install what I had. Removed the stock sporter barrel (never even fired it), and the stock recoil lug, and replaced with a new 22" SS 30-06 Savage barrel Magnum Countour and a NSS recoil lug. I must say the barrel swap went a lot smoother than I thought it would. It's kind funny, the new barrel was about as heavy as the old barrel and action together. The new lug from Northland was a lot thicker and very well machined. I had to open up the barrel channel quite a bit for the bigger profile, but it turned out pretty good. Went ahead and screwed on a recoil pad off a new 10FP takeoff stock I got from a buddy, to replace the hard Stevens pad. After all that I went ahead and installed the new NSS trigger. Made a heck of a difference. After I got it all adjusted I must say it was a nice crisp trigger, with no creep, and was quite a bit lighter than the stock Stevens Unit.

I just want to say thanks again to Jim at Northland Shooting Supplies, and all of the members here whose posts and answers to my questions have helped get me this far.

I still wanna upgrade the stock and eventually upgrade the optics but first things first. I'll try to get some pics up soon and get to the range for a range report (once the rain stops around here). I'm thinking I am going to load up some 180gr Sierra SBT Gamekings over some RL19 to get started. I'm already starting to think about my next build, and I haven't even fired this one. The Barrel Nut addiction is set in. ;D

[L.H. Clark]

boots, I have always been a fan of the .30-06 to. I just love the versatility of the round and the inherent accuracy of the .30 caliber projectile. Sounds like a GREAT first build, there is only one thing wrong with this whole thread that I can see...........PICTURES, MAN, PICTURES!!!! I know, seen one and seen them all right? WRONG, if that were the case, pornography wouldn't be a billion dollar industry! ;D I'm NOT a fan of porno, just Savage rifles! ::) So...........lets see the pretty lady?!

[bootsmcguire]

Clark, all good things come to those who wait ;D . I am not much of a photographer, but the ol' lady is one heck of a self taught photographer and has even started doing a little on the side. Normally I woulda talked her into it by now, but her brothers wife is in Hospital so she has been visiting her a lot and she just hasn't had time to do it. I may try myself just to get some on here just to feed the need, cuz I know pics make the "build post".

I got lucky and made it to the range for an hour between storms, got her on the paper with some loads I had made for a buddy and he didn't like. Haven't made any for this gun specifically yet ( probably tonite). Burnt up those and some factory loads I bought a couple years back. Broke the barrel in cleaning after every shot for 10, and then every 3 for ten. Was disappointed at first, made a group of three about 1 inch and then it started throwing shots. Checked screws on mounts and action screws. All seemed good. It started making group about 4 in left of original Point Of Aim. Adjusted, 2 shots touching, then started throwing to right. Figured that the 110 Spitzers I was using up were jumping to the lands too far, said to myself "one more shot". Made the shot, and felt something bounce off of my right hand. Turns out the knurled nut for the cheapo rings (they were just to get me by) was stripped out and the last shot knocked it off. New rings is in order. I did get to see the decent 3 shot group, and with crap loads to boot, so I think the rifle can do it if I do my part, and the scope isn't bouncing left to right.

[bootsmcguire]

You wanted 'em..........you got 'em.

[img width=600 height=450]http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx111/bootsmcguire/IMG_5642.jpg[/img]

[img width=600 height=450]http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx111/bootsmcguire/IMG_5635.jpg[/img]

[img width=600 height=450]http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx111/bootsmcguire/IMG_5634.jpg[/img]

[img width=600 height=450]http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx111/bootsmcguire/IMG_5633.jpg[/img]

Here's a shot of my Savage Family............

[img width=600 height=450]http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx111/bootsmcguire/IMG_5645.jpg[/img]

Top to bottom:
Stevens 200 30-06 Custom
Savage 12FV 308 Win
Savage 12FV 22-250
Savage 10GNS 243 Win.
Savage 110 LA 223 Rem.
Savage 93FV 22 Win. Mag.
Savage 24V-A 222 Rem / 20ga. 3 inch
Savage Model 67 12 ga. Series E
Missing from photo - Savage MarkII 22LR

P.S.- I ahd to take these pictures, since the little woman was busy, thats why they aren't too good, sorry.

[bootsmcguire]

I know its nothing much compared to what you guys are all building on here, but it is a first step to many more I have a feeling.

[bootsmcguire]

Got on new mounts and bases, now she's rock solid. If it stops raining again, I am gonna get up to the range and stretch her legs, and she what she can actually do. I'll try and post some targets on here. Supposed to rain for the next couple days though .

[bootsmcguire]

Forgot to update this, I finally made it to the range with the '06. Loaded up some Sierra 180gr SBT Gamekings over some RL19. Burnt up the last of my old factory loads getting on paper. Got her dialed in pretty fair and my last 100yd 5 shot group put all 5 in less than 7/8 of an inch with the best three being covered with a dime. I may go ahead and play with the load a little. It started raining as I left the range and there wasn't much left of the target.

[GaCop]

Try some 165 grain bullets, they may surprise you in the accuracy department.

[ellobo]

Ditto on the 165's.

El Lobo

[bootsmcguire]

I'll give some a try. I started with the 180s 'cuz i had a couple hundred laying around. Only got like 70 or so left, so when they are gone I'll give some 165's a try. Are you guys find better luck with boattails or flat-backed bullets? Just FYI, I am wanting to stay with a hunting bullet as this gun's main purpose is a 100 - 200yd deer gun. I am also thinking about a Stocky's laminate thumbhole for this gun. Any thoughts?

[ellobo]

Thumbhole stocks done work for me, but I am built kinds funny anyway. I found that I cant get on target as quickly with them. Not a criticism of thumholes, just that they dont work for me, probably fine for you. And as GaCop says, try those 165/168 gr. bullets, Nosler for good hunting bullets. MOA for a 2-300 yd deer rifle is more than adequate and better than a lot of very expensive rifles can give you. Looking at the Nosler customs for big money and they arnt as accurate as most Savage/Stevens rifles. Keep us posted.
El Lobo