My new Savage

[cheddar]

Hey guys. I've been around since I bought this but haven't posted much. I finally have the scope mounted and everything seems ready. All I need is a bipod and I should be ready to shoot. I have noticed a slight issue with feeding. I have two snap cap rounds that I have tried to cycle throuh the action. When I try to load the first round it pops right out of the action. The only way I can get the round into the chamber is if I help it along with my finger. I am not a big bolt gun guy, so I have no idea what the hell is going on. Any help would be great! Thanks guys.
Specifics on the rifle.
Savage 10FP .223
24"barrell
Ken Ferrell 1 peice scope mount
Burris XTR low rings
Vortex 6-24x50AO scope
(if anyone has any leads on a cheap bipod please let me know)

I also have no clue what kind of ammo to buy and what to stay away from. Any help there would be great also.
some pics for goos measure:

 

[diggler1833]

Re: My new Savage

Generally match ammunition shoots better than surplus/hunting ammo. If you want to shoot a lot of match ammunition, or just shoot a lot period I'd suggest reloading.

I got my foot in this game, and found my interest starting with a Savage 10FP in .308. Was a solid rifle. Good luck.

 

[wco24u]

Re: My new Savage

Nice rifle, enjoy .223 remington great caliber. Reloading good way to bring out the true shooting capablities of your new toy.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: My new Savage

Did you clean it, and when you did, did you remove and replace the magazine follower? When you did, is it possible you might have reinstalled it turned around front to rear from the way it was when you got it? Did you try turning it around since you discovered the problem? Might help, might not.

Handloads that should work:

52gr SMK w/27.5gr W748

55gr nearly anything w/25.4gr W748

75gr HDY HPBT Match (Moly) w/26.5gr(C*) Ramshot Big Game.

Greg

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: My new Savage

Wallyworld Sporting Good Dept sells a (forgive me, folks) Chinese shameless clone copy of the Harris bipod for abot $35-$40. Quality, durability, and reliability are reputedly NOT up to Harris standards.

But it's a cheap bipod.

Me...; I'd do anything else possible first..., down to and including cobbling something togther with wood, spit, baling wire, and chewing gun...

I WILL NOT buy one of those things myself...; no matter how bad things get...

 

[cheddar]

Re: My new Savage

I have disassembled it but I thought I had the mag spring back in correctly. How do you tell which way it goes?

Reloading isn't really an option at this point due to long hours and a 7 month old baby. What factory ammo would be best suited for me?

 

[cheddar]

Re: My new Savage

The rifle has not been cleaned yet. I don't know exactly what to use for cleaning rods and the like? I have a kit for all my handguns but not much for rifles. My budget is pretty much peanuts. It took me 4 months to buy everything I have so far.

 

[lostriverproductions]

Re: My new Savage

I have pretty much same rifle but modle 10 predator, the one diped in camo. I currently hand load for it, but before I did that I tried a variety of ammo. Factory it liked hardnay 40 grain vmax held .375 groups and thats out side to out side. Liked Rem 62 grain match but had to let barrel cool after 2 shots or would throw a kicker. My hand loads are 69 gr match kings and 40 grain vmax all will pretty much punch the same hole.

 

[Queequeg]

Re: My new Savage

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cheddar</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I have two snap cap rounds that I have tried to cycle throuh the action. When I try to load the first round it pops right out of the action. The only way I can get the round into the chamber is if I help it along with my finger. I am not a big bolt gun guy, so I have no idea what the hell is going on. Any help would be great! Thanks guys.

I also have no clue what kind of ammo to buy and what to stay away from. Any help there would be great also. </div></div>

Has this happenend with real ammo or dummy cartridges? They will weigh more than a snap cap, and are not necessarily of the exact same dimensions as a real cartridge.

My Savage 12 shoots any .223/5.56 ammo up to 70 grains, at least well all the way to excellent. If you haven't fired that sucka yet, you are missing out on some fun Cheddar Dude!

 

[Halfnutz]

Re: My new Savage

Cheddar,

Try turning the follower around, if it works better mark the front some how so you don't ahve the issue again. There are 2 styles of spring one is a flat one the other a coil. There may also be a small cut in both sides that the ridges in the mag line up with. Savage has made alot of changes in the years that they have been producing these models and it is getting harder for me to keep up with the changes.

Look for a good one piece rod, Dewey and Tipton make really good coated rods, or look at a good one piece stainless like made by Pro-Shot. The rods are not exactly cheap but will last a long time and won't harm the bore like a cheap sectional aluminum rod. There is some debate among shooters as to which is better and why but I think unless you have a custom barrel I would not worry to much as to which one. Even with a custom barrel I don't worry about which one I am using.

Secondly get a bore guide, this will protect the chamber and the throat. It will also keep solvent and crap from getting in your magazine well.

Bi-Pod is nice but not a requirement to shoot. The leg cut off a set of BDU's or blue jeans, filled with sand and sewn up will get you a decent rest.
Those without funds are the ones who need the skills of improvisation the most.

For factory ammo try a little of everthing. Federal xm193 ($10-$12 per 20) may do great in your rifle, it will also get you shooting. The more expensive stuff like Black Hills, Federal GM Match, Hornady etc. are 2 to 3 times the price although should perform better. I would stay clear of the "cheap" surplus, as in steel cased Wolf. Save your brass! you can relaod it later or sell it when you get a pile.

Enjoy your new rifle.

 

[cheddar]

Re: My new Savage

Tons of good info guys, Thanks alot! I'm not familliar with a bore guide. Does it just seal the action from the barrell while cleaning?

Shooting alot is my issue. There are 2 ranges within 15 miles of me. The problem is they are members only. Do you guys all pay a yearly fee? If so, how much do you guys pay?

 

[cheddar]

Re: My new Savage

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: queequeg</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cheddar</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I have two snap cap rounds that I have tried to cycle throuh the action. When I try to load the first round it pops right out of the action. The only way I can get the round into the chamber is if I help it along with my finger. I am not a big bolt gun guy, so I have no idea what the hell is going on. Any help would be great! Thanks guys.

I also have no clue what kind of ammo to buy and what to stay away from. Any help there would be great also. </div></div>

Has this happenend with real ammo or dummy cartridges? They will weigh more than a snap cap, and are not necessarily of the exact same dimensions as a real cartridge.

My Savage 12 shoots any .223/5.56 ammo up to 70 grains, at least well all the way to excellent. If you haven't fired that sucka yet, you are missing out on some fun Cheddar Dude!
</div></div>


It has only happened with snap caps. I havent run any regular rounds through yet. I would like to clean and lube before I cycle the action too much.

 

[FMJBT]

Re: My new Savage

For budget ammo, the Prvi Partizan Match is some decent stuff. They make 69 and 75 grain Match rounds for .223. the 69's would probably be a little better suited to your application since you have a 1-9" twist barrel. They're no Federal Gold Medal Match, but they should easily be able to get into sub MOA out of your rifle.

 

[gopherslayer]

Re: My new Savage

Your follower has 2 ramps on it. The longest should be to the rear.

As for club fees I pay $20/year but only has a 100 yard range, any further and I go to land owned by my family. No lines, no wait and no Know-it all mall ninjas.

If you buy a case of ammo you may as well save a little more cash and get reloading equipment. Not much more with todays ammo prices. You're return on investment will be recooped quickly.

 

[Queequeg]

Re: My new Savage

Cheddar,

I don't think there is a problem with your rifle. It's likely an issue with the caps. Link up with a fellow shooter and barter off a date with your sister for some ammo to ease your mind. Your sister's may be troubled but damnit we all have to prioritize!

I pay $110.00/ year to shoot at my club and it is about the same distance from mi casa as your local foo foo clubs. I also shoot at a couple others when convenient or I'm jonesing to shoot prone, really long distance or blast without the rules commitee calling a special meeting at my club!

For your purposes, a one piece rod, a jag, a brush, patches and couple solvents will suffice to clean the bore of your rifle. A bore guide can be obtained for under 20 bucks. With a little ingenuity you could cobble one together with some plastic tubing and a rubber stopper with a hole in the end large enough to pass the loaded rod in and out but just wide enough to snugly fit your breach to prevent fluids from leaking into the magazine. A little sometimes does anyway; it won't kill your stick.

Shoot it man. Shoot it...

By the way, is it true the mafia controls the cheese in Wisconson?

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: My new Savage

Hornady and BH remanufactured 75gr HPBT Match Moly were functionally identical to the 75gr load I described, and a good bit more affordable. Most any relatively good commercial Varmint load (like Winchester Premium CXP loads) should drive tacks out of the Savage.

Which end is which? Hell, I don't know, but I'll just about betcha one way works better than the other...

Greg

 

[cheddar]

Re: My new Savage

We're too fat and drunk to have a mafia here.

 

[cheddar]

Re: My new Savage

What would it cost for a basic reloading setup?