Why are savage rifles so darn accurate?

Servo77 · September 28, 2005, 10:01 PM

I have a friend that just bought on ein .243 and after seeing him shoot a .5 inch group at 100 yards right out of the box (after cleaning), i went back and layed one away myself.

What is the secret...other then the trigger...how is it that savage gets such accurate rifles at such a good price point (compared to others0. They are kinda plain, but I guess they put the refining in where it counts....the shooting.

ltdave · September 28, 2005, 10:08 PM

it certainly isnt all the trigger. i did some pretty good shooting with the old style trigger...

that new accutrigger is very nice but i didnt have one in my rifle when i bought it. it was pretty stiff...

i think the rapid change barrel is the key. if its not right when they test fire it, they can swap in another barrel. speaking of barrels, if you have a good maker, youve got a good barrel and obviously good results...

i posted on another thread that i can make a 5 shot group go 3/4" at 200yds with it on a bipod with federal gold medal match. ive shot it to 1000 yards but i cant hold it good enough for stellar results. i can keep it on paper for what THATS worth...

heres how mine 10FP .308 is currently looking:

SS 10X42 w/side parallax in burris signature rings on a leupold mount
harris bipod
sharpshooter trigger

Servo77 · September 28, 2005, 10:12 PM

I have a friend that just bought on ein .243 and after seeing him shoot a .5 inch group at 100 yards right out of the box (after cleaning), i went back and layed one away myself.

What is the secret...other then the trigger...how is it that savage gets such accurate rifles at such a good price point (compared to others0. They are kinda plain, but I guess they put the refining in where it counts....the shooting.

TPAW · September 28, 2005, 10:38 PM

Very nice set up! I'm looking for one with a wood stock and sights. Does Savage have it?

psycho nut · September 28, 2005, 11:03 PM

I have a Mk. II .22 and it is really good also, it's not the trigger (it is a very good trigger though).

Zekewolf · September 28, 2005, 11:11 PM

It's because they're well-built, albeit on 100-yr-old machinery.

rwilson452 · September 28, 2005, 11:22 PM

Don't tell anyone!

The reason savage guns are more accurate is the guy that straightens the barrels. most companys do it by machine. Savage his this old timer that can do it by hand faster and more accurately than a machine. I sure hope he has a good apprentice.

to explain, when the barrel is rifled it gets out of true and has to be made straight again.

TIYAA · September 28, 2005, 11:45 PM

Could it be the tension nut?

**JohnKSa** · September 28, 2005, 11:45 PM

Quote:

What is the secret...other then the trigger

LOL! For years, Savages were accurate IN SPITE of the triggers! Now the new triggers are getting part of the credit for the accuracy. Sorry, that just tickled me...

Big-Foot · September 28, 2005, 11:52 PM

It's both the design and the care in manufacturing.

I've seen barrel makers quoted as saying that Savage makes the best factory production barrels.

The recievers are already true, I've read a Savage smith say that it's a rare reciever that even needs truing.

Savage's floating bolt head aligns itself to the barrel.

Solid reciever to barrel mating.

Precise headspacing.

Great trigger.

All from the factory. How much would a smith charge to do all of this to a Remchester?

Here's an article about a gunsmiths Savage factory tour, maybe rwilson452 can spot the old barrel straightener guy. http://www.gunblast.com/Savage_12VSS.htm

Crosshair · September 29, 2005, 12:42 AM

I'd have to say that it might be the way the barrels are headspaced with the locking nut. Less stress being placed on the reciever and barrel with that method IMHO. And it is easier to set correct headspace as well as the bolt head, mentioned earlier.

Jack O'Conner · September 29, 2005, 07:16 AM

Headspacing at the Savage plant has always been quite good. I remember ads from the early 1970's that focused upon their headspacing.

Savage heavy weight target/varmint rifles feature aluminum pillow blocks for stability in key areas. Vast majority of rifle-makers do not use this technique nor material.

The model 99 lever action features a very rigid two piece stock attachment. Longer and heavier bolts than the competition.

Lastly, most Savage rifles have faster firing pin travel time than others. This speed is measured in micro-second but Savage has one of the fastest ignitions.

These are the factors I know about that make this rifle-maker so highly ranked in the accurasy department.
Jack

foghornl · September 29, 2005, 11:04 AM

That 2-pillar bedding and free-floating barrel helps in the accuracy/repeatability areas, too.

Savage gives you a great value for a very modest budget price point.

45/70 GOVT. · September 30, 2005, 10:03 PM

I heard it was the tension nut also.

September 28, 2005, 10:01 PM	#1
Servo77 Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2005 Location: Southeast OH Posts: 905	Why are savage rifles so darn accurate? I have a friend that just bought on ein .243 and after seeing him shoot a .5 inch group at 100 yards right out of the box (after cleaning), i went back and layed one away myself. What is the secret...other then the trigger...how is it that savage gets such accurate rifles at such a good price point (compared to others0. They are kinda plain, but I guess they put the refining in where it counts....the shooting.

September 28, 2005, 10:12 PM	#3
Servo77 Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2005 Location: Southeast OH Posts: 905	Why are savage rifles so darn accurate? I have a friend that just bought on ein .243 and after seeing him shoot a .5 inch group at 100 yards right out of the box (after cleaning), i went back and layed one away myself. What is the secret...other then the trigger...how is it that savage gets such accurate rifles at such a good price point (compared to others0. They are kinda plain, but I guess they put the refining in where it counts....the shooting.

September 28, 2005, 11:22 PM	#7
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	savage accuracy Don't tell anyone! The reason savage guns are more accurate is the guy that straightens the barrels. most companys do it by machine. Savage his this old timer that can do it by hand faster and more accurately than a machine. I sure hope he has a good apprentice. to explain, when the barrel is rifled it gets out of true and has to be made straight again.

September 28, 2005, 10:08 PM	#2
ltdave Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2005 Posts: 226	it certainly isnt all the trigger. i did some pretty good shooting with the old style trigger... that new accutrigger is very nice but i didnt have one in my rifle when i bought it. it was pretty stiff... i think the rapid change barrel is the key. if its not right when they test fire it, they can swap in another barrel. speaking of barrels, if you have a good maker, youve got a good barrel and obviously good results... i posted on another thread that i can make a 5 shot group go 3/4" at 200yds with it on a bipod with federal gold medal match. ive shot it to 1000 yards but i cant hold it good enough for stellar results. i can keep it on paper for what THATS worth... heres how mine 10FP .308 is currently looking: SS 10X42 w/side parallax in burris signature rings on a leupold mount harris bipod sharpshooter trigger

September 28, 2005, 10:38 PM	#4
TPAW Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Posts: 2,860	Very nice set up! I'm looking for one with a wood stock and sights. Does Savage have it?

September 28, 2005, 11:03 PM	#5
psycho nut Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 480	I have a Mk. II .22 and it is really good also, it's not the trigger (it is a very good trigger though).

September 28, 2005, 11:11 PM	#6
Zekewolf Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2005 Posts: 886	It's because they're well-built, albeit on 100-yr-old machinery.

September 28, 2005, 11:45 PM	#8
TIYAA Junior Member Join Date: June 5, 2005 Posts: 8	Could it be the tension nut?

September 28, 2005, 11:52 PM	#10
Big-Foot Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 404	It's both the design and the care in manufacturing. I've seen barrel makers quoted as saying that Savage makes the best factory production barrels. The recievers are already true, I've read a Savage smith say that it's a rare reciever that even needs truing. Savage's floating bolt head aligns itself to the barrel. Solid reciever to barrel mating. Precise headspacing. Great trigger. All from the factory. How much would a smith charge to do all of this to a Remchester? Here's an article about a gunsmiths Savage factory tour, maybe rwilson452 can spot the old barrel straightener guy. http://www.gunblast.com/Savage_12VSS.htm

September 29, 2005, 12:42 AM	#11
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	I'd have to say that it might be the way the barrels are headspaced with the locking nut. Less stress being placed on the reciever and barrel with that method IMHO. And it is easier to set correct headspace as well as the bolt head, mentioned earlier.

September 29, 2005, 07:16 AM	#12
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,982	Headspacing at the Savage plant has always been quite good. I remember ads from the early 1970's that focused upon their headspacing. Savage heavy weight target/varmint rifles feature aluminum pillow blocks for stability in key areas. Vast majority of rifle-makers do not use this technique nor material. The model 99 lever action features a very rigid two piece stock attachment. Longer and heavier bolts than the competition. Lastly, most Savage rifles have faster firing pin travel time than others. This speed is measured in micro-second but Savage has one of the fastest ignitions. These are the factors I know about that make this rifle-maker so highly ranked in the accurasy department. Jack

September 29, 2005, 11:04 AM	#13
foghornl Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,354	That 2-pillar bedding and free-floating barrel helps in the accuracy/repeatability areas, too. Savage gives you a great value for a very modest budget price point.

September 30, 2005, 10:03 PM	#14
45/70 GOVT. Member Join Date: January 1, 2005 Location: Southeast Tennessee Posts: 57	I heard it was the tension nut also.