Lightweight hunter magnum build?

**grouse** · 02-11-2017, 11:20 PM

Looking at building a 7mm mag off a 116 lightweight hunter action. Any concerns about the action and a magnum round?

**hereinaz** · 02-11-2017, 11:48 PM

Just shot this group with a 7 Remington Magnum on a 110 action...

**grouse** · 02-12-2017, 08:48 AM

Yeah i know a standard action will work. I'm asking about a lightweight hunter

**hereinaz** · 02-12-2017, 10:29 AM

Gotcha, I forgot they worked over the action making it lighter...

The .270 is 65,000 psi and the .308 is 62,000, which are offered. But, the 7 rem mag is 61,000 psi. So, based on pressure alone, but I guess the barrel diameter also factors into that cause the 7mm is a bigger diameter cartridge...

Am interested in gunsmiths/engineers who know how to calculate these things...

**GaryB** · 02-12-2017, 11:09 AM

Don't know if this will give you any insight or not, but it can't hurt
to read it and see.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/art...hunter-rifles/

**jpdown** · 02-12-2017, 01:05 PM

I currently have a Savage 111 LWH with a custom 23" 280AI FW contour barrel. I see no reason that you could not screw on a small shank 7mm RM barrel and switch out the bolt head.

I also have a Savage 16 LWH in 7mm08. Unfortunately, Savage Arms uses the same cheap plastic factory stock and bottom parts found on the less expensive Savage 16 Trophy Hunter. The only difference between the 116 LWH action and the 116 TH action for build purposes is 1.6 oz in weight and the "design appeal" (spiral fluted bolt, milled action grooves) of the Savage 116 LWH action. The rounded bottom of the LWH action has the same footprint as a standard Savage action with regard to stock choice and upgrading to bottom metal parts. All other weight difference between the 16/116 LWH and TH are found in barrel length and contour.

**foxx** · 02-12-2017, 02:19 PM

Far as I can tell, they aren't all that different.
Just fluted bolt body and action sides. I can't imagine it could be so much weaker that it's dangerous. Doesn't the bulk of the pressure get carried by the barrel chamber?

**grouse** · 07-22-2018, 09:39 PM

One of the guys on LRH built a WSM off of a lightweight hunter action. I am building a rifle for western hunts. I have a #2 mcgowan in 300 mag that i would like to thread on one of these actions

**grouse** · 10-01-2018, 09:03 PM

Leaning toward a 28 nosler with a proof barrel on the lightweight hunter action. Any thoughts?

**Stumpkiller** · 10-01-2018, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by foxx

Far as I can tell, they aren't all that different.
Just fluted bolt body and action sides. I can't imagine it could be so much weaker that it's dangerous. Doesn't the bulk of the pressure get carried by the barrel chamber?

Once the bolt is locked in place the grooves don't matter. The lugs carry the head pressure.