Large shank or small shank ?

[hayman]

I was wondering on the newer savage muzzleloaders is the majority of them small or large shank ? When I ordered my barrel from Pac nor Penny asked me if it was large shank or small.After measuring in front of the barrel nut I came up with 1.118 best i remember that is considered large right ? Seems more I read about it most of the Savage muzzleloaders have small shank. Just has me a little concerned.

[rossman40]

While the 10ML-Is had the large shank (at that time the only other Savage to use it was the 210 shotgun) when the 10ML-II came out they went with the small shank. Then around 2003 the centerfire rifles chambered for the RUM and WSM cartridges used the large shank. Then when they made the 10ML-BP model for Cabelas there was big changes. They went with the large shank barrel plus the "centerfeed" action screw spacing (4.40" compared to 4.25"). Then the 2010 production run of 10ML-IIs had the same features. If you have a 10ML-II with a serial number over M034000 look close at the action screw spacing and shank size.

You can run across older 10MLs with large shank barrels, supposedly Savage trys not to throw anything away, if they screwed up the action threads they would just re-cut them to large shank and have a barrel cut for it.

I think the switch to the large shank barrel was a easy way to get more meat on the barrel. The only drawback is that the forward front scope base screw is even shorter.

Switching to the "centerfeed" action screw spacing was to make them able to use the same stock as the centerfires so one less stock style to have on hand. The big drawback here is if your front action screw is too long you can catch the back of the barrel. You tighten the bolt down and you screw up the threads on the tip of the action screw and then when remove it you wipe out the threads in the action.

[hayman]

So with mine measuring around 1.118 right in front of the barrel nut muzzle end is a large shank right ?

[Jon]

I'm not sure if it is the same on the new gun's but on the large shank guns I have there is a very noticable step in the barrel just after the barrel nut threads.
Jon

[hayman]

My barrel has no step down in front of the nut like the picture but she assured me that it was a large with the measurement I give her I sure hope so

[edge]

Now that you mention it I do NOT remember the step on my ML-I, but I have not had it for about 10 years

I'll delete the post with the pictures.

edge.

[rick59]

The best I can tell the large is 1.120" at the breech and the small is 1.055" at the breech if that helps any.

[rossman40]

Rick has it right, small shank is 1.055" x 20tpi and the large shank is 1.120" x 20tpi.

You use to see the step on the large shank centerfire barrels but on the newer 10MLs you do not see it.