111 Staggered Feed DBM to Blind Mag Conversion for B&C Stock

fuelfiredesire85 · 03-15-2015, 11:24 PM

My fellow Savage shooters, I need some expert help.

I know these DBM to Blind Mag threads for 110s have been beaten to death, but bare with me, as I can’t find a thread or faq that answer my exact questions, completely, and I don't think I'm the only one.

What I have:
Savage 111FCXP3 (30-06)
OEM Pre-Accustock Synthetic Stock
DBM, Side Button Release, Staggered Feed

What I'm changing to:
Purchased a Bell & Carlson Medalist Classic Checkered Riflestocks-2980 Savage 110 Long Action-38 Brown w/ Black Web
Need to convert to Blind Mag for the new stock
Not relevant to the DBM conversion, but also purchased:
Rifle Basix Sav-1 Adjustable Trigger
Metal Trigger Guard

From what I've gathered, I have two options.

Option A- Order new blind mag parts:

1. Order longer style action screws, the kind for a wood stock with mag box, not DBM (Synth stock / wood DBM screws too short)
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...207-31211.aspx
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...830-31149.aspx

2. Order a long action Blind Mag Box
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...840-31159.aspx

3. Order a long action spring/follower
See questions below for parts description

4. Remove the mag guide box that is currently attached to my action for the DBM, attach the new Blind Mag Box in place of the mag guide box. Insert new spring / follower into blind mag box, and screw action to the stock using new screws.

My questions with this option are:

1. I see there are two different stagger feed long action spring/followers. Which should I use?

a. The kind with a coil spring (this is what my DBM uses)
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...843-31163.aspx

b. The kind with a leaf spring (assuming for Hinged Floor Plate and maybe Blind models?)
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...145-51604.aspx

The leaf spring style seems like it may be more stable for Blind Mag use to me, but does it really matter?

Option B- Re-use existing DBM parts

1. Order longer style action screws, for same reasons stated under option A

2. Take the bottom metal off my staggered feed DMB.

3. Take the now bottomless DBM mag box and spring / follower, then insert into the mag guide box, already attached to the action. Screw action into stock using new screws.
As described here.
http://www.savageshooters.com/showth...sion-Question)

My Questions with this are:

1. In this option, my bottomless DBM box will just sit inside the mag guide box? From what I can tell, the mag guide box is attached to the receiver via a "tab" in front and back. As opposed to option A, where the Blind Mag box is whats attached to the receiver in the same manner, with tabs

2. Is there an easy way to get the DBM bottom metal off without destroying things? I tried to take the DBM apart and it's a PITA! I took the spring / follower out of the top of the box. It looks like there's some kind of thin metal cross member sitting on top of the bottom metal. It seems to be wedged against the DBM mag box, and pinned into the bottom metal. Do I just pry / punch this out? I don't want to screw it up.

One final question. Anyone know why all the Savage 110 staggered feed mag parts have been sold out everywhere for months? I’ve been trying to find a place to buy the mag boxes, springs/followers, etc. since January. Brownells, Midway, Numrich, and Savage are all sold out.*Please tell me Savage didn’t decide to stop making these components.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

**Bigeclipse** · 03-18-2015, 05:40 PM

I cannot really provide insight on your conversion questions but I do have a tip...remington 700 action screws also fit the savage...you simply need to grind them down to size. I always order the "rear" remington 700 action screws and cut them to size because you never know the length needed for your particular action in new stocks. dremel tools work well for this grinding. I also order 4 or more just incase I cut too short. They are much easier to find in stock than the savage specific screws.

fuelfiredesire85 · 03-18-2015, 10:18 PM

That's an awesome tip about the rem action screws. Thank you sir!

**foxx** · 03-18-2015, 11:46 PM

There is a blind mag box and follower available that installs in place of the one you have. Simple to replace one for the other. I happen to know where you can find one.

It would take maybe 2 mins to swap them out and you'd be on your way. It is a far better option than altering/wasting the current "old style DBM" hardware you have. :)