Upgrading what I have

Q

QuarterHorse

New member
So a few thread on here on some distance shooting, me wanting to upgrade rifles but unsure what I want, has me ready to do some upgrades to my Savage pre-accutrigger. It's a blue/synthetic model which is great for me and my use. I'm wanting to just get it a little tighter in it's groups (I'll also be working in some hand loads) but I want this to go in the field with me like it has in the past.

After looking at how expensive you can go with aftermarket stocks I've been thinking there's got to be a more affordable way, so why not just bed my factory stock? Has anybody done their own? I'd love to get what I can get out of this rifle and spend my money on reloading supplies and optics if I could instead of having to spend 500 + on a stock.

I'd love to drop it off with Michael at CCA but part of me just wants to do this to see what I can do. So, who on here has done this? Tips/Tricks? I've watched a few YouTube vids and it doesn't look inherently difficult.

I'll post some pics
 
Bedding your rifle yourself is not that hard, first grind off enough material from the stock that you have no choice but to complete the project.:D. I can offer a couple of suggestions, first replace the trigger. The factory trigger is heavy and requires a fair amount of work to correct. I installed a Rifle Basix SAV-2 on mine, but the SAV-1 is a good option. Second when bedding your rifle use a gell (AccuGlass) or some other viscous material, it will make the bedding job much easier. Be sure to float the barrel and tang on a Savage rifle
There are web site that offer lots of info on this subject, you might tey Savage Shooters web site they can offer specifics regarding any Savage project.
 
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The problem with your stock even if you bed it is there is going to be fore end flex. There isn't much you can do to cirrect the problem with the Savage synthetic stock. I'm guessing since yo uh said pre-accutrigger this is a stagger feed rifle. If it is a long action 110 model then there was never a change to the action screw spacing. If it is a 10 model stagger feed then you need to look for a 4.27" screw spacing when loooking at stocks.

Boyd's gunstocks run around $100 for a new stock, they're walnut or laminated wood stocks are a significant step up from the Savage synthetic. B&C makes Carbelite stock for factory sporter contour barrels that are around $200, and if you have a bull barrel look for a Duramaxx stock for around $100. I think the Duramaxx has been discontinued but can probably still be found on eBay or gunbroker.com pretty easy. Again these are better stocks IMO than the factory stock will ever be. I still recommend bedding all rifle stocks, with a good bedding product.

For triggers the SSS Competition trigger is the easiest drop fit trigger there is for $100. However your 3 screw factory trigger can be tuned to a very good trigger. Varminthunters.com has the best instructions for adjusting a Savage 3 screw trigger.
 
I mis-spoke when I said "pre accutrigger". What I meant was a current production model, short action (.308 model 11), non accutrigger. IMO from what I've seen it needs something like the Rifle Basix, Timney, or the like.

Thanks for all of the info fellas.
 
taylorce1 made a good point regarding a plastic stock flexing, however others have found ways to stiffen them up. I guess if you are on a budget or just like to experiment then perhaps you could try to stiffen the stock while bedding it. Even if you damage the plastic stock you can replace it with a quality wood stock, you'll still want to bed it.

Have fun:)
 
Call me weird, I've just never been a "wood stock" guy on something I'm going to drag around and use. They can be pretty, just not for me.
 
First off don't waste your money on a Timney or Rifle Basix triggers that cost about $100. You are simply buying a Savage 3 screw trigger that has been more polished and the geometry is better. Last time I checked you could buy a tuned 3 screw trigger from Northland Shooter Supply for $45, the same basic trigger as the Timney and cheap Rifle Basix.

Rifle Basix 2 is around $150, and the Sharp Shooter Supply competition trigger is $50 cheaper and has nearly the same adjusment range. That is why I say the SSS trigger is the best aftermarket trigger in the $100 price range. The only problem with the SSS trigger is getting someone at SSS to answer the phone to take an order.

As far as stiffening the forend, I've tried most of the tricks and nothing works all that well. The forend will still flex through the recoil lug area, and there isn't a real good way to fix that. However, that doesn't mean you can't shoot good groups with the rifle you just have to be more aware of how you hold the rifle and with your technique off the bags or bi-pod.
 
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