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Questions on Savage Rifles

I am new to Savage rifles, so I have a few questions before I jump in. What are the ups & downs with the Model 11 FCNS and what does short or long shank refer to? The gun is in 308, but will be rebarreld soon.
Thanks in advance for any replys.
 
There is no 'short/long shank' but rather a small shank and large shank. Almost all Savage rifles are barrelled with small shank diameter (1") barrels, except for the hunting rifles that were chambered to RUM/WSM cases (first ones were however small shank) and the target actions which are ALL large shank diameter.
Cheers...
Con
 
The 11FCNS is a fine rifle; nothing special but it should be a shooter just the same. I've got one that is currently wearing a 12FV .204 barrel and will end up in a B&C A2 Medalist sometime in the future.

You talking new or used rifle? And what do you intend to rebarrel it to? If you go varmint contour or heavier you'll need a new stock...but probably want a new one anyway.
 
EOD350 said:
I am new to Savage rifles, so I have a few questions before I jump in. ... what does short or long shank refer to?

Shilen makes drop-in replacement barrels for the Savage [barrels come threaded and fully chambered ready to be installed into the action with no additional machining or modification needed].

At the very bottom of this page you'll see their reference for barrel shank size with dimensions and threads per inch: http://www.shilen.com/savageBarrels.html . This should give you a basic baseline point of reference.

Here's another explanation from Savage Gunsmithing.com http://www.savagegunsmithing.com/savagetech.html . Barrel Shank Sizes:The shank diameter on Savage's standard calibers is 1.055" The Savage rifles chambered in Remington Ultra Mag and Winchester Short Magnum have a larger shank diameter. These measure 1.120" The outside of the barrel nut is the same diameter on both the standard calibers and the Ultra Mag - WSM calibers. All barrels are threaded 20 threads per inch. Note: Some of the first Ultra Mag and WSM rifles were made with the smaller diameter shank. The larger diameter shank barrels will have a step in front of the barrel nut.
 
Thanks to all that have given me info on the Savage. I appreciate your time. The rifle is in .308 sporter, but will soon be a .308 hvy barrel or .260 hvy barrel. I am a fan of the .260, and have been able to make them shoot well.
 
EOD350 said:
Thanks to all that have given me info on the Savage. I appreciate your time. The rifle is in .308 sporter, but will soon be a .308 hvy barrel or .260 hvy barrel. I am a fan of the .260, and have been able to make them shoot well.

Look at the Criterion savage prefit barrels from Jim Briggs/Northland Shooter Supply. 26" varmint contour stainless steel hand-lapped barrels for $250 + shipping...and they shoot!
 
I have a question and am wondering if my idea will work ? I’m using a savage 6.5 stealth evolution which is a model 10 short action I believe. I have a model 10 fcp in 308 and want to know if I can switch stocks so that I’m shooting 6.5 in the grs stock...the reason for this is the magazine length is significantly larger in the grs configuration allowing me to reach the lands while hand
Loading and making better reloads. I was hoping that the grs for the 308 is the same as 6.5 but before I tear the guns apart I thought I’d ask some knowledgeable experienced folks like yourselves.
Thanks for the help
 
I am new to Savage rifles, so I have a few questions before I jump in. What are the ups & downs with the Model 11 FCNS and what does short or long shank refer to? The gun is in 308, but will be rebarreld soon.
Thanks in advance for any replys.
The downs to Savage?
Let's see
1. Heavy bolt lift
2. Crappy trigger design
3. Limited aftermarket products (compared to Remington)
4. Action re design every couple of years
Up side
1. Price
2. Decent barrel
3. Barrel nut design + for DIY
4. Over the counter F class and benchrest models
5.twist rate options in most models
Good outweighs the bad I suppose
I own one!
J
 
I play with Savages all the time and the simple truth is you will spend more on this gun than you paid for it. Don't get me wrong it is fine if it is just for hunting but for anything else you will be disappointed. Take it and trade it on a model 12 BVSS you will be much happier. Oh and get the caliber you want.
If this doesn't work for you then expect to replace the barrel, $300+ and then the stock $150 plus depending on what you want or need. When you do the barrel don't forget the recoil lug ( you want a ground one) and a new ground nut another $75.
Are you starting to see my point. I'm not trying to steer you away from Savages if you look in my safe except for one Bush Master it is all you will see (14 of them), I even built a couple of BR rifles on their actions but I'm old and set in my way.
 
I have a question and am wondering if my idea will work ? I’m using a savage 6.5 stealth evolution which is a model 10 short action I believe. I have a model 10 fcp in 308 and want to know if I can switch stocks so that I’m shooting 6.5 in the grs stock...the reason for this is the magazine length is significantly larger in the grs configuration allowing me to reach the lands while hand
Loading and making better reloads. I was hoping that the grs for the 308 is the same as 6.5 but before I tear the guns apart I thought I’d ask some knowledgeable experienced folks like yourselves.
Thanks for the help

You can swap with no issues. The nominal OD on all savage actions is the same and all the modern short actions have a 4.40” bolt spacing. The only minor issue can appear when attempting to put a bottom bolt release action into a top bolt release stock or vice versa. A little dremel work can mitigate that though.
 
I have a question and am wondering if my idea will work ? I’m using a savage 6.5 stealth evolution which is a model 10 short action I believe. I have a model 10 fcp in 308 and want to know if I can switch stocks so that I’m shooting 6.5 in the grs stock...the reason for this is the magazine length is significantly larger in the grs configuration allowing me to reach the lands while hand
Loading and making better reloads. I was hoping that the grs for the 308 is the same as 6.5 but before I tear the guns apart I thought I’d ask some knowledgeable experienced folks like yourselves.
Thanks for the help
Gen 3 action has the bolt release on top and a 4.4 spacing on the action screws, those should be interchangeable.
 
Savage is ok. Just doesn’t have the components to customize like a 700 action or a custom action that follows a 700 blue print.
 
Gen 3 action has the bolt release on top and a 4.4 spacing on the action screws, those should be interchangeable.

I have a Savage M12 LRPV in a 204 Ruger, that action has about 3.4 in spacing on it's action screws.
I also have a Savage M12 in a 6MM BR F-Class Stock and It too has Action Screw Spacing of about 3.4 inches.
Both are Large Shank.

I have read many time about Savage's 4.4 inch Action Screw spacing, and I have 2 with the 3.4" spacing.
It appears Savage has 2 different current actions .
 
I have a Savage M12 LRPV in a 204 Ruger, that action has about 3.4 in spacing on it's action screws.
I also have a Savage M12 in a 6MM BR F-Class Stock and It too has Action Screw Spacing of about 3.4 inches.
Both are Large Shank.

I have read many time about Savage's 4.4 inch Action Screw spacing, and I have 2 with the 3.4" spacing.
It appears Savage has 2 different current actions .
Many,
I had to do some research and still confused :confused:
Palma/ dual port 3.4 three screw
Target 4.4 three screw
Gen 3- 4.4 two screw
Gen 2- 4.27
Long action ?
Magnum ?
When you figure it all out let ME know..
J
 
Love my Savage 10t in .308 bought it for a tactical Rifle to play with , shoots as good as I want with my handloads... Could have bought a Remington , just didn't want one , after they screwed up the 870 I was done... Own a few older Remingtons and their great... Doesn't matter what you buy , eventually , if you start playing the game you will change everything on it also...
 
if I had it to do over again I would have bought a Remington but they just came out with the nut system for remage, just a few years ago, you can get tons of stocks triggers and what nots for the Rem, but the savage can go from .223 bolt face to 308 boltface, to Magnum bolt face in just a few minutes and barrel changes are easy once you get used to it, I don't over torque my barrel nut... so my changes are quick and easy, I can be shooting a 220 swift and 30 minutes later a 300 winmag and 30 minutes later 6.5x284 all in one day, but with some money invested you can have the same with a custom action and good gunsmith with pre chambered barrels it's all about the money you want to invest, I shoot for fun or my own ego in my little world lol, it's all fun
 
the thing is when changing barrels is to headspace on the tight side, that way maybe you wont stretch your brass so bad and extraction is better, head space a little long and you will have extraction issues, been there and done that, make sure your locking lugs and that area are clean, take out firing pin put a pc of tape on the bolt body to hold the head retainer and do your headspacing like that, always headspace with FP out you get a good feel for the gauge or case if you use one, if I buy a used barrel I always try to get fired and sized cases, I have bought many used barrels that shoot super great, I have a 300winmag now that I bought used that shoots .2 to .5 very happy with that, bought some used 6 dasher barrel that shot in the .1s so there you go have fun
 
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A few notes I have on Savage...

Savage

Savage Long Actions
Same bolt spacing since the beginning in 1958 = 5.062”

Savage Short Actions
1st. Gen Short Actions = 4.522" (1959 to 1987, staggered feed magazine)
Missing Generation (all long actions) = 5.062” (1988-1997, chambered short action calibers in long actions)
2nd Gen Short Actions = 4.275" (1998 to 2007, staggered feed magazine)
3rd Gen Short Actions = 4.400" (2005 and up, center-feed magazine, not in photo)

Savage Target Actions
3rd Gen Palma/Dual-Port = 3.440" (single shot only)
Target and LRPV Actions = 4.440” (single shot only)
Magnum Target = 5.062” (single shot only)
Large Shank Barrel barrels with 5/8” Barrel Nuts.

Savage Axis
Action screw spacing = 4.8” has a separate recoil lug. There is one size action for all calibers for the Savage Axis.

Savage 210, 212, 220 Slug Guns
5.062” screw spacing, 210 has a 3 lug bolt 212/220 have a two lug bolt, uses a Large Shank Barrel with 5/8” barrel nut.

Savage Barrels
There is a small shank and large shank barrels. Standard (small) shank barrels have a shank diameter of 1.055”. Large shank barrels are found on the Three Screw Target Actions, most WSM chambered rifles, RUM chambered rifles, and the 210/212/220 slug guns and have a 1.120” diameter.

Savage Barrel Nuts
As there are two different barrel shanks there are also two different barrel nuts. The large shank barrel nut is 5/8” long, and the standard shank barrel nut is 7/8” long.

Large Shank 1.120” Diameter barrel w/ a Large Shank 5/8” length Barrel Nut is found on WSM, RUM, TARGET and SLUG GUNS.

Small Shank 1.055” Diameter Barrel w. a Small Shank 7/8” length Barrel Nut is found on most Standard Savage Rifles.


Savage Model Numbers and Letters
Generally Savage rifles with a two digit model number are short action, and those with a three digit model number are a long action. This however has not always been the case, we must not rely on model numbers and letters for information. For example, Just because they say it’s a Model 12 doesn’t mean it that is doesn’t have target action, just because they say it’s a .308 doesn’t mean it’s a short action. While the model number and letters can help us decipher what they have, we must still ask, “What length action is it?”, “What is the action screw spacing?”, “How many action screws does it have”, “What type of magazine system?”, “Top bolt Release or bottom bolt release?” etc.

AK - Adjustable Muzzle Brake
NS - No Sights
B - Laminate Stock
P – Police
BT - Laminated Thumbhole Stock
SS - Stainless Steel
C - Clip (Detachable Box Magazine)
T - Rimfire Peep Sights
F - Synthetic Stock
V - Heavy Varmint Barrel
G - Hardwood Stock
XP - Package Gun
H - Hinged Floorplate
Y - Youth model
L - Left hand
ML - Muzzleloader
SR - Suppressor Ready barrel (Threaded)

Example: 11FCNS - Synthetic stock, detachable mag, no sights
 
I was hoping someone would have good way to Check headpacing or measure mine savage 6.5 stealth evolution as well as 308 berserker stock.
I am aware if the go-no-go gauges and will be purchasing one, however to ease my curriosity is there a way to check it. By the way I have no reason to believe that either of my firearms have a headspace problem..I would just like to have the knowledge to look if issues arise. Thanks
 

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