Rick300
Gold $$ Contributor
I agree with that. Extra high would be betterBe aware of the Oryx chassis, it is about like a flat top AR, needing high rings.
I agree with that. Extra high would be betterBe aware of the Oryx chassis, it is about like a flat top AR, needing high rings.
Realistically, inside 300 yards or so, the .200" to .300" accuracy difference will still allow hits pretty regularly with any of the bullets. I'd work on load development improvement. I'd try the fast powders which, while they don't give best velocity - do most often give the best accuracy with the small pills. If you don't turn your necks - do so. Big improvement in the micro calibers like .20 and .17. Moreso than .223's and up. Don't forget about the rapid second shot follow-up advantage of the A/R. Super-fast wind hold-off ability can trump the accuracy difference of the bolt gun in a big way in real-world conditions - as I'm guessing you already know. If you haven't already tried it - try Accurate LT-32 powder and a few more of the fast ones with that 32. Maybe some H322, H4198 too, if you have any.Back in 2018 I purchased a used AR upper in 20 Practical with a 24" White Oak Armament stainless bull barrel, and all the dies as a package. I have been loading for it and have a decent 40 grain Vmax load which shoots maybe .375" or .5" groups if I do my part. Been working on better 32 Vmax load (currently trying to beat .5" to .6"), but wondering if a bolt gun would make for a more accurate format than my AR? Intended use is for sage rat, coyotes, and hopefully some day prairie dog hunt (bucket list).
I have built AR's, but never a bolt gun. I don't have a huge budget, so I was thinking of using a small chassis Savage action maybe that was a 223, buying the 20P barrel, and head-spacing it myself. For the stock I'd probably use a Boyds, and then glass and pillar bed it. I've done that on bolt guns, so I feel confident I can work on this new project.
It appears most folks on this site have more money than I can invest. I won't be buying a custom-shop made Remington 700 style action, and all that. I have some Savage rifles which have proven very accurate. I like that they can be built by myself. The floating bolt face works well, so I don's see the need to blueprint the action and bolt face. I figure the main cost will be a really good barrel.
Now the first question might be, which Savage action is correct for this project? I see Long Shank, Short Shank (I assume this is the one I want for 223 / 20 Practical), then large and small diameter, and center feed or stagger feed. Then there's the model 10 or 110, 11 and 12 designation. I really can't figure out this stuff, and so I'm stuck in even looking for any used guns with a correct action.
Ideally, I'd think it was great to build a 20 Practical that could take a removable magazine, like a Pmag or other, but I don't know if there is such an animal. I thought of looking for a used "donor gun" and change out the barrel, and so on, but I don't know which guns out there have the right action. From what I read, you don't want the Savage Axis as it's not good to build from.
Thanks for the input!Realistically, inside 300 yards or so, the .200" to .300" accuracy difference will still allow hits pretty regularly with any of the bullets. I'd work on load development improvement. I'd try the fast powders which, while they don't give best velocity - do most often give the best accuracy with the small pills. If you don't turn your necks - do so. Big improvement in the micro calibers like .20 and .17. Moreso than .223's and up. Don't forget about the rapid second shot follow-up advantage of the A/R. Super-fast wind hold-off ability can trump the accuracy difference of the bolt gun in a big way in real-world conditions - as I'm guessing you already know. If you haven't already tried it - try Accurate LT-32 powder and a few more of the fast ones with that 32. Maybe some H322, H4198 too, if you have any.
0.38 | 0.23 | 0.43 | 0.33 | 0.27 | 0.53 | 0.45 | 0.36 | 0.50 | 0.53 |
Savage Model 10 LS Just my two cents Tommy Mc Large Shank { Ls }Back in 2018 I purchased a used AR upper in 20 Practical with a 24" White Oak Armament stainless bull barrel, and all the dies as a package. I have been loading for it and have a decent 40 grain Vmax load which shoots maybe .375" or .5" groups if I do my part. Been working on better 32 Vmax load (currently trying to beat .5" to .6"), but wondering if a bolt gun would make for a more accurate format than my AR? Intended use is for sage rat, coyotes, and hopefully some day prairie dog hunt (bucket list).
I have built AR's, but never a bolt gun. I don't have a huge budget, so I was thinking of using a small chassis Savage action maybe that was a 223, buying the 20P barrel, and head-spacing it myself. For the stock I'd probably use a Boyds, and then glass and pillar bed it. I've done that on bolt guns, so I feel confident I can work on this new project.
It appears most folks on this site have more money than I can invest. I won't be buying a custom-shop made Remington 700 style action, and all that. I have some Savage rifles which have proven very accurate. I like that they can be built by myself. The floating bolt face works well, so I don's see the need to blueprint the action and bolt face. I figure the main cost will be a really good barrel.
Now the first question might be, which Savage action is correct for this project? I see Long Shank, Short Shank (I assume this is the one I want for 223 / 20 Practical), then large and small diameter, and center feed or stagger feed. Then there's the model 10 or 110, 11 and 12 designation. I really can't figure out this stuff, and so I'm stuck in even looking for any used guns with a correct action.
Ideally, I'd think it was great to build a 20 Practical that could take a removable magazine, like a Pmag or other, but I don't know if there is such an animal. I thought of looking for a used "donor gun" and change out the barrel, and so on, but I don't know which guns out there have the right action. From what I read, you don't want the Savage Axis as it's not good to build from.
I just did a search, what's the LS part? I didn't find good Google results, thanks.Savage Model 10 LS Just my two cents Tommy Mc
Large Shank. Tommy McI just did a search, what's the LS part? I didn't find good Google results, thanks.
I opened up my gas hole one size larger, and install an adjustable gas block..it should help barrel harmonics and tighten up your group a pinch...also reduce pressure on your bolt carrier, and buffer system..Back in 2018 I purchased a used AR upper in 20 Practical with a 24" White Oak Armament stainless bull barrel, and all the dies as a package. I have been loading for it and have a decent 40 grain Vmax load which shoots maybe .375" or .5" groups if I do my part. Been working on better 32 Vmax load (currently trying to beat .5" to .6"), but wondering if a bolt gun would make for a more accurate format than my AR? Intended use is for sage rat, coyotes, and hopefully some day prairie dog hunt (bucket list).
I have built AR's, but never a bolt gun. I don't have a huge budget, so I was thinking of using a small chassis Savage action maybe that was a 223, buying the 20P barrel, and head-spacing it myself. For the stock I'd probably use a Boyds, and then glass and pillar bed it. I've done that on bolt guns, so I feel confident I can work on this new project.
It appears most folks on this site have more money than I can invest. I won't be buying a custom-shop made Remington 700 style action, and all that. I have some Savage rifles which have proven very accurate. I like that they can be built by myself. The floating bolt face works well, so I don's see the need to blueprint the action and bolt face. I figure the main cost will be a really good barrel.
Now the first question might be, which Savage action is correct for this project? I see Long Shank, Short Shank (I assume this is the one I want for 223 / 20 Practical), then large and small diameter, and center feed or stagger feed. Then there's the model 10 or 110, 11 and 12 designation. I really can't figure out this stuff, and so I'm stuck in even looking for any used guns with a correct action.
Ideally, I'd think it was great to build a 20 Practical that could take a removable magazine, like a Pmag or other, but I don't know if there is such an animal. I thought of looking for a used "donor gun" and change out the barrel, and so on, but I don't know which guns out there have the right action. From what I read, you don't want the Savage Axis as it's not good to build from.