savage 116 bolt handle loose?

[Craigman]

I found a good deal on a savage 116 in a LGS. Its really cheap because someone bond-O'd the stock for bedding, and it looks crappy, painted the barrel black and the bolt handle is wiggling loose when the bolt is locked in place.
This is the problem....the bolt. Ive researched a bit and found I may have to get a new bolt from savage? I know they are over $100 making this the deal breaker.

Am I missing something easy?

Is it possibly a common problem/fix?

Is this thing worth $200? .243win

 

[rcmodel]

Doesn't sound like it to me.

Sounds like Bubba already been there.

Do you want to follow him for $200 bucks and try to clean up the mess he left?

rc

 

[Craigman]

Yeah, bubba been there.... But its a left handed and I wanted to fix it up for a female lefty family member. Boyds stock clean it up..was planning on paying $150 tops. Ill go look at it again and re-asses the bolt troubles

 

[One_Jackal]

I don't mind working on an unfinished gun. But I leave Bubba's experiment alone.

 

[lefteyedom]

Offer $125

The action is worth that much, everything you want to build it is really available.
Savages are very easy to work with, strip it down eyeball it and reassemble. Check the head space , spray paint the barrel and drop it into a replacement stock and have fun.

 

[788Ham]

Save your monies, Bubba fixed that one, why but his crap? Save and buy a new one!!

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I would buy it if all else was in good condition. As said the action is easily worth $200 and the bondo can be chiseled out of the stock(if it is walnut,otherwise not worth it). All parts of the bolt are replaceable(Midway has it all)if needed and easily done at home. Does it have the accutrigger or even a good aftermarket trigger? If it was near me it would be mine for $200 or may be able to get a better deal by negotiating.

 

[Craigman]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm going to look and maybe make an offer this week. Just seems like an OK deal being LH and Stainless. Its a plastic stock so that will be trash. The bolt is what worries me. I only handled it for a minute or so last time. We'll see.....

 

[rbernie]

The bolt handle slips over the back of the bolt and is held in place by a center screw. The bolt handle itself could be wallowed out, or the bolt could be deformed. You'll have to look at it and decide how you feel about it.

 

[BBBBill]

... or the screw could be loose.....

 

[hms365]

I second that screw could be loose. It happened to me last weekend. With a round in the chamber, I couldn't get the bolt to open - lucky for me someone at the range thought to check the screw. I didn't see it.

 

[texas chase]

... or the screw could be loose.....

Exactly...