Savage 340 range results

waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
I had the 30-30 out yesterday for some testing. I was pretty pleased with the results. I forgot to take my tools so I couldn't adjust the sights, but oh well.

Neck sized R-P brass, CCI LRP, Lee C309-180-R sized to .311" lubed with 2500 and BLL with a Gator check over 28.0gr of IMR4064 loaded to an OAL of 2.580"

I did not bring my Chrony with me. I shot at both 50 and 100 yards with the receiver sights. I was pretty happy with how this load shot. I pulled one round in the 50 yard group that opened it up to about 1 1/2"

It would have been right around an inch. The 100 yard group was about 3 1/2"

Both were 5 shot groups. No signs of leading. What a fun rifle! Best $159 I've spent in a while!

The 50+ year old mag does not work very well. I was single loading the rifle. I found new ones online for $33

Just thought I'd share.

Walter
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I saw a guy looking at a Savage just like that, without the receiver sight, at Cabelas yesterday. I didn't look as I don't want to tempt fate with the wife.

That load would be pretty good for deer.
 
waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
I'll take the Chrony with me next time. Curious to see just how fast they are going. These have been laying around for about a year now. I don't remember the alloy. WDWW maybe? I'm getting ready to cast up more now.
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I've used, but never owned, several 340's and the store brand models of the same rifle, I forget whose or what the model designation was. For an economy rifle they all worked and shot pretty darn good. Factory sights were a limiting factor and IIRC scoping them involved offset mounts that were none to sturdy. I've often wondered if a scout scope type set up could be worked out for one. Savage always seemed to make a decent barrel, but bedding in the 340s seemed hit and miss. That front band could cause headaches. But, all in all a nice, ugly little knockabout rifle. I'd love to find one in 22 Hornet, but they are pretty rare around here and I need another rifle like I need more bills.
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
This guy has come up with fairly decent looking top mount. I've never used or even seen one, but I've used enough side mounts not to like them.

http://www.leeroysramblings.com/gunsmithing_savage_340.htm

Sav_340_CADbase.gif
 
waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
Update. I had this same load out with the chrony this time. The are running just a tick under 1700fps
This is 28.0gr of IMR4064
The case necks are pretty sooty. I'm thinking 30.0gr should get the speed up a bit and put the pressure more where it needs to be.
Your thoughts?
Walter
 
Josh

Josh

Well-Known Member
If you have it or could make a small batch, try Lamar's Simple Lube, it took my rifle loads and cut them between 20 and 50% depending on the application. It is softer than the Carnauba Red I was running. I mention this as I see some rather dark pucker marks around the bullet holes on your 100 yd target.

I would also try IMR 4350, fill the case to the bottom of the neck, should be between 32-36 gr and seat that same bullet. That was a great load for me while running 180's in the 30-30.
 
waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
Thanks for the input Josh. I was thinking about making some "Glen's Black" I've never heard of simple lube.
I've always just used store bought stuff. Kinda nervous about diving into the black art of lube making.
I have a hard enough time controlling all the variables as it is!
Never thought to try 4350 in the 30-30....
 
Josh

Josh

Well-Known Member
IMR 4350 in the 30-30 sounds like it won't work, but that load should be in the upper 1800's. IDK why it works so well but it just does, it is hard to get 4350 to not shoot in the 30-30.

As far as lube making, I learned from Ian and Lamar while working on my 255 gr 30-06 loads that a lube that is too stiff will cause issues. I made up a batch of lamar's lube and everything came together very well. I have used it in everything sense. Let's see if Lamar can get in here to give the recipe

@fiver
 
quicksylver

quicksylver

Well-Known Member
Waco...FYI...I friend stopped by with his Marlin 336 in 30 -30, just before last year's deer season.

He said he was tired of using factory ammo and the lack lust hunting accuracy he got from it.

He asked if I would be willing to load up some CB loads for him.

I said sure. I had a 100 or so 311041s laying around cast of ACWW.

Since the Marlin had a micro groove barrel i sized them .312, then seated and crimped them on top of 18 grs of IMR 4198.

He took 10 of them to the range,after shooting 5 and getting a 1 3/8" group at 100 yds. He came back and asked for more.

This loads as I said has taken more than a few of our Eastern WhiteTails.

For a 180 gr bullet in the 30-30 you might want to try faster powders.
 
N

NAGANT

Active Member
Nice work! I almost bought one but found a sako.222 that i could actually afford at the time. That link to leroy's is good stuff as he really new the 340 series. What brand is the receiver site? Hardly ever see them on the guns. I had one in 30/30 with the side mount and a Dockendorf barrel mounted rear sight that was better then the scope. I don't remember the mount brand but it was thin aluminum, might be B-square. Anyway i traded i the rifle for a dog:rolleyes:
 
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quicksylver

quicksylver

Well-Known Member
I can not believe the prices you guys come up with.

There have been a couple of those at our LGS but they where asking $350.00 for them.

One in 30-30, the other .222
 
N

NAGANT

Active Member
I know what you mean! I passed on a couple .22 hornets at $300 then i came to but now their probably $450. Around here you don't ever see .22 hornets. maybe a 30/30.
 
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