Think a Savage 340 (30-30) action will handle .375 Win pressure?

12 July 2006, 02:11

A cheap idea I keep kicking around is getting an old Savage 340 / 840 (Stevens 325?), or the more expensive route, a Rem 788 30-30. Then rebarrel to .375 Win just to accompany my Big-Bore 94. This would also give me the option of more than two shots with pointed ammo. I am just not sure of how much pressure those options would handle. I know the Rem locks at the rear, haven't even handled a Savage 340, so I don't know. I do prefer the Savage option, just based on the barrel lock nut setup to keep 'smith prices down, plus those seem to go for about $150 or so.

Since the new Savages can change the boltface easily too, they could probably do a 45-70 boltface (and mag feed-lip insert) on their current platform. I'm sure several here would like to jump on a new, inexpensive 45-70 bolt...

Mike

12 July 2006, 02:31

Mulerider

The magazine on a 30-30 Rem 788 is very short. Working with a friends, we had to seat beyond the ogive on even 125-130gr spitzers, if desiring mag length (which also did not coincide with seating near the lands).
Gave up and went back to flatnose bullets (which it shoots very accurately).

12 July 2006, 06:46

jeffeosso

Mike,
the 340 is a POS. I have had a couple go through my hands... cocks on close, flimsy, generally the groups "walk"... you might get 3 shots in 1.5", then the next 3 are somethere else, but together, then the next 30 are somewhere else.. and eventually you'd hit another target!!

other than that, it would probably work.

jeffe

12 July 2006, 06:47

vapodog

IIRC the 340 was chambered to 225 Winchester.....am I right?......as well as 30-30 and 222

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12 July 2006, 07:54

Snellstrom

Dodis a more realistic "cheap" project would be to but a new Stevens Model 200 and re-bore or barrel it and work out the bolt face and feeding issues with it.

12 July 2006, 08:11

sonofagun

quote:
Originally posted by jeffeosso:
Mike,
the 340 is a POS. I have had a couple go through my hands... cocks on close, flimsy, generally the groups "walk"... you might get 3 shots in 1.5", then the next 3 are somethere else, but together, then the next 30 are somewhere else.. and eventually you'd hit another target!!

other than that, it would probably work.

jeffe

Well, a 340 in .222 was my first gun (sigh) and I loved it! Squeezed every bit of accuracy I could out of it - would group about 3/4" @ 100 yds...a sweet gun...

other than that it IS a POS so

havanicedaaayyy!

Well, just kidding - have always wondered what complete accurizing (true action, match barrel, stock, bedding, trigger, etc.) would do.

GOOD LUCK!!!

12 July 2006, 08:14

sonofagun

Oh, put bells and whistles on it while you're at it.

12 July 2006, 10:12

J Wisner

quote:
This would also give me the option of more than two shots with pointed ammo.

There is now way you will be able to make either magazine feed the 375 Win ammo.

Both of them have large indents in the magazine sides to act as a guide to start the shell up and into the chamber, when the shoulder of the case contacts them.
And no the indents can not be removed from the Savage magazine as it is built into the dies and each time the top plate comes down three magazines are formed in stages. I know as I am getting ready to run another coil of steel off, over 700 magazines per coil.

As a single shot the actions would work fine, but I would perfer a different rifle as a single shot.

This is a case of yes it sounds good, but the major problems of trying to make the blasted thing feed kills the project.

Jim Wisner
Custom Metalsmith
Wisner's Inc

12 July 2006, 19:33

El Deguello

quote:
Originally posted by Dodis:
A cheap idea I keep kicking around is getting an old Savage 340 / 840 (Stevens 325?), or the more expensive route, a Rem 788 30-30. Then rebarrel to .375 Win just to accompany my Big-Bore 94. This would also give me the option of more than two shots with pointed ammo. I am just not sure of how much pressure those options would handle. I know the Rem locks at the rear, haven't even handled a Savage 340, so I don't know. I do prefer the Savage option, just based on the barrel lock nut setup to keep 'smith prices down, plus those seem to go for about $150 or so.

Since the new Savages can change the boltface easily too, they could probably do a 45-70 boltface (and mag feed-lip insert) on their current platform. I'm sure several here would like to jump on a new, inexpensive 45-70 bolt...

Mike

There's no doubt that you could do this with a Model 788, if it would work through the n=magazine. But I'd be hesitant to use the Saveage 340 for such a conversion - they were never intended for .375 Win. pressure levels.