Savage 340

You can shoot a 340 Savage in .30-30 without filler plug screws for the scope mount holes in the receiver.
The plugs look better and keep dirt out of the receiver, but they don't add measurable strength. The bolt locks into the receiver at its head and the bolt handle serves as a safety lug if the bolt head lug fails (which I've never heard of happening.)
 
.455_Hunter said:
... Posting positive statements about .30-30 bolt actions on this forum can arouse some obtuse haters. ....
Click to expand...

I helped my son side mount a scope on a friend's 340 Savage in .30-30 and zero it at the range. I had always regarded the 340 as a bargain model offered house branded at Western Auto and such places. A few three shot groups with 1" spread at 100 yards with Walmart Winchester .30-30 170gr factory loads made me realize I had under-valued the Savage 340.
 
I have two, a D suffix in 222 Rem with a side mount, and a first year of production no-suffix in 30-30 that was never drilled for a side-mount and has some surprisingly nice walnut. These are mid-20th century classic Americana. Triggers leave much to be desired but the 222 is 1 MOA. I put a period Lyman receiver sight on the 30-30 and with Leverevolution and the FTX 160, get 2500 fps and can do 2 MOA on a good day. Great camp gun and I found a period leather scabbard the fits it perfectly with the snap around the bolt handle for retention.
 
Nice rifle. I love the old Stevens 325/Savage 340s. Accurate rifles. I have a Stevens 325 30-30. The first model of the line. Don,t try and load it hot because it's a bolt action. It's strong but the extractor isn't and you'll get sticking cases. Nice thing is you can load pointed bullets that will shoot a little flatter. Heres some great articles.
https://www.leeroysramblings.com/Gun Articles/stevens_325_savage_340_bolt_act.html
https://www.leeroysramblings.com/Gun Articles/gunsmithing_the_savage_model_340.html
 
I've had a few of these over the years and still have one I'll never be parted from.

They shoot great if treated like a 30-30. If you are expecting to make a super 30-30 this isn't the rifle. All but the stubbiest spitzer bullets will be too long for the magazine anyway

As mentioned the filler screws are strictly cosmetic
 
That is a great rifle and I have wanted one forever! Congratulations on a neat find and let us know how she shoots.
 
I think that these rifles are the best performing of all the "economy" rifles. They seem to be rugged, accurate and reliable. They are good value for the money. They often shoot tighter groups than the traditional ( Win. 94, Marlin ) rifles in the 30-30 caliber. If anyone denigrates your rifle, challenge them to a shoot off. You might just win.

Nice find!!!
 
Nosler makes a very fine 125 gr ballistic tip that works very fine in both my 30-30 and 300 BO. 30 Carbine bullets are also great as well. :)

As was said...don't aim for 30-30 super or 300 savage levels and you are going to be fine!
 
I can remember them going on sale just before deer season in N.E. Alabama in the late 60’s for $69.95 with a Japanese Tasco or Bushnell scope!

I had one in the early 80’s. And, like others stated, with a load of 30.0gr of IMR3031 under a Speer 150gr FNSpt would shoot 1” 3-shot groups at 100yds.
It was also a tack driver with a Lee 150gr FNGC over 28.5gr of 3031. I had worked the trigger down to about 4.0lbs.
I traded it long ago for what, I can’t remember. Because I shoot a long gun left handed because of a left dominant eye, I’ll stick with my Glenfield (Marlin) M30 w/half magazine.

I did always want a 340 in .22Hornet or .222.
 
Won't hurt anything to shoot without filler plugs. Some newer guns come with plastic plugs that aren't even threaded.

You can buy them, but if you ask around I'd bet someone will give you 4. Most any gunshop or gunsmith who mounts scopes has a box full of them laying around. In fact, I'll look through some of my stuff and if I find some, I'll mail them to you at no cost. I'll send a PM if I have any.
 
Good solid Rifle, would pair well with a chamber adapter making a small AND large game rifle!

Underrated guns if you ask me, simple and great for Spitzer bullets that are still stubby.
 
Plug screws are purely cosmetic, except they do help protect the threads a little. Brownells sells plug screws if you want the neatest result.

https://www.brownells.com/search/?search=plug+screws

If you have some conventional screws of the same thread size, you can easily make plug screws by cutting the head off of them at just over the final desired length, polishing the cut end and cutting a slot with a Dremel and/or file. I've done this plenty of times when I was too impatient to order the proper screws. Since these will lack the slightly oversize head of an 'official' plug screw, you'll want to Loctite them into place. Another alternative is to use set screws from your local hardware store and cut them to length from the other end -- I did this after I removed the side mount on my Husqvarna Mauser. The heads are uniform with this method. Use Loctite here too.

HusqvarnaSetScrews.jpg

Or you could just but an original side mount from Gun Parts/Numrich and re-scope this darling:

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/540380A

540380.jpg
 
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