I am looking for a suitable action to make another classic rifle...this time for my wife and daughters who never seem to hunt with me more than one at a time.

My wife prefers an old Remington Model 14 30 Remington with G&H mounts and a Lyman Alaskan scope (well it has the Leupold remake on it now due to issues with original).

So my oldest is 15 and she is 6'1..youngest is 6 and tallest in class. They are very athletic (soccer, volleyball), and graceful (ballet).

So I want a slim graceful gun that gets it done on smaller hogs, Columbian Black tailed deer, and coyotes.

I handled (and bought) an old Savage model 1920 today. Loved the Springfield like lines and the petite action. This one was not in 300 Savage but rather the 250 Savage (250-3000).








The original barrel has poor rifling and a filed flat on top, but the length and lines as well as integral front site are amazing.

SO HAS ANYONE HER HAD ONE MADE OR MADE ONE FOR SOMEONE?

Other than the need to scope it and not wanting to tap the action, I see the trigger guard bow needs redesigned...Action is like glass and very tight.

If I do not choose the 250 Savage it would be really close and probably the 250 AI.

YOU obviously like the old, classic appeal of the little Savage but for a using rifle do you think your daughters would really benefit or care whether you built them a rifle on that action or on a much superior Rem 700, Ruger or Sako action ?

A lot of assumptions there, 458Win, I don't agree with but don't want to get a pissing contest going...The garbage coming out of todays gun makers speak for themselves.

If I found such a treasure I would leave it alone at first...clean the heck out of it with Wipeout to see just HOW bad the barrel actually is...THEN...work up some loads.

If the barrel proved to be good I might do a 250 AI...if not I would send it off to a reborer and have it chambered to 300 Sav...either is about all you need for shots in the peep sight range for all but the biggest bear.

The peep sight is the limiting factor as far as grouping is concerned and even with a "bad" barrel, 2-3" groups is plenty good for hunting...most have a hard time holding that off the bench much less in a hunting situation. Look at this for what it "IS"...not what you "wish" it was. If you want high accuracy then there are plenty of shooters out there WITH scope to fill that bill.

You have a silk purse there, don't turn it into a sows ear by trying to make it something it never was meant to be.

Luck

I'm with Mr Shoemaker on this. The 1920 Savage was an interesting little action and could, with some modifications, been very good but I would much rather duplicate the look and feel using a Remington action. A short 700 in 250-3000 is one of thoserifles I have always wanted to build for myself but just have never gotten around to it. If one wanted a CRF action, a short Model 70, trimmed down a bit, would be a pretty fair choice. Regards, Bill.

I was in no way implying that there was anything wrong with the Savage as I have considered doing the same thing for myself.But doing it correctly as someone like Duane would do is an expensive proposition and most young hunters would have no appreciation of it.

I only suggested one of the other actions mentioned because they could easily be built into a good, solid hunting rifle for a lot less outlay of cash.

And the Savage can be kept as is, or cleaned up, or modified to suit it's owner.

I agree Phil.

I wonder how well a 35 Remington would do in this action. For some reason I always wanted a compact bolt gun in that cal.

One of by gun buying mistakes was to pass a really nice one up in 250 for 150 dollars.

I had one in 250 that I was going to do similar to what you have in mind. Couldn't bring myself to do it. Sold it to a collector.

I had one, as well.

Really an interesting little rifle, and I had big plans for it. But after considering the semi-split bridge and the difficulty that it posed to conventional scope mounting, the steep angle of the top tang, and a number of other features unique to this action, I, too, passed mine along to someone who valued it for what it was.

I don't know what the asking price on the Savage is (was), but the bolt sleeve rear sight is a valuable piece of gear, probably as valuable as the rifle itself.

I wouldn't give up on the barrel just because it doesn't look good. It's surprising how many such barrels turn into shooters, and as far as receiver sights are concerned, there has been many a possible shot on the 100 yard small bore target with the 2" "10" ring using receiver sights.

However, I would certainly want to get away from that stamped trigger guard. A possible solution might be to fit a Krag trigger guard to the magazine box.

I agree with xausa. My only complaints about the rifle (having owned four with one currently in my hands) is with the stamped trigger guard and the fact that the trigger does double duty as the bolt stop/release.

The stocks look kind of ungainly but work surprisingly well- as long as iron sights are used. The comb is just too low for decent scope use I feel.

Those Lyman 54 tail block sights are fetching well north of $250 these days.

It's a shame the bore is iffy on this one, but who knows, it may well still shoot ok. (Do try to find 87 grain loads for it. 100 grain loads may or may not shoot well in these slow twist old Savage barrels- it's a crap shoot. My .250's didn't.) If not, then a re-bore to .300 Savage would work. But be advised, my current 1920 is a .300 and it kicks like an army mule with full snort handloads, due to the guns narrow butt and light weight. I don't care to shoot it that way and limit myself to low vel cast loads and reduced velocity jacketed loads for the occasional times I actually deer hunt with it. I would think twice about handing it to a kid for fear of inducing a flinch in her, it kicks that badly with high vel loads. No such problems with one in .250-3000.

As for building a custom on it? Why not?

Duane,
I thought, if a person was building it, he could build a classic rifle on about anything (except an A-bolt!).
I think the 1920 is a neat little action but I'm just not sure I would want to build on one if I had to pay for it. For myself, I might but I think I would just as soon shorten a Mauser. Regards, Bill

Duane,

Could you please post a few pictures of the rifle you built? I admire your work and I am very curious how you approached the issues raised by Redoak8, particularly the tang. I think a G&H side mount would address the split bridge while being the embodiment of classic. I have several rifles in 250 Savage and like the caliber as is - I also have a well used but not abused 1920 I was looking to make into a project.

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
I was in no way implying that there was anything wrong with the Savage as I have considered doing the same thing for myself.But doing it correctly as someone like Duane would do is an expensive proposition and most young hunters would have no appreciation of it.

I only suggested one of the other actions mentioned because they could easily be built into a good, solid hunting rifle for a lot less outlay of cash.

And the Savage can be kept as is, or cleaned up, or modified to suit it's owner.

BUT this was what I was trying to avoid...too many assumptions about the kids and appreciation and what is Superior..cost is too much to spend on kids etc...not the point nor the issue...

Of those listed, nly my FinnBear is worthy of them carrying and elegant none of them are, so I am here on the customs page NOT looking for a over the counter rifle.

The rifles I have that were custom made are exceptional, both the 6.5x55 and the 376 especially

SO DOES IT MAKE A NICE CUSTOM DUANE?

If I go with a different action it will not be a custom on a 700 nor a 77

I think it'll make a dandy custom old school rifle. Stop by the Savage Collectors forum on the 24Hr. Campfire and ask to see some M1920 custom rifles. I bet there are a couple floating around there. The thing is there weren't very many of this model made to begin with and as a result not many full blown custom jobs ever existed.

Heck Duane, that is too clear an answer. What you were supposed to tell him is that he really wants a plastic and stainless Browminger 777 in .497 Zelman Flamethrower Magnum, with a 1-3/64 x 43 variable power 97mm scope in Weaver see-through mounts, and with mag wheels, a peace sign, and four-on-the-floor. I know, because I've hunted in Maryland.

That was my point exactly, 333_OKH, and not to stir the pot, I agree with Duane and your assessment of this thread. The major problem is "we are HOOMANS"...AND can't do much else than read into ANY question "that which we are"...

Most were brought up on Rem's, Win's and Ruger's and few have had the chance to see/shoot/understand the early stages in rifle development process, NOR understand that it was the shooters themselves that brought about the "new revolution" in weaponry...WE WANT CHEAP, therefore, plastic, alum and stamped parts, and a jaundiced eye at many fine rifles.

I'm just finishing up a 375 JDJ using a Savage AXIS SS receiver...I could have used any number of receivers in my parts bin.

The Axis receiver will handle the cartridge, but it is cheap, has only two recoil lugs ala early Mauser, has an alum trigger mount, plastic T.G. which I replaced with a SS one and put a Boyd's laminated stock on it.

I debated on using a "two lug" Argentine 1891 but it is just too good a shooter to mess with, a M96 Swede, but it's getting hard to find in the original 29.1" bbl at reasonable prices, so another "switch barrel savage" will "beautify" my gun rack and I' guessing will outlast me by several lifetimes even with the "garbage" parts

I go into shops just looking for older used rifles for future projects, usually when I'm too broke to buy ANYTHING, see something I would do bad things to obtain and hope it will still be there when I'm flush...so far my batting percentage is ~.010, although I've scored a couple of nice military weapons.

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER...if we ALL would remember that BEFORE whizzing, a lot of contention would be eliminated...but again..."we are HOOMANS" and seem to need to stir the pot, however gently or inadvertently.

Luck on your project 333_OKH

I would shoot it first as is. After giving the barrel a deep cleaning of course.

Also the 250 Savage was made with a fairly slow twist so 87 gr bullets could be driven at 3000fps.
The longer 100 gr bullets may not shoot as accurate as you would like.
Be sure to test some 87 gr bullets before you scrap the original barrel.

No advice here, but that is a neat little rifle 333_OKH.

Terry

quote:

If you keep shoving 700's and 77's down the throats of young people, t hey will never see a high water mark for class../be it rifles,. music, comic books, etc.

To answer your questtion..YES! and they can end up with a unique slice of yesteryear

EXACTLY!

This was for me...built for me, not the masses, not tuperware...I am 6'8 300 pounds...It is made sturdy with a 25.5 inch barrel meant for a Holland and Holland in 375 with a 0.264 bore. For me....





AND IT COST LESS THAN SOME RUGER AND REMINGTON RIFLES FROM THE FACTORY...1.5 inch at 305 yards several times...and I shake.

They are not part of the masses and are not average in height, LOP, etc...My daughters appreciate the wilderness, the art of hunting, and I want to keep fostering that.

Sure they can do it for a Win/Rem/Rug, but only till I know they are serious and that's why I started this on the "CUSTOM BUILT RIFLES" Forum


So, now that we covered that..

...as a custom I will replace the barrel...I has little to no rifling yet the action looks new and is tight/slick. Filed flat on top...not worth building it on a barrel that will not last the test of time. Lothar?

Stock pattern? Walnut and blackwood.

Detachable side-mount?

Trigger bow?

might you not be ahead of the game to find an Griffin and Howe sporter with all the accoutrements you seek which you could update along the way?

Bluefish

Are you suggesting looking for a Griffin & Howe sported built on a Savage 1920 action? As a collector who has handy access to G&H and their records I wonder if such a rifle actually exists. I enjoyed a 20 year hunt for the right G&H Savage 99 before finally having one made.

I have actually discussed a 1920 project with them. I look at a Model 1920 as an All American version of a Kurtz Action Mauser. (BTW, ref: the prices on KAMs in good condition these days)
My vision was to have a blind magazine which would do away with a portion of the "sheet metal" factory bottom metal and modify the trigger to make it more vertical, for lack of a better way of putting it. The tang safety would make mounting a scope via a side mount a snap. What I hope, with a change in the trigger is to incorporate the steep drop in the tang more gracefully into the grip of the stock. I was disappointed that Duane had no pictures of his 1920 rifle as I find his work, particularly through the grip of his stocks, beautiful.

Can we please return to the topic of a custom Model 1920 as I value the input of the community

Since this thread started with " I am looking for a suitable action" I made the erroneous assumption that you actually were asking for opinions, rather than a verification of what a wonderful rifle the action you already owned would make.
With a gunmaker with the talent of Duane involved the Savage will make a beautiful, classic rifle and one that I would love to see when completed.

I love the 250-3000 cartridge and shot elk and deer with one in my youth and I still have a couple, a Savage 99E and a 99G takedown..IMO the ideal rifle for a 250-3000.

I had a couple of Savage mod. 1920s in 250-3000 and they were nice guns, but I personally wouldn't build a custom rifle on one, as I would prefer to restore such a gun to original. Idealy a Kurtz Mauser is the perfect 250-3000 build, but very expensive..I also built one on a Rem mod 722 and another on a G33-40 small ring Mauser..A medium Sako L-series would be ideal as Phil suggested.

The best I have seen in that caliber in a bolt gun is the Ruger mod. 77 International stainless steel and wood sold by Halifax and Lipskys..A good used one will fetch about $1200 on todays market. They only made 250 of them..I have one in a 30-06 and I love it, they are handy, accurate and just real nice.

I see no argument in this thread, just varying opinnions, and all are good, isn't that what you wanted?

Well,
I have a L46 and it predates the L461.

I have had several along the way. Problem is ---- these little 1920s are so darn hard to find and when you DO find one as nice as the pictures show ie unaltered stocks etc you NEWVER want to mess with them. I, personally, am looking forward to Howas new little Sako Vixen copy coming out later this year. Just got another order for the Dumolin [Sarco mausers ]coming in too. The things are going to run out sometime and they are nice actions.
Aloha, Mark

quote:

when you DO find one as nice as the pictures show ie unaltered stocks etc you NEVER want to mess with them

I should have taken more pics of it...it isn't 'nice' past the action. As you saw there is the filing and flat on the barrel. Repaired butt-stock break and two offset swivel holes in the schnabel. And a pitted smooth bore...lol

If it had integrity as an original I wouldn't, but past an unaltered tight and smooth action it is poor.

That being the case? I might see if my buddy here would make a stock for it using the original as a pattern and rebarrel in 250 Savage and have a really nice light go-to rifle for deer??
Aloha, Mark

john Rigby and Co. Thought well enough of the savage 1920 to make custom rifles out of them:
https://www.proxibid.com/asp/L...26refine%3D#topoflot

Matt

That Rigby is nice! I bet it is a joy to carry in the field.

That little Rigby is an interesting piece of history. I wonder if they made more than one ?

They are cute little rifles, especially with the Lyman M-54 peep on the bolt and a tang safety.