Building off of a Savage Target Action?

[mitch_04]

Hi all,
I am going to get into the longer range shooting, and it seems the 6mm BR would be a simple way to get in with its available ammo, brass, and low recoil. I work at a gun shop, and I am able to purchase at lower costs. I am thinking of going the Savage route, mainly because it's a single shot target action, and I don't have to buy a barrel and stock that would just get taken off. I want to go with a Shilen barrel, and not sure on the stock quite yet, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Which of these, http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/actions/target/ would you recommend? I was thinking a simple right load, right eject to keep as much metal on the action as possible. Also, if I could get a good recomendation for bullet weight. I know heavier is better for longer, but I might do some long range hunting with this as well, so I need to have a twist rate that will allow me to shoot hunting bullets as well as target, so I can't go with the ultra-heavy rounds. I hope I'm explaining myself clearly, and if anyone has some recommendations on which action, bullet weight, and twist rate it would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Mitch

 

[tdnichols]

If I was just using for long range target...I would get dual port..left load right eject. That is if I didn't need to have spotting scope set near me. If on theother hand I would want to have spotting scope set where I could use it ..i.e David Tubb I would get standard load and eject on the right...

 

[Thorbird]

You are making a good start on choice of action, I have had good luck with the shilen barrels, but there are any number of great makers to pick from. You'll want what is termed a "Large Shank" barrel for the 3 screw target action. If you don't like the trigger, I have found the rifle basix makes a great trigger for the savage actions. That will be the most important choice in my opinion to how the gun shoots. You will probably want a 1 in 8 twist, that will cover a wide range of bullets up to the 108 Berger Boat Tail, which I love for my 6br and 6BRX. The 107 SMK is also a pretty easy bullet to get to shoot well. Any VLD's can be harder to make work, and you will usually have to jam them, but you'll just have to experiement. 30 grains of varget has been the stand for the 6br. Check out the section of this website for 6br info. on loads and the round itself. Savageshooters.com is loaded with any kind of specific savage advise you need. The 6br stock that comes with the Savage F-Class is a decent stock in my opinion, and I have just heard that stockys/hart have put together a long range stock for about $200 that is very solid. You'll have to add pillars to that stock.

Have fun and good shooting.

 

[mitch_04]

Thanks for the input. Does anyone happen to have recommendations for good heavy hunting bullets? I love having good triggers, I have a Jewell on my Rem 700 hunting rifle. The savage trigger would get me going, but I'm sure I would eventually replace it. I have Rifle Basix Triggers in all (5) my Marlin Rimfires, and they are pretty good, but nothing compares to that Jewell. Like I said earlier, this would mainly be a beginner gun for longer range shooting, but I would like to have the option at a long hunting shot every now and then. Plus, the low recoil would make it easy for my wife to shoot.

Thanks again!

 

[fdshuster]

mitch: Unfortunately for us, Jewell is not making a trigger for our savage's, wish they did. I have replaced the Savage triggers with Rifle Basix in one and a Sharpshooter Supply in the other. Both very good, but of course, not a Jewell like in several of my Remington's.

 

[RonAKA]

I would go with the right bolt left eject action. It is as solid as any, and gives you the convenience of seeing what you are doing when feeding, and the ability to catch your brass without damaging it. You don't really want to do damage or lose your quality Lapua stuff. I have a Savage with this design, and find it a pain now to do the right bolt right eject.

8 twist is what you want. The trick is getting the correct throat length, and neck diameter. Best to buy the brass first, and measure some loaded rounds with your potential bullets to get it right. Remember if you go too long in the throat then you may have issue trying to shoot lighter bullets.

You'll want to shoot the 100+ grain low drag bullets for long range targets. For hunting I would suggest the 95 grain Nosler Partition for deer, and 80 grain Berger for varmints.

For a barrel I think I would be tempted to spend a few extra bucks and get a cut rifled (like Krieger) instead of button, but there are lots of good button rifled barrels that shoot very well.

 

[jhord]

The Savage is a great way to go. I built one based off a RB/LP action, had an 8-twist Krieger heavy varmint barrel installed on it by Denny Tubbs of Gunworks, chambered for a no-turn neck and long bullets. I picked up a nice unfinished lowboy F-class stock from Savage Doctor with the Whidden aluminum bedding block in it. I'm really happy with the way it turned out, it has been a perfect "beginner" 6BR. And, I didn't spend much more $$ than I would have if I bought a complete rifle from Savage. At first the RB/LP was strange to me, but now I wish all my rifles were like that. I would suggest removing the ejector otherwise your brass will get scratched, dented, and hucked into the weeds somewhere. I shoot 107SMK's, Berger 80MV's, and Berger 95VLD's. It averages about .3 MOA.

 

[mitch_04]

Thanks again all who replied. I'll have to think about the left port, seems logical. Since the long range shooting will be the main purpose, I would probably have the barrel throated towards the larger bullets. If anyone else has some recommendations feel free to toss them in. If anyone has a similar combo with a Shilen barrel, I would love to hear how it's been.

 

[rich44]

I have a 6br 30" Shilen 8 twist barrel on a Savage RBLP action that I have been playing with while waiting on a rifle to be built.
Its shooting pretty good for something I screwed together.

first five shots out of the barrel

 

[jonbearman]

Rich44,is that stock the factory hs precision ? That is good shooting from a not broken in yet barrel.That gun has great potential. It is also a very handsome rig as well. Keep up the good work. Now to digress,I would also go with rble as it is common sense to grab with the left and feed with the left.I wouldnt take the ejector out but cut the spring down one coil at a time till it just gives enough pressure to release it from the extractor.I have good luck with shilen and best luck with hart barrels in my 6mmbr.I have a gun scheduled to go to sid goodling for a hart upgrade to 1 in 9 in .223. If you dont mind trying another barrel instead of shilen ,give that company a try.The next thing to do is join savage shooters and get on their forums.They also have direct dealer links like Northlander Supply.He has the best barrel prices around for shilen,mcgowen,criterion(kreaigers button rifled division) and brux. He also has the remage nut and barrels for the rem 700 conversion.You are really going to like the 6mmbr as it is now my favorite cartridge. Good luck! Jon

 

[fullersson]

I recommend the shilen large shank drop-in with an 8 twist. I would shoot berger 105 hunting VLD's for hunting and target practice. I know the 105 hunting VLD's are good for targets because I use them for target practice in an 8 twist Broughton chambered in .243 win. I should say I used them in a .243 win, about a week ago my barrel quit performing like it should so I ordered a Kreiger 8 twist today and it will be chambered in 6br. I will still be shooting the 105 hunting VLD's. In my opinion the hunting bullets are better than the target bullets. If you are going to install the barrel yourself get you a set of go/no go gages. I didn't use the gages for a while, I would just use a piece of brass (and it works fine most of the time) but if your not careful you will end with way to much headspace and not know it until you have messed up your brass. Hope this helps.

P.S. SharpShooter Supply sales stocks, prechambered barrels, and just about anything you could want for a Savage. Good people to deal with, but it like anything else in this sport don't be in a hurry.

 

[acloco]

Jard makes triggers for Savage/Stevens now as well. Purchased two! One is installed and has shots downrange - I LIKE it!!! Other was purchased and waiting on me to finish the build.

Jard trigger comes with a new sear/bolt release to correct some of the geometry in the factory Savage/Stevens trigger system.

 

[rich44]

jonbearman
Yes it's a HS stock off of one of the first LRPV's that action and barrel are now being bedded in a Shehane MBR Tracker.

acloco

At the risk of hijacking this thread which is not my intention I would like more info on the Jard triggers.

 

[skeetlee]

rich44 Thats a good start but you really need to get the vertical out of the load. if thats 100 yards then it will only be worse the farther out you go. I would try a bit more powder and maybe a little more neck tension and make sure your seating depth is proper. looks like your on the right path though! Dont worry about barrel brake in unless your barrel is showing signs of copper. good luck man, looks good! Lee

 

[wooger]

Tag, interested in the Jard trigger also. For the OP; I have 6br savage barrels by douglas and pac nor and they both shoot well. I like the left port option also and now wish that more of my rifles were configured that way.

 

[Heavies]

I really like the Hunting 105 VLD's. Also, 95 SMK shoot very well.
Mcgowen barrels are sweet too, very reasonbly priced, and have a quick turnaround.

I have a dual port Target action, SSS stock, and 24" Mcgowen barrel. Put it together and bedded it myself using go-nogo gauges with minimal fuss.

I am going to throw that accu-trigger in the trash soon, and I also have issues with ejecting the 6BR case.(tried all of the 'tricks' but still gives me issues)

Other than that, I love this rifle and cartrage, it is so very accurate and easy to tune! ;D

Group shot at 100yards during initial load workup. Less than 20 rounds down the tube.

 

[clannagael]

rich,

how in the world did you shoot that target and keep the bullets from going through the wood??? ;D

 

[deadlyswift]

Here is my 6br. Built on a Savage Target action, Bill Shehane MBR Tracker stock and a 28" Broughton 5c 1in8 tw. As well here is a target I shot at 150yrds with the 95gr Berger hunting VLD. Under 50rnds down the tube at the time the target was shot! (5 shot group)

I have not been able to repeat this group, but have came very close! I do believe it's the nutt behind the butt, and not the rifle! I do think the rifle is capable of repeating the group just not me. (yet) Either way The Savage action is a awesome action for someone to start with or build on a budget!
Mark

 

[fullersson]

Mitch I mentioned earlier about SSS (Sharp Shooter Supply), well since then I've shot a stock from Savage Doctor and I was very impressed. Google Savage Doctor and take a look at the website.

 

[deadlyswift]

Mitch I mentioned earlier about SSS (Sharp Shooter Supply), well since then I've shot a stock from Savage Doctor and I was very impressed. Google Savage Doctor and take a look at the website.

+1 You will not go wrong with this stock, and the V block design for the Savage Target Action From the Savage Doctor!!
Mark