Bolt interchangeability between current production SA 110 series bolt and older (2000) stagger feed 12FV

[reddeluxe]

Need education from the Savage experts regarding current production short action model bolt interchangeability with older stagger feed models.. The rifle in question was made in year 2000, with the standard trigger, just before the introduction of the Accu Trigger across the full line of Savage production rifles. Short action 12FV with the old 4.27" action screw spacing, top bolt release, and stagger feed blind magazine, in .223 Rem. Can a current short action factory .223 bolt with the correct .223 bolt head be safely used interchangeably? Are the dimensions the same and is this even possible without re-head spacing the individual bolt and the barrel? Didn't know if the floating bolt head would allow this, or even if so, if the current center feed type is completely different. From photos, I can see that the current bolt body has a relief machined in the rear that the 2000 model didn't have...maybe due to the Accu Trigger mechanism or bottom bolt release? I know there are some different variations in bolt heads, internal sizes of the firing pins/cross pins and other changes running through this 20 year timeline. Thanks much for your information.

[Robinhood]

Any time you change a bolt head you will need to re-headspace. If you keep the current bolt head that is correctly head spaced then you will not need to recheck as the lugs have not moved and the barrel has not moved.

First I will say that what is entered below is not guaranteed to happen. It is hit or miss with most examples being a miss and everything works fine. Below is what COULD happen

Some things that come into play when changing out a bolt body and or a rear baffle or bolt handle. You can affect the feel of the bolt on closing by impacting the trigger timing. This is where the cocking piece engages the sear with the trigger before the lugs engage the abutments. You will feel a stop and then some cock on close.

Or you can affect the open in 2 different ways. Both of those ways are due to the Primary extraction ramps engaging early or not at all. The first would be striking the ramp to soon. This is caused by the Primary Extraction ramp(on the bolt handle and the rear baffle) to conflict with the lugs not clearing the abutments prior to pulling the bolt rearward. If this happens it is usually felt right at the top of the bolt lift. The other is the P.E. ramps not engaging at all and you will have no P.E. making extraction potentially difficult.

Some of these issues are easy to fix and some not as easy.