Are Savage Rifles Reliable in AK?

[Cabochris]

I have a pre AccuTrigger stainless Savage 116 in 30-06, that I'm thinking about re-barreling to 35 Whelen. Why? Because I can do it myself on the Savage, for fun and to learn. Also I've awakened to the possibilities of the 35 Whelen, and think a 225 AccuBond at some 2800 fps would be pretty mighty out to 400 yards. Unless I'm missing something, where has this round been all my life?

But, are the utilitarian ugly Savage guns reliable in tough field conditions? Several years back I took a 116 Savage 338 up North for Muskox and Caribou and the Savage worked flawlessly. But was I just lucky?

I know Savage guns are known for good accuracy. I also know the trigger pull is kind of poor. With that said, I've yet to warm up to the AccuTrigger. I just do not like them. However there is an aftermarket trigger available.

But what about the firing pin and spring? Is the stock spring good enough? I believe there are aftermarket stronger springs for the Savage.

I would end up with a Stainless 35 Whelen with a Match Grade barrel for a pretty low price! I could change the trigger and even have it stocked in an MPI. Would I end up with a reliable rifle?

[BrownBear]

Haven't bought a new one in about 10 years, but all I've ever owned have been as reliable and tough as a tire iron. Do the job their intended to do and take a licking.

[hodgeman]

It took me a long time to warm up to Savage. I bought my son one of the little youth 7-08 package guns in LH. A dang steal at $499 with a decent Nikon scope...especially compared to other LH youth guns (hardly any!).

So far it's been fine but long term reliability is more about rifle maintenance than anything else. I'd not have any qualms about using one up here and a Whelen is pretty awesome.

Accutrigger is pretty decent although it's a bit weird to me- it shoots fine and that's what matters.

[Cabochris]

Hodgeman, that 70-08 is a great deal! I'm wondering about the large firing pin spring in my 116 06 and have read Savages can misfire because of the stock spring binding inside the bolt, due to cold weather/oils/crud. I guess the solution is to install an aftermarket spring that is both stronger and smaller?

But where does one stop? With a little research I've discovered there are quite a few Savage mods available now. Kind of amazing when one can read articles on how right out of the box, Savage rifles can nearly put them through the same hole!

[Catch It]

I've got the 116 weather warrior in 338. Had it since 2006 and three moose, two bou and 5 deer she's worked great as long as I cleaned it normally. Great shooting, tough as nails, I Don't think twice about the accutrigger, even with gloves.

[limon32]

I've never heard of anyone having trouble with one that is properly maintained. But that is the key to reliable operation of anything mechanical isn't it?


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[BrownBear]

...due to cold weather/oils/crud.

Sounds as though you read about someone buying a new spring to cover operator error. If the guy had been on the ball and off his hiney, there wouldn't be oils and crud in there. But it's sure a lot easier to blame a rifle than look in the mirror, isn't it?

[NRick]

I've got a SS Savage 116 in 30-06. Had it nearly 20 years. Pretty lax about cleaning it. As mentioned before, every time I go hunting it rains (every time), and every time I pull the trigger with a live round in the chamber and the safety off (both are key), the gun goes off. Every time. It is exactly as it came out of the box except for the scope mounted on top. I think you are over thinking things.

[Paul H]

The only currently produced bolt action I've known of to give trouble is the Browning a-bolt. Over the years friends and guides I've known personally have seen several of them rust up so badly on boat based hunts they were un-operable, and I've heard of two of the cast trigger guards breaking.

While I have my own biases and preferences in bolt actions, I wouldn't pass up a Savage due to reliability concerns.

[FL2AK-Old Town]

I have a "pre-accu trigger" (whatever THAT is) Model 110. I don't beat it up, but i wouldn't hesitate to use it up here. Savage is the only nonWinchester gun would want to own. I'd 10 times rather take my Savage than some Remington or Marlin or import gun.

Like brown bear said, takes a licking. Solid, dependable, AFFORBABLE, ACCURATE.

[northwoods]

I have and hunt with my old savage 110E 30-06. It has claimed the lives of many blacktails, it's a bit fugly but has always worked as advertised. Savage is the only mass produced rifle maker that uses button rifled barrels that contributes to accuracy out of the box. Also for a modest amount of money and expertise you can easily change barrels to accept new calibers of same action length.

[Cabochris]

Oh great! I just received the older stainless 116 30-06, which the former owner neglected. Removed the action from the stock to clean and the trigger exploded into pieces. Put it back together at least 6 times, each time it comes apart! The small bolt release lever pin will not stay put in the trigger housing and I'll just send it to Savage.

I may forget Savage for my 35 Whelen project as what I sort of expected actually happened- a gun with questionable reliability. If this happened on a hunt, my hunt would be over without a back-up gun. After assembling the trigger like a puzzle and figuring it out multiple times, I'm kind of turned-off. This trigger seems to be made of cheap stamped sheet metal and the way it functions- very rough!

I bought this stainless 06 because the price was right and I wanted to re-barrel it to 35 Whelen. But after seeing just how cheap the trigger is I may abandon the project. On the other hand perhaps a new trigger group with an aftermarket trigger might be functional/reliable? But this seems a bad sign. I was attracted to the utilitarian look and ease of barrel swaps, but right now I've a bad taste in my mouth for Savage.

[FL2AK-Old Town]

right now I've a bad taste in my mouth for Savage.

I'll take it off your hands. No questions asked.

[Smitty of the North]

I have and hunt with my old savage 110E 30-06. It has claimed the lives of many blacktails, it's a bit fugly but has always worked as advertised. Savage is the only mass produced rifle maker that uses button rifled barrels that contributes to accuracy out of the box. Also for a modest amount of money and expertise you can easily change barrels to accept new calibers of same action length.

You could say that about most any brand and type. Most of them work fine most of the time.

SOTN

[Smitty of the North]

I'll take it off your hands. No questions asked.

Would you give him what he paid for it?

SOTN