Savage action

[wi50]

I am a lefty and have a left handed Savage 111 action that I want to use for a bench and F-class rifle. I want to make a left bolt, right port. I would like to machine a part to fill in the left side and top of bolt port and cut the right side out for a loading port I would also machine a part to fill in the mag well and weld it in. I will machine a mandril to fit in the action and hold it true and I have machining and welding equipmint to make the parts and jigs out of.

What material should I use to machine the parts out of? What rod would I use to tig weld the parts in?

 

[gdragon34]

You could also just buy a Savage Striker pistol and convert it into a rifle. One of the guys at savageshooters.com has one like that.

 

[anachronism]

Something else to consider. You may be able to alter a right-hand Savage action to accept a left side bolt handle. It may be as simple as removing metal from the left rear of the receiver to allow the bolt handle a place to go. You'll need to compare a RH & LH action to figure it out. This would be simpler than cutting and welding a left-hand action. Plus, you'll want the right hand bolt so the extractor & ejector are in the correct positions. The 788 Remington was available left-handed with such a setup, and I've seen more than a few RH rifles converted to use a LH bolt. I think the Savage action, so modified will accept a bolt that turns either way, but I may be mistaken.

 

[BoydAllen]

The cocking and closing cams only work in one direction.

 

[daveb]

The cocking and closing cams only work in one direction.

Everything stays the same. The bolt is already on the left side . He only wants to change the port side. From a left to a right port.So the cocking and closing cams stay the same.
David

 

[BoydAllen]

I should have mentioned that I was responding to Anachronism's post. As to the original question, I would be worried about altering the heat treat of the action with the heat from that much welding.

Some time ago an article was written about a rifle that was designed for tactical matches for a right handed shooters. The author specified it left left. It was built with a custom action. There was a shooting instructor that was involved with the evaluation that liked it so much that he said that he wondered why he had right right rifles, that the left left was faster and easier to use. Have you tried a right right?

 

[wi50]

After I looked at a couple I figured I would just buy a right handed rifle and use my left handed bolt in the right handed action. They both cock on the same side, different bolts. The only thing is to cut a little angle on the locking lug ramps and a slot in the rear for the bolt handle. Then send it out for true and time.

I like the savage actions but in reality I should scrap the plan and just buy a BAT or Neseka or other custom and be done with it. Probably wouldn't have much more in the total rifle when done.

Better idea yet, just buy someones slightly used rifle for 2/3 the cost of building one and no wait.

 

[wi50]

Boyd
I have shot a lot of right right and as a left handed shooter I can probably shoot from a rest of bipod faster than any other configuration. Offhand is a different story, but the rifle will be for F class.