Savage 12flv receiver mounting screws off?

[Shooting in the wind...]

Hey guys just wanted to get an opinion on a possible way to fix this. I just bought a new Savage 12flv in 308 back in February, and it’s been into the Savage warranty dept once already for re-crowning the muzzle. I finally got my scope in the mail and mounted it up and went to bore sight it in at 100 yards. When I looked thru the bore and centered the target in the bore, I looked up into the scope and to my disgust the reticle was 12moa to the left. So much that I just ran out of adjustment to bring it to center. I was able to use my shims for my Burris XTR rings to bring the scope to zero and be in the middle of the adjustment range for windage but I am wondering how this will affect poi shift at extended ranges??? I already called Savage and they said to send it back with a 3-4 week turn around. I already inquired about just getting rid of it and buying a different rifle however all 3 dealers in my area don’t have anything in stock and said it could be up to a year wait to receive what I want.

 

[Shooting in the wind...]

Yea prob will, just makes me wonder if it will be fixed when I get it back. Shouldn’t have to send a new gun back twice for repairs. From my reading I found it to be a common problem with Savage short actions. I wanted to get a Tikkia T3 Tac A1 but there all sold out and on back order for who knows how long. I should have gotten one when they were available and I was in a place to do so.

 

[NorCalMikie]

2 piece mounts with rear "windage" adjustment.
Savage is famous for holes not lining up.

 

[Shooting in the wind...]

I have Burris XTR rings and used the 10moa insert to bring impact within 2 moa at 100 yards. However, I would rather fix the problem than use a band-aid. Is there any way to fix it? I didn’t put the action on my mill to indicate the holes in to be certain that is the problem although I suspect it is. I guess the barrel could be off aswell.

 

[AlNyhus]

On a Savage, you've also got the barrel nut face/recoil lug/action face lash-up that affects where the barrel is pointing. A recent 12FV that I worked with showed exactly that issue.

Honestly, unless you're going to ditch the barrel nut and do up a custom barrel 'Remington style' with a precision ground lug and the front of the receiver machined perfectly flat, the inserts are your best bet for dealing with this. Even with all this done, the base mounts may still be off relative to the Z axis of the action. If you've got the 6-48 holes, you could relocate and go to the 8-40's to compensate. If yours is one that already has the 8-40's, then you may really open a can of worms that you can't close easily.

Lots of work for no real gain, esp. when the inserts can do the same thing. Just my opinion...add a couple of bucks to it if you want a good cup of coffee.

Hope this helps. -Al

 

[NorCalMikie]

I just bought a new Savage 12flv in 308 back in February, and it’s been into the Savage warranty dept once already for re-crowning the muzzle

Still covered under Warranty?? My guess? Ship it back and plan on getting a "replacement action". Might get back by Christmas?? Or, use the "band aid" repair as you call it.
I don't consider a "2 piece mount" system a "band aid" repair but you call it what YOU want.
At least with the "Band Aid" mount set up, my rifle is STILL in my hands, will hit what I'am aiming at and I can cover a 5 shot group with a dime. Good enough for me.
Not quite sure how plugging and re drilling scope mount holes in an action will look or be any better. YMMV.

 

[rjtfroggy]

I'm with Nor Cal on this. I have a bunch of Savage rifles and almost all have Leupold windage bases and rings, no problem with running out of adj. with scopes and all shoot better than me.
I also spent a lot of money making 2 of them BR guns, custom chambers, cut with a shoulder ( no nut) timed and trued, new triggers, McMillan stocks and to be 100% honest it wasn't wasted money as long as I don't try to recoup if I ever sell them. I would have been dollars ahead if I went full custom right from the start.
On another note don't send it back you may get one back that is worse.

 

[Shooting in the wind...]

My ocd is what makes me wants to correct the issue. However, maybe this time I would be further ahead to either leave it alone or do the work myself. I have the machinery to do so but not the knowledge to preform such a job.

 

[Shooting in the wind...]

Still covered under Warranty?? My guess? Ship it back and plan on getting a "replacement action". Might get back by Christmas?? Or, use the "band aid" repair as you call it.
I don't consider a "2 piece mount" system a "band aid" repair but you call it what YOU want.
At least with the "Band Aid" mount set up, my rifle is STILL in my hands, will hit what I'am aiming at and I can cover a 5 shot group with a dime. Good enough for me.
Not quite sure how plugging and re drilling scope mount holes in an action will look or be any better. YMMV.

Didn’t try to offend you by calling it a “Band-aid” fix. Its just my ocd that makes me feel this way. If I know something is perfect it will drive me nutzs lol. Also yes it’s covered under warranty still but I just got it back from the warranty dept since sending it away a few months ago. I am seriously considering just parting with it.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Didn’t try to offend you by calling it a “Band-aid” fix

Not offended AT ALL. Just don't consider what it takes to get a scope mounted and pointed in the right direction on a Savage, a band aid. Now it it was a Remington, might be a different story.
Something you have to keep in mind is, It's a SAVAGE so you have to expect to fiddle around to get things right. One fiddle thing is the scope mounting holes as you've already found out. And the barrels usually arn't straight in the forearm either. If you're is straight?
I have a few Savage rifles so I know a little of what to expect. Looks like you're finding out too.

 

[Shooting in the wind...]

Not offended AT ALL. Just don't consider what it takes to get a scope mounted and pointed in the right direction on a Savage, a band aid. Now it it was a Remington, might be a different story.
Something you have to keep in mind is, It's a SAVAGE so you have to expect to fiddle around to get things right. One fiddle thing is the scope mounting holes as you've already found out. And the barrels usually arn't straight in the forearm either. If you're is straight?
I have a few Savage rifles so I know a little of what to expect. Looks like you're finding out too.

Nope mine isn’t straight in the barrel channel, and it was already re-crowned. Now either the barrel isn’t sitting parallel with the recieved or the mounting screw holes are off. I’m gunna put it into the mill tonight and try to indicate it to see what the issue is.

 

[rjtfroggy]

Here are just a few things that can be wrong,
barrel nut not square - buy or square the one you have
recoil lug not flat - just buy a .250 ground one easiest way
the recess in stock not evenly milled for the lug
stock inlet not milled strait
the list probably goes on, stop worrying about it. Use a set of Burris rings or the Leupold ones and call it good and go shoot it, it will suprise you, hopefully.
Oh one more thing, take barreled action out of the stock, then put back in, tap butt on floor to set it, then start the action screws holding the barrel strait in the channel tighten the front first. That usually helps the center the barrel in factory Savages.

 

[NorCalMikie]

No issues for me with the barrels NOT being straight in the barrel channel. All mine are either pillar bedded OR actions are mounted on V Blocks. And before any bedding or mountings are done, everything shimmed so it sets up straight.
Like was said, no worries. Just snug everything up and go shooting. Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

 

[Shooting in the wind...]

If I knew how to true one I would do mine however I can’t seem to find much info on the web. I am fimiliar with 700 actions but not savages. Would finally make good use of my lathe and mill.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Probably common, Savage "straightens" barrels after they are finished. So they may not "point" to the same place as the action once screwed in place.

 

[wbm]

I wanted to get a Tikkia T3 Tac A1

Why not just sell the Savage and get what you wanted to start with?

 

[Shooting in the wind...]

Why not just sell the Savage and get what you wanted to start with?

$$$ is tight right now, last fall I was able too but opted to use it elsewhere instead. Now every dealer in my area can’t get one anyway.

 

[Shooting in the wind...]

 

[Shooting in the wind...]

Well I just got done running an indicator across the scope base and over its length it’s only off .0005. There is also no space between the receiver and lug nor the barrel nut. So, my guess it’s either a bent barrel or the reciever threads are crooked. Looks like this one is going back to Savage. In the pic the mount is what looks crooked, but in reality it’s the barrel. How this one slipped thru the cracks especially after already having made one trip back already is beyond me. Amazing you can actually see it’s off by just looking at it.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Easy enough to pull the barrel, chuck it up and if it's off, straighten it. You've got the tools to do the job. And from your conversation, my guess is you've probably got the smarts too. Probably do a better job then it it was shipped back to Savage??
All my barrels are aftermarket so no issues with them NOT being straight. And easy enough to hog out the forearm for barrel clearance. Doesn't take much.
A $ bill from muzzle to barrel nut will work but if you want a little more, use a $20.
I like daylight under mine so there's NO guesswork. A hot barrel WILL shift so plan ahead. And after all that work, it's STILL a Savage. Teach it to shoot bug holes. Mine do.