Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing How strong is the savage?

<BR>I have a savage 338 (one of those combo guns) that I dont shoot anymore. Would this be a good starting point for a 416 Howell?<BR>I know everybody is a winchester fan and they are good guns butI have a savage. I'm looking for a cost effective rifle used for hunting.<BR>Thanks.

Joel, I have built (but do not recommend it) a 338 Improved Lapua on a long Savage Single shot, think it was a 112VS. No magazine cutout, and a long bolt throw, so it handled the Rigby sized Lapua case fine. Check your magazine length, you want at least 3-1/2 inches for the Howell so you can seat those bullets out where they belong, although it will function at 3.34" which is the "Standard '06" length, but at a little less powder capacity. The other thing to check is if the 404 Jeffery cases (from which the Howell is formed) at the larger diameter will stack in the magazine OK and offer proper feeding. If I had a Savage in the shop I would check it for you, but I don't have one now.

Thanks John.<BR>from a quick measurment I have the 3 1/2". <BR>I dont have a 404 case, maybe Paul has one I can try out.<p>[This message has been edited by Joel S (edited January 30, 2001).]