I have built two other savages, but did not document the process, so I thought I might give it a try.
It all started with this thread. http://www.savageshooters.com/showth...a-223-bolt-gun
I came very close to buying the MVP and was watching one on gunbroker. I liked the looks and features of the MVP, but after holding one at a local gun shop, the fit/finish/build quality was just not what I was expecting/used to, and aftermarket support was very slim to none. I looked at a few other brands but never found one that was in the exact configuration I wanted.
I decided to see if I might be able to find a good used savage for a good price and just build from there. I really did not want to spend that much money, but I figure I would not be perfectly happy unless I built it myself the way I want it.
I lucked out and found a model 110 tactical left hand (since I shoot left hand) in 308 set up for AICS DBM, complete with a vortex scope and a bipod. A couple questions here about mag interchangeability, and I bit the bullet and bought it. http://www.savageshooters.com/showth...gs-interchange

Once I won the auction, I went ahead and ordered a x-caliber barrel, figured might as well get a start on the wait. I ordered a 24 inch #10 contour (.875 muzzle). I did not need or want a full bull (1 inch) contour, but I wanted heavier than sporter. It's 1-7 twist, 6 groove, threaded 1/2-28, and 223 wylde chamber. I chose that chamber because from the research I did, it should be able to safely fire any 5.56 ammo (which was one of my main requirements) but should give slightly better accuracy than a 5.56 chamber.

I almost did not want to order another x-caliber barrel after the mess that was my last order, but since I had a $100 credit with them, and they were having a 25% off sale, I figured I would give them 1 last try.
See these threads for why I almost did not want to buy another one:
http://www.savageshooters.com/showth...rilled-crooked
http://www.savageshooters.com/showth...-my-new-barrel


Anyways, back to the topic. I just picked up the project rifle from my FFL today and that is where I stand. I will probably shoot it once before I tear it apart just for the heck of it. If it shoots really nice, I will include the target pictures in the ad for the barrel when I sell it. I have not had enough time to really go through it completely, but it looks like it has maybe had 1 box of shells through it