Savage Trophy Hunter 11 .308 fail **update**

[JToews]

Last week, after having a garbage day with my .308, I was cleaning it & found that the reason for the bad shooting.

Both of the screws on the bottom were loose. Whew, I thought I went cross eyed.

So I tightened the front one. Then the back one... nope, it won’t tighten. It is stripped. I’ve never removed that screw before, so I feel this is a Savage fail.

Has this been documented before?

It was bought new in spring 2016, and I did the recommended Savage barrel break in. I have put a couple hundred rounds through it, and have never been able to get it to shoot at the level I was told to expect. It is my first .308, but not my first Savage. The others have been fun to shoot and accurate too.

I’ve emailed SavageArms and am waiting for a reply. But it’s the stock that is stipped, and don’t think I can count on SA to warranty a 2 yr old rifle.

What would you do?

 

[PEKS]

I don't shoot Savage, but if warranty does not work for you, take a look for an aftermarket stock

 

[JToews]

I am considering that. Also considering the slightly cheaper solution of a larger screw.

Any suggestions about aftermarket stocks?

 

[nomad 68]

When you say the stock is stripped, do you mean the most rearward screw on the trigger guard? Reason I ask is because the other two thread into the action.

 

[JToews]

When you say the stock is stripped, do you mean the most rearward screw on the trigger guard? Reason I ask is because the other two thread into the action.

Yes indeed, it is the screw rear of the trigger guard.

 

[archer2u]

Just a thought but is the screw long enough to reach the threads? Try removing the action from the stock and try to thread the screw into the bare action.
Adam
Sorry just re read the last post

 

[JToews]

Hey no problem. Thanks for trying!

 

[nomad 68]

Yes indeed, it is the screw rear of the trigger guard.

That one won't affect accuracy as the savage is not secured at the tang. Just wondering, if you tighten your two action screws(behind mag first) is there any clearance under the tang? If it is touching the stock, this can cause poor grouping in those rifles.

 

[PEKS]

If your stock does need to be replaced or upgraded, check out the B&C Stock's at Prophet River

 

[nomad 68]

Yes indeed, it is the screw rear of the trigger guard.

You can fix this by wrapping the screw in Teflon tape and adding epoxy to the hole. Put some epoxy in the hole. Thread the tape covered screw in and let it set. Then just unscrew and remove tape. Don't over tighten when you put it back together and you should be fine.

 

[JToews]

That one won't affect accuracy as the savage is not secured at the tang. Just wondering, if you tighten your two action screws(behind mag first) is there any clearance under the tang? If it is touching the stock, this can cause poor grouping in those rifles.

Thanks, I will check out the tang clearance.

The screw in front of the mag will affect accuracy though, right? That one is NOT stripped, but was loose that day too.

 

[JToews]

You can fix this by wrapping the screw in Teflon tape and adding epoxy to the hole. Put some epoxy in the hole. Thread the tape covered screw in and let it set. Then just unscrew and remove tape. Don't over tighten when you put it back together and you should be fine.

Oh, good idea! I will try that out asap. I wasn’t really on the market for a stock, so this I like! Thank you Nomad.

And thanks to all who’ve looked and offered assistance.

 

[nomad 68]

Thanks, I will check out the tang clearance.

The screw in front of the mag will affect accuracy though, right? That one is NOT stripped, but was loose that day too.

The rule of thumb, is tighten the rear action screw first and then the front one. I believe only around 35-40 inch pounds but not sure.

 

[nomad 68]

Oh, good idea! I will try that out asap. I wasn’t really on the market for a stock, so this I like! Thank you Nomad.

And thanks to all who’ve looked and offered assistance.

Doesn't have to be tape btw, you can use paste wax as well.

 

[dand883]

The rule of thumb, is tighten the rear action screw first and then the front one. I believe only around 35-40 inch pounds but not sure.

I always thought it was the front screw first? Not based on much besides internet myths and bad memory.

I do remember reading an article where a guy tested accuracy as he tightened the screws up by 5 inch pound increments and if my bad memory serves me he found 30-35 to be the magic number for his rifle, but he said it will vary rifle to rifle, kind of like reloading for accuracy.

 

[JToews]

Doesn't have to be tape btw, you can use paste wax as well.

So the paste wax keeps the epoxy from sticking to the screw? Then clean off the screw?

 

[nomad 68]

So the paste wax keeps the epoxy from sticking to the screw? Then clean off the screw?

You can if you want.

 

[nomad 68]

I always thought it was the front screw first? Not based on much besides internet myths and bad memory.

I do remember reading an article where a guy tested accuracy as he tightened the screws up by 5 inch pound increments and if my bad memory serves me he found 30-35 to be the magic number for his rifle, but he said it will vary rifle to rifle, kind of like reloading for accuracy.

It varies with the manufacturer. I believe savage says snug them both up on a synthetic (non accstock) and then back the front off a touch. 30-35 is the figure I read on the savage as well.

 

[Canadiankeeper]

Aftermarket stock wont help. They send a stock that uses the old hardware and trigger guards... If the thread is stripped he needs new hardware. Hopefully the threads on the action are not messed up.

 

[Canadiankeeper]

You can fix this by wrapping the screw in Teflon tape and adding epoxy to the hole. Put some epoxy in the hole. Thread the tape covered screw in and let it set. Then just unscrew and remove tape. Don't over tighten when you put it back together and you should be fine.

Eh not something I would want to do...

You mention both where loose... Did you strip the rifle when you purchased? (hopefully but im guessing not) You would have noticed things had not been right then...

Long shot but maybe you have the screws in the wrong holes... one IS shorter then the other. So you can completely thread the front but the stock is still loose and the back wont thread and will feel "stripped" some miracle is stayed in the stock.