Gunsmithing Savage Bolt Spacing

[Qld4390]

Wanted to bounce some ideas off you guys to see if I'm completely off my rocker. Sometime within the next year, the AICS stock is going to be released for the Savage line of rifles. It has already been stated that they will only be making stocks for the 4.4" bolt spacing, and this is a problem for everyone running a rifle with a 4.25" spacing.

I need to know if there are any differences in the action, aside from the obvious bolt spacing. I'm pretty sure that the AICS stock system would fit if the bolt hold was drilled out, plugged, then redrilled. What do y'all think?

 

[geargrinder]

Re: Savage Bolt Spacing

The mag openings are different shaped between the stagger and center feed actions.

The center feeds are longer since they don't have to hold the magazines to the action.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Savage Bolt Spacing

cant say what you want to hear, but CDI uses the same mags dont they? and CDI makes a DBM for either the old or new spacing i think. so the mag should be able to work with either spacing and "you should" be able to get your action to work, space providing. dont you run into the trigger works?

 

[Qld4390]

Re: Savage Bolt Spacing

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AXEMAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">cant say what you want to hear, but CDI uses the same mags dont they? and CDI makes a DBM for either the old or new spacing i think. so the mag should be able to work with either spacing and "you should" be able to get your action to work, space providing. dont you run into the trigger works? </div></div>

That's a good point. I know (from reading the development thread) that using the same bottom metal was considered, but re-drilling for the different bolt spacing. I'll have to check in about that. Also remember reading, but can't verify since I don't have the 4.4" action, that the forward bolt hole was moved forward, and the rear was in the same position. Again, I can't be sure, but I can check with CDI.

 

[jasonZ]

Re: Savage Bolt Spacing

I believe that the only difference is really the bolt spacing, as far as the action goes. I know that I've seen posts where people have put a 4.25 into a 4.4 stock and vice versa. The issue would probably be that the 4.25 is a staggerfeed, hence the mag well is attached to the bottom metal and the 4.4 is not. However, if i'm not mistaken (and I may be, for I have never even held an aics stock) the aics setup is already inletted for a drop out mag setup, so your going to need a DBM setup anyways. At this point, I would suggest CDI and then get the mags from Alpha Industries. Again I'm not a professional, but I'm sure that if I am wrong there will be somebody that will comment and set me straight! Goodluck with it.