PRS Chassis - Budget Build

[chromatica]

I vote for the "sell the Savage" solution. I attempted to make my Savage a competition gun and I just kept being thwarted at every turn. Savage has 47 different flavors of actions that makes finding the right stock almost impossible.

Short Action vs Long Action
Large shank (barrel/receiver) vs small shank
Accutrigger vs non-Accutrigger
Accustock vs non-accustock
Top bolt release vs bottom bolt release
Old action screw spacing vs new action screw spacing
Blind magazine vs DBM

I switched to the Origin because

They accept savage prefit barrels which are easy to find.
They have interchangeable bolt heads
They accept all of the aftermarket triggers for the Rem 700.
You can buy prefit shouldered barrels for Origin for even more accuracy than barrel-nut configuration
They feed smoothly from AI magazines
You have a wide selection of aftermarket stocks to choose from.

I have two Origins now and an OEM Rem 700 and I haven't looked back. I also own two Oryx stocks (SA, LA) and a KRG Bravo. I can mix and match all of these as my stable of rifles grows and changes.

 

[std7mag]

Someone needs to tell the guy that recently set a record in ELR with a Savage that he needs to ditch it!

The OP already HAS a Savage action, that they just wanted some advice on a chassis for IT.

The OP's question got me to searching myself.
There are a few out there.
Looking at the MDT, ORYX, GRS.
I keep going back to the GRS chassis.
A lot of it is price, (i'm on a budget too)
But i think their design concepts are interesting also.

 

[Rob01]

Not about accuracy but reliability in matches and ease of finding parts. If he wants to stick with what he has then all the power to him but some were just trying to make his life easier in the future.

 

[Fuj]

I use Savage and it does take a little work, but I've won with them
and have been beaten by them .

Hey Kenny,,,,,A match awhile back, Jeff Gates showed up with one
and put money in his pocket. You know the drill.....:LOL

I currently have an ORYX chassis on the bench paired up with one
of my PTA actions. I've got this 5 lb block of aluminum coming in
and going to throw some chips......Never let a bad idea go to waste.

 

[std7mag]

Yup!
And Jeff is all about repeatable accuracy!

Talked to him yesterday, he was really happy about another competitor finally retiring his Stevens 200 action.
That gun never went below 3rd place.
Often outshooting his Panda action.
It's back being a hunting rifle now.

But him having said that made me laugh.
When i brought up about building a bench rest rifle he was all about "buy a known winning custom action rifle in 6BR. That's what all the competitive shooters are using."

So of course i had to build a 250 Savage with a Savage action.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I have a like new Savage model 10 action sitting here. 40 rounds on it. I may have to get an Oryx Chassis and screw a barrel on this thing and do some shooting.

 

[DiffEQ]

Just found the MDT LSS-XL Gen 2....does anyone have any opinions on it?

I have a Gen1, so some of my comments may be invalid.
Pros:

• It's light
• Easy fit and mounting.
• Easy to change buttstocks and grips
• Multiple mag vendors to choose from
• Durable - except for the powder coat. I've banged mine around using boulders as improvised rests a heckuva lot, and the damage to the finish shows it. But the action and accuracy all remain true.
  [edit to add] When I say bang around, I'm talking slamming down on a rock, sliding the rifle around on the rock as I acquire target. Stuff I'd never think of doing with a wood stock. I doubt any powder coat would stand up to that. [/edit]
• You used to be able to get them on scratch/dent clearance, which made them a steal.

Cons:

• The foreend is BS if you like to have a solid hold on your rifle foreend, as I was taught. You'll need to add a piece on it to get a good grip. It is a POS for offhand shooting unless you modify for this.
• The sling attachment they use is a large diameter, so bipods that use it to attach won't fit.
• The inserts they supply for magazines stops will readily fall out unless you modify the fitment or glue them in.
• If you like a rifle that balances, the heavier your barrel, the heavier your buttstock needs to be. A front heavy LSS-XL sucks as far as handling, IMO.

I disliked the foreend so much, the next chassis I tried was a TAC-21 for a Remington. Heavier, and a much more satisfying feel to the gun. I also have a McRees Hunter, which I find suitable.

Before you start spending money upgrading your rifle, I think you should sell the Savage.

Either buy a used Remington 700 or save up for a Tikka.

I know the whole attitude of cry/buy, but I think this is poor advice. Sure there are better parts options for Remingtons, and much greater parts availability, but I think part of that is because stock Remingtons are so marginal. To make a Remington good, for the most part, you *must* upgrade.

I think the greatest deficiency of a Savage action is its extractor design. What might be a clicker in a Remy, can just as likely be a stuck case in a Savage. Solution? Don't load for barn burners.
[edit] Dunno why, all my Savages have been prone to pressure, not such an issue any more that I don't feel "the need for speed". Remy, Tikka, Win, CZ, Ruger -- I've overloaded all of them and only the Remy has had a stuck case. The Savage? Bah! The reason why I always brought an aluminum or brass range rod to hammer out a case. [/edit]
If I were to take a budget rifle, i.e. <$600 new to modify for a precision shooter, It'd be a Savage or a Vanguard/Howa 1500.

 

[Rob01]

Light is not a pro for a PRS stock.

 

[Gil P.]

I have a Gen1, so some of my comments may be invalid.
Pros:

• It's light
• Easy fit and mounting.
• Easy to change buttstocks and grips
• Multiple mag vendors to choose from
• Durable - except for the powder coat. I've banged mine around using boulders as improvised rests a heckuva lot, and the damage to the finish shows it. But the action and accuracy all remain true.
  [edit to add] When I say bang around, I'm talking slamming down on a rock, sliding the rifle around on the rock as I acquire target. Stuff I'd never think of doing with a wood stock. I doubt any powder coat would stand up to that. [/edit]
• You used to be able to get them on scratch/dent clearance, which made them a steal.

Cons:

• The foreend is BS if you like to have a solid hold on your rifle foreend, as I was taught. You'll need to add a piece on it to get a good grip. It is a POS for offhand shooting unless you modify for this.
• The sling attachment they use is a large diameter, so bipods that use it to attach won't fit.
• The inserts they supply for magazines stops will readily fall out unless you modify the fitment or glue them in.
• If you like a rifle that balances, the heavier your barrel, the heavier your buttstock needs to be. A front heavy LSS-XL sucks as far as handling, IMO.

I disliked the foreend so much, the next chassis I tried was a TAC-21 for a Remington. Heavier, and a much more satisfying feel to the gun. I also have a McRees Hunter, which I find suitable.


I know the whole attitude of cry/buy, but I think this is poor advice. Sure there are better parts options for Remingtons, and much greater parts availability, but I think part of that is because stock Remingtons are so marginal. To make a Remington good, for the most part, you *must* upgrade.

I think the greatest deficiency of a Savage action is its extractor design. What might be a clicker in a Remy, can just as likely be a stuck case in a Savage. Solution? Don't load for barn burners.
[edit] Dunno why, all my Savages have been prone to pressure, not such an issue any more that I don't feel "the need for speed". Remy, Tikka, Win, CZ, Ruger -- I've overloaded all of them and only the Remy has had a stuck case. The Savage? Bah! The reason why I always brought an aluminum or brass range rod to hammer out a case. [/edit]
If I were to take a budget rifle, i.e. <$600 new to modify for a precision shooter, It'd be a Savage or a Vanguard/Howa 1500.

Getting a cheap Remington now and upgrading it will save the OP money in the future.

The Remington action and its clones are ubiquitous among the PRS/NRL crowd.

If he decides he doesn't like a stock, trigger, rail, etc it will be very easy for him to resell whatever he buys. He will also be able to take advantage of the comparatively massive used market for Remington pattern actions.

Ultimately its the OPs choice, it sounds like he's settled on a Savage.

 

[DiffEQ]

Getting a cheap Remington now and upgrading it will save the OP money in the future.

The Remington action and its clones are ubiquitous among the PRS/NRL crowd.

If he decides he doesn't like a stock, trigger, rail, etc it will be very easy for him to resell whatever he buys. He will also be able to take advantage of the comparatively massive used market for Remington pattern actions.

Ultimately its the OPs choice, it sounds like he's settled on a Savage.

I have a hard time rationalizing your first sentence. The first flaw in it is that you don't buy a gun and customize it with the intent to sell. Let's say you decide to upgrade in the future. In my case, I sold stuff to migrate from RH to LH actions.
Having customized two Remingtons and four Savages (i.e. rebarreling in wildcats, trued actions, custom stock/ chassis, trigger) and sold one Remy and one Savage, this has been my experience:

• the donor cost is lower for Savage at approximately 40% less;
• Parts cost are about the same between the two, with Remington having a wider selection and a much higher price limit to choose from.
• Some aspects to customizing a Savage are significantly cheaper. For example building a switch barrel where you swap standard/magnum bolt face. Bottom metals for Savage tend to be 1/2-2/3 the cost of a Remington.
• Both brands will sell for 60-70% of what you put into them, with the Savage costing less. The ultimate cost difference will be about the the value difference between the original donor parts.
• What really moves the sale is whether it's in a sought-after caliber, condition, and was the build done well.
• If it's a franken-gun, you're better off breaking it down and selling the individual parts.

For the OP, he stated he had a Savage SA and wanted to do it on a budget. He has the right base to move forward, and if he does it right, *will* have a great shooter.

 

[lazyMlazyK]

The MDT XRS is available for Savage SA RH actions and is an excellent choice and very budget friendly.
I like the XRS so much i replaced an MDT ACC and MPA BA Comp with them.

What type(s) of shooting do you do with the XRS?

 

[lazyMlazyK]

I don't ever plan on selling this gun when it's finished. Between varmint/coyote hunting, punching paper, or possible PRS action, I'll have a use for it for many, many years down the road. One day, one of my boys might get it, who knows. I don't buy guns to sell them. If they don't end up getting used for their intended purpose, they get used for other fun shooting.

 

[garandman]

I've had several XTR's. Quality stuff.

I understand burgetary constraints, but also recommend selling the Savage and getting into the Rem 700 SA platform.

More aftermarket options, more gunsmith support, more shooting community knowledge experience and support, basically industry standard platform.

 

[garandman]

Someone needs to tell the guy that recently set a record in ELR with a Savage that he needs to ditch it!

The OP already HAS a Savage action, that they just wanted some advice on a chassis for IT.

The OP's question got me to searching myself.
There are a few out there.
Looking at the MDT, ORYX, GRS.
I keep going back to the GRS chassis.
A lot of it is price, (i'm on a budget too)
But i think their design concepts are interesting also.

Sometimes, we need to listen to ppl that BTDT and learned the hard way,a nd adjust our plans. The inexpensive route can sometimes end up being VERY costly.

 

[std7mag]

Sometimes, we need to listen to ppl that BTDT and learned the hard way,a nd adjust our plans. The inexpensive route can sometimes end up being VERY costly.

True, but with proper planning, it doesn't always end up so.
Then also there is a budget that one must be comfortable with.
The mortgage has to be paid.
Some like myself, just don't have the disposable income to not use an action that they already have, and just go buy a new one, then put the added cost of machining into it. Or just buy a custom action.
I've learned to adapt lesser expensive things to fit my needs.

 

[garandman]

True, but with proper planning, it doesn't always end up so.
Then also there is a budget that one must be comfortable with.
The mortgage has to be paid.
Some like myself, just don't have the disposable income to not use an action that they already have, and just go buy a new one, then put the added cost of machining into it. Or just buy a custom action.
I've learned to adapt lesser expensive things to fit my needs.

Sure, true. And I assure you, I'm no trust fund baby. Cost always factors into every decision I make.

I also have to ask if my current budget / income level restrict me from ever having what I really want, or from having it right now / very soon.

I've never regretted waiting, saving up, delaying gratification and getting what I really want. Numerous times I've regretted buying something else just so I can have it right now. Like my 6.5CM built on a Rem 700 action. Its good, but now I'm thinking about selling it to get the gun I really wanted back then. A costly lesson about letting "have it right now" and immediate budget overrule saving and waiting.

To me, that's "proper planning."

Please don't in any way take this as me arguing with you, or arm twisting, or looking down my nose at you. Just my life experience / mistakes / regrets / second thoughts.

 

[Delfuego]

OP asked about buying a new stock, not if the peanut gallery thinks he need to build an entirely new rifle. If the OP gets hooked on shooting matches, I am sure he will build at least one new rifle. Hopefully he gets out shoots some matches and has some fun. Run whatcha brung...

 

[std7mag]

Sure, true. And I assure you, I'm no trust fund baby. Cost always factors into every decision I make.

I also have to ask if my current budget / income level restrict me from ever having what I really want, or from having it right now / very soon.

I've never regretted waiting, saving up, delaying gratification and getting what I really want. Numerous times I've regretted buying something else just so I can have it right now. Like my 6.5CM built on a Rem 700 action. Its good, but now I'm thinking about selling it to get the gun I really wanted back then. A costly lesson about letting "have it right now" and immediate budget overrule saving and waiting.

To me, that's "proper planning."

Please don't in any way take this as me arguing with you, or arm twisting, or looking down my nose at you. Just my life experience / mistakes / regrets / second thoughts.

Nope, we are good!

I figure when i'm trying to save up for a specific thing, that things either work out, or they don't. And sometimes things work out, just differently from what you were expecting.
Case in point.
I was saving up for a Savage Target action for my benchrest build.
A good deal came up on a used Sightron SIII 10-50X60 LRTD that i couldn't pass up.
Scope is a HUGE improovementover my other optics & i feel was a good investment!
But i had to go a different route for my action.
Which i did. (Will give details on build after it's done)

But, as Delfuego mentioned, the OP asked about a stock, not a whole new build & "run what you brung".

 

[std7mag]

Sure, true. And I assure you, I'm no trust fund baby. Cost always factors into every decision I make.

I also have to ask if my current budget / income level restrict me from ever having what I really want, or from having it right now / very soon.

I've never regretted waiting, saving up, delaying gratification and getting what I really want. Numerous times I've regretted buying something else just so I can have it right now. Like my 6.5CM built on a Rem 700 action. Its good, but now I'm thinking about selling it to get the gun I really wanted back then. A costly lesson about letting "have it right now" and immediate budget overrule saving and waiting.

To me, that's "proper planning."

Please don't in any way take this as me arguing with you, or arm twisting, or looking down my nose at you. Just my life experience / mistakes / regrets / second thoughts.

Nope, we are good!

I figure when i'm trying to save up for a specific thing, that things either work out, or they don't. And sometimes things work out, just differently from what you were expecting.
Case in point.
I was saving up for a Savage Target action for my benchrest build.
A good deal came up on a used Sightron SIII 10-50X60 LRTD that i couldn't pass up.
Scope is a HUGE improovementover my other optics & i feel was a good investment!
But i had to go a different route for my action.
Which i did. (Will give details on build after it's done)

But, as Delfuego mentioned, the OP asked about a stock, not a whole new build & "run what you brung".

My Stevens 200 in 7mm-08 at my first F-Open match.

 

[garandman]

@std7mag ... good talk. Best wishes. Do report back when you finish.