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

[GSPV]

If I’m building anything but a full up target rifle, I’ll just build on the Tikka. No truing, just face off the bevel that they use, fit a custom barrel, install a lighter trigger spring, drop it in a Manners and go shoot.

Target rifle? ‘Nother story. I’ll stick with my Borden actions. Have another in the pipeline right now.

 

[Bart B.]

Receivers with flat bottom and sides resist twisting loose from bedding more so than round ones. More noticeable with big cartridges shooting heavy bullets twisting barreled actions from torque.

Round Remington receivers were glued into sleeves with such flat surfaces.

 

[Eddie Harren]

"Target rifle? ‘Nother story. I’ll stick with my Borden actions. Have another in the pipeline right now."

Looks like the top 40 competitors in the "Super Shoot" don't agree. 1 Borden action listed. Looks like BAT is the favorite.

 

[BP1]

If I’m building anything but a full up target rifle, I’ll just build on the Tikka. No truing, just face off the bevel that they use, fit a custom barrel, install a lighter trigger spring, drop it in a Manners and go shoot.

Target rifle? ‘Nother story. I’ll stick with my Borden actions. Have another in the pipeline right now.

That’s what I had Adams custom rifles do for my son and added a rem. recoil lug did a really nice job it took forever and a day to get it back but in the end he did a excellent job.

 

[GSPV]

"Target rifle? ‘Nother story. I’ll stick with my Borden actions. Have another in the pipeline right now."

Looks like the top 40 competitors in the "Super Shoot" don't agree. 1 Borden action listed. Looks like BAT is the favorite.

I’m not interested in a popularity contest. Saw how that worked out from the superlatives voted in high school.

Unless someone can give me a technical reason why a Borden won’t meet my needs. If someone does, I’d try something else in a heartbeat...and give Jim my feedback as to why.

 

[GSPV]

That’s what I had Adams custom rifles do for my son and added a rem. recoil lug did a really nice job it took forever and a day to get it back but in the end he did a excellent job.

The Manners has a lug built in that notches nicely into the slot in the action.

 

[Eddie Harren]

"...and give Jim my feedback as to why."

Let us know how that works out for you.

My point, by posting the top 40 equipment list was simply to show that BAT and others were used more than Bordens. It has nothing to do with "a popularity" contest but more to do with the fact that more winners were shooting BAT actions than any others. Same with barrels.

 

[Tikka Nut]

I have not shot one of these yet but have been researching them and getting great reviews. https://criterionbarrels.com/products/prefits/tikka-pre-fit-barrel/

 

[beemanjohn]

Might want to look at the date on the thread. Over a year old!

 

[MGYSGT]

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!

I have both Savage Target and Remington blueprinted. If I had to choose, I would choose the Remington, for one reason. It has a ton of aftermarket stuff. Triggers, scope rings/mounts, stocks and on and on. The Savage action cost me $550 new and the Remington from Pacific Tool and Gauge can be had on sale for just a couple of dollars more. Other than the cost and availability of add on equipment I can't really see much difference.

 

[varget204]

Savage bolt lift issues,Get a Nate Lambeth bolt lift kit $35,solves problem,w adjustable firing pin strike

 

[joshb]

Might want to look at the date on the thread. Over a year old!

Yeah, but some questions never really get answered. Has the Ford vs Chevy thing ever been settled?

 

[divingin]

Pre-fits for Remington with a nut are available.

And I would guess that a competent smith could make a barrel nut style for any action, for someone who wanted to be able to swap The nut would be a one-off custom though.) Future barrels could be made without needing the action for headspacing via the shoulder.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Yeah, but some questions never really get answered. Has the Ford vs Chevy thing ever been settled?

Yes. Chevy won many years ago.

 

[nmkid]

Ahhhhhh. My neighbors bought a new car when I was a kid. The speedo looked like a wheel and the transmission buttons were on the steering wheel. What was it??

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Ahhhhhh. My neighbors bought a new car when I was a kid. The speedo looked like a wheel and the transmission buttons were on the steering wheel. What was it??

Pushbutton transmission had to have been a dodge failure

 

[nmkid]

Pushbutton transmission had to have been a dodge failure

Nope

 

[joshb]

Pontiac?

 

[mikeinct]

Ahhhhhh. My neighbors bought a new car when I was a kid. The speedo looked like a wheel and the transmission buttons were on the steering wheel. What was it??

Desoto ? Spell check help. They had push button transmissions mikeinct

 

[spaniel]

"...and give Jim my feedback as to why."

Let us know how that works out for you.

My point, by posting the top 40 equipment list was simply to show that BAT and others were used more than Bordens. It has nothing to do with "a popularity" contest but more to do with the fact that more winners were shooting BAT actions than any others. Same with barrels.

Those lists have everything to do with sponsorships and fads and very little to do with what actually works the best. I agree, show me some data to demonstrate the difference.

To the OP likely not reading anymore, I built Savages until I realized you could do the same thing with a Remington. And the Remington doesn't have the trigger limitation. To the flat vs round question, I have a heavy 284Win F-class rifle built on a Panda action and a 338 Edge moderate weight hunting rifle built on a Stiller Remington clone round action. I can't explain it but that homemade 338, despite the recoil, can shoot groups with the competition 284 if you allow cooling time...