CDI/Choate Tactical Package Installation
CDI Precision Savage Bottom Metal
We have been offering CDI Precision Gunworks Bottom Metal and Choate’s Tactical Stock for a while now. One of the top questions that we have been receiving is, “Can I buy the Choate stock and have you inlet it for the CDI bottom metal”? You asked and we have delivered! We now offer our Choate Tactical stocks already inletted for the CDI bottom metal.
By offering this package we have shorted the wait time from weeks to just days as well as reduce total cost especially after factoring in shipping.
We’ve tried to assemble a comprehensive, “turn-key, solution by offering the CDI/Choate Tactical Package however there are a few things that the customer still needs to consider. At first we assumed that the installation instructions that ship with the package would be all the help a cusotmer may need to assemble the package which, in many cases are. After a few phone calls we thought it would be a good idea to add some “tips” and illustrate the installation step by step here.
The installation is pretty straight forward; remove the action from your old stock and bolt it into the new CDI/Choate Tactical Stock. If you have the Remington package its almost that easy. If you have the Savage Package there are a few additional steps.
This tutorial will cover the installation of the CDI/Choate Tactical Package for a Savage Short Action Stagger Feed since its the most complicated. We do hope to follow up with a tutorial dedicated to the Remington 700 package soon.
The one difference between the Remington 700 package and the Savage Stagger Feed package is removal of the Stock/OEM magazine box. The Stagger Feed Savage rifles have the magazine box semi attached to the action. The magazine box must be remove from the action to switch over to the CDI/Choate Tactical package.
Warning!
Before starting work on any firearm be sure that the firearm is clear. Do not touch the trigger until the firearm has been cleared. Inspect the chamber to ensure that it is clear of ammunition and that there is no ammunition positioned to be chambered. Do not keep live ammunition near your workspace. Once you have checked the firearm, check it again!
Tactical Works, Inc. takes no responsibility for the accuracy and/or safety of this “how to”. This post is simply for your reading enjoyment. Before shooting any firearm have it inspected by a qualified gun smith.
Parts:
- Choate Tactical Savage Stock (inletted for CDI’s bottom metal)
- CDI Precision Gunworks Savage Stagger Feed bottom metal
- 2 Hex/Allan Receiver Screws
- Rubber Mallet
- 3/16″ Hex/Allen Key
Time:
Give your self at least an hour for this project start to finish.
Step 1: Remove the barrled action from the old stock.
Its a good idea to remove the bolt from the action for this project. Removing the bolt will make sure the rifle is “safe” and helps make it easier to hold the receiver.
There are three screws that will need to be removed to part your action and barrel from your old stock. The rear screw is typically a phillips wood type screw that simply holds the back of the trigger guard to the stock. Sometimes the screw will be slotted or a “flat head” screw.
The next screw (north of the butt plate) is the rear action/receiver screw and is a typically a 7/28 pitch XX” hex/allan screw. This screw will go through the front of the trigger guard, through the stock, and into the rear of the action/receiver.
The last screw (north of the butt plate) is the front action screw and is typically a 7/28 pitch 3/16″ hex/allen screw.
To remove your barreled action from the old stock all three screws must be removed. Once all three screws are removed, the trigger guard will separate from the stock and the action and barrel will come free of the stock.
Step 2: Removing the OEM box magazine from the action/receiver.
This is the difficult part of this project. This is where you have two options, you can pry the magazine box off the receiver or you can use a rubber mallet to “bump” the magazine box off the receiver.
The “pry” method:
The pry method takes a little patients and can bed don in most cases without the need to remove the trigger.
To remove the magazine box, slide it as far to the front (away from the trigger) as possible, then use a wide blade screwdriver to pry the rear retaining lip forward until it clears the receiver. The box can then be eased out of the receiver.
The “mallet” method:
The mallet method may require the removal of the trigger assembly to help you get a square strike on the rear of the magazine box. WARINNG: Removing the box magazine with a mallet may distort the box magazine! If you plan or using to box magazine in the future you may want to consider using the “pry” method. Either method may permanently damage the magazine box
To remove the magazine box with a rubber mallet, strike the back side of the magazine box forward with a rubber mallet.
You may find that you need to use a little of both methods to relive the magazine from the action/receiver.
Once the box magazine is detached from the action/receiver it’s time to put the barreled action in its new “skin” and add a 10-shot capacity.
Step 3: Installing the action and barrel in the Choate Tactical stock with CDI’s bottom metal
Place the barreled receiver/action into the new Choate Tactical stock. From the bottom side make sure that the receiver holes and in line with the bedding blocks. If the screws do not line up move the receiver (front and back) until the screw holes line up.
Also check to make sure that the trigger assembly is free and is not hanging up on the CDI bottom metal. If the trigger has clearance issues do not continue with the installation. Contact CDI or the reseller for next actions. The CDI bottom metal should clear most OEM/Savage and after market triggers.
Next place the CDI bottom metal into the inletted Choate Tactical stock. The fit is snug and may require a little negotiation before it slides firmly into the stock.
Once the CDI bottom metal is in place again check the screw hole alignment. If the holes are not aligned move the receiver until the holes are aligned.
Start with the front action screw. This will the the shorter of the two provided screws. Use a 3/16″ hex/allen key to tighten the screw snug. CAUTION: Take your time and make sure you have “good threads” when starting the action screws. Cross threading the action holes will result in a trip to a gunsmith! This can be avoided by being very careful.
Next thread in the rear action screw. This will be the longer of the two provided screws. Again use caution to prevent cross threading the action screw into the receiver.
Torque both “Action” bolts to 65 in/lb.
The last step is to install the rear trigger guard screw. There is a pilot hole in the stock however it is just to guide the screw in straight and is much smaller that the screw so use a quality phillips screwdriver to prevent stripping the head of the screw.
Step 4: Testing
The bolt should be out of the rifle. Before reinstalling the bolt inspect the action to make sure neither of the action screws are protruding into the action. Some screws may need to be slightly trimmed. If this is the case remove the action screw(s) and either source shorter screws (Ace hardware carries 7/28 screws) or trim the screws to size.
If the action screws do not intrude into the action, reinstall the bolt and cycle the bolt. The bolt should cycle freely.
Use dummy rounds to test fire the rifle to make sure the trigger is functioning properly.
Installation complete.