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its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

AXEMAN

AXEMAN

General Nuisance
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 17, 2009
5,037
6
kansas, topeka
but its ready to shoot. az precision bolt handle after the T&T from SSS. got 100 rounds loaded and ready to try and develop a load. but its all finished. did the barrel swap myself, got a working scope. new ferrel base is really nice. quality unit, 2 thumbs up. still may skim bed it after i shoot it.

4488163962_6dd0d8e767_b.jpg


4487513773_c28b6a1f07_b.jpg


laid out in the yard behind it. after the dogs settled down i sighted in on a caddy hood ornament about a block away and played with the zoom and side focus, getting a cheekweld, making sure the scope was mounted close/far enough for me to shoot comfortably. i may want a karsten... anyway, ill do some more playing in the yard and see about getting to a range this week. have a buddy that just got laid off. he will have time, lol. anyway, other than selling off stuff to raise money to buy a premier for it, its done.

and yes, ill let you know how it shoots. ive got a bunch of targets. only 100 rounds loaded since i didnt see the point in loading more until i got a load down. but i have 5 rounds each of different amounts of varget, 0.4g at a time from 42g to 44g plus 40 or 50 @ 42g, so i hope thats enought to get me close, plus have a fun shooting day with. unless i take my press, that will get me close. anyway, im off to lay in the straw with my dogs
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

Congrats, looks nice and keep us posted on how she shoots.
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

great rifle axe!
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

very nice. what was the turnaround time on the time/true by sss?
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

Nice build!

Whose aftermarket recoil lug did you install?

How much different does the manipulation of the bolt "feel" now that SSS did their T&T work on it? Was it worth the wait and money?

Thanks.
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

the recoil lug i bought used and i havent figured out who the maker is yet. it has a screw for a detent to index in the receiver. i havent seen any of the ones out there that were this way so i am not sure. here is a picture

4280152182_6da5646ca5_b.jpg


as for the T&T, its scheduled for the end of may. i emailed on 3/8 and they were taking names for late may. as of right now, i have polished a few spots on the action that i read about. the guys page that i used for reference is down at the moment... anyway my action is smooth and except for the heaviness when i first lift the bolt, i dont feel what people describe when they say savage bolts suck. i really cant say i have much 700 experience, so im not here to debate the two. savage is what i have experience with. first thing i did was clean it. thats what was gritty on mine. after that and a lube its really smooth. i have dummy rounds that i made when i was setting the reloading press up, i load the SSS 9 round and dry fire and cycle them and they all end up facing the same way and in a neat pile. anyway, they said they would email me late may and give me a shipping authorization number. i ship the action, barreled action or complete rifle. so i will let everyone know when it gets back. any improvement will be great, and no one else does what he does as far as i know, so i think the $125 will be worth it. plus for what i saved doing the barrel swap its not that much to spend for the improvement promised. no one i have read has NOT liked it so far, so im looking forward to it.

i also did my own bolt lift kit in this action. its in the gunsmithing thread along with the barrel install write up. they only thing i did that i never really mentioned was my new barrel nuts were really uneven on the face and the receiver had some of the coating that savage uses on the mating surface. what i always do is use 600 paper and a piece of glass. i lay the glass on my lap, lay the paper on the glass and press the barrel nut against the glass and make a figure 8 and that smoothed the edges so it didnt mar my recoil lug while staying fairly true. i did the same to the receiver just until the coating was gone and the metal polished. never lubed the threads of the barrel or nut.

oh yeah, i still havent figured out what to do with the barrel. its a shillen select match. im good with it the way it sits, but i thought about making the barrel a grey of some shade, possibly back to black. not sure, dont care, just want to shoot it. need to troll for a ride to the local range now, lol.
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

The bolt lift kit will get rid of most of the hard lift. You might have to re-bed the action when you get it back. Most of the Savages are twisted. SSS is supposed to straighten the reciever out when he trues it. Might want to ask Fred about it. Take a look at Kevin Rayhills bolt handle, they are very nice. Also the knob is knurled unlike Freds. He also has differant diameter og the knob end as well.

Now let see how she shoots. Remember this. Your HS is not going to be the same when you get this back. This is the only bad thing about the Savages. You will never get the HS the same when you remove the barrel. It will be close but not the same
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

Great looking stick. I have a Ferrell base and rings on one of my Savages and they are top quality.
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

i was gonna index mark the barrel for headspace, but i think i am going to send the whole barreled action in and then they can reset the headspace and i will check in when it comes back. its subjective i know, but i set it the way it is now, so ill shoot it and when it comes back i can look at the index marks and shoot it with their headspace and compare the poi/poa changes. but im not afraid to take it apart and do it myself anymore. plus i havent bedded cause i figured when he trues the receiver face it might change things, so im holding off


thanks all, but its basically a stock off the shelf rifle that i just slapped a nice match barrel on. i ran into some BS with parts and processes along the way but it was a learning experience. just like shooting. now i know the rifle, i did it all myself and thats what i was after. i try to only use a smith when i cant do what i am paying him to do, like the time and tune.

other than getting a notched swivel bipod for my podclaws, a nice (cheap) dragbag to hault it to the range in, possibly another 9 round mag, a single shot adaptor for local matches, possibly a karsten, and a decent sling, the better glass is the only thing i would consider changing. the ferrel base is sweet. i have a thing for nice steel in any form and this base is well made and they one i snagged had a recoil screw/lug. great finish and its heavy with clean machining.
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

Axe very nice. I wish I had that bottom metal on my rig. Not to mention a barrel like yours. Hope you do well at your local competitions. I think I'm going to a 500 and under steel match this weekend and see how my rig does with the new Super Sniper.

Good Luck and be proud of your rig,
Merritt
SGT USMC vet.
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

roseberry, jim at northland can get you savage bottom metal cheap... CDI can inlet for the factory bottom metal as its a close match to his own...

thanks everybody, it was a fun learning experience. next time, ill start from scratch and use a model 16 receiver in stainless. same brand of barrel just 18" & threaded with a protector. possibly fluted, CDI bottom metal (i wonder if he can do stainless...) and in a McM A4 in 50% black 25% blue 25% purple. im afraid to gussy the stock up too much, i looked at the prices for options.
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

Very nice rig! I like it!

My T&T is scheduled for May as well. I scheduled it back in late Feb!


**ETA**
Are those ghost flames I am seeing on the stock?? or am I just seeing things??
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

not so much ghost flames... i wanted to use epoxy and texture my stock, but it didnt really work out for me. long story, click on my name, see my posts and look for creative stock texturing thread. i used a spray on tool handle coating. not super happy with the way the scratches from me roughing the stock showed thru, but it was a trade off as to how think i could apply it and how long i could let it set -vs- when i could still get the tape off.

4472726750_a7b6b31a69_b.jpg


the skull is done in devcon. its the devcon i couldnt get peaks with...

4472728202_44f64ce3e5_b.jpg
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AXEMAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
4472726750_a7b6b31a69_b.jpg


the skull is done in devcon. its the devcon i couldnt get peaks with...

4472728202_44f64ce3e5_b.jpg
</div></div>

That is badass
wink.gif
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

a little time, tape and an exacto, its really easy to do. look at the thread i posted, i gave instructions. you can put anything you want on there this way. may have to do one letter at a time or one part of the design at a time. the eyes were a stroke of pure madness.
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better gl

Nice rifle, the flames are not my cup of tea but the skull is badass!
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better gl

i was just gonna block in an area but i figured why be the same when i can be different? the flames werent that much harder to do. a guy could do stripes or dots or a checkered pattern with some clever taping. i cant find any of the really thin tape, but i really didnt look that hard. but the 1/8" stuff is great for curves and flames. search online for a flame to copy. dont get a flame thats too busy, you still gotta get the tape to peel off. to many "fingers" and you will be digging out the tape with your xacto, messing up the pattern

i found the skull online in yahoo image search. printed it, cut it out and traced the outline on the masked area. i cut the thin strips for the teeth on a piece of glass. xacto the nose holes and then paint them in in your color of choice with a nice detail brush and some Testors model paint.
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better gl

Pretty kewl.
You really need to wait until you get six months and 2000+ posts before you actually fire it, it will make it all the sweeter!
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better gl

That's pretty slick! I've never seen anything like that before!
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

Congradulations AXEMAN,
Very nie job with the rifle. There is no better feeling than when all the saving, and waiting, and ordering, and spending and building is done, and you finally have the rifle you wanted. Being broke sucks, but being broke because you have a sweet new gun sucks a whole lot less!
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

sober- ouch, my balls, lol

so i call my buddies i know with land and guns. one is going fishing, cant shoot. the other has access to 300 acres... he is cutting his grass and taking his canoe out after that... i swear. so i am calling the high power director and seeing if he wants to take me out as a guest to the range for some sighting in. failing that, the public range is one hour north. its open next weekend. i will rent a car for the weekend and go there if i have to. we used to be able to go to the river and shoot, but thanks to idiots, thats now patrolled regularly by the sherrifs dept.

thanks guys. i dont mind waiting til i get it right or right in my head at least. but i feel comfortable with everything i have done so far. after it comes back from the T&T i will shoot it again, then skim bed it. the recoil lug recess is huge so that alone will be a good thing.

900-rifle, HS stock was the extra cost
300-scope
50-rings
175-barrel after selling factory as unfired to offset cost
75-base
80-bipod
30-stockpack
60-9 round mag
______________
1670 total

not bad. im sure im missing the small stuff like building the barrel vise, nut wrench, the pod claws and the new notched swivel bipod that i want to put them on and wish i had bought and still need to buy, instead of a plain one. all the brass and reloading stuff. the 1000k 168g SMKs, the T&T and the new AZ Precision knobby thats coming soon... will someone please talk someone into buying my CETME so i can buy more stuff, lol
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

Thats always the way it is. When you really really want to go shooting, theres never anyone around to go with. If I lived closer, I'd take the day off and come pick you up.
At least the rifle is ready, so when the opportunity arises, youre GTG. Nothing worse than having the chance to go shoot, and you're held up waiting on a set of rings (thats what happened to me).
Good luck and I hope you make it out.
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

one thing i wanted i add as an after thought was that had i to do it all over again. i think i would do it like this...



365-385 receiver, blue or stainless
300 match barrel
500-700 stock from mcmillan or manners
300 CDI bottom metal
________

1465-1685

i really wanted a mcm A4. anyway. just for info if you want to build anything, i really would think this thing would be my ideal build. had i know all the stuff i learned along the way, i would have built the above instead of mine...


sober, 3 day rental, 300 free miles, $34. the range is close to the casino. range opens in the am. ill go in and eat breakfast, spend $20 in quarters... shoot as much as possible.

and screw it im gonna put this out there for anyone, i have some rounds loaded up in different powder weights. im using lake city match brass. varget. 168g SMKs varget states 42g to 46g range in this application. i started at 42g went up by 0.4g loading 5 rounds each step all the way to 44g. i loaded a bunch of 42 to sight in. i dont want a bunch more over that 44g spot when the max is 46g and your supposed to reduce powder for military brass right? LC match too? how far over 44g would any one go? i know people will say go to pressure signs and then back off. im hoping to find something in the loads i have on hand. it may lie in between anything i have loaded. thought about taking my reloading gear, 2 clamps and all its contained in a tackle box and then the rcbs, just need a seater, brass is prepped, may as well right??... any thoughts?? i got plenty of targets. im ready.
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tomme boy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The bolt lift kit will get rid of most of the hard lift.

</div></div>

Depends on how far out it's timed. Some are worse than others.
 
Re: its done...really.nothing else.maybe better glass

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AXEMAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">one thing i wanted i add as an after thought was that had i to do it all over again. i think i would do it like this...



365-385 receiver, blue or stainless
300 match barrel
500-700 stock from mcmillan or manners
300 CDI bottom metal
________

1465-1685

i really wanted a mcm A4. anyway. just for info if you want to build anything, i really would think this thing would be my ideal build. had i know all the stuff i learned along the way, i would have built the above instead of mine...


sober, 3 day rental, 300 free miles, $34. the range is close to the casino. range opens in the am. ill go in and eat breakfast, spend $20 in quarters... shoot as much as possible.

and screw it im gonna put this out there for anyone, i have some rounds loaded up in different powder weights. im using lake city match brass. varget. 168g SMKs varget states 42g to 46g range in this application. i started at 42g went up by 0.4g loading 5 rounds each step all the way to 44g. i loaded a bunch of 42 to sight in. i dont want a bunch more over that 44g spot when the max is 46g and your supposed to reduce powder for military brass right? LC match too? how far over 44g would any one go? i know people will say go to pressure signs and then back off. im hoping to find something in the loads i have on hand. it may lie in between anything i have loaded. thought about taking my reloading gear, 2 clamps and all its contained in a tackle box and then the rcbs, just need a seater, brass is prepped, may as well right??... any thoughts?? i got plenty of targets. im ready. </div></div>

Soooo........did you get out and shoot that rifle finally?

Branden
 
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