Savage Target Action Bolt/Barrel Swap

[pdhntr]

I have a Savage target action. Left port. .473 bolt face.

So can I take a 223 Remington Savage bolt same length (from a right port action), turn the bolt head 180 degrees, and head space an appropriate barrel and be good to go?

I switched my 223 bolt around and tried it in the action without a barrel and it seems to work fine, but I wonder if I am missing something as it seems too easy.

Thanks.

Jim

 

[Twdmar]

I dont have experience with this but I think you will have ejection issues. The right bolt head has the ejector so I pushes the bottom of the case to push it up and out of the rifle.
If you flip it over, i imagine it will probably push the case downward.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Do PTG have an appropriate bolt head?

 

[46and2]

I have a Savage target action. Left port. .473 bolt face.

So can I take a 223 Remington Savage bolt same length (from a right port action), turn the bolt head 180 degrees, and head space an appropriate barrel and be good to go?

I switched my 223 bolt around and tried it in the action without a barrel and it seems to work fine, but I wonder if I am missing something as it seems too easy.

Thanks.

Jim

No, look at you bolt head. There's a raised rail that rides a notch cut into the action.
Turning rotating the bolt 180° will not enter the action. You'll have to buy a left port eject bolt head.

 

[urbanrifleman]

No, look at you bolt head. There's a raised rail that rides a notch cut into the action.
Turning rotating the bolt 180° will not enter the action. You'll have to buy a left port eject bolt head.

This is correct.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Is the raised rail on the bolt head or on the front baffle?
Are these like the bolt heads you are talking about?

 

[pdhntr]

 

[pdhntr]

The "raised rail" is on the front baffle. The front baffle turns around the bolt 360.

Looks like all I have to do is take out the ejector, which is the way I want it anyhow.

The bolt slides in and out just like the other one, and the trigger sets it off just fine.

Jim

 

[Rocketvapor]

You plan on single load, without an ejector?

 

[pdhntr]

You plan on single load, without an ejector?

Yes. Strictly a pd bench gun so I don't want the cases flying anywhere I have to pick them up. Easier to reach into the action, remove the spent cartridge and put it back in the box where it belongs.

It is a solid bottom action anyhow.

Jim

 

[Rocketvapor]

That's what I did for a 22 Nosler Savage for my wife, with a single shot rider.
Wanted to make up a couple bolts to test springs, shims, and other mods.
Found that the headspace would be different between the left and right boltheads, so stuck with multiple right ones.

Finally went with a new style BAS and a Carbide insert with the 38special mod.