Savage bolts

[270man]

Numerous posts on Savage centerfire rifles seem to indicate that Savage offers good value for the money -- at least on some of its models. I've never owned a Savage CF rifle but rimfires I owned years ago were very good (i.e., accurate and reliable).

One thing that concerns me is how the Savage bolt is constructed in its CF rifles. Several years ago, I experienced a misfire in moderately cold weather with a Winchester Model 70. Couldn't remember if the bolt had been cleaned. From that point on, I always clean my bolts before any big game hunt. The Model 70 bolts are super easy to disassemble and clean. Remington Model 700s are more difficult but a special tool I bought from Brownells makes it simple.

A few years ago, I helped a friend buy a Savage M110 in 270Win and offered to thoroughly clean the rifle for him. It went well -- except for the bolt. I couldn't see any easy way to break it down for interior cleaning. The book "Bolt Action Rifles" by Frank deHaas describes the process and it isn't something I feel comfortable doing. Two solutions are to have it cleaned by a gunsmith or just hope that gunk doesn't eventually accumulate and cause a misfire.

Am I missing something here? Is disassembly and cleaning easier than I think it is? Can the Savage bolt be effectively cleaned without disassembly? If it is a problem, is this a good reason to choose a Win M70 or Rem M700 over Savage (and what about Ruger M77?)? I welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue.

270man

[jon lynn]

270man

Savage is a semi-lawyer proof company, and suggest that you do not do the bolt assy. your self, and to be honest I am a bit edgy about trying it.

Nothing is as easy as a Mauser (Gil taught me on line how to), Remington gives easy instructions in the Remington booklet that comes with each rifle.

Savage doesn't (as you know) so I called them, because at the time I had four Savages, and they said 'gun smith'

In Germany it would be expensive to have a German smith do it so I thought 'screw it' and never cleaned the bolt..........after 3 years with a dog old 110 I got used I never worried about the bolt (although it is wrong), and the day I had to sell it for a money crunch (snif ) the guy charged the bolt and dry fired it, still slicker than snot on a marble floor.

So over all I will say the Savage bolts are real good, but not intended for you to strip down. I just checked the Savage manuals page and it's still listed as a big no-no..................Jon

[Dutchboy]

Well, I've done it, and it's not THAT big a deal. The biggest thing is that you can inadvertantly (and reaaalllllly easily) change firing pin protrusion).

The other big thing is that once you take the nut off the back, you have broken the little seal that keeps it from unscrewing. You better do something to keep it from backing out when you put it back together. JMO, Dutch

[Gil Martin]

Remington bolts can be easily disassembled just like the U.S. 1917 Ebffield. Remove the bolt from the rifle, press the cocking piece against a flat surface and insert a coin (a penny or dime will work) between the bolt body and the cocking piece and the bolt can be unscrewed. All the best...
Gil