Savage 111 7mm rem mag customization

[Grubby]

First of all, I am new to the forum and I love it. I have been using my 223 Winchester 70 for quite some time. I bought the savage with the idea of doing custom work to it to make it a helper out to 800 yards to edges of my property.

Now, 10 years later...I am ready to mod. The 223 is very accurate out to 300 so I have been awfully complacent.

My questions for you: can my action be made into a 308 or possibly a 338 with minimal cost? I am already anticipating replacing trigger, stock, brake and barrel in the project. I just want to know what cost or work is involved in rechambering. I may not do it, just curious. I would love to get some version of a 338 for Energy sake, if that's not practical the to a 308 for availability of ammo and price.

I am just starting the learning process...I may end up putting I together myself so I could use suggestions on parts such as those mentioned above and a good read(article, thread or book) on the process.

I am in no hurry, I actually am planning on buying piece by piece to maximize my spending and then have it smithed together.

I appreciate you taking the time to read and help me out,

Grub

 

[geargrinder]

My Savage 338 Edge started out as a 308.

A barrel will run about $400 or less. A good stock will be $100 and up. Rings/Bases will be $100 and up.

If your trigger is a factory 3 screw, keep it, adjust it, and replace the spring. If it isn't, get one for about $30. I've had very good luck with the factory 3-screws. Otherwise replace it with a SSS or Basix Sav-2 for $100-$170.

Don't have a smith do the work. Spend $75 for the tools to do it yourself. It's very satisfying to do the work yourself. It's also very easy to do with a Savage.

 

[Grubby]

Thanks for the info...was yours a pre fit barrel? Where did you get it?

Also, is my action big enough for the 338 edge? I would love to turn it into that if possible.

I am also looking to lower the recoil of this beast...I am going to go with the heavy barrel and even a muzzle break no matter what.

Thanks sooo much,

Got my wheels turning...

Grub

 

[Sperz208]

Sav's are the best way to become a parts swapper smith. They really don't require any machine work (but you can have some done). Like said above buy the tools and it is well worth it to do the work your self, very well worth it. a nut wrench, go no gos, and a few other hand tools then the gun parts and your in like flin. the single best thing i have learned from this forum is how to do most of the work myself. - the machine. Lots of good info here. good luck sir.

 

[Grubby]

I am an avid woodworker and I have a friend who carves wooden stocks so I am going to have one made for me. I was lookin at getting a mcgowen barrel for my action that is prefitted and threaded for a brake.

That will do most of what i need right there for around 550.

Can I put a 338 on that action with any work? Anybody know?

Thanks for the great advise,

Grub

 

[sinarms]

Grubby, you can easily make that a 338, an Edge, Rum, Sin, Win ect. It all depends on what you want and how much you want to spend on it.

 

[geargrinder]

Thanks for the info...was yours a pre fit barrel? Where did you get it?

Also, is my action big enough for the 338 edge? I would love to turn it into that if possible.

I am also looking to lower the recoil of this beast...I am going to go with the heavy barrel and even a muzzle break no matter what.

Thanks sooo much,

Got my wheels turning...

Grub

Mine is a 32" Fluted McGowen blank that I sent to Sinarms to thread and chamber. He also threaded it for the muzzle brake.

My muzzle brake came from Ross Schuler. He sells a bunch of them on Snipers Hide and also ebay. They are about $45.

Yes, your action is big enough. It's the same size as mine. Mine just has a 308 sized mag opening. You'd have to run an Edge or RUM as a single shot unless you do some extensive modifications.

If you want to keep it a repeater, I'd recommend going 338win or Sinarm's 338 Sin wildcat.

 

[Grubby]

Thanks again...I will probably do it as a single shot for now which will suit m purposes for now. I like the idea of the 338 rum for me. I hav decided if I want to have the barrel made or buy a prefit...they one I like already in the 338 with brake installed under 500.

I really appreciate all the info...time to start getting the parts

Then I can be gun) in no time,

Grub

 

[rscott5028]

You didn't say much about your background. It doesn't seem like you've tapped the potential of your 7RM. So, in line with your proposed incremental upgrades I would leave the rebarrel/changing cartridge until later.

You didn't specify if you have the Accutrigger which some love and some hate. If you don't have one or have one and don't like it, then a good trigger is a big plus and money spent here will carry forward to a new barrel in the future.

Making your own wood stock can be a rewarding endeavor. But, it probably isn't the best way to extend the range/accuracy/precision of your rifle. There are lots of choices for laminate stocks that you can tweak and bed yourself as a good value with an improvement over many factory stocks. The cost of a good composite or chassis based stock goes up quickly.

Again, money spent on the stock also carries forward provided you don't make a huge change to the barrel profile. And, provided you've researched and selected a style that will suit you as you test and extend your limits.

Ditto for a good scope base e.g. 20 MOA rail, and optics.

Along the way, you'll need good handloading tools, components, and methods of procedure. Expensive is not a requirement for good handloading. But, there are basic tools required to promote consistency at long range.

Once you've addressed those points you'll either be in love with the 7RM, or ready to move on.

As others have stated, many top barrel makers offer Savage pre-fit barrels that you can install yourself. Research the caliber, bullets, twist, length, etc... and plan ahead as you're doing. Finding a barrel is easy. Finding one that has all of the specs you require is often more of a challenge and can easily lead to a 6 month or longer wait.

-- richard

 

[Grubby]

More background info,

I have shot lots of diff caliber rifles, hanguns and shotguns. A friend of mines father is an Ffl and he collects guns....lots of guns. I have shot most of them.

I knew when I bought the savage that I coul make it a better shooter. It shots good but very hard on the shooter. Light barrel is not getting it done. I am going to get a new barrel no matter what. I want it heavy and with a brake for recoil help. I know it will help from experience. My win 70 in a 223 kicks like my rem 597 22lr. Heavy barrel is great along with pilar bedding and a good stock. I also want a larger caliber and this will give me better precision in a semi custom rifle. Seems like the right time, I want to make this one better. Might as well take care of it at the same time, larger caliber I mean.

The stock that comes with it is flimsy and very light. I know a stock maker that has a 4 axis stock duplicating carver. I am going to make the laminated blank out of several pieces of hardwood and he is going to make the stock for about 150$ out the door.

As for reloading, I have an RCBS reloading kit. Friend gave it to me...I guess he ran out of room with his 2 dillon progressive loaders(he shoots a lot) I have not used the RCBS yet as I keep shooting reloads from the dillons. Once I get my new caliber, I will havevto start using it gun)

I will add a new scope next year with new base. I have leupold rings on it now with a 3x9 nikon on it. Nothing special, it was a gander mountain special.

I have the accutrigger and I am indifferent...I guess I will have to see how much money I have left after all the other upgrades I plan on making.

Richard, I was looking at some pre it barrels from mcgowen...reviews seem to be fairly good. I can have them make me barrel to spec in 2 months. Would you consider them a good choice?

Thanks again, I hope this gives you some better insight into why I am doing this,

 

[sinarms]

More background info,

I have shot lots of diff caliber rifles, hanguns and shotguns. A friend of mines father is an Ffl and he collects guns....lots of guns. I have shot most of them.

I knew when I bought the savage that I coul make it a better shooter. It shots good but very hard on the shooter. Light barrel is not getting it done. I am going to get a new barrel no matter what. I want it heavy and with a brake for recoil help. I know it will help from experience. My win 70 in a 223 kicks like my rem 597 22lr. Heavy barrel is great along with pilar bedding and a good stock. I also want a larger caliber and this will give me better precision in a semi custom rifle. Seems like the right time, I want to make this one better. Might as well take care of it at the same time, larger caliber I mean.

The stock that comes with it is flimsy and very light. I know a stock maker that has a 4 axis stock duplicating carver. I am going to make the laminated blank out of several pieces of hardwood and he is going to make the stock for about 150$ out the door.

As for reloading, I have an RCBS reloading kit. Friend gave it to me...I guess he ran out of room with his 2 dillon progressive loaders(he shoots a lot) I have not used the RCBS yet as I keep shooting reloads from the dillons. Once I get my new caliber, I will havevto start using it gun)

I will add a new scope next year with new base. I have leupold rings on it now with a 3x9 nikon on it. Nothing special, it was a gander mountain special.

I have the accutrigger and I am indifferent...I guess I will have to see how much money I have left after all the other upgrades I plan on making.

Richard, I was looking at some pre it barrels from mcgowen...reviews seem to be fairly good. I can have them make me barrel to spec in 2 months. Would you consider them a good choice?

Thanks again, I hope this gives you some better insight into why I am doing this,

I am pretty sure Mcgowen doesn't have a 338 edge reamer, if they do I would be surprised. If they don't they charge you a rental fee. As of lately I haven't been impressed with their barrels at all. I have made some shooters from their blanks but they have put out many duds too.

 

[rscott5028]

It sounds like you've got a plan and understand what you need to do.

I'm not the best to advise here as I haven't used any pre-fit barrels.

And, I have no experience with McGowen.

I've mostly used Shilen blanks and have had good luck. But, some people report duds although I haven't heard any specifics regarding those complaints. In any case, the factory is just down the road from here and I like being able to walk in and ask questions.

Krieger and Bartein are at the top of my list right now. But, I don't think they make Savage pre-fit barrels.

-- richard

 

[FEENIX]

FYI, Custom rifle barrels for varmint hunters to serious benchrest shooters. PAC-NOR Barreling, Inc. - Precision Rifle Barrels - Pac-Nor.com has a .338 EDGE (.338-300 Ultra - PAC-NOR Barreling, Inc. - Wildcat Chambers) and they sell prefit barrels.

Barrels Price/each (PAC-NOR Barreling, Inc. - Price List)
Contoured & Polished Standard Match Grade Chrome Moly Blank $260.00
Contoured & Polished Standard Match Grade Stainless Steel Blank $290.00
Contoured & Polished Super-Match Grade Chrome Moly Blank $285.00
Contoured & Polished Super-Match Grade Stainless Steel Blank $310.00

Prefit any PAC-NOR Barrel to Desired Caliber Add $125.00
Fitting and Chambering PAC-NOR Barrel to Your Action
(Includes Lapping and Truing of Action) Add $300.00

Good luck and happy safe hunting/shooting.

Ed

 

[diriel]

If you are getting a Pre-Fit barrel Already WITH brake, then it will need to be a radial brake similar to a Vais. Be advised if you do any prone type shooting, they tend to kick up a LOT of debris.

Have fun,
Gary