First time Savage Build, questions and progress

[Rocketvapor]

I've been reading threads here on Savage Shooters (still have some content to read) and would like to lay out my plan, get advice and suggestions.
This will a 'Present' (Christmas, barrel might make it a Valentines) for the wife who is currently shooting a kitchen assembled AR in F-Open Midrange.
If it weren't for fliers :) see would be a good shooter.

The current rifle is a side charge, minimally gassed, 28" bull from X-Caliber, weighing in (with some lead and a home made 2.5 pound bag rider) @ 20 pounds, with a 6.8 SPC bolt to shoot 22 Nosgar (necked 6mm Hagar).
Quick pic of the rifle.

To shoot the 22 Nosler (.378 bolt head) or 22 Nosgar (.425 bolt head). The OAL of the 22N loaded long with 85.5 Bergers is about 2.52". Case body is the same as the 224V/6.8SPC ( .422 diameter), just longer. We both use single shot followers and .223 or 6.8 mags work with the followers.


So, on to the Bolt Gun.
The barrel will be a Shilen 28" bull in 22N.
Selected a Model 10 AICS receiver from NSS.

I know I could have gone cheaper with a used donor rifle, but receiver is on order, waiting for my FFL to get off his butt and send in his paperwork (just being mean, he has a day job).
It's a short action, side bolt release, Accu-Trigger, small pin, with a .308 bolt face and mag, with AICS bottom metal (likely plastic?).
https://northlandshooterssupply.com/...vage-model-10/
I know I will need a bolt head, I plan on both .223 and 6.8, plus bolt completion parts.

First question: will I also need a .223 bolt collar to replace the 308 for the shorter cartridge?

If I go with a mag and a single shot follower, cartridge diameter is between .308 and .223, which would be easier to mod?

If I go blind with just a single shot follower, would a glue in work? The stock 'might' be a closed bottom laminated wood in a color pattern she picked. Have a few options for a source.

Are there any other NECESSARY mods to this receiver to make it work with this cartridge.

I would like to get it working without significant modifications for now.
I will post progress once parts start coming in.

[Robinhood]

1)You don't actually have to have the extended front baffle, you could work with the standard and get the extended model if you just need it.
2)You can single round load with the magazine in place(setting the round on top of the mag lips) or you can use something like the Fred Sled. You would need a single shot loading ramp if you did something without a magazine. Sharp Shooter Supply has what you need. The 223 mag is a close fit. check it out

[Rocketvapor]

Thanks for the info.
I guess the extended baffle is just to limit bolt travel with shorter cartridges?

The stock she liked was the LPBR from SSS.

Got an e-mail reply from Lisa and it can be done closed bottom.
It is already pillar bedded. Maybe a 4 to 6 week delivery (maybe?).
I can add the loading ramp.
The only thing is mailing the order form that seems different from any other suppliers.
Since I don't see this heavy rifle being used for anything but prone slowfire the closed bottom/loading ramp seems like a good fit for her style.
Need to make a decision on stock because I have all this money just burning a hole in my pocket :)

So far I have ordered Receiver, barrel, barrel nut and recoil lug. Have access to wrench and vice.
Ordered the 6.8 bolt head, stripped from PTG then found Grizzly has it in stock with free shipping. Oh well.

Will need bolt head completion parts. (I have 3.5mm ball bearings already, about 0.138").
Adding a couple kits in with the stock order would save a separate shipping charge.
Will need a .223 bolt head, sometime before barrel gets here.
After it's been shot I will look into a Rifle Basix SAV-2.
Black Friday/Cyber Monday is just to far away. Maybe.

[Dave Hoback]

Sounds good. Ahh…. “Kitchen assembled” AR build! Yeah, I remember those. My first AR build looked quite similar to picture. And could it shoot! I so proud of it. And the many, many AK47’s before it. That was 2005! I’ve lost count of the AR’s I’ve done; and been machining my own Lowers for several years now. (80% Billets). Even the pistol I carry every day was I machined from an 80-frame built. So I know the fun of it. Someone recently commented here they thought they enjoyed assembling Savages as much as shooting them. I answered absolutely! Because I sincerely DO! Your lucky.. it sounds like you also enjoy building/assembling firearms yourself as well. Savages are among the most fun to build up & work on. They respond very well to a bit of upgrading. Be ready for your Savage 110 to make your AR look like a Blunderbuss, accuracy wise! LOL! (Ok, ok… not quite like that. But it should surpass most any AR.) Looking forward to it coming together.

[Rocketvapor]

Thanks Dave,
I've come a long way with rifles.
I can remember going to the range and quickly working our way out to a full 100 yards :)

Pretty knowledgeable about the guns I own. That's part of the fun. Digging into how each little part works, why this or that machining cut was made.
I've got a few SKS, Mosin 91/30, a pass down 1903 Mark 1, wife has a couple old war rifles. Her favorite is her little Swedish girl gun.

One issue is evaluating performance as we get better. Sort of negates old data.
You can't make little changes if you can't shoot them.
Now, as far as kitchen built ARs go (especially in 22N) we don't score in the top, or the bottom at local matches, against guns that cost as much as my second hand pickup.
Imagine falling behind a girl shooting an AR/22N @ 600. That's gotta hurt :)

This Savage project is (will be) as much for me to put it together as it is for her to shoot (I hope).
Waiting is a pain though.

Really glad I found this site. There's still a few old threads I haven't read, yet.
I appreciate all the positive support.

[charlie b]

Welcome to the club. I sense you may be on your way down the rabbit hole seeking smaller groups and higher scores. :) Some of it takes money, a lot of it is just attention to details.

[Rotag]

The first build is always exciting





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[Rocketvapor]

@Rotag
Tell me about the bits and pieces.
In the bench picture, did you wash it down with the hose?

[charlie b]

LOL I bet he did since it's an air hose

The previous pic looked like my shipment from NSS when I did my first one (except for bottom metal and mags).

Have fun, it is worth it.

[Rocketvapor]

Appreciate the Wait !!!
I'm old, can't afford to wait, LOL.
So, email to both FFL and James about FFL copy should get this receiver on it's way soon.
---FFL issue resolved.
Barrel? Well that's long lead item. Christmas present? Maybe.
Stock, wife is retired mil, SSS offers a discount, email sent.
Once details are finalized I'll head up to the post office for a M.O.

Wait?
Ha, ordered a .243 second hand barrel from J&A/E-Bay for $71 + tax.
I have some left over .243 ammo and brass.
Not the thing for what we want but it will get something to go bang sooner.
Hey, it's only money :)

First part is on the kitchen counter, Bolt head for the 22 Nosgar case.

Update on build
Temporary barrel (.243) and Receiver should ship today (9/6). Both should be delivered Monday, one to me, one to FFL.
Some small parts on the way.
FFL/Range is an hour away, we go tomorrow for some trigger time with the ARs.
Still debating about going early next week to pick up receiver or wait until the following Saturday (600 Match).
Maybe get in some more trigger time before the match?
Money Order for the stock on the way to Ohio.
Will mail off the dummy rounds to Shilen next week.

Received trued nut and lug from NSS.
Temporary barrel (used) came in from J&A/E-Bay. 0.243, 22" seems to be about 1:9.5, 0.560 muzzle. Borescope OK.

[Rocketvapor]

She's really looking forward to the Savage bolt gun.
Here's her latest range trip with the AR.
Charge range 31.0 to 31.5gr SB6.5, normal is 31.4.
Then 5 shot groups with CCI450, WIN41, and GINEX

Going with the Win41, 31.35gr SB6.5, 85.5, CBTO 1.910"

I photoshopped all 6 targets into one (need one of those neat graphic ballistic programs)

[Rotag]

Sorry for the late reply I bought a reviver from northern shooter supply. Then a trued .223 bottle face from another company. Buts and pieces are springs indent ball and ejector. Took the bolt apart and reinstalled all the parts in the .223 bolt face and set the firing pin travel probably the hardest part. Then used a set of go no go gauges also in baggies. In the end I used a piece of painters tape for the nogo then reinstalled the ejector.


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[Rotag]

I didn’t hose it down I am just shooting between rain storms.


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[Rocketvapor]

Doing about the same thing.
Receiver to be delivered Monday, will pick it up next range trip.
Shilen barrel still a ways out so bought a used 243 barrel to shoot when the stock gets here.
Have a 6.8 bolt head for the 22 Nosgar.
Bits and pieces, bolt completion parts, single shot sled, as I find them.
Will get a .223 bolt for the 22 Nosler brass.

New question:
Other than setting headspace with the barrel, will there be a difference when changing just bolt heads from 6.8 to 223?

[Dave Hoback]

Nope

[Fuj']

Other than setting headspace with the barrel, will there be a difference when changing just bolt heads from 6.8 to 223?

Changing bolt heads, you should check headspace. There is no guarantee that lug thickness and bolt face
depths are the same on each.

[Rocketvapor]

Once I have both bolts (6.8 and .223) I will check for head space variance.
Just like AR bolts, measuring lug and face. I have been lucky there as I have no more than 0.001" difference (lug and face) over several bolts for the 22 Nosgar (6.8/224V) and my 22 Nosler (.223 bolt).
Will start with the .243 barrel with the .308 bolthead for a month or two and change out when the Shilen 22N barrel gets here.
I don't expect to be changing daily :)

Just received my new AR barrel from X-Caliber.
Won't have time to assemble and get to the range before the next match so it's the old barrel for now.
Will borescope, pin, measure extension and mount in a BCA side charge upper.
Already looks like I will have to do my normal spray on shim thermal fit with the BCA upper (slips most of the way in).

[Rocketvapor]

Went to the Bogalusa range yesterday as a final practice session before the match Saturday.
I shot 25 rounds and stayed within 2MOA @ 600.
Have the new barrel in hand but no time to swap before match so it's one more time with the shot out barrel.

Also picked up Flo's Savage receiver from Jake.
Sent off dummies for the Shilen barrel.
Hoping for a good showing with her AR for the next couple of matches while we wait on barrel/stock for her bolt gun.
She shot at 600yds, adjusted scope, and went too far.
Up 3 clicks to 3.5 mils. Groups were good though.


Nothing that would be called fliers this time out.

Was cooler and velocities were about 12-15fps lower @ 600yds than a hot day.
Didn't compare environments in the computer.
She will likely need to adj with sighters Saturday.