Gunsmithing Savage Target action &Pmags

[Delta4-3]

Im about to mill out the bottom of my Savage target action to make it take .308 P-mags. The caliber is 6.5x47 lapua, thanks to advice of those here. The question I have is if any of you have done it, and if so, any simple little pointers that you came up with. Ive done it on a 700 and it was tricky. I would think the target action would be eaisier because it is a solid bottom, so its a fresh start if you will. You are not working around existing cuts. We shall see. Pics to follow. Any input is welcome.
Thanks.

 

[BenY 2013]

Nice to see a fellow Arkansan trying new things! I don't have any advice, but would love to see pics!

 

[skinnj1]

It is more work than simply hogging the cutout for the mag, you wil need to cut a bottom feedramp into the reciever. You will need extended endmil
and a special fixture to hold action upside down. It is a tricky cut, if the setup isn't rigid, to make and if you screw it up the action will not be safe (removing to much material behind the bottom lug abutment). Also do not remove so much width wise that you get into the bolt guide to far.

 

[skinnj1]

My experience has been with aics only can not comment on pmags

 

[broylz]

are you going to create a bottom metal with a push button release? ive read some attempts at using m14 mags in the past but the attachment was difficult

 

[Delta4-3]

are you going to create a bottom metal with a push button release? ive read some attempts at using m14 mags in the past but the attachment was difficult

My uncle made a 98 Mauser take m14 mags, it was a work of art. I am also making a chasis system, so yes it will use an lr308 mag release assembly. As far as setup, in in the process of making what is basically a giant barrel clamp that runs the full length of the action and uses the action screws to orient it and further secure the action. I'm thinking the feed ramps won't be too bad as I can take little bits until it works right. Worse case scenario is that I start with a single shot and end with a single shot.

 

[skinnj1]

Have you figured out how your fixturing for the feedramp cut will work yet? Are you using a CNC and circular interpolating the arc or are you using a manual mill, if manual do you have a rotary table?
In regards to the P-mags, any particular reason why them, I have made 6 or 7 savage chassis (be happy to help if you have any questions in that department) and have always used the various length AICS mags, I have contemplated using AW double stack mags but after being around a famous name M14 conversion or two I am glad for AICS's...I could see cutting out the magwell would be easier on a manual for a pmag than an aics but that is the only advantage I can think of...

 

[Delta4-3]

Have you figured out how your fixturing for the feedramp cut will work yet? Are you using a CNC and circular interpolating the arc or are you using a manual mill, if manual do you have a rotary table?
In regards to the P-mags, any particular reason why them, I have made 6 or 7 savage chassis (be happy to help if you have any questions in that department) and have always used the various length AICS mags, I have contemplated using AW double stack mags but after being around a famous name M14 conversion or two I am glad for AICS's...I could see cutting out the magwell would be easier on a manual for a pmag than an aics but that is the only advantage I can think of...

I decided on p mags based on price, uniquess, and because that was the first fleeting thought that popped into my feeble mind. Dumb criteria, I know.

I am using manual machinery, but challenge isn't an issue. All my suppressors are form ones, and I made two ar lowers from sratch on a tiny grizzly 3 in 1 machine before I got real equipment, as well as a billet intake manifold for a 7.3l diesel on a Bridgeport. It's not that I'm a good machinist, I'm just a good sport when it comes to screwing up.

Honestly, after looking at it, I planned to cut the feed ramps by hand (pneumatic rotary tool) like I have done on my 1911's and big bore ar wildcats. Is there anything about this that screams bad idea to you? My thought was that it would let me to test as I got without setting up and taking down my fixture.

 

[Delta4-3]

Nice to see a fellow Arkansan trying new things! I don't have any advice, but would love to see pics!

When I post completed pics, hit me up and you can shoot it, and some of my other homebuilt stuff.

 

[skinnj1]

I decided on p mags based on price, uniquess, and because that was the first fleeting thought that popped into my feeble mind. Dumb criteria, I know.

I am using manual machinery, but challenge isn't an issue. All my suppressors are form ones, and I made two ar lowers from sratch on a tiny grizzly 3 in 1 machine before I got real equipment, as well as a billet intake manifold for a 7.3l diesel on a Bridgeport. It's not that I'm a good machinist, I'm just a good sport when it comes to screwing up.

Honestly, after looking at it, I planned to cut the feed ramps by hand (pneumatic rotary tool) like I have done on my 1911's and big bore ar wildcats. Is there anything about this that screams bad idea to you? My thought was that it would let me to test as I got without setting up and taking down my fixture.

Your plan to cut the ramp with a hand tool and the appropriate sized stone is doable, the "thickness " of the lower lug abutment is a detail to pay attention to. My hat is off to you for making anything on a 3-1, industrial size equipment spoils you, in the semi-auto section there is a post on the billet DPMS LR-308 compatible reciever i am making. Some of my old posts show a scratchbuilt AR-15 nra match rifle and a chassis stock...I would love to see your 7.3 intake someday.

I would still reccomend the AICS route as the gun with a factory style cut will accept type 2 style aics mags or factory repeater stuff, you go pmag and there is no turning back....

 

[BenY 2013]

When I post completed pics, hit me up and you can shoot it, and some of my other homebuilt stuff.

That sounds awesome!

 

[Delta4-3]

Your plan to cut the ramp with a hand tool and the appropriate sized stone is doable, the "thickness " of the lower lug abutment is a detail to pay attention to. My hat is off to you for making anything on a 3-1, industrial size equipment spoils you, in the semi-auto section there is a post on the billet DPMS LR-308 compatible reciever i am making. Some of my old posts show a scratchbuilt AR-15 nra match rifle and a chassis stock...I would love to see your 7.3 intake someday.

I would still reccomend the AICS route as the gun with a factory style cut will accept type 2 style aics mags or factory repeater stuff, you go pmag and there is no turning back....

You make a very valid point about the AICS mags, I think you just changed my mind. Hats off to you, that's harder than making something on a 3-1, just ask my wife! Lol. Keep in mind, I never mentioned just how ugly said lowers were, or how many chunks of aluminum I scrapped in the process! But, I was a poor college kid then, and spending $1200 to build a crappy ar lower compared to buying a nice $89 one seemed like a fiscally sound idea at the tIme...

 

[skinnj1]

dont worry i have made more than one billet ar and some were UGLEE, but they all worked and i learned something from each. Last time i got material from the ex boeing place in whichita (Spirit?) i got enough to make 9 LR 308 lowers , 7 lr308 uppers and 2 chassis stocks for $250, highly recomend them, good alloy way cheaper than 6061....

 

[Delta4-3]

dont worry i have made more than one billet ar and some were UGLEE, but they all worked and i learned something from each. Last time i got material from the ex boeing place in whichita (Spirit?) i got enough to make 9 LR 308 lowers , 7 lr308 uppers and 2 chassis stocks for $250, highly recomend them, good alloy way cheaper than 6061....

Would you care to post a link? I didn't see them, but would really like to.