Love the gun, bought it about a year ago. Very accurate with factory ammo, came with a DBM, 3 swivel studs on the stock, 24" barrel, accutrigger all for $400. Only issue is the stock. It's not horrible with a Triad Stock Pack on it, but I've been wanting something with a vertical grip for awhile now. One of the reasons I chose Savage was for the aftermarket availability and I knew Boyds had stuff starting at about $125. I figured for $200 with a few extras, it was worth upgrading the stock with a nice glossy walnut model with a vertical grip. I only paid $400 for the gun, so anything more than $200 makes zero sense.

After a few emails with Boyds, it appears that they don't make a stock to fit my heavy barrel OR my DBM. So I would be out $209 for the CDI bottom metal, $75 for a 5-round mag, $200 for the stock, and more $ to get the barrel channel cut to fit my heavy barrel. $500+ for a stock replacement for a rifle that cost $400 to start with. I'd be throwing away all that $ if I ever sold it.

Are there any better options to replace the stock on my rifle? It's got the bottom bolt release and the plastic Axis-style detachable mag. $200 is probably my max. Could go a little higher if it's a really awesome stock.

Thinking at this point, I'd be better off selling the Savage and buying a Tikka. I don't want to do that since the Tikka is more expensive, the barrel is lighter (worse for my benchrest shooting), and the factory Tikka stock is maybe the worst I've ever handled.

We ran into the same problem with a model 12 HB. Bought a sporter barrel stock from Boyd's and sanded out the channel until it was free floated.

Id say the gun isn't an investment for retirement don't treat it like one.

Did you have the bottom metal issue? That's $300 of the $500.

?

My limit for what I'll dump into a gun knowing it doesn't add value is a couple hundred bucks. I'll donate some $ since it's a hobby, but I'm not spending $500 to change from a factory stock to a $150 Boyds stock, and I didn't think I had to when I bought a rifle made by a company with allegedly great aftermarket support.

The gun shoots .5 MOA with Federal 168gr SMK. I hate to sell it. Does anyone know of other stock options that might not require $300-$400 of adapters/modification to make it functional?

Most quality stocks with vertical grips are gonna set you back $400-500. If you like the gun I'd just do it, use it, and enjoy it. It would still be what you want and you'd have less than $1000 in it. Have you priced some of the customs, lately? Most start at $1500-1700. If you ever re-barreled yours you'd still be ahead of the game.

Does anyone just shoot their guns factory anymore?

With the model 12 boyds makes a dbm factory barrel stock so all we had to change was the barrel channel. Also might note that the action would not cycle or fire until it was pillar bedded but that was in the plan already so it wasn't a big deal.

Not interested in a custom rifle. $1500-$1700 for a hobby is far too rich for my blood. Shooting is my 3rd hobby behind golf and fishing, and I wouldn't spend $1500-$1700 on either of those either. I just wanted a more comfortable stock on my only scoped rifle. I figured there had to be a stock for $150-$200 that didn't require $300-$400 in modifications to my gun in order to fit. I've got $700 in the gun with the scope & rings included (16x42 SWFA scope with SWFA rings). I'm not going to put $1000 in a cheap Savage rifle. No reason to buy $2,000 rims for a Chevy.

Follow-up question - do any of the $400-$500 stocks work with my factory DBM and/or barrel channel, or do those require $300-$400 in modifications as well?

I do. Only looking for an upgrade on the stock. Don't want a new barrel, muzzle brake, upgraded DBM kit, new trigger, etc. I'm happy with my 24" heavy factory barrel, 3-round DBM, accutrigger, etc. Wouldn't have bought the gun if I didn't like those. Thought I had a cheap stock upgrade path seeing that Boyds had them at $99 and up.

Sounds like I just need to enjoy the stock until I have the $ to upgrade to a Tikka. Unfortunately, I couldn't find where Boyds makes a pro varmint stock for the Tikka, so that's a bit of a holdup too.

Thanks.

https://www.tacticalworks.com/Savage-Stocks/

Take a look through this site. They should have something that would work.

Gotta pay to get what you want. It's painful, I get it. Look at what just a Savage action costs. Probably what you spent on the rifle, or more.

CDI is better bottom metal, and does hold far better mags.

Vertical grip is all I use. I have three Manners T-4. I just have to save to get them.

I also have one from Stockade Gun Stocks.

http://www.stockadegunstocks.com/3.html

It is high quality, and I did the money saver option.

Sell the rifle for about what you paid and go buy a new 700. Lots of aftermarket parts for them.

Thanks for the replies. I'll look at the 2 links.

I wouldn't even mind spending a little more on a better stock, but spending $500-$600 to put a $150-$200 stock on just doesn't make sense.

Depending on your bottom metal, is it plastic or metal? If it is plastic,the Savage metal bottom metal pieces will cost you $68.
Boyd's probably makes several different styles of stocks that will fit you rifle, but you may have to inlarge the barrel channel. That takes 15 minutes with a piece ov pvc pipe and sandpaper. I have to do it on every LH Boyd's stock I buy.

As long as you order a stock with the correct feed style-action screw spacing, and bolt release type, you can make it work.

No matter what aftermarket stock you buy, you will need the metal bottom metal pieces with factory bottom metal.

Thanks for the reply. Great info!

I have the same rifle in 243. I found a choate stock that the action drops right in and uses the bottom stuff from the factory. I believe it was around $200.

Heres a couple pics, it is a little on the heavy side.

Nice! I don't care about weight. This is just a benchrest rifle. That looks like a great setup.

Any idea how to know which Choate model would fit it? Or which model you got?

ETA: looks like it might be this one:

http://www.riflestock.com/store/do/product/25-06-12

I would have mentioned the Choate but 1)I thought the OP was looking for wood and 2)The Choate I saw was $500 for DBM.
http://www.riflestock.com/store/do/product/26-06-01

I can't get on the Choate site right now but I'll get the number for you when it's back up.

I think the model number 25-06-02. Suppose to fit savage short action with center feed magazine. I would call Choate to be sure this will fit your rifle. They were very helpful when I called.

I am looking for wood. And I'm not crazy about the swivel studs being on the side of the stock. But if that's the only thing that will fit my rifle without modifications, then it may be my only option.

I'm going to look into Txhillbilly's suggestion also. $68 for bottom metal sounds a lot better than $209.