Just picked up my first Savage in 338 lapua

[Nooch13]

so I've always been a Remington 700 guy, but just traded a lightly modified .308 for this savage 110 in 338 Lapua Mag sitting in an HS stock.

i have a few questions...links to pics are below...

-does anyone know the recommended torque specs for the action screws on this?
-i will take the stock off once I find the torque specs, but does this have the full aluminum bedding block?
-does anyone know the exact model? It has the HS stock like the FCP, but the raised check rest like the long range hunter.
-as I'm new to savage, what would you modify first on this rifle for accuracy?
-what aftermarket accessories would you recommend?

http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums...7-5DD7-45DB-BF69-387995DDAD14_zpsc3x9mcnp.jpg

http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums...2-7592-48EF-842E-465CAF8CB9BF_zpsoaei1esy.jpg

http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums...5-F073-4356-9BE8-26E3C2C06490_zpsgys7e7p4.jpg

http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums...0-CA73-48AF-9B2A-B688F9953943_zps2rwlytcg.jpg

 

[Nooch13]

I should follow up. I'll do some long range shooting with it, but more long range hunting, elk, bear etc...

 

[sierracharlie338]

Before I modify anything I'd pick up some quality ammo and see what you are working with. I've come so close to buying one of those several times. If you aren't happy with the factory set up then start modifying





Sierracharlie338....

 

[sierracharlie338]

For the record I've seen a guy whacking yotes at 1300 with that rifle and factory specs.





Sierracharlie338....

 

[Nooch13]

Thanks, I do plan on shooting it and developing a decent load. I was wondering if there were any obvious weakness'. I'm clueless on savages.

 

[lash]

That looks to me like an FCP with an added cheek rest. There is not a full aluminum bedding block, or at least not what I consider a full bedding block. If you find that your rifle doesn't pattern well, a bedding job really helps. Bedding turned mine from a 1-1/2 Moa rifle into a one hole wonder, as the action did not sit evenly in the V-block from the factory.

Mine has a shortish throat but really likes the Hornady 285s.

Oh, and 65 in.lbs. on the front action screw and start around 45 for the rear action screw and adjust accordingly.

 

[NewsShooter]

What lash said,

 

[Nooch13]

That looks to me like an FCP with an added cheek rest. There is not a full aluminum bedding block, or at least not what I consider a full bedding block. If you find that your rifle doesn't pattern well, a bedding job really helps. Bedding turned mine from a 1-1/2 Moa rifle into a one hole wonder, as the action did not sit evenly in the V-block from the factory.

Mine has a shortish throat but really likes the Hornady 285s.

Oh, and 65 in.lbs. on the front action screw and start around 45 for the rear action screw and adjust accordingly.

Cool, thanks brother! I'll bed it this week. Can't hurt anything...

 

[Nooch13]

Ok, a couple of more things now that I have it apart. I got the trigger safely down to 1.75 lbs. I had it below 1.5 but got a couple of slam fires ( I get that the sear wouldn't let it fire, just would rather be safer). This stock has 3 action screws. I have the front at 65 and the other 2 at 45. Any advice there?

also, I'm wondering if this wasn't an after market add on stock as it does have an aluminum bedding block.

http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums...E-57E9-4B69-B922-933A4A6D67A3_zpspsewafej.jpg

thanks for all the help guys!

 

[adb77]

The one I had liked 300 gr Berger elite hunters with 89 gr h1000. Be sure you use Lapua brass, mine wouldn't handle Hornady brass.

 

[lash]

Ok, a couple of more things now that I have it apart. I got the trigger safely down to 1.75 lbs. I had it below 1.5 but got a couple of slam fires ( I get that the sear wouldn't let it fire, just would rather be safer). This stock has 3 action screws. I have the front at 65 and the other 2 at 45. Any advice there?

also, I'm wondering if this wasn't an after market add on stock as it does have an aluminum bedding block.

http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums...E-57E9-4B69-B922-933A4A6D67A3_zpspsewafej.jpg

thanks for all the help guys!

Okay, to clear this up a bit, yes that is exactly what I had in my HS Precision stock from the factory. It's just so minimal to be called that IMO. Check and see if you can tell where the action is contacting the aluminum. In my case it was one spot on the left of the front block and one spot on the right of the rear block.

Also, are you sure that you don't just have two actual action screws and one screw for the trigger guard?

 

[Nooch13]

Okay, to clear this up a bit, yes that is exactly what I had in my HS Precision stock from the factory. It's just so minimal to be called that IMO. Check and see if you can tell where the action is contacting the aluminum. In my case it was one spot on the left of the front block and one spot on the right of the rear block.

Also, are you sure that you don't just have two actual action screws and one screw for the trigger guard?

I'll go back in and look...thanks again for all the help. It's about time I took myself out of my Remington comfort zone...

 

[IanHusaberg]

The one I had liked 300 gr Berger elite hunters with 89 gr h1000. Be sure you use Lapua brass, mine wouldn't handle Hornady brass.

I just sold mine. I would second the Lapua brass. I used 285 amax's and 300 bergers with good success. Its A 110 FCP-HS. Mine didn't come with a check riser. I put a T3 Terminator break on it over the stock one and it worked wonders. Mine would put two in one hole and through the third shot. Bedding won't hurt. 285's were loaded to magazine length. 300 bergers were loaded long and single load only. I had three stuck cases when a friend recommended loading a little less long and it resulted in to much pressure with 90.5 gr of H1000. Luckily I just banged them out with a cleaning rod and didn't reuse. Other brands of brass may have resulted in tearing the head of the case off?

 

[WeiserBucks]

I had a Savage 338 Lapua 111 LRH a few years ago, accurate as can be but EVERYTHING except Lapua or Norma brass would get stuck in the chamber .

 

[IanHusaberg]

I had a Savage 338 Lapua 111 LRH a few years ago, accurate as can be but EVERYTHING except Lapua or Norma brass would get stuck in the chamber .

Norma is good stuff as well. 338 has really high chamber pressure!!

 

[Nooch13]

I just sold mine. I would second the Lapua brass. I used 285 amax's and 300 bergers with good success. Its A 110 FCP-HS. Mine didn't come with a check riser. I put a T3 Terminator break on it over the stock one and it worked wonders. Mine would put two in one hole and through the third shot. Bedding won't hurt. 285's were loaded to magazine length. 300 bergers were loaded long and single load only. I had three stuck cases when a friend recommended loading a little less long and it resulted in to much pressure with 90.5 gr of H1000. Luckily I just banged them out with a cleaning rod and didn't reuse. Other brands of brass may have resulted in tearing the head of the case off?

so that would be this one, correct? The T3b? How would that compare to an APA fat bastard?

 

[IanHusaberg]

so that would be this one, correct? The T3b? How would that compare to an APA fat bastard?

I don't know how it compares, I've never owned a APA fat bastard. T3 might be more expensive? It is an effective break, thats all I know.

 

[vh20]

I have that same rifle as well. As Ian said, it's a 110 FCP-HS. That is an add-on Karsten adjustable cheek piece, which I have on mine as well (definitely a plus)! There are two action screws, and one for the trigger guard only. As advised, use 65 for the front screw and 45 for the rear. The trigger guard screw should only be "snug". I never used anything but Lapua brass in mine because I read about so many problems with any other brand. Apparently the Savages have really tight chambers. The rifle was very accurate right out of the box. The factory-installed rail is an EGW 20 MOA aluminum rail. I replaced mine with a Ken Farrell steel rail made specifically for this action.

Your gun should be a good shooter.

 

[mrbig]

I traded for an FCP-HS 338 LM and it would not handle any factory ammo,,I shot 1-2 rounds of 4-5 different factory loads and ruint a cleaning rod beating the brass out of the chamber,,I bought 100 pieces of Lapua virgin brass and it would stick cases 8-10 grs below max with H1000 and Retumbo,,,,Savage said since I was not the original owner it was out of warranty,,after seeing the pics of the guy blowing the same gun up because he left the cleaning rod he used to knock the brass out in the bbl and fired another round with the rod in the bblI decided I could live without that piece of crap,,I parted it out and sold everything except the reciever and the bbl and I chunked that off a bridge in the river,,

my understanding is they had rough chambers,not tight chambers and the trust pressure was too high for an action with a bolt that skinny,,I tried to buy an aftermarket bbl for the rifle and NONE of the bbl makers would sell a prechambered 338LM bbl for the Savage action,,they all said the boltface wasnot big enough around to handle the 338 boltface size,,

ifI was looking to do a 338 I would go 338 RUM or 340 Weatherby if I had to use the Savage or get a Sako TRG or a Stiller Tac 30or a big Bat action,,

good luck and wear your safety glasses at all times

 

[sav338lapua]

That's funny mrbig I've seen 3 different guys with 110BA's with aftermarket barrels in them???? Maybe you weren't nice when you asked??? And listen to what your saying : "the bolt face isn't big enough", that would mean the cartridge wouldn't fit into the bolt.
PT&D make bolt heads for savage with 338 LPM size, I have one, wow, it looks to be the same size as the factory one. Head space on savage rifles is very easy to set, maybe too easy, so with a very high pressure cartridge like the lapua if the head space is close to "0" and your cases are a little long.....well the brass can extrude forward enough to stick a case, also if you get an oversized extractor detent ball from sharpshootersupply.com it will put a little sharper angle on the extractor and help it grip the case rim, which in my opinion is really small on 338 LM.
SB

 

[Nooch13]

Wow, awesome advice guys, thank you. So I asked a question in another thread but haven't got an answer, so I'll ask here again.

Ive done a ton of reading on the subject and it's like a 50-50 split...when you bed these rifles, do you bed the tang or leave it floated??

 

[lash]

Don't bed the tang:




Sorry for the small pics, I'm having some trouble with PB.

 

[Nooch13]

It's hard to see but it looks like you bedded from the recoil lug to the front edge of the trigger opening...

 

[Beneviolence]

I got the 112 Mag Target (single shot bolt action). I had an issue with excessive headspace and the chamber is a bit short, but I think I've got it fixed now. Hoping to get some load development going next outing.

 

[mrbig]

they may have changed policy but at the time none of the companys that chambered prefit barrels for Savage rifles would chamber one in 338 LM, they all wanted me to switch to the 338 RUM or 338 Edge , and I bought the extractor kit and the headspace gauges trying to get it to function,,no luck,,,,what I meant by the boltface not being big enough should have read that the whole bolt is not big enough,,of course the boltface was opened big enough to take the 338LM round but it leaves very little metal around the outside of the case head,,

at 80 grs H1000 and the 300 SMK I would get stuck cases with new Lapua brass at like 2350-2400 fps,,then after seeing this article I cut my losses and moved on and had a Stiller Tac 30 built in 6.5x47 in an AICS 1.5 chassis and it wouldnt bother me if I never seen another Savage rifle,,if they would have looked at the rifle and tried to help me out I probably wouldnt have as hard feelings about the deal but man the rifle would not function and I couldnt get anybody to helpme out with it,,

http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/gunsmithing/338-lapua-mag-catastrophic-kaboom/


good luck with your rifle but if I was starting over in 338 LM I would want at least a Sako TRG42 action or a Stiller Tac338 or the big BAT action ,,

anybody that wants the PTG 338 LM go gauge just let me know and I will be rid of everything that reminds me of the raping I took trading for that rifle,,

 

[Dirty D]

...and NONE of the bbl makers would sell a prechambered 338LM bbl for the Savage action,,they all said the boltface wasnot big enough around to handle the 338 boltface size,,

good luck and wear your safety glasses at all times

I had this same conversation with Jim Briggs before he retired and I asked him with the 1000's of 110BA's and 110 FCP-HS's out in shooters hands for 5 or 6 years at that point where are the stories of bolts failing and Jim didn't have an answer for that. The ONLY example that I could find was a guy down in FL that tried to send his bore sighter thru the target and the barrel blew TFU but the bolt held together thru what had to be several times the SAAMI chamber pressure for a 338LM.

 

[lash]

You can buy a pre-fit .338 LM Savage barrel here at Bugholes ( I spoke with Greg about it a few weeks ago):

http://bugholes.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=88_89_93&product_id=722

Krieger sells one too.

Northland Shooter's supply sells Shilen barrels chambered for .338 Lapua.

I understand the math and I've read all of the articles, but the reality is that there's no empirical or anecdotal evidence to support the argument. Yet the Savage .338 LM has been out for quite a few years now and in the hands of thousands of shooters.

 

[sav338lapua]

ok guys like i said there have been aftermarket barrels for well ever since the BA's came out, i remember one guy in particular, he didn't have anything against the savage barrel he just wanted a 28 or 29 inch barrel so he never shot the savage barrel he waited for his shilen barrel to come in. my load in my 110BA is 92grs of H1000 with a 300 gr SMK. it avg's 2782 FPS and it's very accurate.
SB

 

[mrbig]

mine was the HS-FCP and shot great you just could not shoot any factory ammo without a hammer to open the bolt nor any handloads without a cleaning rod to knock the brass out,,and at the time noone would do a prefit bbl in 338LM,,I just could not bring myself to sell that to anybody knowing it would not function,,I cut my losses and moved on,,

 

[lash]

That sucks big time. I don't blame you considering the circumstances, but yeah, it sucks.

 

[Dirty D]

Even Frank Green from Bartlein has said that Savage makes probably the best factory barrels but as much as I can tell from my research they probably are using an out of spec reamer, a .010" set back and rechamber by a reputable 'smith would probably let you shoot any brass on the market.

 

[Nooch13]

I don't know how it compares, I've never owned a APA fat bastard. T3 might be more expensive? It is an effective break, thats all I know.

So good call, this should clear up the brake question I asked...

https://youtu.be/vkEcALGfg5g

 

[Inifinty]

Put this here since it's a more recent thread on the savage in 338.

I just picked one up and can compress the end of the forearm of the HS stock to the barrel quite easily with thumb and forefinger. Actions screws seem to be trq'd appropriately. Had I read reports of this or noticed it prior to purchase I might have passed. May have to find another stock now.

Anyone else with this HS FCP able to compress the stock like this yet it not seem to effect accuracy?

 

[camotoe]

Can anyone tell me the screw spacing on the 338 target single shot. The hs repeater is about 5.5

 

[wade2big]

Put this here since it's a more recent thread on the savage in 338.

I just picked one up and can compress the end of the forearm of the HS stock to the barrel quite easily with thumb and forefinger. Actions screws seem to be trq'd appropriately. Had I read reports of this or noticed it prior to purchase I might have passed. May have to find another stock now.

Anyone else with this HS FCP able to compress the stock like this yet it not seem to effect accuracy?

He stocks are solid. I bet the barrel is what is flexing and not the stock. Perfectly normal as you won’t be pulling on the barrel when you are firing the gun. I see similar posts all the time. The last one I seen was someone said the same thing about their grayboe stock.

 

[wade2big]

I’m shot my first Savage .338 Lapua today and man it shoots as good as any rifle as most all Savages do. We had no problems at all. Fired and extracted perfectly. I was surprised to find this thread. We were shooting IMI ammunition 250 grain. These rifles like the load.