savage 110 fcp 338 lapua caliber conversion

[jjseman]

I am considering buying a savage 110 fcp chambered in 338 Lapua. I like the savage action for it's convenience in switching out spent barrels or changing calibers. Before I commit to buying this rifle, I have been looking at my options for switching to other calibers and I have some concerns. The calibers I am most interested in converting the 338 Lapua FCP into are: 7mm rem mag, .260 rem, or possibly 300 wsm - preferably with a varmint contour barrel.
Most of the available Savage barrels out there are offered in the more common "small shank" configuration. The barrels offered for the "large shank" Savage 110 are mainly limited to bull barrel contours. Is a bull barrel going to make this rifle a pig? The heaviest barreled I've owned to this point, has been a rem 700 varmint contour.
The other question I have with this conversion concerns going from the .338 Lapua to a 7mm rem. mag. They are both long actions, so am I correct in assuming that aside from the barrel swap, all I would have to do is switch to the appropriate size bolt head? Any info. from you savage guys would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[D.ID]

You can order a large shank barrel in what ever contour you prefer, you may have to wait for it to be made as opposed to getting it off the shelf though.
I can't confirm it but I suspect you may have to work with the lapua magazine to get it to reliably feed the smaller diameter rounds.

 

[jjseman]

I've heard of people using some sort of spacer in the longer mags. That may be a solution to any feeding issues. I'll have to explore that further. I don't know if this would make it possible to go from 338 Lapua to .260 rem. I've read that it would theoretically work, I would just have a wicked long bolt cycle for a short action round. Any thoughts? Might be better to just stick with a long action conversion like the 7mm rem or 300 wm.

 

[D.ID]

Your overall length should not be a problem but the lapua is significantly larger diameter than even the magnums so the feed lips are most likely to be the problem.

 

[jjseman]

good point - any after market mag options on this conversion?

 

[Shoalwater]

Why buy an expensive Lapua, just for the action, just buy a cheap package gun and strip it down. If you want a large shank action, the 116 Alaskan Brush hunter in 375 Ruger is still a large shank action and in stainless to boot. I know this for sure as I just bought my second one to build on. Paid $550 for the gun, will sell the barrel and factory stock for about $150 and will only be in the action for $400. Now if you do ever want to do a Lapua or any of the .588 rim diameter cases you will need the action that comes with the Lapuas, as it has encloses top and larger lugs.

 

[jjseman]

I want a 338 Lapua for sure due to the impressive terminal performance at range. I just want to know my options for converting it to a more practical caliber for the rest of my <1K shooting.

 

[D.ID]

I think if I were in you shoes and wanted a switch barrel gun for 7mm or 300wsm and maybe 260.
I would get a heavy barreled 300 mag or 300wsm , then buy a 338 edge barrel and plan on shooting the edge single shot.
You would not have to change bolt heads between these two or magazines if shooting the edge single shot.
338 edge does at least as good if not better than the lapua but uses the same bolt face as the other magnums and cost less to set up for.
You would still need to swap bolt heads down for a 260 but that is easy enough if you end up down that far.
.
If you go this rout you will have all the versatility the savage offers and all you will need for 300/338 is one rifle and one extra barrel. No other parts required.