Savage Receiver/lug/nut Square tolerance

[js2013]

I was wondering how square is the std Savage receiver face (along with the lug and barrel nut)?

The reason I ask is NSS sells a precision ground lug and barrel nut but I'm guessing to get optimum results the receiver must be square also. Is NSS's lug/barrel worth the money if the receiver is not squared?

 

[gotcha]

Good observation! Savage Mfg. tolerances are known to be rather loose as are many Factory rifles. ............. I have a Savage LA that was found to be almost .002" out of square at the receiver face. I never shot the rifle out of the box. .............. After squaring (and some other subtleties) the rifle is a "bug hole" shooter. ......... I'd highly recommend facing off the receiver on any factory rifle that you expect accuracy from. I used the NSS lug and found it to be VERY precise. When I checked the squareness of my factory bbl. nut, it was perfect. Yours may not be. FWIW

 

[Rustystud]

I would best describe the (non PTA) Savage barrel nut, Savage Factory Recoil Lug, and OEM action as a "Crush Fit" at best. Will they shoot, some will and some want, as with any OEM Factory rifle it is a crap shoot. Trued up action, timed bolt, precision ground recoil lug, and trued up barrel nut, yes most will shoot sub 1. moa. or better.
Nat Lambeth

 

[Eraser]

I would best describe the (non PTA) Savage barrel nut, Savage Factory Recoil Lug, and OEM action as a "Crush Fit" at best. Will they shoot, some will and some want, as with any OEM Factory rifle it is a crap shoot. Trued up action, timed bolt, precision ground recoil lug, and trued up barrel nut, yes most will shoot sub 1. moa. or better.
Nat Lambeth

So Nat, are you saying that the Savage PTA are trued, or at least the receiver face, and then with precision ground recoil lug, and trued up barrel nut, are good to go?

 

[TAJ45]

So Nat, are you saying that the Savage PTA are trued, or at least the receiver face, and then with precision ground recoil lug, and trued up barrel nut, are good to go?

I did not read it that way. Who is right?

 

[MrMajestic]

There is a thing called stacking tolerances....

 

[Concha]

I would best describe the (non PTA) Savage barrel nut, Savage Factory Recoil Lug, and OEM action as a "Crush Fit" at best. Will they shoot, some will and some want, as with any OEM Factory rifle it is a crap shoot. Trued up action, timed bolt, precision ground recoil lug, and trued up barrel nut, yes most will shoot sub 1. moa. or better.
Nat Lambeth

Nothing is true on a Savage and they have to bend the barreled action at the junction to get the barrel in line with the action in a large arbor press. Nat's statement about truing takes all of the binding out so alignment is natural. Action OD, bolt raceway, bolt head, barrel should all have concentric diameters and perpendicular faces. Even the base holes should be in alignment for a precision rifle.

 

[js2013]

Wow! I didn't know they used an arbor press to straighten action/barrel. You'd think they'd have the process down to a science. Talk about inducing stresses.

 

[Eraser]

Me either.
That bending process must work fairly well. My shooting friend has a Savage F class in 6mm BR that shoots really really well.

 

[Eraser]

I understand "stacking tolerances" and "action truing". What was not clear to me was when Rustystud said "non PTA actions". I thought he was saying that the PTA were a cut above the standered.

 

[savagedasher]

All the junkyard savages that any one has send them to me I will pay freight and give fair scrap price .
The barrels have been straighten that way forever. Bending of the action I never have seen . My target actions were so straight they didn't need to be touched . Larry

 

[Eddie Harren]

All the junkyard savages that any one has send them to me I will pay freight and give fair scrap price .
The barrels have been straighten that way forever. Bending of the action I never have seen . My target actions were so straight they didn't need to be touched . Larry

All your buddies, at Savage, hand picked the straight ones for you!

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

I have had very good luck with my Savage target actions, many times I have reused the factory nut and action lug with no negative results. Actually I stopped buying the upgraded lugs and barrel nuts because I couldn't tell any difference in how the rifle performed. Although I am only an average shot so that may be the limiting factor.