Savage MK II TR AICS

[Goodwood]

I've been watching the hide for a while but this will be my first legit posting. I acquired a Savage TR not too long ago, and with the inspiration of Black Whiskey's Marlin 880 in an airsoft AICS, I thought I would try my hand at putting my TR in one of these stocks.

After looking around, I was able to source a good replica of a non-folding AICS at a local airsoft store. The airsoft gun was broken, and I scored the stock for $25.00.

With about two hours of work, I filled the stock with PC-7 and Devcon epoxy, and had a "blank" to inlet for my action. I cemented a piece of aluminum inside the stock with the PC-7 just forward of the magazine well of my TR action to provide a solid surface for the front action screw to pull against, and filled the "magwell" in the fore-end from the airsoft.

I lined up my Savage action so the trigger would be where I wanted it to be in the guard of the AICS, and started cutting away with the Dremel and a drill press. I finished the inletting with some finer work with a file and some sand paper, and then bedded the action to the stock with Devcon.

There is a "trough" cut in the stock behind the bolt that allows the bolt to travel. Removing the cheek piece, the bolt can be slid rearward out of the action without taking the action out of the stock. The action sits low in the stock in order to line up properly with the trigger guard opening, but you don't notice it too much.

The gun needs a one piece base (that I haven'e acquired yet) to get good cheek weld with the cheek piece in place (because of the low action). I also manufactured a new "ultra-low" cheek piece from my wife's old cutting board, to help with the scope alignment issue. I can now shoot it comfortably how it is. The new base will make it perfect.

Paint is a little washed out in these pictures(hopefully they load - first post). The paint is khaki Rustoleum ultra-flat over Rustoleum textured primer.

Went out and shot it. It has 205 rounds down the tube. Most of it was Winchester, American Eagle, and CCI cheap stuff. I friend loaned me a few rounds of CCI greentag, and that load produced the best groups so far (five shots in about .75 inches at 50 yards). I haven't pushed it out past 50 yet, but I've got some quality ammo on hand now, and I'm planning on shooting it in well on Saturday.

Anyway, thought you guys might like to see this build. I really thought Black Whiskey did a great job with his, and I have to credit him with the inspiration for this one.

PICTURES (hopefully):

I hope you guys enjoy.

 

[thomas r.]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

good to see another savage in a ai stock, you didnt have to cut away the stock behind the bolt to remove it, you also sould have used the airsoft receiver by cutting it in half and the savage action fits into it nicely.

 

[5280EM!]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

Can you show some pics of the action off the stock for reference?

 

[Jerz_Subbie]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

Very cool!!! I'm interested in seeing progress pics of the build if you have them or at least a cut away pic.

What brand stock and how is the quality?

 

[ckfishdive]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

Any pics, I wanna see how you mounted the action?

 

[Goodwood]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

Mine was the L96 model stock that was talked about in Black Whiskeys original post. I wish I would have had the original airsoft action for this, but I bought the stock only. I've had a few friends asking about this gun, and wanting to do something similar, but without the mess. Using the airsoft action looks to be the ticket!
I also thought about using an aluminum bar or tube like BW used in the airsoft stock he had. I think that would simplify the process.
One advantage of using the epoxy fill is the weight. My rifle weighs 12.5 pounds as seen in the pictures. Much more representative of my full-size guns, and it balances where it should,instead of being front heavy.
The stock is actually pretty good quality. After being epoxy filled and painted with a light texture it feels like the real thing. It is not AI quality, but at least it feels and shoots like a real gun, and not a toy.
I guess the biggest reason to do the epoxy fill (other than weight) is that it allows me to get the trigger low in the guard cutout, so it feels like I'm shooting an AICS gun, just with an accutrigger. Keeping the action up high didn't allow the trigger to get low enough for my liking.
I'll try and take a few more pictures when I can today. Now that I know how to post them, it shouldn't be a big deal like it was last night.

 

[Goodwood]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

Here area few more pictures of the stock. This first picture of the stock shows the "trough" that the bolt slides through as it opens. The original bolt cutout was right behind the new one under the current safety. This area was filled as well. The new bolt cutout is a little oversized. Originally it was not very aesthetically pleasing because of the shape of the stock, so I cut it oversized.

In this one you can see the two action screws. The front one is set in the aluminum block I mentioned in the OP, while the rear one has a metal washer in the epoxy fill to pull against. The front block goes all of the way across the stock laterally, and is cut into the plastic ribs in the two side plates. It is a lot more rigid platform than the Boyds and stock Savage floorplate metal. The action makes contact with the top of this aluminum block so it can use the original action screw, and tension against the metal. The block is about 3/8" thick.

This is the same area, with the action removed. You can see that I did not remove all of the epoxy from the bottom of the aluminum plate - sloppy, but ill clean it up sometime.

Here is one that shows the depth of the trigger, and the bolt open in the "trough" I have cut in the top of the stock.

Because of the bolt trough and the filling of the stock, the two skins of the stock no longer separate. It is now essentially a basic rifle stock made of plastic, aluminum and epoxy. I treated it like it was made of wood, and bedded the action into the stock to help eliminate tension on the action as the screws were tightened. (I had issues with the original stock and bottom metal not allowing much tension, so the screws would loosen). This stock allows for enough tension to be produced because the action is pressing on bedding and the aluminum block.

Looking back, I wish I would have documented this photographically. I think I was a little nervous about the whole process at the onset, and wasn't sure I wanted photographic evidence of my blundering. I also wish I would have had enough experience with the gun in the original stock as to see if there is an accuracy change between the two. I think that with all of the bedding and the aluminum block, this stock will prove to be more "repeatably accurate" than the original.

I might try this out again, but with a full aluminum block sandwiched between viperskins. Me neighbor is a research and design machinist for a local alloy and composites firm, and saw this project. He is excited, and offered the machine shop for some after hours tinkering. I think that I might have to take him up on the offer!

 

[tpr564]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

This is hawt! Good job man!

 

[S1erra1]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

Nice work mate

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Woodyguy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I might try this out again, but with a full aluminum block sandwiched between viperskins. </div></div>

I've had that exact idea for quite a while now, ordered the aluminium this week so we'll see what happens.

 

[BlackWhiskey]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

Looks good man! I'm jealous of how well yours turned out on your first shot!

 

[Radar360]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

Waaay to go!

 

[thomas r.]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

here are some pics of the airsoft receiver cut in half and the action bolted to the plate.

 

[Goodwood]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

That looks like it would be a lot easier than the stock filling. I would suggest that route for folks trying to do something like this for a trainer on a budget. How does the trigger line up with the guard? I'm guessing it is only about 1/4" taller than mine.

 

[Goodwood]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

I got out to shoot this gun again - one day earlier than I expected. I might still shoot this thing tomorrow, but here is what I got done tonight.

I used a ruler to measure groups, so they are best guess on size - center to center. The dots are about .50 and the squares are 2x2 inches.

I shot everything I had out of this gun. Mostly it was cheap stuff, but I tried two different Federal match rounds, Four different subsonics, RWS (I think it was 40 gr. Target Rifle Sport Series - $9.99/50 rd. box), CCI mini-mags, Winchester 40 gr roundnose 1300 fps loads, American Eagle value pack 40 gr stuff, and the CCI greentag.

The Greentag is the stuff that made these groups - 5 shots at 50 yds. It was the only stuff I could find here locally that would shoot good. Agilla Eley Prime SuperExtra 38 gr. subsonic shot OK, averaging around 1 inch. I found it for $4.39/50 rd box, so it was the best of the cheap stuff.

I think I will be investing in the Greentag for the time being. I think 100 Yds needs to be next on the to-do list for this gun.

605 rounds down the tube so far! I have spent about $43.00 on the ammo I've actually shot out of this gun. It's amazing to shoot 600 rounds and spend roughly what I would for 40 rounds of the bigger (.308) stuff. What a great tool!

 

[thomas r.]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

groups are not bad, my gun shot better in the new stock with groups in the .2-.3in with cci std velocity. make sure you keep it good and fouled and clean it less than often. i dont run a snake down the tube till after 1k plus rnds or so. here is a 5shot group at 50yrds and 100yrds.

100yrds shots

 

[b0xcrash]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

That is cool, I actually grabbed a AICS airsoft boneyard rifle myself and thought I might be alone at having a go at it with a Savage MKII as well.

I wish you did good documenting of all the process and what was used, worked did not. But I can relate as I have done this kind of stuff before and go into it, lets see what happens, if it works cool, if I get to where I have useless scrap, well same.
I also too was thinking about a devcon or maybe JB weld bedding prior to seeing this post.

I might have to PM you when I start this adventure if that is cool.
Great job though

 

[Goodwood]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

Now those are the kind of groups I'm hoping to get out of this gun. I think it is definitely possible seeing what the CCI green tag did for me yesterday. There is definitely some extra space between rounds that belongs to me, so I would expect the best is yet to come.

It surprises me that you are going 1k+ between pulling a snake. I was frustrated with some of the ammunition I was shooting not grouping well, and cleaned out at about 300 rounds. I cleaned it again at about 500, about 50 rounds before shooting these groups. As I said before, some of this inaccuracy is me, but would you expect to see better groups had I not pulled a snake through at 300 and 500?

Boxcrash:

No problem. Shoot me a pm and we can talk about some of the issues I ran across. Having done one already, I think the next one will be much easier.

I found the PC-7 epoxy was great to work with as it is a paste and did not "flow" like most of the others. It bonds to everything really well; give me a square centimeter of the stuff and I could glue my rifle to the ceiling.

I think the effort needed to do a stock like this is well worth it compared to buying an $80-$100 wood or tacticool stock, especially if you are shooting a full-size AICS or AI.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

i believe so too. i just order a CZ455 varmint from CZ, this airsoft stock is what i intend to do to it.

Black Whiskey's project got me rev'd up to do it, and yours makes me 100% to do it.

if you happen to know if that airsoft store has any more stocks or busted AICS styled airsoft guns, please let me know either through PM or on the thread. i'll tag on a finder fee for your trouble.

i especially want the folder version, Wells G-96. i've been hitting every airsoft site boneyard the last month or so, no one seems to have them.

thanks, your rifle looks and shoots great.

 

[thomas r.]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

for me from a clean bore it takes about 100rnds to get the rifle consistent and starting to put shots into one hole. so now i shoot it till the rounds start to get tight when chambering then run the snake once then keep shooting. just make sure the crown stays clean and it sould be good to go. i did a chrono test after 600rds or so i took 5 shots and they were 1081fps,1071,1071,1073 and 1080fps.

 

[Goodwood]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

It sounds like they are going to be harder and harder to find. The owner of the airsoft store said they are having all kinds of trouble getting these particular airsofts to work so they are going to stop buying them.
I asked him for the G-96 version, and he told me he could order one but it was going to be expensive (like 200.00). He also hinted toward the G-96 being discontinued. I don't know if this was from the manufacturer or just through him, but I got the impression they were going to be tough to find.
I might try online like e-bay. Usually I have a hard time buying stuff on line, but since we are all ging to be looking for broken airsofts...
I will stop by the store I found this one in and ask for you. I was there about a week ago, and saw some kids playing with one that was on a sale table - might still be there. I'll keep an eye out for one for you and PM you if I can find one.

 

[thomas r.]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

i got mine from bravo airsoft, it was around 190 or so after taxes. this would be the best bet to do a conversion with the bipod and front rail along with the reveiver.
http://www.bravoairsoft.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=27&products_id=186

 

[Goodwood]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

I had heard it took a few shots to get a rimfire to settle back in, but I've never shot one for "precision" I've always just shot them for small game accuracy. I need to get some of the big gun habits out of mind when shooting these little guns.
I clean out the barrel of my .308 about every 100-150 rounds, buy running patches. I rarely have to get serious about cleaning a center fire. I guess this is a miss conception that I have been under about the rimfire guns - they are super dirty, and you always have to clean them. Seems to be just the opposite, and I should clean less than the center fire.
I subscribe to the idea that you can do more harm to a gun cleaning it than shooting it, but I'm not in a lot of "let's see who can make their gun the dirtiest and still have it shoot" competitions either. I guess I should stretch cleanings out a little and see what happens, especially with this gun. ( just so cheap to own and shoot).
Thanks for the input. I'll try it out!

 

[Nocalphoenix]

Re: Savage MK II TR AICS

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Woodyguy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.

I think I was a little nervous about the whole process at the onset, and wasn't sure I wanted photographic evidence of my blundering.</div></div>

I think we have all been there, done that....