Bent recoil lug

[coyoteking]

Pulled apart my trusty old Savage 300 Rum today for a proper cleaning and discovered my recoil lug is bent about 5*. The last time I shot it at paper it was still grouping under an inch, should I replace it or keep shooting as is until I notice a change in accuracy?

I bought the rifle new in 2003, never noticed the bend until today, it’s possible it’s been this way since the rifle was new.




The picture doesn’t do it justice, it’s actually a bit more bent than it appears in the photo.

 

[Slamfire]

Interesting. How does the inletting look at the rear of the action?

 

[Leeper]

Not all that uncommon on Savages chambered for magnums. This is one case where the use of a thicker, aftermarket lug makes some sense. The Savage lug is too thin and the material is too soft.

 

[coyoteking]

Interesting. How does the inletting look at the rear of the action?

It’s a Tupperware stock but I can’t see anything damaged or abnormal anywhere on it.

 

[hunter5425]

It seems to me that a plastic stock could not bend a piece of metal and not show any damage or marks so methinks it came that way and you just now noticed it.

 

[coyoteking]

It seems to me that a plastic stock could not bend a piece of metal and not show any damage or marks so methinks it came that way and you just now noticed it.

That’s what I’m thinking too. I think I’ll just keep shooting as it is, if accuracy degrades I’ll do a recoil lug and stock swap.

This was my favourite hunting rifle for years, now I’ve got a few other rifles to choose from so I think I’ll semi-retire this one to a life of ringing gongs.

 

[Slamfire]

The recoil lug could be bent under recoil if there's enough rigidity, like if there's a metal plate that fits in the stock where the lug sits. Has your rifle been fired in a led sled?

 

[coyoteking]

The recoil lug could be bent under recoil if there's enough rigidity, like if there's a metal plate that fits in the stock where the lug sits. Has your rifle been fired in a led sled?

Never fired in a lead sled and the stock is 100% plastic.

 

[Slamfire]

Might still be possible to bend the lug in a plastic stock, but doesn't seem likely? If a crack develops in the tang area then the lug is deforming under recoil. I've seen a synthetic stock that did that.

 

[AP]

if its shooting under an inch regularly for 5 shots..... dont touch it ... pretty soon once the word gets out gunsmiths will be ‘truing’ actions and bending the recoil lugs to look like yours for their discriminating clients