I was given a new Savage Weather Warrior in .338 Federal as a gift. It's been ordered but not arrived yet. Anyway... I really like the looks of the spiral fluted bolt used on the stainless Savage Lightweight Hunter, rather than that "jeweled" one on the Weather Warrior.

Here's the probably really dumb question:

Can this standard bolt be just simply swapped out by ordering a stainless .308 Lightweight Hunter's spiral fluted bolt and putting it in place? Or, are there issues of proper fit/spacing, etc..?

I know there are companies that flute the bolts; just don't know what the easiest option is.

Thanks in advance!

Issues. Would be easier to sell and purchase the Savage 16 Lightweight stainless.

Sounds like good advice!

Call the Savage custom shop. They can probably hook you up.

Ummm... I want the .338 Federal and it is not chambered in the Lightweight Hunter SS. But, thanks for responding about the issues of swapping bolts. I thought there probably would be.

Thanks. I suppose this is my best bet.

There are companies that will flute your bolt. For a fee of course.

Fluting is nothing more than appearance so make sure the rifle shoots well enough to satisfy you before spending the money on eye candy.

Given the bolt's modular construction it would just be the bolt body, not the whole bolt assembly, and it is hard to see how replacing that would cause issues.

FWIW Pacific Tool and Gauge advertises various aftermarket bolt bodies, including fluted, for the Savage. The OEM one would likely be a good deal cheaper though, if you can get it (the standard one is listed at Brownells)

The only issue is a possible change in headspace. Any time a bolt is changed there needs to be a headspace check due to differences in manufacturing tolerances. A set of headspace gages will tell you if you need to loosen the barrel nut and adjust the headspace. With a Savage it is simple with a couple of tools.

Simple fix....click on this Midway link...they sell this PTG

replacement bolt body...take 10 minutes to replace...they jumped the

price from $85ish now to $110...really proud of them...but I do have

several in use...give your Salvage rifle a bit of 'bling' then while

you have the bolt apart might as well install a new handle (or have

Chuck from Ridgeway Bodies) reshape yours...taking the newer Savage

bolts apart meanings dry firing rifle to expose allen head bolt in

rear of bolt...then disassembly..a little tricky the first time..

have never had any headspace issues...have built dozens of Salvage

after market projects..

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/71...ction-spiral-fluted?cm_vc=ProductFinding

http://ridgewaybodies.com/bolthandle/

Go to accurate shooter.com. Several on the forum flute bolts. I thought you set the headspace by adjusting the barrel and tightening the barrel nut. Changing a bolt would not be a worry.

Thanks for all the advice! I appreciate it!

I realize this is just a cosmetic change that I'm considering and not all that important. Savage rifles are not that lovely looking anyway, and so a little extra style wouldn't hurt.

I'll surely shoot the rifle before making any additional changes/adding expenses..... but I've honestly never heard of a Savage Weather Warrior that didn't shoot well. A family member has one of the Lightweight Hunters in .308 and that feather-weight gun shoots 1/3" groups consistently (Hornady 150 grain SST Superformance + GMX). Amazing for a 5 1/2 pound rifle with a rather thin tube. Anyway, We'll see....

The fluting fetish must die before all rifle bolts and barrels look like Louis XIV's quéquette. Please don't do this.

Do you plan to hunt with it this Fall? May want to wait until winter for any mods.

LOL.... This is the only rifle that I've considered doing this with. The standard Savage bolt is just really f-ugly with the logo on it and all. Most of my other rifles are Weatherby Vanguards.

I do plan to wait until after hunting season to mess with it.

Quick questions: Since this bolt body is "in the white" does that mean that a person should CeraKote it or something? And it says it's for a savage 10; is that the same 'fit' as a 16? Both are short actions but I'm not sure of differences.

bolt body is SS.......CeraKote should not be an issue

Savage 10-11-12-16 are all SA's

110..111..112...116 are LA's

OK, Contact Dennis Adams at http://www.adamscustomrifles.com/
He did a couple for me at $35 a piece.

That is a really good price for what looks like quality work.

He did an excellent job on both of mine and since he was behind, it took 2 weeks total.

Thanks again for all the responses! Appreciated.

There's the answer right there! I may have to give them a call. I'll ask if he'd do a Kimber bolt too.

Another option:

http://twistedbarrel.com/

You can also try Karl Feldkamp

http://www.kampfeldcustom.com/

Karl has done several jobs for me and he does excellent work. He just did a 45-70 octagon for me. Now, I had rather pay $35 against $75-$90 for fluting. That is why I use Dennis for that.

I have one rifle with a fluted bolt; never again. It was done perfectly, but it's not something that adds anything and the negatives (water, debris, crud get in more easily; brass scratching) outweigh the "looks". YMMV.

You didn't do it for the right reason then.

Not sure what you mean, butch.

Just ribbing you a little.
It saves a very small amount of weight and actually leaves a little space for dirt.

In case your mind is not completely made up toward fluting of your bolt.

The quoted material is totally wrong in regards to a Savage 10/110 series rifle bolt. As with most of our modern bolt action rifles, head space is determined by the locking lugs seating into their recess as the bolt is closed.

The difference between the Savage and all the rest of our common bolt actions, the locking lugs are not actually part of the bolt. This is the modularity which was alluded to in an earlier post.

Go ahead, purchase the new fluted bolt, then push the bolt head retaining pin out of your rifles original bolt, and install the bolt head (locking lugs) on to your new bolt. Headspace will be as it was from the factory. You WILL NOT need to loosen the barrel lock nut and adjust headspace.

Gotcha, and yep.

Idaho, you are correct in your post. I don't know what I was thinking when I posted. Oh well, it is not the first time I have been wrong on the internet.

I have stuck my foot in my mouth a couple of times here.

Usually someone corrects my mistake and I learn something. That is what most of us are here for.

Someday in the near future, I expect you might be the one to correct me.