Opinions on savage 340 in 30-30

They are neat, reliable, accurate enough rifles that fit the "truck gun" label perfectly.

If you're into handloading it opens your options for bullet type as well.

With the price of used Marlins these days, it's a great option for a 30-30
 
It's time for a different truck rifle, the enfield is still good and works well but the price of feeding it is climbing, and to boot I went to get ammo at Canadian tire today, stocked shelves and no 303, I looked online and 30-30 is way cheaper.....
Sad day when I can't get 303 at crappy tire...
 
I bought one this spring and have the scope mount ordered but was told it takes 2 or more months to get it. The local gun store does have the 4 piece Weaver mounts in stock if all else fails. I have wanted one since the early 70's when I got a hold of the Savage catalog and has taken till now to find one as they seem to be rare back in Alberta where I lived before moving here.
 
My grandfather gave one to my brother and I about twenty years ago and we both fight over it still. Ours is plenty accurate for a moderate range truck gun, although I have never done any group shooting with it. It is a fast handling, handy rifle. Not the prettiest rifle but it just screams utility and I am a pragmatist at heart.
 
we had one, my son's used it, liked the DM, great gun for the 30-30, back in the day the side scope mount was not good, so we just used it with the irons, then everyone wanted a scoped rifle so down the road it went.
 
Let me be the voice of disagreement here.
I've had a few and didn't like any of them.
First, I thought they were butt ugly myself and couldn't get past that odd action. Secondly, I found the magazine to be cheaply built, with the feed system too easily bent.
Given the price of a new axis, I would jump on that every time over the 340.

But still, I believe they do serve their purpose. I sold one to an old moose hunter in newfoundland who loves it.
 
They are great cost effective firearms. They come in a few different models but are basically the same rifle. Savage, Stevens and cil all sold there versions.
 
heronfish said:
Let me be the voice of disagreement here.
I've had a few and didn't like any of them.
First, I thought they were butt ugly myself and couldn't get past that odd action. Secondly, I found the magazine to be cheaply built, with the feed system too easily bent.
Given the price of a new axis, I would jump on that every time over the 340.

But still, I believe they do serve their purpose. I sold one to an old moose hunter in newfoundland who loves it.
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If and when Savage makes an Axis chambered in 30-30, I will jump on that too. But this is about the 340. They are decent guns. I've owned about 5 now. (one stevens , one CIL, and 3 Savages.) There are not many options out there for a Non-lever action 30-30. I also own a Savage model 219 in .30-30. (single shot rifle) and a H & R Handi-rifle in .30-30. The triggers on both single shots are 9lbs for the 219 and 11lbs for the Handi-rifle. Not much chance for a Negligent discharge :)
One thing to be aware of is the age of the springs inside the gun. These are not spring chickens (the 340) I BLEW OUT MY WINDSHIELD of my truck with a 340. Seeing as it was a truck gun, I carried it as such. While travelling up the ice road to the diamond mines here in the NWT, I spotted a teddy bear sitting on a dolls chair propped up on the snow berm. The teddy bear had an apple perched on top of its head. (obviously a bored trucker decided to do some target practice and left the teddy bear sitting after he drove off, it is the middle of nowhere so that kind of thing is normal). Anyhow, it was -36c outside and I had not fired the rifle even though I owned it for more than a year. I inserted the magazine into the gun, opened the driver door, and as I chambered the first round , the gun went off INSIDE THE TRUCK. Blew a half foot hole in my windshield right above the steering wheel, and DEAFENED me. I was in shock, as that was NOT EXPECTED. MY hand was nowhere near the trigger. After I got home, I disassembled the gun and found that the spring that holds the "nub" up at the rear of the action which retains the cocking piece of the bolt, as the bolt is pushed forward had broken off in 2. So , it held the firing pin cocking piece to the rear just long enough to get the round into the chamber, then broke off and let the firing pin fly forward. Needless to say, my love affair with them is over. Driving in -36c for 3 hours with a big hole in your windshield at face level sucked LOTS. I still have the gun in pieces. Probably stay that way.
 
I've had 3 Savage 340's in the past. One in .22 Hornet & the others in 30-30. They worked well for me for hunting the bush round here. Not the kind of rifles for shootin' beer cans or clay birds on a dirt bank at 200 yds., but for pokin' deer, raccoons & feral cats inside of 100 yds., they worked just fine.
 
I got an older stevens version, I found it has a surprising stout kick. It's small, light, and I shot it ok at 100yrds.
Not a range gun, should be dandy as a truck gun if iron sights are acceptable.
 
heronfish said:
Let me be the voice of disagreement here.
I've had a few and didn't like any of them.
First, I thought they were butt ugly myself and couldn't get past that odd action. Secondly, I found the magazine to be cheaply built, with the feed system too easily bent.
Given the price of a new axis, I would jump on that every time over the 340.

But still, I believe they do serve their purpose. I sold one to an old moose hunter in newfoundland who loves it.
Click to expand...

I agree - there's just nothing admirable about them, including the chambering - 30-30. They can kill stuff, and had their day, but now it's past.

I could say the same thing by stating that one would make "a good Truck Gun".
 
blasted_saber said:
Reliable and reasonably accurate. Kinda ugly looking but the detachable magazine is nice.
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This sums it up quite nicely. I have had a few and settled on a springfield branded model 340 with the butter knife bolt handle, has a side mount scope base that lets me use the open sights at close range, or the small 2-7 leupold for longer range.

I had decent accuracy out of it with some old federal my dad had kicking around, but once I tried a few of the hornady leverevolutions I was more than impressed. This is my go to deer rifle unless I'm going to be looking over fields with 150m+ ranges.
It's light and short enough to carry nicely, very mild kick and has enough old style charm to overcome the bit of fuglyness that comes along with it.
 
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