Author Topic: Any one shooting a M40 Savage? (Read 5256 times)

rks1949 · « **on:** January 20, 2008, 03:43:20 PM »

I picked up a M40 Savage last fall,and I have to admit,it shoots really well. In-fact it will give any of my center fire rifles a run for the money at 100yds.Have any of you shot one? I got the gun to play around with,but after loading it with Lil Gun powder,it really outperforms the older style hornet ammo. It's my "go to gun" now for coyote calling. With a 50gr. V-Max it really whacks e'm out to 200yds.Plus it's light to carry. Ron

Marc5000 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2008, 02:36:02 PM »

Ron,

I just picked up a Model 40 a couple of weeks ago. Have not had a chance to shoot it yet due to bad weather. I'm getting ready to start loading some rounds. I'll be using Lil' Gun as well. I have a bunch of 50 grain V-Max bullets for that's what I use in my 223. I'll give them a try in the Hornet.
I know every gun is an individual, but what powder charges are you using? How about OAL?

Thanks,
Marc

rks1949 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2008, 03:53:49 PM »

Marc,I'm using 12.7grs. of LG with both the 40gr. and 50gr. bullets. 13 grains shoots ok,but 12.7 seemed to be the sweet spot(groups really tightened up). My OAL is :1.870 If you are new to loading the Hornet,here's a tip that will help.Use a Lee factory crimp die after you load the rounds. The hornet neck doesn't have much tension,and a light crimp (hardly visable) really makes it shoot consistant. Also if you use the Lee collet neck sizing die,your brass will last a long time. Ron

rbergum95 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2008, 04:06:53 PM »

ron,
ive had one for a year now and it is one of the most accurate factory rifles i have ever seen. i ran one box of winchester 46 gr factory load through it when i got it and have handloaded for it ever since. the factory loads printed 10 straight sub 3/4 inch 5 shot groups on the new barrel. that gave me some serious hope for handloads. my current varmint/predator load is 40 gr v-max, 13.0 gr lil gun with 1.850 OAL. prints 1/4 inch groups all day long. i however cannot shoot lil gun and 50 gr v-maxes. mine has a pretty tight chamber and i get extreme pressure signs at 10.4 grains of lil gun. no matter, the 40 will do anything i want it to do.

Marc5000 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2008, 04:25:45 PM »

Thanks Ron,

Yes I'm new to reloading the Hornet. I'll be using Lee dies. I got a 3-die set that comes with a collet neck sizing die, a FL sizing die, and a dead length bullet seating die. No factory crimp die though. What you said about the Hornet's neck tension and crimping makes sense. Thank you for the tip. As I don't have a factory crimp die, I guess I will starting without crimping and see the results. I might get a factory crimp die down the road. Brass will be Winchester and primers Rem 6 1/2.

Thanks again,
Marc

rks1949 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2008, 05:42:25 PM »

rbergum95,yeah,the 40grainers really shoot well. Mine dosen't show any pressure signs,with the 50's? Marc,the factory crimp die isn't expensive at all,and will really tighten up the groups in the Hornet. Ron Here's a link to MSS http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690829

rbergum95 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2008, 04:02:48 PM »

i wish i could shoot the 50's, but oh well. i can shoot them in my handi hornet with near max loads. the handi has a near SAAMI maximum chamber. even in that rifle i get better accuracy with the 40's.

rks1949 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2008, 04:49:11 PM »

Yeah,the 40's are a good all-around bullet for the hornet. We got to using the 50's for more down range energy,and less wind drift. Mine is pushing the 50 grainers @ 2692fps. It shoots almost as flat as it does with the 40gr. bullets,and bucks the wind better. The diffrence dosen't show up unless,it's windy,or your shooting at longer (150-plus) yds. Then the 50's really shine! Ron

coyote trapper1928 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 24, 2008, 11:47:39 AM »

2 questions:

1. How does that rifle shoot the Hornady 35 grain factory ammo?

2. Is there enough space from the bolt handle for a lefty to safely use that rifle?

rbergum95 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 24, 2008, 04:02:48 PM »

answers:

1 - not bad from what ive heard from others

2 - yes

rks1949 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 24, 2008, 05:00:30 PM »

coyote trapper1928,they shoot the factory 35's well. On a side note I tried to duplicate the 35gr. factory load,and couldn't! If you look close at the factory 35gr. bullet,you will notice it has a cannlure. The 35gr. V-Max's you buy won't have the cannlure on them. My reloads shot pretty good,but never matched the factory loads. But the 40gr. V-Max is another story. It shoots extremely well,with a variety of powders. It is almost allways "the bullet" of choice for the Hornet,among hand loaders.Every time I take my Hornet to the range I come back with a big smile on my face.It's just a blast to shoot,easy on powder,(a pound will load allot of rounds) and does allot more than it should for such a small round. The Hornet is making a big come back,due to the performance up grade it has with the newer powders (Lil Gun,and others). They have really bumped up the performance of the round. The new Barnes Varmit Grenade bullet may even up the anti,at 36grs. and a longer bullet. It should hand load well. I can't wait to try 'em out!

Ron

rks1949 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 24, 2008, 05:14:19 PM »

rbergum95, last year we worked up some reduced velocity loads for our Hornets. What a blast we had with them squirrel hunting. They ran around 1230fps. and knocked the day lights out of the squirrels. Head shots at 75yds. were no problem (well for me with a tree for a rest

). I can't remember the charge or powder off hand,but if you would like it,I'll send a PM with the details,once I find my load book. Ron

Guy Pike · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2008, 02:11:38 PM »

I've had a Model 40 for almost two years and can echo everyone's sentiments. I'm using 40 grn NBTs and L'il gun with comparable results. I am using the crimp feature of the Lee Loader after doing everything else on a press. The stock rides the bags well and the weight makes it a great walking varmint gun. Good choice, Guy

rbergum95 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2008, 03:46:06 PM »

ron,

thanks, i would appreciate that. i picked up some barnes 36 gr. varmint grenades today to test in my hornet and a .22-250. ill post some results as i get them. may not be for a while, at least till i get the wind to cooperate.

ron

rks1949 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2008, 05:18:07 PM »

Quote from: rbergum95 on January 27, 2008, 03:46:06 PM

ron,

thanks, i would appreciate that. i picked up some barnes 36 gr. varmint grenades today to test in my hornet and a .22-250. ill post some results as i get them. may not be for a while, at least till i get the wind to cooperate.

ron

Let us know how the Grenades work out in the hornet. I've thought about them,but haven't tried them yet. Ron

j104wd · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2008, 04:05:04 PM »

Ive had my model 40 for about a year and a half and its the most accurate gun I own. my pet load is 40gr nbt or h-vmaxs with h110. tried the varmint grenades best accuracy was with little gun acceptable at .5 inches but my pet loads do.25 five shot groups. shot a few ground hogs just to have them run a ways with the varmint grenades.

rks1949 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2008, 02:04:30 AM »

j104wd, I've seen the video with the bullet exploding on a grape. I was thinking it might be a "little too explosive",and not get much penetration on varmits. I bet it would really work well on P-Dogs though! Ron

j104wd · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2008, 09:00:55 AM »

yes I believe ground hogs are too big for the varmint grenades. they do make the feathers fly on crows though

rbergum95 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2008, 12:33:15 PM »

tried the varmint grenades today. loads were 13.0, 12.8, 12.6 and 12.4 gr of lil gun in batches of 10 rounds each. OAL was 1.850 inches. they are a definaite no-go in my M40. couldnt group them into less than 2 inches at 100. after 2 groups i thought there was something wrong with my gun or scope. i shot one 5 shot group of my 40 gr v-max hunting rounds and they grouped .286 center to center right where i have them sighted in. so, no gun or scope problems. i fired the rest of the VG test groups and again, none grouped into less than 2 inches. hope others have better luck than i did.

ron

rks1949 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2008, 05:25:57 PM »

My friend tried them in his .223,and said they were quick,but didn't group well,in it also. Speed isn't everything though! Ron

the lone gunman · « **Reply #20 on:** February 03, 2008, 11:13:54 PM »

I just bought a model 40 and it sure is pretty, only have 25 rounds of Hornady 35 v-maxs thru her. This was only at 35 yards but real nice one big hole, I will be handloading with 40 hornady v-max and imr4227 since i have it on hand Question I have is mine has a big sticker on the bottom of the stock with the savage logo, Whats the best way to remove this without ruining the finish,,, Thanks all for the help.......Dale

rks1949 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 03, 2008, 11:28:11 PM »

Dale,I'm not sure? Mine didn't have a sticker on the stock. You might use some rubbing alcohol to remove the goo from the sticker,after peeling it off. Ron

rks1949 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 05, 2008, 06:27:02 PM »

My friend Dwayne,picked up a M40 this evening. We mounted the scope,and went to the range,for a little night shooting. The gun dialed in pretty quick,using factory ammo (Winchester 45gr. HP's). It shot allot better with the factory ammo than I thought it would. He left the range with a big smile on his face. These are great little guns. Ron

Semisane · « **Reply #23 on:** February 06, 2008, 11:27:34 AM »

Another M40 fan here. Bought mine last year. Probably my favorite centerfire rifle.

Favorite Load: 40 grain V-Max, 12.5 grains 'Lil Gun, Winchester brass, Winchester small pistol primers, OAL 1.850", Lee factory crimp die, Chrono velocity 2855 fps (5-shot avg.)

This load will shoot ten-shot groups into 1/2" or less all day long out of my gun.

Barnes just put out a 45 grain TripleShock bullet is .224. They're expensive, but I can't wait to try them.

rks1949 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 06, 2008, 01:15:12 PM »

I've been using the small rifle primers WSR. Do you think the small pistol primers make a difference? I've never tried them,now ya got me thinking! Ron

bkraft · « **Reply #25 on:** February 06, 2008, 02:59:54 PM »

It has been my understanding that the reasoning behind the small pistol primer is that with some of the powders with a burn rate like Lil Gun or 2400 have a tendency to "jump" the bullet before full ignition takes place with the hotter small rifle primer. An ole timer referred it as "tickling the start. " In my limited experience with a 10" TC and a Model 40(which I dearly love) there is a slight difference in groups a bit tighter with the SP primer. I never could get the Lil Gun to work for me.
Went to IMR 4227 an life is good !!!

rks1949 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 06, 2008, 03:39:10 PM »

bkraft , The real 'clincher' for me was to run the bullet out farther in the Hornet. I had a Ruger 77 but couldn't get the bullets out far enough to get good accuracy,and have them fit into the magazine. They were a pain to hand load,one at a time into the gun. So the rifle went up for sale,and I got a M40. The best move I've ever made. A light crimp also makes a world of diffrence in accuracy,(maybe that's why mine shoots so well with the rifle primers?) Ron

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 06, 2008, 11:35:06 PM »

There is more to it than the bullet jump at ignition. Speer reloading Manual #14 on page 181 in the 22 Hornet rifle data - "For this manual we used CCI small pistol primers instead of rifle primers. This change allowed higher velocities at safe pressures, and reduced the extreme variation of pressure that limited the number of propellants we showed in previous books." A charge of 12.0 grains of Lil'gun shows 2936 fps; maximum of 13.0 grains shows 3020 fps with a 40 grain bullet and OAL at 1.723". Not too shabby for the ol' Hornet.

rks1949 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 07, 2008, 02:11:23 AM »

LaOtto222,I'm gonna have to give t he CCI primers a try. I don't think it could shoot any better,but it's worth a try! Thanks Ron

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 07, 2008, 06:43:17 AM »

Just a warning...They were using Winchester cases and Speer 40 grain bullets, of course. Always start with the lowest loads recommended and work your way up slowly. In the case of a 22 Hornet I go in .2 grain steps. In this case there is only 90 fps difference between the lowest load and the highest load. Find the sweet spot and do not worry that you are losing a few fps, 2900 fps with a forty grain bullet is still stepping it out for the old girl. BTW the 13 grain load was compressed. Good luck to you.