Savage model 340

I'vebeenduped · March 11, 2013, 01:46 PM

I bought this rifle in the mid 90's from an acquaintance of mine. He lost his head one night and, long story short, could not maintain firearms any more. At any rate, this sucker was a homely as these rifles come (acquaintance was too). I was in the military at the time and not really into bolt action rifles. It wasn't until about 3 years ago where I even bothered to take it out shooting. It did fairly well. It should be a given that I am not very attached to this rifle although I understand that they are fairly good. My problem is this and forgive me if my terminology is off; When I pull the bolt to the rear, inside the chamber there are some small burrs. I noticed this years ago since, although I had not shot it back then, I still rubbed oil on it from time to time and some of the cloth would snag on it. Cycling the bolt is still fairly easy but it feels no where near smooth like my Mauser. In fact, by comparison, it takes effort but no where near forced if that makes any bit of sense. I know that this is not a very fair comparison as I understand that Mauser's have a pretty decent action. I know that this rifle is not worth too much, although this one has a pretty low serial#. I also know that it is pretty tough for a doctor to diagnose a heart condition if he can't get his hands on you. Is something like this difficult and expensive to fix? Is it even worth it?

Scorch · March 11, 2013, 02:07 PM

Savage 340 rifles have a pretty good reputation for accuracy, but they are difficult to attach a scope to and the triggers are very rough. They are well-built and rugged, but will never win any beauty contests. Most of them you find will have been carried much and shot little. Many were first deer rifles and were left behind as the kids grew up. To say they are homely is a compliment (as Randy Newman said- Mama says she's plain but that's just bein' kind, Papa says she's pretty but he's almost blind, can't take her out much except at night).

If you have a burr in the chamber, it can be polished out. You will never smooth out the bolt. It will never be a Mauser, but it might be a good truck gun. Don't sand the stock, it will never look right again.

I'vebeenduped · March 12, 2013, 12:04 PM

Is this a common thing in this rifle? Should I expect this to happen much? What would cause this?

David

A pause for the COZ · March 12, 2013, 02:15 PM

hey hey hey, dont be mean. Homely girls need love too.
Besides where else you gona get a 30-30 to shoot pointy bullets with?

I'vebeenduped · March 12, 2013, 02:55 PM

Nice grouping! Is that at 100 yds? I thought I could only shoot ball type ammo out of this rascal! I am glad to see proof otherwise. I read somewhere that she doesn't feed pointy rounds very well. Any other tips or recommendations that you can give me on my aesthetically challenged rifle? Where did you get the mount? Does it hold zero long or does it drift after a few shots? I only put around 8 shots through mine before the ejector didn't want to let go of my brass anymore. I cleaned the heck out of it and haven't shot her since.

A pause for the COZ · March 12, 2013, 04:17 PM

Its made for it. It is a weaver base and rings, with a Bushnell Banner 4 power scope ( perfect match by the way)

Late model 340's are pre drilled for the mount.
Mine was a earlier gun so was not pre drilled.
The mount is a Weaver side 1H.

I had a Gunsmith put it on. he has to relieve the stock and drill the holes.
Charged me 50 bucks. Was worth it. Its whole new gun with that scope.
All the old timer gun smiths around here are well versed on the 340.
He had done hundreds of them.

thallub · March 12, 2013, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Besides where else you gona get a 30-30 to shoot pointy bullets with?

My Remington 788 does it well.

oldgunsmith · March 12, 2013, 09:00 PM

The ejector doesn't have a hold on the brass in the first place. The extractor does that. The ejector is what knocks the shell loose from the extractor as the bolt face passes it near the end of the rearward stroke. If the extractor is pulling the empty out of the chamber it is doing its duty. Check the ejector and spring. It is mounted on the inside of the receiver on the lower left side.

I'vebeenduped · March 13, 2013, 04:59 PM

oldgunsmith

Thanks for the info. Yes, the extractor is doing the job it is supposed to be. The ejector is not. I haven't cycled any ammunition in it since that last happened. I cleaned the nonsense out of it though and hopefully that was curative. I may cycle some rounds through it tonight and see if it fixed it or not. If it did not, I will certainly heed your advice.

Rainbow Demon · March 13, 2013, 05:08 PM

I've heard of SMLE actions converted to .30-30 for use in 200 yard centerfire target shooting in Australia.

5969mark · April 11, 2013, 02:46 PM

I just found your article
do you still have the rifle, are you interested in selling
please let me know
I am in need of the trigger assembly
thanks

cvc944 · April 11, 2013, 04:43 PM

I didn't look up the load you have written on the target, but be mindful of how hot you load for that Savage. The bolt has only one lug, and it's probably not a good idea to give it too much work to do.

March 11, 2013, 01:46 PM	#1
I'vebeenduped Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Posts: 167	Savage model 340 I bought this rifle in the mid 90's from an acquaintance of mine. He lost his head one night and, long story short, could not maintain firearms any more. At any rate, this sucker was a homely as these rifles come (acquaintance was too). I was in the military at the time and not really into bolt action rifles. It wasn't until about 3 years ago where I even bothered to take it out shooting. It did fairly well. It should be a given that I am not very attached to this rifle although I understand that they are fairly good. My problem is this and forgive me if my terminology is off; When I pull the bolt to the rear, inside the chamber there are some small burrs. I noticed this years ago since, although I had not shot it back then, I still rubbed oil on it from time to time and some of the cloth would snag on it. Cycling the bolt is still fairly easy but it feels no where near smooth like my Mauser. In fact, by comparison, it takes effort but no where near forced if that makes any bit of sense. I know that this is not a very fair comparison as I understand that Mauser's have a pretty decent action. I know that this rifle is not worth too much, although this one has a pretty low serial#. I also know that it is pretty tough for a doctor to diagnose a heart condition if he can't get his hands on you. Is something like this difficult and expensive to fix? Is it even worth it? __________________ The natural state of man, the way G‑d created us, is to be happy. Look at children and you will see

March 11, 2013, 02:07 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 11,033	Savage 340 rifles have a pretty good reputation for accuracy, but they are difficult to attach a scope to and the triggers are very rough. They are well-built and rugged, but will never win any beauty contests. Most of them you find will have been carried much and shot little. Many were first deer rifles and were left behind as the kids grew up. To say they are homely is a compliment (as Randy Newman said- Mama says she's plain but that's just bein' kind, Papa says she's pretty but he's almost blind, can't take her out much except at night). If you have a burr in the chamber, it can be polished out. You will never smooth out the bolt. It will never be a Mauser, but it might be a good truck gun. Don't sand the stock, it will never look right again. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Taylor Machine

March 12, 2013, 12:04 PM	#3
I'vebeenduped Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Posts: 167	Is this a common thing in this rifle? Should I expect this to happen much? What would cause this? David __________________ The natural state of man, the way G‑d created us, is to be happy. Look at children and you will see

March 12, 2013, 02:55 PM	#5
I'vebeenduped Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Posts: 167	Nice grouping! Is that at 100 yds? I thought I could only shoot ball type ammo out of this rascal! I am glad to see proof otherwise. I read somewhere that she doesn't feed pointy rounds very well. Any other tips or recommendations that you can give me on my aesthetically challenged rifle? Where did you get the mount? Does it hold zero long or does it drift after a few shots? I only put around 8 shots through mine before the ejector didn't want to let go of my brass anymore. I cleaned the heck out of it and haven't shot her since. __________________ The natural state of man, the way G‑d created us, is to be happy. Look at children and you will see

March 12, 2013, 04:17 PM	#6
A pause for the COZ Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2012 Location: Braham, Minnesota Posts: 151	Its made for it. It is a weaver base and rings, with a Bushnell Banner 4 power scope ( perfect match by the way) Late model 340's are pre drilled for the mount. Mine was a earlier gun so was not pre drilled. The mount is a Weaver side 1H. I had a Gunsmith put it on. he has to relieve the stock and drill the holes. Charged me 50 bucks. Was worth it. Its whole new gun with that scope. All the old timer gun smiths around here are well versed on the 340. He had done hundreds of them. Last edited by A pause for the COZ; March 12, 2013 at 04:22 PM.

March 12, 2013, 02:15 PM	#4
A pause for the COZ Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2012 Location: Braham, Minnesota Posts: 151	hey hey hey, dont be mean. Homely girls need love too. Besides where else you gona get a 30-30 to shoot pointy bullets with?

March 12, 2013, 09:00 PM	#8
oldgunsmith Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Posts: 183	The ejector doesn't have a hold on the brass in the first place. The extractor does that. The ejector is what knocks the shell loose from the extractor as the bolt face passes it near the end of the rearward stroke. If the extractor is pulling the empty out of the chamber it is doing its duty. Check the ejector and spring. It is mounted on the inside of the receiver on the lower left side.

March 13, 2013, 04:59 PM	#9
I'vebeenduped Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Posts: 167	oldgunsmith Thanks for the info. Yes, the extractor is doing the job it is supposed to be. The ejector is not. I haven't cycled any ammunition in it since that last happened. I cleaned the nonsense out of it though and hopefully that was curative. I may cycle some rounds through it tonight and see if it fixed it or not. If it did not, I will certainly heed your advice. __________________ The natural state of man, the way G‑d created us, is to be happy. Look at children and you will see

March 13, 2013, 05:08 PM	#10
Rainbow Demon Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2012 Posts: 397	I've heard of SMLE actions converted to .30-30 for use in 200 yard centerfire target shooting in Australia.

April 11, 2013, 02:46 PM	#11
5969mark Junior Member Join Date: January 26, 2008 Posts: 2	savage 340 I just found your article do you still have the rifle, are you interested in selling please let me know I am in need of the trigger assembly thanks

April 11, 2013, 04:43 PM	#12
cvc944 Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2013 Location: Lenhartsville, PA Posts: 164	I didn't look up the load you have written on the target, but be mindful of how hot you load for that Savage. The bolt has only one lug, and it's probably not a good idea to give it too much work to do.