TRUEING SAVAGE RIFLES

21 October 2009, 00:45

I have heard that there is not much to truing a Savage action due to the design. Is this correct?

Thanks for your response.

21 October 2009, 10:25

Idaho Sharpshooter

The shape is similar to a Rem 700. The cylindrical shape lends itself to precision machining from the factory. That and modern CNC machinery that works to several decimal places helps.

Rich

22 October 2009, 08:57

Fjold

One of the advantages of the Savage design is that the bolt head floats and self centers to a degree.

22 October 2009, 09:22

Bill Leeper

quote:
Originally posted by BISCUT:
I have heard that there is not much to truing a Savage action due to the design. Is this correct?

Thanks for your response.

A savage action can be trued just the same as a Remington 700. The same techniques yield the same results.
The bolt head on the Savages may float to a certain extent but the bolt body floats more in the receiver than the bolt head does in the body.
Perhaps the most obvious shortcoming of the Savage is the poorly made recoil lug. It is wedge shaped, too thin and too soft. Replacement is probably a reasonable approach.
On thing the Savage has going for it is that the attitude of the bolt is unaffected by pressure on the sear. Regards, Bill

23 October 2009, 07:48

Longshot

These are areas of a Savage that may require work:

1. Action Face and replace stamped lug with precision ground lug.

2. Face barrel nut if used.

3. Align bolt race and recut threads wiith single point tooling.

4. Rebore bolt race if necessary and replace with .701 or greater Dave Kiff/PT&G Bolt Body. Turn bolt body at cocking ramp area. Grind rear of bolt body to adjust pimary extraction.

5. Turn and lap lugs reface lug abuttments.

6. Thread cocking piece through and inset set screw locking cocking piece pin holding it rigid.

8. Drill and tap main screw. Insert .250 X 28tpi, add .750 cone point set screw. Make 1/16 shouldered cap with center drilled indent to fit in cocking piece sleeve.
(allows for adjusting firing pin externally and lightens bolt lift) Adjust cocking piece pin relationship to cocking ramp.

9. Deburr and polish sear, trigger hanger and trigger. Also shorten sear retaining pin.

10. Bush firing pin to .062. Face the bolt head true.

11. Replace Savage Bolt handle with longer bolt handle.

12. Replace non accutriggers with aftermarket trigger.

These items will get you started. A Savage action can be as true and tight fit as any custom action.

Long shot.

24 October 2009, 22:14

Nomo4me

Or, in the case of the current production varmint rifles with accustock and it's lug clamping device, just mount a scope and be resonably certain of 1/2 moa accuracy with good factory ammo right out of the box.
Savages aren't refined, but they sure as hell group great.

quote:
Originally posted by Longshot:
These are areas of a Savage that may require work:

1. Action Face and replace stamped lug with precision ground lug.

2. Face barrel nut if used.

3. Align bolt race and recut threads wiith single point tooling.

4. Rebore bolt race if necessary and replace with .701 or greater Dave Kiff/PT&G Bolt Body. Turn bolt body at cocking ramp area. Grind rear of bolt body to adjust pimary extraction.

5. Turn and lap lugs reface lug abuttments.

6. Thread cocking piece through and inset set screw locking cocking piece pin holding it rigid.

8. Drill and tap main screw. Insert .250 X 28tpi, add .750 cone point set screw. Make 1/16 shouldered cap with center drilled indent to fit in cocking piece sleeve.
(allows for adjusting firing pin externally and lightens bolt lift) Adjust cocking piece pin relationship to cocking ramp.

9. Deburr and polish sear, trigger hanger and trigger. Also shorten sear retaining pin.

10. Bush firing pin to .062. Face the bolt head true.

11. Replace Savage Bolt handle with longer bolt handle.

12. Replace non accutriggers with aftermarket trigger.

These items will get you started. A Savage action can be as true and tight fit as any custom action.

Long shot.