Author Topic: Savage reliability? (Read 4808 times)

His lordship. · « **on:** January 18, 2009, 09:25:35 AM »

I know that Savage has been making changes over the last few years with their products. I once owned a model 11 short action in .223 and it had a problem with spent shell extraction, traded it off. I have read that their rifles have a history of that. I think it is the defect of using a push pin shell extractor (non-claw). One of my shooting partners bought 3 of their new varmint rifles two summers ago and has no problem. Did Savage fix the unreliable extraction problem?

Thanks.

BBF · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2009, 09:37:44 AM »

The extractor does not eject the case, That is the function of the ejector. The extractor just pull the case out of the chamber.
I have a Stevens 200 that has the Savage 110 Action
The ejector is the pin type that sits inside the bolt. The extractor is a small claw that is attached to the outside of the bolt.
If you compare it to the standard rigid Mauser type extractor the Savage is much smaller.

trotterlg · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2009, 10:13:53 AM »

Savage has changed quite a lot in the past couple of years. They changed the extractor some to make them more reliable, they also changed over to a center feed magazine to make feeding better. I have never had any problems with mine, it is the older staggered feed magazine. Larry

teddy12b · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2009, 12:52:31 PM »

I had that extractor/ejector issue in a savage 223 I had. I called them after reading online that other guys were having the same issue. Savage customer service sent me the new parts and I had my rifle up and running in no time.

I've owned a couple savages and I'm a really big fan of theirs. The most reliable part of a savage is being able to shoot smaller groups than you would have if you bought something else. They are good guns and well worth buying.

the jigger · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2009, 06:26:36 AM »

I currently have six Savage/Stevens rifles. The oldest one is a 2000 110fp. I have had one ejector issue and it was my fault. I "pushed the envelope" and compressed the ejector spring. Among the six rifles and something over 20000 rounds that is the only issue of any description that I have had. As my grandsons say, "SAVAGE ROCKS"!!!
GOOD LUCK AND GOOD SHOOTING!!!

His lordship. · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2009, 08:03:32 AM »

Thanks for the response. I eventually will need another centerfire rifle, probably in .270 and like the price and the easy barrel replacement feature of the Savage. I would like a Browning or a Sako, but I don't think I will hunt enough to validate the cost. Also, Ruger is an option.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2009, 09:17:05 AM »

For the money the Savage is about tops. The optics used to the package guns are a total POS.

jro45 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2009, 01:57:10 AM »

I have 1 Savage rifle and I've had 3 barrels on it. Its action can not handle high pressure
from a 300 Savage in 300 Win. I still have it.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2009, 02:00:47 AM »

Quote from: jro45 on January 20, 2009, 01:57:10 AM

I have 1 Savage rifle and I've had 3 barrels on it. Its action can not handle high pressure
from a 300 Savage in 300 Win. I still have it.

HUH? You lost me there.

His lordship. · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2009, 05:18:27 AM »

jro45...so I should stick to non-magnum cartridges in a Savage as it is weak?

mountainview · « **Reply #10 on:** January 20, 2009, 05:34:49 AM »

Quote from: jro45 on January 20, 2009, 01:57:10 AM

I have 1 Savage rifle and I've had 3 barrels on it. Its action can not handle high pressure
from a 300 Savage in 300 Win. I still have it.

I'm flummoxed by that as well. My 110 LA 7 mag seems to work fine.

BBF · « **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2009, 05:51:15 AM »

Savage would be in a world of trouble if their actions would fail. All their rifles are proof loaded/tested so I don't thnk that is an issue at all. I do agree in principle that if you can cover all of your hunting requirements with a non-magnum type case I would do that.

SDS-GEN · « **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2009, 06:08:48 AM »

My Savage 300 win mag model 116FS has never had any problems with the action handling the "high pressure of the 300 win mag". In fact I got a bad batch of old Winchester 180gr Failsafes that locked the bolt up so bad I had to beat the action open with a hammer. It never hurt the gun's function or accuracy.

Hank08 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2009, 06:46:45 AM »

Basically the same action since 1958, must be doing something right.
H08

jro45 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2009, 03:51:35 AM »

Quote from: Chris D. on January 20, 2009, 05:18:27 AM

jro45...so I should stick to non-magnum cartridges in a Savage as it is weak?

The Savage action cannot handle a high pressure round at least in 300 Win Mag. For each barrel change the gunsmith asked me if I would like to change it to a 300 RUM until I told him it was a Savage then he knew that it could not handle the high pressure of the RUM so he put a standard barrel on it for me.

teddy12b · « **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2009, 03:57:26 AM »

Quote from: jro45 on January 21, 2009, 03:51:35 AM

Quote from: Chris D. on January 20, 2009, 05:18:27 AM
jro45...so I should stick to non-magnum cartridges in a Savage as it is weak?

The Savage action cannot handle a high pressure round at least in 300 Win Mag. For each barrel change the gunsmith asked me if I would like to change it to a 300 RUM until I told him it was a Savage then he knew that it could not handle the high pressure of the RUM so he put a standard barrel on it for me.

Somebody really should have told this to Savage. I thought they quit maknig their rifles in the ultra magnum cartridges because they didn't sell very many. Were there ever any reports of the savage factory ultra mags havign problems?

wareagleguy · « **Reply #16 on:** January 21, 2009, 04:10:14 AM »

Total BS!!

Savage actions can handle a magnum round just fine.

Skunk · « **Reply #17 on:** January 21, 2009, 04:20:09 AM »

Quote from: wareagleguy on January 21, 2009, 04:10:14 AM

Total BS!!

Savage actions can handle a magnum round just fine.

Big +1 on that.

SDS-GEN · « **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2009, 04:54:12 AM »

When Savage made their "Safari RIfles" they used the same 110 action and chambered rifles in 375H&H and 458Win Mag. There is not now, nor has there ever been a pressure problem with Savage's actions. I'd find a different "gunsmith", I think your's probably isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 21, 2009, 05:09:44 AM »

I`ve had a savage 110 since the early 60`s and never had a problem ! That thing has been on many a deer hunt over the years and still shoots like like a champ after all these years.

huntswithdogs · « **Reply #20 on:** January 21, 2009, 05:48:51 AM »

JRO45

Isn't the 300 Savage a shorter case like a 308? I know it uses a small bolt face. This may be the reason for the gunsmith not making a 300WM out of yours. You may well have a short action and the 300WM requires a longer one, plus the bolt face would be all wrong.
Savage did make a 300 Ultra, which reguires a really long action, at one time, and they still offer 300WMs, 7 Mag and 338s.

Maybe the "smith" didn't clarify his reasons, too clearly.

HWD

billy_56081 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 21, 2009, 02:30:12 PM »

Savage makes 2 different diameter barrel threads, the smaller diameter one is used for the standard calibers and the belted magnums, the larger one is used on the short magnums and ultra mags. The issue with what Savage engineers thought should be a barrel wall thickness. Now as for aftermarket barrels, some manufacturers will make the small diameter barrels in short and ultra mags others won't. It has absolutely nothing with the action being able to handle the pressure but with barrel wall thickness.

Now as for bolt face diameters that is an easy switch on a Savage, the bolt heads are easily changeable. A gunsmith should have no problem doing the work which is in the realm of anyone with any mechanical aptitude what so ever.

giturgun · « **Reply #22 on:** February 07, 2009, 03:36:58 PM »

Have 1 Savage 112 action ,
5 barrels 221 fb 222 rem 22-250 rem 25-06 30-06
Have 2 bolt heads .378 and .473
Have 4 scopes
also have 2 stocks
3 trigger assys. Stock rifle basix 1 and rifle basix 2

Nephew has 1 110 action 2 barrels and a new staggered centerfeed .
We have had no problems at all and expect none.
I am thinking on a 458 win just so I can say I got 1

patriotpa · « **Reply #23 on:** February 07, 2009, 03:46:40 PM »

I have 2 Savage rifles, one in 22LR (Syn. SS) and one in 308 (110 LH long action, tactical model).
Both are tack drivers.
The 110 is beautiful to shoot. True 0.5MOA using Fed 168gr Match ammo. NO pressure signs. NO hard bolt lift. Nice trigger (old trigger, properly adjusted) Great field gun.

The 22 has sent many a groundhog to its maker. It hits exactly where I aim, every time.

patriotpa · « **Reply #24 on:** February 07, 2009, 03:48:16 PM »

Quote from: giturgun on February 07, 2009, 03:36:58 PM

Have 1 Savage 112 action ,
5 barrels 221 fb 222 rem 22-250 rem 25-06 30-06
Have 2 bolt heads .378 and .473
Have 4 scopes
also have 2 stocks
3 trigger assys. Stock rifle basix 1 and rifle basix 2

Nephew has 1 110 action 2 barrels and a new staggered centerfeed .
We have had no problems at all and expect none.
I am thinking on a 458 win just so I can say I got 1

Want a cannon? You could do a custom in 585 Nyati. 10K ft/lbs @ muzzle. The action will take it. I think it'll fit.

fireball10x · « **Reply #25 on:** February 11, 2009, 08:11:53 PM »

I have a Savage 116 in 300 ultra mag and the gun shoots great with no problems I also have a stevens 200 in 243 that shoots great and a custom one i built on the new target action RBLP in 6mm ackley with a 30 inch pac-nor 3 groove 10 twist it has a thumbhole benchrest stock on it from sharpshooters and a 8-32 bushnell 4200 for a scope and it shoots one tattered hole groups.Savages came a long way in the past few years.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #26 on:** February 15, 2009, 09:03:29 AM »

Quote from: jro45 on January 20, 2009, 01:57:10 AM

I have 1 Savage rifle and I've had 3 barrels on it. Its action can not handle high pressure
from a 300 Savage in 300 Win. I still have it.

Quote from: jro45 on January 21, 2009, 03:51:35 AM

The Savage action cannot handle a high pressure round at least in 300 Win Mag. For each barrel change the gunsmith asked me if I would like to change it to a 300 RUM until I told him it was a Savage then he knew that it could not handle the high pressure of the RUM so he put a standard barrel on it for me.

Sorry, but I, too, would be looking for a new gunsmith.

The SAAMI pressures are:

47,000 PSI = .300 Savage
64,000 PSI = .300 Win Mag
65,000 PSI = .300 RUM

So your smith was telling you the rifle was OK in .300 Win Mag at 64,000 PSI but wouldn't handle 47,000 PSI??? And another 1,000 PSI would be dangerous??? What is he smoking?

More likely the problems lay elsewhere, including magazine length and proper feeding. The COL's are:
2.60" = .300 Savage
3.34" = .300 Win Mag
3.60" = .300 RUM

Plus, the feed rails, follower and bolt head would have to be modified to go from a .300 Win Mag to a .300 Savage or RUM. The maximum case diameters are:
.473" = .300 Savage
.532" = .300 Win Mag
.550" = .300 RUM

There is no problem with the Savage and high-pressure cartridges, but, like any rifle, it is harder or impossible to convert to some rifles to use different cartridges depending on the original configuration. You can't convert a short action to use a .30-06 cartridge no matter what you do, nor should you run .45-70 loads designed for a Ruger #1 through a Marlin or Springfield Trapdoor. My Interarms Mark X action is designed for a .30-06-sized case and would need bolt and feed rail work to feed a magnum-sized cartridge, even though there would be no problem with magnum pressures. A .300 RUM may not be able to be converted to .300 Savage due to case head (too big) and feed rail (too wide) issues. And so on...

KAYR1 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 19, 2009, 02:56:59 PM »

I have shot hundreds of high-pressure, maximum velocity loads in all of my Savages. 7mm Rem Mag, .300 WSM, etc. Absolutely no strength issues here. Their accuracy amazes me, as well as few guys at the range shooting spendy rigs. Can't be beat for value.

diggler1833 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 19, 2009, 04:34:34 PM »

Quote from: jro45 on January 21, 2009, 03:51:35 AM

Quote from: Chris D. on January 20, 2009, 05:18:27 AM
jro45...so I should stick to non-magnum cartridges in a Savage as it is weak?

The Savage action cannot handle a high pressure round at least in 300 Win Mag. For each barrel change the gunsmith asked me if I would like to change it to a 300 RUM until I told him it was a Savage then he knew that it could not handle the high pressure of the RUM so he put a standard barrel on it for me.

I hate to be the gut to go around urinating in Cheerios but I've got a buddy who owns a factory chambered 300 RUM Savage. And then there is this little link...not sure if they are still made or not, never heard of any failures. http://www.savagearms.com/116fsak.htm

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 30, 2009, 03:58:17 AM »

an amazing thread.. ive got the 110 30 06 .. i found its favorite round an it actually makes me be able to match groups with the big high dollar rifles i see at the range.. reading this thread its pretty obvious if what you are looking for is putting said rnd in one aimed at spot.. a lot of people think they have the only thing they want in thier hands ,,in a savage.. the numbers are pretty remarkable ,,to me anyway..having one myself i totally understand.. slim