I started a voting thread a while back asking folks what caliber to rebuild my savage 308 (model 10 in Choate stock w/bull barrel).
The majority of folks voted for a 6.5 PRC. But my research showed those really need to be loaded well outside what a true short action can feed and I have a 6.5C that shoots really fast so the small gain I was going to get (100fps based on loads folks were posting) wasn’t worth it.
So I dove into the 7 WSM.
This will be one of a few posts to catalog the rebuild process because a lot of questions I had weren’t easily accessible online and I am hoping it may help someone else thinking of doing the same.
I actually debated heavily on the WSM vs the SAUM and although many favored the SAUM, I wanted the option of factory ammo and cheap brass. The downsides to the WSM that folks report are the short neck and inability to get full potential in standard short action magazines. That said I felt with the lighter bullets (150-175gr) I could reach the potential I was hoping for over the SAUM. Time will tell if it was the “right” decision.
Goals for the build were a lighter weight hunting rig that would give substantial performance increase over my 6.5C and that could also be fun at the range (long distance shooting) as a secondary mission.
To date I have ordered
-Carbon6 sendero 23” CF barrel in 1:9 twist (~42oz)
-XLR element 3 magnesium chassis with folding adapter and CF stock(~34oz)
I still need
-PTG SA magnum bolt head
-Go/No go gauges (hoping to borrow)
-Machined recoil lug
-upgraded extractor kit
-Ti Muzzle brake (2oz)
-Ti bolt handle (1.5oz)
Today I finally was able to break down the old rifle using a viper barrel vise and a wheeler savage barrel nut wrench and a few taps (lighter than expected) to remove the factory barrel and inspect and weigh all the original pieces. In all, this part was much easier than I expected.
Attached are photos of the original rifle (internet photo) and weights of the parts if anyone was wondering. I actually had trouble finding the action weight and it’s included here at 32.4oz with lug, nut, trigger, and bolt. The action alone was 16.9oz with trigger and bolt alone was 13.4oz.
My goal is a sub 7lb weight without scope or rings. If the advertised weights I have above are correct I should be on target (I am shedding almost 5lbs of rifle weight).
I’ll continue to post things as I go along over next few weeks and answer any questions people considering doing the same may have.
The majority of folks voted for a 6.5 PRC. But my research showed those really need to be loaded well outside what a true short action can feed and I have a 6.5C that shoots really fast so the small gain I was going to get (100fps based on loads folks were posting) wasn’t worth it.
So I dove into the 7 WSM.
This will be one of a few posts to catalog the rebuild process because a lot of questions I had weren’t easily accessible online and I am hoping it may help someone else thinking of doing the same.
I actually debated heavily on the WSM vs the SAUM and although many favored the SAUM, I wanted the option of factory ammo and cheap brass. The downsides to the WSM that folks report are the short neck and inability to get full potential in standard short action magazines. That said I felt with the lighter bullets (150-175gr) I could reach the potential I was hoping for over the SAUM. Time will tell if it was the “right” decision.
Goals for the build were a lighter weight hunting rig that would give substantial performance increase over my 6.5C and that could also be fun at the range (long distance shooting) as a secondary mission.
To date I have ordered
-Carbon6 sendero 23” CF barrel in 1:9 twist (~42oz)
-XLR element 3 magnesium chassis with folding adapter and CF stock(~34oz)
I still need
-PTG SA magnum bolt head
-Go/No go gauges (hoping to borrow)
-Machined recoil lug
-upgraded extractor kit
-Ti Muzzle brake (2oz)
-Ti bolt handle (1.5oz)
Today I finally was able to break down the old rifle using a viper barrel vise and a wheeler savage barrel nut wrench and a few taps (lighter than expected) to remove the factory barrel and inspect and weigh all the original pieces. In all, this part was much easier than I expected.
Attached are photos of the original rifle (internet photo) and weights of the parts if anyone was wondering. I actually had trouble finding the action weight and it’s included here at 32.4oz with lug, nut, trigger, and bolt. The action alone was 16.9oz with trigger and bolt alone was 13.4oz.
My goal is a sub 7lb weight without scope or rings. If the advertised weights I have above are correct I should be on target (I am shedding almost 5lbs of rifle weight).
I’ll continue to post things as I go along over next few weeks and answer any questions people considering doing the same may have.
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