Gunsmithing Savage action for a 338 Norma mag

[garyd]

I recently picked up a savage 300 win mag model 111. I am wanting to rebarrel it to a 338 Norma mag. I have not seen anyone else do this yet so my question is the action and bolt strong enough for this? I am planning on using a PAC nor barrel and brake an XLR chassis and opening up the bolt face. Is there anything else I should consider before ordering parts.

Thanks

 

[geargrinder]

Re: Savage action for a 338 Norma mag

Many believe that it is beyond the abilities of the action to withstand the bolt thrust from the bigger case head.

If you were to do it, I would only recommend it be done with a shouldered barrel.

I would also recommend staying away from hot loads to prevent abutment lug setback.

A nice 338 Edge would be a much more reasonable choice with better performance.

 

[jasonZ]

Re: Savage action for a 338 Norma mag

I don't see why it wouldn't work just like it is. I've seen the 338 built on the standard small shank action and no problems that I'm aware of. Nobody else builds them on "special" actions as far as factory rifles go. I suppose that you could get a target action which is supposed to be stronger. A short mag action is a large shank, but I think the target is still supposed to be stronger. There's 338's built on small ring mausers, so a newer action should be stronger than an old small ring. Just my opinion and I'm no expert either, but I wouldn't think that it would over pressure the action or bolt.

 

[jipper74]

Re: Savage action for a 338 Norma mag

You might want to take a look at this article over at Longrangehuning.
338 Edge Savage build in XLR Chassis

On the positive side, they were able to make it a repeater. A potential problem is that the build was based on a 7mm ultra magnum. Savage uses a large shank for their RUM builds and their WSM builds. I can only assume they used the large shank for a reason ... Are you pushing it with the standard shank?

 

[garyd]

Re: Savage action for a 338 Norma mag

I am not sure of the shank size. I am waiting on the barrel nut wrench to arrive. So far I have been able to talk myself out of taking a couple of pipe wrenches to it. I know they make a model 111 in a 338 lapua but I don't know the shank size for that one either. So far the wrench is the only thing on order so just trying to get everything down on paper so th speak.

As for choosing the 338 Norma is just because I want one no other particular reason. And chose a savage because I could do the work myself. Also plan to have a smith give it the once over after it is finished just to make sure I did not miss anything

Thanks for the additional thoughts

 

[geargrinder]

Re: Savage action for a 338 Norma mag

The Lapua's are large shank. 300win's are built on small shanks.

 

[toddcdozer]

Re: Savage action for a 338 Norma mag

Bolt thrust is the problem not barrel shank size. That large of a base diameter produces what some consider to be over for a savage.

 

[garyd]

Re: Savage action for a 338 Norma mag

Thanks all for the input. I have a small shank. I was lucky enough to be working close to Jim Borden's shop and stopped by and visited with him about a future build and what I was thinking about this one. He advised against it for that action. In general he believes that you need a larger diameter action to provided a great enough safety margin. So back to the drawing board for something else for this action

 

[geargrinder]

Re: Savage action for a 338 Norma mag

Something built on a 375 Ruger would work as a repeater fairly easily. Like a 7mm or a 30 cal.

 

[Frank Green]

Re: Savage action for a 338 Norma mag

To answer part of your question. I have run a .338 Lapua on a small thread size (1.055")Savage action with no problems. My action is an older original 112v series J. I don't use the Savage barrel nut. I set it up just like a Rem. 700. I picked up an extra magnum Savage bolt head and opened the bolt face to .338 Lapua. I had to polish the extractor so it would snap over the rim of the case but that was it. This was before Savage came out with they're own .338 Lapua gun. So getting a .338 Lapua bolt head that's done already would be the way to go if your going to convert one. The action is a single shot so I didn't have to worry about feeding from a magazine etc....The gun chambered and extracted fired cases with out a hitch. With the older 112v Series J it's a shorter action than a standard 110 series. So ejecting fired cases are not a problem but loaded rounds won't clear the ejection port but that was it.

No problems with factory ammo or my handloads etc....I don't see the Savage 110 action any weaker or stronger than a Rem.700's that have been done in .338 Lapua.

I don't feel the newer target type actions with the 1.125" threads are any stronger as the o.d. of the receiver is still the same size. So the o.d. of the receiver is thinner but I do like the thread size being bigger as this puts more meat on the barrel itself.

I haven't had a new .338 Lapua built Savage rifle in my hands to comment on that and how it's done etc......

Doing one in .338 Norma shouldn't be that big of a deal. I actually would prefer the Norma over the Lapua once more brass is available.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[JWV]

Re: Savage action for a 338 Norma mag

Savage didn't always use large shanks for the RUMs. They used to have the 300 RUMs on the small shank. I was just able to buy an older but factory new model 300 RUM small shank barrel.