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Why is the Savage Target Action better than other "budget" actions?

Jimsfish67

I'm going to try to keep this short. Basically I'm building a precision rifle for bench shoot (not competition) and trying to wring the most accuracy out of a somewhat limited budget. I have every part worked out except the action. I keep reading and hearing conflicting data on how much the action contributes to accuracy. So to be specific the build will look something like:

- Barrel: Bartlein from Bugholes, Rock Creek from PVA, or Shilen from Northland pre-fits (depending on action). Medium Palma 24in chambered in 6.5CM and threaded for my TBAC can.

- Trigger: Jewel, Huber, TriggerTech, Timney, Calvin, etc. (whatever fits action).

- Stock/Chassis: MDT, McMillan, KRG, or similar (again depending on action).

- Action: Options are Tikka T3x, Savage 10, Ruger American, Howa 1500, and the Savage Target Action. None will have work done, just the stock action.

So my question is this; if you build the five actions mentioned above into the rifles described above, would the Savage Target Action (or any of the other actions for that matter) have an advantage over the others when it comes to pure accuracy? Off a bench with front and rear bag or bipod and rear bag and tuned hand loads, would there be any noticeable difference in accuracy at 100y or 1200y for that matter?

I get that consistency leads to accuracy, I'm just not sure what/how the savage PTA without any work done on it delivers more of this than any of the other actions mentioned, and if that would in tern yield noticeable accuracy gains. Hoping someone can explain this to me, thanks in advance!
 
savage only drawback is the trigger only a few peeps make triggers but you can get one from SS that works well, but other than that they are ok but not for comp because of the bolt lift unless you shoot a 70lbs gun, other peeps will chime in than are more knowledgeable than me, I have a PTA and have had barrels that shoot bugholes all dayjust sold a 260ai that shoots great, but shooting comp and keeping the rifle stable in the bags for a fast firing string is a no go
 
I assume you're picking the Savage because you can buy a prefit barrel. Savage aftermarket trigger options are few so if you're OK with the stock trigger then go ahead. Suggest you build on a Remington action or clone and forget about that prefit stuff. There are many more aftermarket options for Remington than Savage. Also you will have a rifle that will compete more effectively in my opinion. Stand alone and out of the box Savage does have a good rifle but buying the Savage and then trying to improve as money will allow is not the best option.
 
The T3 is a very stiff action for a repeater with the minimized loading port. Great trigger out of the box, very straight action, and no extraction or ejection problems. What's not to like. My personal favorite of the factory actions. Just barrel it and go shooting.:D:D

Paul
 
boltfluter said:
The T3 is a very stiff action for a repeater with the minimized loading port. Great trigger out of the box, very straight action, and no extraction or ejection problems. What's not to like. My personal favorite of the factory actions. Just barrel it and go shooting.:D:D

Paul
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id say the Tikka would be best to but id also say it is in a class quite a bit above the other actions listed by the OP. Probably not gonna put a barrel nut on one either.
 
When I was in your shoes and it came down to actions I had a few prerequisites, it had to be single shot solid bottom, brand new action in a box so I could build a specialty pistol, reasonably priced so a old retired man could justify the cost. Back then you could find new target actions in the box for mid 4s so I thought what the heck I'll give it a try. I've been real pleased with the one I got. I can install my own barrels, bolt lift is not hard at all, action is smooth, the recoil lug that came with it was ground, and the trigger is 6oz measured on the gage. Good enough for a shaky old man like me.
 
been there done that. savages can be incredibly accurate but you will never overcome the trigger and bolt lift issues

if i were to want a precision benchrest rifle i would look at used custom built ones. these guys just want a new one and sell spectacular rifles for less than half what they have in them. with a little research and time you can find a real bargain. Of course following your present path will make you more appreciative when you do get one.

benchrest central is a good place to look and sometimes they show up in the accurate shooter classifieds

this guy has bunches
http://theshooterscorner.com/benchrest-rifles/
 
Thanks for the feedback so far. No one has really answered the question in my OP, but I think the consensus is that out of the actions mentioned, the Savage PTA is not going to be inherently more accurate with the relatively light (compared to space guns) barrel. Am I reading that wrong?

I should also clarify (although I thought I made it obvious in the OP), that I am not looking for an F-class or benchrest competition build, just something I can have fun with making small groups I can at the range. I won't be getting a Bat or a massive bull barrel. Hence my question about actions and accuracy with the kind of setup described above.

There are a lot of recommendations to go with the Tikka T3x action. My question is the same about it vs. the other mentioned actions. Is it going to yield more mechanical accuracy/consistancy, or is it getting recommend because it is just a much smoother, easier feeding action?
 
I've got the Rifle Basix SAV-2 on my Savage . Very nice trigger and it adjusts from 4ozs. to 3 lbs. Also, you haven't even addressed the issue of loading equipment. You, (as many of us) are headed down a deep rabbit hole.
 
Here is my opinion (uninformed as it is). One design (action) is not more accurate than another, it comes down to precision in the manufacturing process. Savage actions do have a heavier bolt lift and while it can be improved (by you with a couple of "tricks") it will not be as smooth as the other designs you listed. The trigger options are limited but RifleBasix SAV-2 is a pretty good one but a bit of a pain to set up and is not adjustable while the action in the stock.
The big payoff in using a Savage action is when you need to replace the barrel. Swapping out a barrel does not require a gunsmith and that will save you loads of money and time, did I mention loads of time. In closing, if your on a budget then go with the Savage PTA. If you are on a tight budget go with a Savage 10 (11,12,16) and set it up as a single shot.
 
Thank you CTanM for answering the question. That is what I keep hearing, but then other people (including a smith I respect) have told me there are accuracy gains to be had from say the Tikka over the Ruger, or the Savage PTA over the Savage 10. I guess they are talking about a situation with a much heavier barrel? For my situation this isn't just an exercise in theory (although I do want to understand the WHY), but every dollar I save on the action is a dollar I can put towards better glass and better/more reloading components. So if a $250 Ruger action is going to shoot as accurately as the $700 Savage PTR action when configured as mentioned in the OP, that is a lot of $$$ I can put towards things that effect accuracy and shootability more. I just want to be sure of this before I move ahead putting a $500 barrel on that $250 action, that it isn't going to rob accuracy potential for the kind of shooting I'm doing. I'd hate to look at my groups and think "gee if only I'd sprung for the Tikka or PTA this could be X amount smaller" or something similar.

For the rest, I am not concerned with aftermarket, each of these actions have available excellent stocks, triggers, and barrels. All of them can be had with pre-fit barrel nuts, so none have an advantage over the other in terms of the ease of swapping barrels. The only reason the R700 action isn't on there is because I've had plenty of experience with it and they need (imho) by far the most work to get them on the level of even the Tikka, and cost more if this is done. Unless there is some extremely compelling reason to go with an R700, it stays off the list.
 
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Jimsfish67 said:
Thank you CTanM for answering the question. That is what I keep hearing, but then other people (including a smith I respect) have told me there are accuracy gains to be had from say the Tikka over the Ruger, or the Savage PTA over the Savage 10. I guess they are talking about a situation with a much heavier barrel? For my situation this isn't just an exercise in theory (although I do want to understand the WHY), but every dollar I save on the action is a dollar I can put towards better glass and better/more reloading components. So if a $250 Ruger action is going to shoot as accurately as the $700 Savage PTR action when configured as mentioned in the OP, that is a lot of $$$ I can put towards things that effect accuracy and shootability more. I just want to be sure of this before I move ahead putting a $500 barrel on that $250 action, that it isn't going to rob accuracy potential for the kind of shooting I'm doing. I'd hate to look at my groups and think "gee if only I'd sprung for the Tikka or PTA this could be X amount smaller" or something similar.

For the rest, I am not concerned with aftermarket, each of these actions have available excellent stocks, triggers, and barrels. All of them can be had with pre-fit barrel nuts, so none have an advantage over the other in terms of the ease of swapping barrels. The only reason the R700 action isn't on there is because I've had plenty of experience with it and they need (imho) by far the most work to get them on the level of even the Tikka, and cost more if this is done. Unless there is some extremely compelling reason to go with an R700, it stays off the list.
Click to expand...
i dont think you can buy a barrel nut barrel for a tikka can you? mabie someone makes one i am unaware of?
 
Jimsfish67 said:
Thank you CTanM for answering the question. That is what I keep hearing, but then other people (including a smith I respect) have told me there are accuracy gains to be had from say the Tikka over the Ruger, or the Savage PTA over the Savage 10. I guess they are talking about a situation with a much heavier barrel? For my situation this isn't just an exercise in theory (although I do want to understand the WHY), but every dollar I save on the action is a dollar I can put towards better glass and better/more reloading components. So if a $250 Ruger action is going to shoot as accurately as the $700 Savage PTR action when configured as mentioned in the OP, that is a lot of $$$ I can put towards things that effect accuracy and shootability more. I just want to be sure of this before I move ahead putting a $500 barrel on that $250 action, that it isn't going to rob accuracy potential for the kind of shooting I'm doing. I'd hate to look at my groups and think "gee if only I'd sprung for the Tikka or PTA this could be X amount smaller" or something similar.

For the rest, I am not concerned with aftermarket, each of these actions have available excellent stocks, triggers, and barrels. All of them can be had with pre-fit barrel nuts, so none have an advantage over the other in terms of the ease of swapping barrels. The only reason the R700 action isn't on there is because I've had plenty of experience with it and they need (imho) by far the most work to get them on the level of even the Tikka, and cost more if this is done. Unless there is some extremely compelling reason to go with an R700, it stays off the list.
Click to expand...

i know you don't seem to like them but....

http://pacifictoolandgauge.com/barr...00-rh-short-action-stainless-blueprinted.html
 
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