Savage Bolt Body

[mj2evans]

I am piecing together a long action rifle with a Douglas 6.5x55 barrel and a Stevens action. I am gettign the other pieces together and have decided I cannot stand the shiny bolt body from the Stevens action. Can I sandblast and paint this thing? Should I order a new bolt body? I really want the body fluted also. Any thoughts?

 

[223Rem]

All three things can be done. Painting it with a durable coating such as gunkote would probably be the easiest and least expensive.

If you just want to take the shine off the bolt, you can use some extra fine abrasive sandpaper,with a little oil) and go to town. Just take the bolt apart and work on the body.

 

[Rustystud]

Have your bolt body glass beaded.
Nat Lambeth

 

[rayjay]

I am a firm believer that 'form follows function'. The shiny, smooth, hard, uninterupted surface is the correct finish for smooth functioning with minimum friction when opening and closing the bolt.

 

[Rustystud]

Most Savages have a bolt race of .701-.702 ID. Most Savage factory bolts that I have encountered have between .696-.698 OD bolt. This makes for a sloppy fit. The PT&G aftermarket bolt bodies can be ordered in a specified OD. They generally are not just drop in. They require to be fitted. In both the area of the cocking piece and the end to adjust primary extraction. The factory Savage bolts are DOM and hardened then finished. The PT&G Savage bolt bodies can be purchased as fluted bolt bodies reducing surface contact. Propper fit and a little lubrication go a long way. Good bolt fit goes a long way in fighting group fliers.

Nat Lambeth