Author Topic: Any one shooting a M40 Savage? (Read 5257 times)

rks1949 · « **Reply #30 on:** February 08, 2008, 02:25:37 AM »

LaOtto222,Thanks for the info. I'm not a big fan of speed/over accuracy. I always start at least mid-range and work up loads. In fact,I've found very few loads at max capacity to be the most accurate. Thanks Again Ron

the lone gunman · « **Reply #31 on:** February 09, 2008, 11:58:08 AM »

Quote from: the lone gunman 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

.

Just to let you all know about that sticker that was on my gun. I put regular hand cream on it,,A big gob, let it set overnight and it peeled right off , no mess at all. Thanks...........Dale

rks1949 · « **Reply #32 on:** February 09, 2008, 01:41:34 PM »

Good deal! I'll have to remember that trick! I hate stickers,and their goo. Ron

rks1949 · « **Reply #33 on:** February 09, 2008, 05:27:55 PM »

Got a little trigger time in today. The 50gr. bullets really perform well,in the Hornet. There was a definate diffrence in wind bucking abilities,between the two bullets. The 40's performed well,but the 50's had a edge with less wind drift. We were shooting at 250yds. and strange as it was both bullets had near the same POI at 250yds. The 50's just had allot less "hold off" for the quartering wind,about half. Ron

the lone gunman · « **Reply #34 on:** February 11, 2008, 09:25:09 PM »

Just picked up a Rock Mount bipod 9" to 13" at wally world for $36.00. Very nice product, cant wait to get out and give it a go. Darn weather, its only 4 degrees outside here in Pa. I hate that

rks1949 · « **Reply #35 on:** February 12, 2008, 01:47:58 AM »

That's a good looking bipod. Didn't know Wally World handled them? Ours (Illinois) are handling less,and less firearm supply's. But I live just 10miles West of the Indiana State Line,so maybe I'll be able to pick one up over there. They still sell guns,in the Indiana Stores. Ron

rbergum95 · « **Reply #36 on:** February 12, 2008, 01:26:41 PM »

gunman,

your setup looks almost exactly like mine. i have the same bipod. dont worry the weather here in pa will settle down, eventually.

ron

rks1949 · « **Reply #37 on:** February 12, 2008, 11:19:03 PM »

My local dealer made the statment" I'd like to have a dozen in stock" Yesterday as my friend Kenny purchased the last M40 he had. A week ago he called his wholesaler and ask if they had any in stock,the wholesaler replied they had three. My dealer said I'll thake all three. That was last Tuesday,today is Wed. and all the rifles are sold. This rifle is getting popular around this part of the country. Most dealers can't seem to get them,or can't keep them in stock. Ron

the lone gunman · « **Reply #38 on:** February 13, 2008, 03:46:50 AM »

Great Gun, Think Savage hit the nail on the head with this one. And the old Hornet is really becoming popular again .

rks1949 · « **Reply #39 on:** February 13, 2008, 01:06:32 PM »

Yeah,with the Hogdon Li'l Gun powder hitting the shelves,it wasn't long until the word got around of the much improved performance of the Hornet. For the first time,you can have ,high performance,low pressure,and great case life,with the Hornet. Sure resurected it from the grave. I'm still amazed at the low pressure/high velocity,and great accuracy, of this powder. Ron

chutesnreloads · « **Reply #40 on:** February 14, 2008, 03:08:59 PM »

Earlier in the string y'all were talking about the Lee factory crimp die.Does it need a careful feel when crimping to get them consistent?I've used one in other chamberings with thr results being worse than non-crimped rounds.Except in my mini-14 which isn't accurate enough to tell the difference anyway.

rbergum95 · « **Reply #41 on:** February 14, 2008, 03:38:43 PM »

i have had real good luck with the lee factory crimp dies in the guns i have used it on. i dont use it for the M40 as it is a single shot and the only time the bullet "jumps crimp" is when i send it out of the barrel.

ron

rks1949 · « **Reply #42 on:** February 14, 2008, 05:08:13 PM »

As mentioned eariler,I use the crimp,but it is extreemly "light". I think it helps with the burn at ignition(not sure though). My gun shoots tighter groups with the crimp than without it. All guns are diffrent though,your results might vary. Ron PS> This is a Mid South Varmint Nightmare bullet,50 gr. Shoots well,and really whacks the coyotes!

rbergum95 · « **Reply #43 on:** February 15, 2008, 01:05:21 PM »

thanks ron, ill add that to the "to be tested" list.

ron

rks1949 · « **Reply #44 on:** February 16, 2008, 03:16:13 PM »

Yeah Ron,We ordered 500 bullets apeice,to try out. They shoot really well in the .223's and Hornets. Should have ordered1000! But we weren't sure if they would work well,they do. Under 1/2 inch in the Hornet,and .223's. We weighed 20 bullets,and they all ran at 49.9 gr. not one was over,or under a 10th gr. Pretty impressive for "bulk" bullets. When Mid South has them,they don't last very long. Ron

rks1949 · « **Reply #45 on:** February 22, 2008, 02:35:11 AM »

Going to try out a new load in the M40. I loaded up some 55gr. V-Max's today. If the weather cooperates I'll try e'm out and give a short report on how well they shoot! Ron

rks1949 · « **Reply #46 on:** February 22, 2008, 06:36:54 AM »

I got to shoot the 55's today. Wasn't the best conditions,but gave it a go anyway. It was freezing rain and about a 10-15mph quartering tail wind. The 55's really do "buck" the wind though. With a little more "tweeking" I think they are gonna be a winner. They deliver around 100 fpe more energy than the 40's going faster than they do. They should really shine at longer yardages.I shot all seven loads into the same group at 100yds. Looks promissing!

Ron

bkraft · « **Reply #47 on:** February 24, 2008, 03:41:48 PM »

rks 1949,
How much of what powder and what primer did you use with those 55's?

rks1949 · « **Reply #48 on:** February 25, 2008, 05:11:23 AM »

bkraft, I used 12.2 grs. Hogdon L'il Gun,with WSR primers. Ron

bkraft · « **Reply #49 on:** February 25, 2008, 08:15:57 AM »

R6n,
Thanks for the info
bkraft

rks1949 · « **Reply #50 on:** February 27, 2008, 10:37:03 AM »

The 55's are a little heavy,but really deliver a "whack" on the O'l steel plates at 200yds. The loss in trajectory (very small) is made up with better wind deflection,and down range energy. I haven't found a bullet weight that the L'il Gun powder dosen't shoot well. It has to be the most versitile powder I have ever used in the Hornet. Just pick your bullet,primer,and the Lil Gun will do the rest. Just adjust the amount of powder for best performance,and your good to go! Ron

Old English · « **Reply #51 on:** February 27, 2008, 12:49:27 PM »

Just got a great deal on a new Savage. Never shot a hornet in my life, do they use the same .224" bullets that you'd load for 223? I have them from 40gr to 55gr so......

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #52 on:** February 27, 2008, 05:32:33 PM »

The Model 40 uses .224 bullets as do most modern 22 Hornets. Some European guns still have .223 bores. The Model 40 has a 1-14" twist. This is usually best to stay under 55 grain bullets. The length of the bullet is an important factor; as is velocity. A short 55 grain bullet may stabilize, but a long one may or may not stabilize. Most people shoot them with 45 grain bullets or less, but what ever works for you is best.

Old English · « **Reply #53 on:** February 28, 2008, 10:15:28 AM »

Thanks LaOtto!! I went and picked up a pound of Lil gun plus reloading dies today and they confirmed exactly what you said. It seems very convenient to be able to use the same bullets, I have 2 rifles in 223 so I already have a good selection of .224 bullets. I was attracted to this caliber because of it's low noise and low powder requirements. Just seems like a caliber that I can shoot till my hearts content without waking the neighbors, distant as they are, and getting max rounds from 1# of powder. I noticed the Savage twist rate was faster than standard, has anyone tried the 55gr Dog town bullets in this rifle? I already have 500 of them to burn up as well. Cannot wait to pick this thing up next week, $365 brand new, seems like a deal to me!!!

rks1949 · « **Reply #54 on:** February 28, 2008, 05:29:22 PM »

Quote from: Old English on February 28, 2008, 10:15:28 AM

Thanks LaOtto!! I went and picked up a pound of Lil gun plus reloading dies today and they confirmed exactly what you said. It seems very convenient to be able to use the same bullets, I have 2 rifles in 223 so I already have a good selection of .224 bullets. I was attracted to this caliber because of it's low noise and low powder requirements. Just seems like a caliber that I can shoot till my hearts content without waking the neighbors, distant as they are, and getting max rounds from 1# of powder. I noticed the Savage twist rate was faster than standard, has anyone tried the 55gr Dog town bullets in this rifle? I already have 500 of them to burn up as well. Cannot wait to pick this thing up next week, $365 brand new, seems like a deal to me!!!

Give them a try,and let us know how they shoot. The 55gr. V-Max's shot well out of my hornet. Ron

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #55 on:** February 29, 2008, 12:09:51 AM »

I have a stash of 50 grain Mid South bullets. Has anyone used these enough to know their performance in a 22 Hornet. I am talking about terminal performance. While they seem to shoot well in both of my Hornets; a Handi SL (1 -12" twist) and Model 40 (1 - 14" twist), I have no idea how they expand at 100 yards in say a ground hog. Will they just whistle straight trough?

rks1949 · « **Reply #56 on:** March 01, 2008, 01:24:09 PM »

Not many groundhogs left around here,but I've shot a coyote at around 165yds,and it was lights out!

It passed through the chest cavity,and left a exit wound about the size of a golf ball. Ron

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #57 on:** March 02, 2008, 01:14:39 PM »

The Ground Hogs are getting scarcer around here and the ones that are left are sticking close to the over grown fence rows and wood edges. Was it with a 22 Hornet? If not what was the muzzle velocity?

rks1949 · « **Reply #58 on:** March 03, 2008, 02:43:00 AM »

Yeah,that was with the hornet

! I use 12.5grs.Lil Gun,and a Mid South 50gr. Varmit Nightmare bullet.It cronoed 2746 out of my gun. They don't shoot quite as tight as the 40 V-Max,but not much of a diffrence. Plenty accurate to hunt with,I'm guessing they average 1/2 or less at 100yds. Ron

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #59 on:** March 03, 2008, 02:10:27 PM »

The Lil'gun is amazing powder. However, I do not understand these reloading manuals. I have several of them. I am going to give one example that are at two extremes. Hornady in their 6th edition uses WW cases, WSR primers in a 22" 1 - 16" barrel They list a maximum of 11.3 grains of Lil'Gun for 2400 fps with three different 50 grain bullets. Hodgdon 2006 annual reloading magazine lists the same case, same primer, 24" barrel with 1 - 16" twist and a maximum of 13.0 grains of Lil' Gun for a pressure of only 35,300 CUP and a velocity of 2713 fps. Same every thing but one barrel is 2" longer than the other and there is a very big difference between them. 1.7 grains of powder from one to the other??? That is a lot of difference for such a small case. Hodgdon starts their loads higher than Hornady maxs out at. Speer's manual calls for small pistol primers because they say they can get higher velocities that with SP primers and they max out at 12.0 grains. They go further that if you use a SR primer to back off the loads. What gives here, it don't add up, not even close.P