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

[ratbuster]

I have 4 Savage PTA's that are all incredibly accurate without any truing. While some people will argue it doesn't make a difference, the floating bolt head does makeup for manufacturing imperfections. I would be shocked if anyone has a Target action with a good aftermarket barrel and properly develop loads that couldn't get the vast majority it's 5 shot groups under 3 tenths of an inch and I have some barrels that will deliver . 25 Moa 90% of the time. The factory red blade accutrigger can easily adjust down to six oz or less while the Rifle basix SAV 2 can be adjusted down to 3 to 4 oz if you mindful about bolt closing. If you ever found you were going to compete and needed very rapid-firing without upsetting the gun in the bags you could always spend $150 to get the front lug ramps modified to provide light bolt lift. as it is I can easily lift the bolt on my ptas with one finger and if I'm worried about moving the gun in the bag I simply put my other hand on the stock when I lift the bolt

 

[urbanrifleman]

Kelbly Atlas for $999, get a Bartlein nut barrel from Bugholes. Jewell trigger. Stock of your choice.

I doubt you could make a Savage target action much cheaper. And the Remington action is much more universal.

 

[mikeinct]

Hello new guy JIM...I've done about 7 builds using any odd savage short/long actions I could find on the cheap...Only ran into one with really badly off center scope base holes that I returned to the gun store..For the kind of off the bench shooting you describe ...The reg. less expensive Savage action will fill the bill...As for accuracy it is the barrel & your load, bullet combo.Provided you put the action into a decent stock correctly...Two of my best builds were from Barrels bought on the cheap..An old adams & bennet 243 win.89 dollars..260R.AI from northland supply..$340}.Look for bargains here too!!!..one posted here today 6.5 creed $250..Swapping barrels is pretty easy on the Savage..the wrench is cheap, under 30 bucks..The SAV2 trigger [about 150 bucks] can be safely adjusted down to about 6ozs..The action itself may or may not be a joy to cycle..Feel up the donor action before purchase..It is one of the easiest project rifles to do as a first semi-custom build. So look around & find some deals to save money..Choose a nice stock, BR style flat fore end & level butt. Action screw spacing for the stock must line up to the action you choose...You can dress it up with custom bolt handle & SS screws & trigger guard..These turn out pretty well for just informal shooting..I'm not bragging but these tool shed gun projects can turn in some one hole groups..Good luck, Mike in Ct

 

[Richard Coody]

Hello new guy JIM...I've done about 7 builds using any odd savage short/long actions I could find on the cheap...Only ran into one with really badly off center scope base holes that I returned to the gun store..For the kind of off the bench shooting you describe ...The reg. less expensive Savage action will fill the bill...As for accuracy it is the barrel & your load, bullet combo.Provided you put the action into a decent stock correctly...Two of my best builds were from Barrels bought on the cheap..An old adams & bennet 243 win.89 dollars..260R.AI from northland supply..$340}.Look for bargains here too!!!..one posted here today 6.5 creed $250..Swapping barrels is pretty easy on the Savage..the wrench is cheap, under 30 bucks..The SAV2 trigger [about 150 bucks] can be safely adjusted down to about 6ozs..The action itself may or may not be a joy to cycle..Feel up the donor action before purchase..It is one of the easiest project rifles to do as a first semi-custom build. So look around & find some deals to save money..Choose a nice stock, BR style flat fore end & level butt. Action screw spacing for the stock must line up to the action you choose...You can dress it up with custom bolt handle & SS screws & trigger guard..These turn out pretty well for just informal shooting..I'm not bragging but these tool shed gun projects can turn in some one hole groups..Good luck, Mike in Ct

yep
my savage target action shoots pretty good. of course it has had a lot of aftermarket work done.

 

[SBS]

My family owns over 20 PD rifles, a majority of which have Savage actions (rest mostly Rem.). Some have factory barrels, some drop in custom barrels. Most are single shot actions and a few repeaters with single shot adapters. All shoot in 3's or better (had to weed out a few factory barrels) with factory triggers in the target actions and aftermarket in the others. Shoot 600 yd. prone with an old single shot Savage varmint action and a Criterion drop in barrel and usually shoot my class (HM). I like the Savages and own more of them each year; economical, versatile and easy for the owner to barrel or rebarrel. If you were shooting competition and had a larger budget, the answer would be to go the route that most BR shooters go -- full custom.

 

[earlcurtis67]

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

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

I was thinking the same thing...E

 

[Barlow]

I had a 12FTR in 308 that I had a Rock Creek barrel chambered in 6 Dasher installed By Randy Gregory. When it was a 308 I couldn't win against the tuned 700's I was competing against. Always close but no cigar. After the new barrel I won. I used the factory trigger at 1 lb, factory stock, and 10x50 Sightron fch. I used 105 Amax exclusively and RL15 with 450's. Shot 2's and 3's consistently, my best 600 yard group was 5 in 2.292 with 4 of them in 1.390. I sure don't consider myself anything but a run of the mill shooter, but my experience with that Savage action was a good one. ymmv Barlow

 

[Jimsfish67]

Thank you everyone for the replies. This is what I meant in the OP, we already have ITT several people saying the action won't matter when it comes to this kind of accuracy, and others saying it will.

If I am understanding what I'm reading correctly, it seems like unless you are going to go full F-class benchrest-style build with a very thick barrel and a need to be in the .1-.3moa range from F-class style rests, then most people seem to say that at least when it comes to mechanical accuracy a Savage PTA with no work done and a Tikka (or any of the other actions mentioned) will perform about the same.

However it sounds like the floating bolt head can make up for rougher actions on the less QC'd lower end stuff like the Ruger American or Howa 1500. Again, not sure if this is going to be noticeable doing prone/bench with bags and/or bipod.

On a side note, since I've been asked several times here is a link to the Ruger American & Tikka pre-fit barrels with nuts (so they change just like the savage): http://patriotvalleyarms.com/tikka-and-ruger-american-prefit-barrel/ Bugholes Bug-nut does basically the same and for R700s as well.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Bugholes Bug-nut does basically the same and for R700s as well.

You don't have to get the Bug Nut. He does standard Savage style nut barrels also.

 

[normmatzen]

Ratbuster hit the nail on the head.

I built my first long range BR gun on a Savage PTA with stock red AccuTrigger. I also used a used BVSS stock modified for the single shot PTA.

That was about 10 years ago and I have added another PTA to my collection as well as added a SAV-2 on one action and a SSS Evolution on the other. Had the first gun action timed and trued by SSS and the other by another guy. I am not a world class BR shooter at 600 and 1000 but I have a nice collection of ribbons as well as competed in a lot of nationals and usually finish half way down the list. My gun doesn't really shoot any better now then before the triggers and timing and truing but they feel better.
So, Yes, you can shoot competitively with a PTA.
And like someone above mentioned a deep dark hole, You WILL start competing and spending a lot on dies, lab balances and other precision loading gear. And, your Savage will continue to shoot great for a long time with or without spending more money on it!

 

[CharlieNC]

I own a few Savages and shoot Fclass with a couple of guys that used them with Criterion barrels to set national records. For Fclass I elected to use a Stiller with the Remage setup because of greater selection of triggers, stocks, etc. Craftmanship, fit, finish, and smooth operation are clearly superior on the Stiller. Both platforms can provide very good results with a prefit barrel, but I prefer the rem clone due to greater selection of better parts. I love my old Tikka hunting rifle, but aftermarket options are slim pickings! Same for Howa and Ruger.

 

[Jimsfish67]

So according to the comments, Tikka shoot but not many in BR (I guess because trigger and stiffness), and Savages of all sorts shoot. The only reason for someone not using a huge barrel to get the PTA over the 10 is the trigger system. No reports on the Howa or Ruger, but some say there will be no accuracy hit for the type of shooting I'll be doing, while others say there will be (but not by how much).

Interesting responses so far, hoping for more!

 

[DirtySteve]

Here is the bed price I have found on the Savage actionhttps://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/savage-stainless-steel-target-action-set-18637-011356186379.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=485267

And If you want a trued Remington 700 for just a few dollars more. https://www.nwactionworks.com/actions

The barrel is the single biggest contributor to accuracy. No trued action will shoot well with a bad barrel. I would say trigger would be the next thing for accuracy.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Is PTG still selling the single shot rem 700 with coned bolts? For under 500 thats a no brainer IMO

 

[Richard Coody]

Is PTG still selling the single shot rem 700 with coned bolts? For under 500 thats a no brainer IMO

got to keep your eyes open. i am sure it will happen again.
and with that you can use a jewell trigger

 

[6milphil]

Just an fyi, if you decide to go the savage pta route check prices with your local gun shops before ordering online. My lgs got me a dual port savage pta for $460, closest I found on line was $480 plus paying an ffl fee.

 

[retired]

you should take what AL told you to the bank.

 

[boltfluter]

If you buy the correct model of Tikka for your intended use you will not need to replace the barrel. The factory barrels are that good. This really is a no brainier in my personal experience.

Paul

 

[Texas10]

I've bought 5 Savage model 12FV's over the past few years as Cabelas has sales. Total out the door price is under $250 each after rebate. I've worked the actions over and have no problem lifting the bolt with just my index finger. Yea, the high priced spread might be a tad easier, but then this action is costing 1/10 of a custom action. That's a lot of coin left sitting in the pocket for glass or stocks. I've also bought two target accutriggers for $75.00 each to my door, and got them adjusted down to where they're so light, I still tend to break a shot before I'm ready. Haven't measured them but they're LIGHT.

 

[Evlshnngns]

Is PTG still selling the single shot rem 700 with coned bolts? For under 500 thats a no brainer IMO

I called them today about that exact thing, out of stock, don't hold your breath for the next shipment.