A year and a half ago, I saw that Savage pop-up for sale on the EE, I really liked it as it had that classic M24 look to it.
Let it BTT a few times before it got to me and purchased it.
550$+ship later I got it to my door.
Since then, and until today, it would always be a backburner project, something to throw money at down the road.
Here is how it went, I thought I'd share with you all to get my mind off slimy politics for an evening.
2018
Purchase the rifle for 550$.
Got to my door, bolt doesn't even have discolouration on breachface, looks spanking new.
Sent Savage an email, as I have owned a few and this one had a very nice finish on it, had to know more about it.
Serial number brings it back to 2012, and allegedly the year they dropped the M24 lookalike stock at HS precision for Savage.
Newer ones got the stock you see today.
2019
Installed an ATRS steel 20 moa rail, blue loctite and torqued to spec.
Got some new action screws, as the factory ones caused problems.
Without ever taking to the range, when torqued to 50-55 in/lbs, the bolt would stiffen up (as I discovered a bolt slightly protruding in the action, like a few thous slightly) and the rear action screw would start stripping on me.
Installed the same action screws you see with MDT products, cut to right length works like a charm.
Fiberglass stock is aluminium bedded, so I felt confident about torqueing it down.
Factory accutrigger went right down to 2lbs sharp with a clean break, which ain't bad at all.
Also got ARC M10 extra low 30mm rings.
I had not found my scope but knew I wanted a 30mm tube with a medium sized objective.
Also slapped a spare harris bipod, benchrest 6-9 with notches.
2020
Once Covid scare was full on, I saw my perfect scope appear online used at a retailer, was even able to knock a few % points off for a quick deal.
NF NXS 3.5-15x50mm, MRAD, SFP, Mildots, Zero stop. A very classy and classic setup ahead.
Cycling dummy rounds showed some ejection problems, upgraded extractor ball bearing size.
It doesn't launch brass out per say, at least it doesn't get stuck in it.
Rifle loaded with a 3 rounds mag full, 12 1/4lbs, balances right in front of mag.
Chamber is at 1.630'', and touching lands at 2.815'' w/175 SMKs, so I loaded ammo to the popular 2.800'' number.
Did a quick dirty sight-in under 5 shots last visit, wasn't enough to prove accuracy as I was in a hurry, but at least I'm on target.
Today
For this rifle I tried a new approach, to make rounds with my tried and true recipe from my other Savage, and to bring Federal GMMs freshly purchased, to compare speeds on the Labradar.
I had not worked up a load, as 42.7gn of Varget is considered conservative by any reloading manual.
And this got me understanding why my slow node recipe I've been carrying with my 10TR for the past 3 years works so well, as it's 5 fps away from the GMM ammo, both with 175 SMKs!
Right off the bat, GMMs have cloverleafed at 100M, and my recipe did a touch even better.
3 round groups don't count I know, but it's a starting point.
Had my usual 200M target out, small 1 1/2'' diamonds that work well with my 27x and 25x scopes, but lost accurate visibility with my 15x, hence why I won't show them for now.
I had 5 shot groups, with 1 or 2 flyers each, seriously doubting visibility in there. I'll make more appropriate targets for next visit.
We see the classic look to it, it's got modern rings on but the rest looks like it's out of the late 90s/early 2000s
Nice recessed crown
I don't know what type of finish there is on the action and barrel? But I like it I'd love to have other rifles done that way.
Balances nicely. Keeping the Savage mag lower to use the flush mag. I am confident I can nail 3moa shots at 300M kneeling (using a service rifle stance) with an open palm under the mag, yet TBD.
Classic reticle
100M sighters. The one to the left is with 9x fired Lapua brass, using my old recipe. (42.7gn Varget, 175 SMK, CCI br2, Lapua brass, usually 2700fps out of my 26'' IBI, 2655fps out of this factory 24'' savage)
Crunched the numbers in my finely tuned Strelok pro (multi BC function has made it reliable). It turns out to be a nice 750M gong shooter. May even bring it to a 600M Petawawa just for kicks once Barney get's up and running post covid.
That's it for now.
I presume the appeal of this rifle will be a 3/10 or 4/10 for many.
It doesn't have the modern chassis, threaded barrel, or anything in reality desirable for PRS or Fclass.
Just a cool classic styled long range tactical rifle.
So far for 550$, it is hitting way above it's price point!
Let it BTT a few times before it got to me and purchased it.
550$+ship later I got it to my door.
Since then, and until today, it would always be a backburner project, something to throw money at down the road.
Here is how it went, I thought I'd share with you all to get my mind off slimy politics for an evening.
2018
Purchase the rifle for 550$.
Got to my door, bolt doesn't even have discolouration on breachface, looks spanking new.
Sent Savage an email, as I have owned a few and this one had a very nice finish on it, had to know more about it.
Serial number brings it back to 2012, and allegedly the year they dropped the M24 lookalike stock at HS precision for Savage.
Newer ones got the stock you see today.
2019
Installed an ATRS steel 20 moa rail, blue loctite and torqued to spec.
Got some new action screws, as the factory ones caused problems.
Without ever taking to the range, when torqued to 50-55 in/lbs, the bolt would stiffen up (as I discovered a bolt slightly protruding in the action, like a few thous slightly) and the rear action screw would start stripping on me.
Installed the same action screws you see with MDT products, cut to right length works like a charm.
Fiberglass stock is aluminium bedded, so I felt confident about torqueing it down.
Factory accutrigger went right down to 2lbs sharp with a clean break, which ain't bad at all.
Also got ARC M10 extra low 30mm rings.
I had not found my scope but knew I wanted a 30mm tube with a medium sized objective.
Also slapped a spare harris bipod, benchrest 6-9 with notches.
2020
Once Covid scare was full on, I saw my perfect scope appear online used at a retailer, was even able to knock a few % points off for a quick deal.
NF NXS 3.5-15x50mm, MRAD, SFP, Mildots, Zero stop. A very classy and classic setup ahead.
Cycling dummy rounds showed some ejection problems, upgraded extractor ball bearing size.
It doesn't launch brass out per say, at least it doesn't get stuck in it.
Rifle loaded with a 3 rounds mag full, 12 1/4lbs, balances right in front of mag.
Chamber is at 1.630'', and touching lands at 2.815'' w/175 SMKs, so I loaded ammo to the popular 2.800'' number.
Did a quick dirty sight-in under 5 shots last visit, wasn't enough to prove accuracy as I was in a hurry, but at least I'm on target.
Today
For this rifle I tried a new approach, to make rounds with my tried and true recipe from my other Savage, and to bring Federal GMMs freshly purchased, to compare speeds on the Labradar.
I had not worked up a load, as 42.7gn of Varget is considered conservative by any reloading manual.
And this got me understanding why my slow node recipe I've been carrying with my 10TR for the past 3 years works so well, as it's 5 fps away from the GMM ammo, both with 175 SMKs!
Right off the bat, GMMs have cloverleafed at 100M, and my recipe did a touch even better.
3 round groups don't count I know, but it's a starting point.
Had my usual 200M target out, small 1 1/2'' diamonds that work well with my 27x and 25x scopes, but lost accurate visibility with my 15x, hence why I won't show them for now.
I had 5 shot groups, with 1 or 2 flyers each, seriously doubting visibility in there. I'll make more appropriate targets for next visit.
We see the classic look to it, it's got modern rings on but the rest looks like it's out of the late 90s/early 2000s
Nice recessed crown
I don't know what type of finish there is on the action and barrel? But I like it I'd love to have other rifles done that way.
Balances nicely. Keeping the Savage mag lower to use the flush mag. I am confident I can nail 3moa shots at 300M kneeling (using a service rifle stance) with an open palm under the mag, yet TBD.
Classic reticle
100M sighters. The one to the left is with 9x fired Lapua brass, using my old recipe. (42.7gn Varget, 175 SMK, CCI br2, Lapua brass, usually 2700fps out of my 26'' IBI, 2655fps out of this factory 24'' savage)
Crunched the numbers in my finely tuned Strelok pro (multi BC function has made it reliable). It turns out to be a nice 750M gong shooter. May even bring it to a 600M Petawawa just for kicks once Barney get's up and running post covid.
That's it for now.
I presume the appeal of this rifle will be a 3/10 or 4/10 for many.
It doesn't have the modern chassis, threaded barrel, or anything in reality desirable for PRS or Fclass.
Just a cool classic styled long range tactical rifle.
So far for 550$, it is hitting way above it's price point!
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