A unicorn or a headache? Some dimensions requested

[SpencerC87]

Hello all,

I have found myself in the possession of an old Savage action. It is a "medium" length action, (C prefix short action), but it is a solid bottom single shot. I have not been able to find any reference to what model this is as the only single shot models I have come across are the newer (relative to this) target/lrpv actions.

So what sent me down this path, is I noticed the bolt head, and subsequently the lug abutments in the receiver, had some galling so I wanted to get a new bolt head for it. I have already trued up the receiver to fix it. So I get to measuring and now I'm confused to what parts this takes and if it matters much. First, the bare bolt body is 5.552" OAL. The bolt head is 1.612" OAL with a lug thickness of .497". The firing pin is the old standard .140". Overall length of the assembled FP assembly is 5.198" and that is with ~0.050" pin protrusion and as much pin fall possible without crashing the cocking piece pin into the ramp. The pin stop nut is .624" long, the cocking piece nut is ~.875" long

Ultimately I guess, my question is, is there any dimensional differences in short vs long action firing pin assemblies? Is there different lengths of pin stops and cocking pieces? I was kind of under the impression that this would take short action parts, but, the bolt head is "long action" and now wonder about all of its parts.

Also, I assume the distance of the cocking ramp to the rear of the bolt body would be the same between long and short actions, is that correct? I can't find a 5.552" bolt body online and was thinking I could just cut down a long action body and pop a new cross pin hole in it.

Any info appreciated. Thanks

[sharpshooter]

First of all, the 1st generation short action used long action bolt heads, (1/2" lugs) with the large ,140" diameter firing pin. So, you can use a la bolt head and drill the hole out.
The firing pin length is unique to this action, the rest of the parts in the assembly with the exception of the firing pin spring are the same as the other models. As for the bolt body, I have in the past used a long action body and cut it down and re-drilled the cross pin hole. It not as easy as you think, because the bolts are case hardened about .018-.20" deep.

[SpencerC87]

Thanks for the reply. Are all firing pin tips the same diameter ~.065"ish? I'm thinking maybe to get a newer style cross pin and firing pin with the .095 diameter instead of the .140 to get more readily available parts. Do you know if the medium action firing pin is closer to a short or long action of the next generation? I have also been thinking about making a new firing pin that incorporates the pin stop adjustment.

[Robinhood]

Goingoff off what Sharpshooter said. You can grind throught the surface on the outside. The inside might be a little tougher. If you had a mill you can use a small/undersize carbide bur to cut an undersize hole for the pin. Tram the head in and find centerline. Crank the bur to 600-1000 rpm. Easy peasy. I used to bore out broken taps with that method.