Savage long action build, need ideas.

[bowhunter]

I bought a new 338wm the other day. Its purpose is long range targets and medium range big game hunting as well as the occasional prairie dog exploding! I purposely bought this because it was cheap and an excellent builder. I hate remington and couldnt find a cheap enough weatherby or howa donor. It is a pre-accutrigger clearance model with a scope for $350 new. So I sold the scope already and will be buying a new one tomorrow. I am gonna order a rifle basix trigger (which is why i didnt pay extra for an accutrigger). I am shopping for stocks but they are limited for this LA with detachable magazine. I wish they made a Wyatt trigger guard magazine conversion for it but oh well. I am also deciding if I should get a muzzle brake or not, threaded so i can remove it for hunting? I am still finding all the reload stuff so i can quit shooting $2+ a round hunting ammo for targets. I havent shot long range in a few years so i am still debating my options. Its a budget build so I am looking for ideas on stocks? And to brake or not? I will probably wear this barrel out, I was gonna go 338rum but didnt realize my magazines werent big enough! Any ideas/help? Thanks.

I would have went 300wm but couldnt find a good deal on one.

[Colorado Osprey]

Is it not just a long action, but a long action magnun in 338WM. They are different.
The 338WM is not just a medium range big game cartridge. It is well suited for long range as well.
Very expensive though for a prairie dog.

I would stay away from a break.. they are usually detrimental to accuracy. Don't believe me? Check out any precision competition.. no breaks to be found except on BIG calibers.

If you want a stock, Fred at Sharp Shooter Supply can make any of his stocks for a DBM. http://www.sharpshootersupply.com/
Prices are reasonable. They also have a bunch of accessories like larger bolt handles and heavier recoil lugs. The recoil lug is a must IMHO for a precision rig.

[Tim K]

I would stay away from a break.. they are usually detrimental to accuracy. Don't believe me? Check out any precision competition.. no breaks to be found except on BIG calibers.

I don't know if I believe you. I see lots of brakes at precision comps. I have no personal experience with them, so I'll refrain from saying you are wrong, but I find your statement suspect.

[Delfuego]

Stay way away from Fred @ SSS, unless you dont plan on shooting it until 2016. Contact Kevin Rayhill @ http://www.stockadegunstocks.com/ for a stock, recoil lug and bolt handle. The older model Savages dont have very many aftermarket options compared to the newer 4.4" models. Kevin has unfinished stocks that can save you some coin if you want to do the finishing.

Criterion makes great drop-in Savage barrels.
Timney also make a trigger for pre-accutrigger models.

The best thing you can do to lighten and smooth the Savage action is a lift kit and some polishing.

http://www.steyrscout.org/savscout.htm#Tips

http://forum.snipershide.com/showthr...vage+bolt+lift

Good luck! PM me if you need any additional help...

[bowhunter]

Even more choices now!

[Colorado Osprey]

While a break is not in itself the problem it is usually disruption and harmonics that are affected. You can tune a comp and actually get better groups than without. BUT, most don't go through this process and get worse groups by just installing-screwing on a break/comp.

Also agree that Criterion is the must have for proven drop in accuracy.

Didn't realize Fred was that far behind... it's been about a dozen years since I needed his services.

For a cheap laminate stock the Boys aren't bad at $97... they are available for detachable mag Savages

[Kraven251]

With all things breaks/compensators, it is about research. My 5.56 PR with a break gives me sub-moa at 400 yards (haven't ran it out much past that).

Your mileage may vary, but it would be worth it to test for yourself with your rig. Just like with custom loads and everything else find what works for you and your rifle.

[Hoser]

I would stay away from a break.. they are usually detrimental to accuracy. Don't believe me? Check out any precision competition.. no breaks to be found except on BIG calibers.

I also disagree. I see lots of them and sometimes use a brake on my long range rifles.

You wont see them at a short range benchrest match because they are not allowed. At 600 and 1,000 yard benchrest matches they are allowed and used by a majority of shooters. And lots of those guys are shooting 6mm calibers now days.

[Hoser]

For a hunting gun I would not go with a brake. Brakes are hell on eardrums.

The 338 Win Mag is a great caliber but expensive to feed.

[bowhunter]

For a hunting gun I would not go with a brake. Brakes are hell on eardrums.

The 338 Win Mag is a great caliber but expensive to feed.

Yes it is expensive! Thats why I wanted a 300wm. But once i find some powder i can start reloading. I want to get it out and stretch its legs. I couldnt afford a high end scope so I put a nikon on it. According to Nikons "spot on" program it looks like a 200yd sight in will get me to 792 without cranking knobs. The scope only has 60moa total adjustment, so I am hopeing it sights in good and I dont have to buy a 20moa rail? I am no mathemagician!