Savage bolt actions??

[SSN Vet]

I registered on Savage Shooters yesterday to do some research and I was surprised to find several threads describing problems with the detachable box mags not feeding well. And these sounded like newer rifles with the single collumn mags.

What surprised me was the replies from guys who seemed to have a lot of experience with Savage rifles, who seem to be saying that this isn't that uncommon. They then went on to describe tips on how to angle and jiggle the mag into it's proper position and how to load the rounds just so to ensure they feed well.

So I read on, checking out many postings about "issues" with the accutrigger.

Several posts complaining about not being able to adjust the trigger pull weight down as low as it's rated to go, and asking how to cut coils off one of the trigger springs to allow lighter pulls.

I can get along just fine with 3 to 4 lbs, so this didn't really bother me....BUT then, I read threads and responses stating that if you don't pull straight back on the trigger, the trigger blade safety doesn't release and you get a click when you want a bang!

This all coming from a "pro-Savage forum" from guys who apparently own and love many Savage rifles.

so, I'm hoping to get more opinions on the subject here. Specifically....

Are Savage detachable box mags known to NOT feed reliably?

and

Is the Accutrigger blade safety fickle to the point of causing FTFs?

I'm saving my pennies for my first bolt action rifle and would prefer Walnut and Blue steel for general range use.

Would I be better off springing $540 for the model 114 American Classic?

Or would I be better off picking up a Stevens model 200 and putting an after market trigger and furniture on?

thanks in advance.

 

[siglite]

I can't comment on the box mags. And as far as the Accutrigger blade safety, I've noticed no issues. IMO, the accutrigger is one of the best trigger systems I've ever fired.

Now, I should caveat this, because you may be looking for answers deeper than my experience allows. I'm not a gunsmith. I don't wrench on the actions of my rifles. All I do is shoot them, handload for them, and clean them. And I couldn't be happier with any of my three savage boltguns.

Ok, yeah, I could be. But my only gripe is the stocks. (all three have the crappy, cheap, savage polymer stocks)

 

[browningguy]

Keep in mind that you will find issues with any mechanical beast. I also belong to Savage Shooters and the percentage of people having problems is extremely low. If you frequent any specific forum you will see posts that sound like mahor problems, but consider how many of the owners actually have had the problem.

The Accutrigger is the best trigger available on any factory rifle (and yes I have tried most of them). Anyone having problems with it has extremely poor techniques and probably wouldn't hit anything if it did go bang. When I first heard of this "problem" I tried it with my 12FV, never got a misfire. If you depress the blade it fires everytime, the safety feature is that if the blade isn't depressed it won't fire, so if you have your finger angled on the trigger (a really obscene angle would be required) then it just goes click. Mine came from the factory set at about 2 pounds and feels so good I haven't tried to adjust it lower.

Mine is not a detachable box, and I have not personally seen any with feeding problems. It is entirely possible though, I've seen Brownings, Winchesters, Remingtons, CZ's that had problems feeding. All of them were specific to a given gun though, not indicative of a problem with the basic design and manufacturing.

 

[Nameless_Hobo]

My savage and all the savages I've fired have had no issues.
The accutrigger will do that if you don't depress the safety, perhaps that's what they're talking about.

 

[Ash]

Over at CZ-Forum, you get all sorts of questions about reparing broken CZ's. Does that mean the CZ is bad? Not at all. It means that CZ-Forum is a focusing of problems with that firearm. I imagine Glock Talk has the highest percentage of Glock problems mentioned of all boards (even if they also have the highest percentages of praise). It should also follow that Savage Shooters would have a high percentage of posts about repairing/correcting Savages. It does not mean that the Savage is a bad rifle. Such sites magnify issues - where else are you going to ask help about a Savage? Another way to look at it is the number of folks describing a barrel-change on a Savage. I know I went to SS to learn the Zen of Barrel Changing. Does that mean that most Savage owners replace their barrels? Not at all, even if it is discussed with regularity over there. I had a 111 with detach magazine, the older style, and it never had feeding issues.

Ash

 

[MCgunner]

The box mag on my old 340 was junk, but they haven't made that one in a while. The rifle was very accurate.

I have a 110 pre accutrigger and fixed "blind" magazine. The only thing I have gripes about is that if you load 3 in the mag, one in the chamber, the first round off the top will nose dive. If you just put 3 in it and load, no problems. It's an accurate, reliable hunting arm, all I really wanted when I bought it.

That said, I really prefer Remington rifles (other than the 710).

 

[Sniper4Life]

I really dont see what they are complaining about, all accu-triggers i have encountered, go as low as they say they will. I think that most of the problem is that they are gettin their models confused. The trigger is adjustable down to 1.5 lbs only on the police and varmit models. The accu trigger is the best factory trigger out there. As to the problem of the magazines, I havent had a problem yet, haven't actually seen one with a problem. Save your pennies and buy the 114, They look great, I almost put one on layaway, but decided that I need the money for other things.

Good luck and may you be blessed with many many savages

 

[skinewmexico]

That's funny, because most of the Savageshooters posts I've read on the new magazines talked about how well they fed hard to feed cartridges. Of course, I wasn't really looking, since I don't have any detachable mags. The only accutrigger issues I've seen discussed like you describe all talked about the Target accutrigger. I haven't had any issues with my accutriggers. If I have any, it will probably be with the rifle I put together Monday night (6.5X47 Lapua). The previous owner cut some springs off, and it has an honest 1.5# pull. The Stevens idea is not a bad idea. I put a Timney trigger in mine, and it is very, very nice.

I appreciate all the well thought out responses to this thread, and none have resorted to "brand-bashing". They're correct, if you want to see brand specific problems, go to a brand specific forum.

 

[doubleg]

The box mag on my old 340 was junk

I second that, if you don't throw the bolt forward just the right way, the magazine will make the rifle jam up on ya.

 

[CZ223]

Ssn Vet

Where do you live in Maine. I live in Lewiston but shoot out of the Falmouth Rod and Gun Club. I have Seven Savage rifles all of them BVSS or VLP models. Three of them have the accutrigger and 4 of them do not. They all have blind mags. If you want to meet at the FR&GC I would be more than happy to show you exactly why you should buy a Savage. The accutrigger is without doubt one of the best if not the best factory trigger out there. I have never had any problems with any of their triggers, including their old style, unless of course you include the time I set it so light that it would go off when the wind blew. If nothing else, the accuracy will sell you on the Savage brand. I have no experience with the detachable mag models, thats what I have ARs for. This is a real offer if you want to try them you are certainly welcome.

 

[SSN Vet]

great responses...thank you all...

CZ223,
Thankyou very much for the offer....very decent of you. I'm within spittin' distance of the NH line, so Falmouth would be a little bit of a haul, but I may taky you up on it after the holidays.

As usual, I over analyze everything in life. But then again, on the bright side, I've never made a fire arms purchase I've regretted.

Looks like it will be worth the wait to save my pennies for the 114.

At least I already have the glass.

I'm planning on putting a quality set of standard rings on, but am wondering if the two piece bases give a good stable mount?

Can't see the logic in putting a single long Weaver base accross the bolt.

 

[CZ223]

If you are that close to the NH line, the southern border, that means you are also close to the Kittery Trading post. If that is the case, I am jealous. The classic probably won't be a half minute gun, because of the sporter weight barrel, but it sure is nice looking. By the way it only takes me an hour and 15 minutes from my door to the KTP. FR&GC is 30 miles south of me and I can make it from there to KTP in about 45 minutes. You have no excuse, other than the price of gas of course. By the way, it looks like I may be taking a Job in Portland in the near future. While I hate to do all that traveling, the upside is that the club is on the way home. The other thing that has been going through my mind lately is to join the Scarborough club because they are very close to completing asix hundred yard range. It is also very close to where the new Cabelas will be.

 

[rangerruck]

have never had these probs you speak of, not with mine I have shot , or other dudes rifles...

 

[SSN Vet]

I realize that the serious long range shooters all want bull barrels, but the just seem so darn heavy. And as stated before, I'm not aspiring to be some kind of sniper.

yup....KTP is the place to be....I get all my re-loading supplies there.

I think they may be shooting IDPA at that range in Scarborough. A 600yd range sounds awesome, but I hope they have golf carts for making round trips to hang paper.

The Rod & Gun in South Berwick only has a 200yd range, but the facility is laid out well and the berms must be ~20 ft tall. A very safe place to shoot! It's very close and I often get the whole range to myself.

 

[rmw]

I have recently purchased a model 12 LRPV in 22-250 so I went searching for savage forums , when I went to savage shooters it just seems to "lock up" . I noticed in thread some of you go there , has the sight been having problems or is it because I use firefox instead of IE . Also are there any other good savage or varmint forums out there ?

 

[plexreticle]

I don't like the crapu-trigger and I feel a detachable mag on a bolt action is a weak link to problems.

Other than that I like my savage