Savage 64 opinions ?
- Thread starter y2k
- Start date
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
They're alright guns. I had a Lakefield 64B for a time. It shot well enough, but nothing terribly exciting or interesting about them. You're likely better or with a basic 10-22 or one of the Savage MKIIs; more parts available and better potential for accuracy, plus the Ruger has Hi-capacity magazines whereas the 64 only has ten rounders.
My latest purchase was the Savage 64 TRR-SR. I mounted a scope and bi-pod for some paper target shooting.
I chose this because i offered the pistol grip style stock I wanted and the accessory rail was a nice plus.
I did a lot of research, and found at times that there were a small number of complaints regarding jamming. Most were attributed to magazine issues.
I had poor luck with hollow pointed ammo, but round nose never let me down. Using CCI Mini Mags, cycling through shots never caused me a problem.
The rifle has a heavier barrel and through 125-150 rounds, it stayed sharp and steady. I really liked the fit and finish of the rifle, though the magazine that came with it seemed rough ... especially compared to the Savage brand extra mag I bought at the same time that was cleaner looking. Both functioned properly.
The price point was a big selling point, and after un-assembling, cleaning and oiling I already see a smoother action too. I'm happy with it, and no complaints.
I chose this because i offered the pistol grip style stock I wanted and the accessory rail was a nice plus.
I did a lot of research, and found at times that there were a small number of complaints regarding jamming. Most were attributed to magazine issues.
I had poor luck with hollow pointed ammo, but round nose never let me down. Using CCI Mini Mags, cycling through shots never caused me a problem.
The rifle has a heavier barrel and through 125-150 rounds, it stayed sharp and steady. I really liked the fit and finish of the rifle, though the magazine that came with it seemed rough ... especially compared to the Savage brand extra mag I bought at the same time that was cleaner looking. Both functioned properly.
The price point was a big selling point, and after un-assembling, cleaning and oiling I already see a smoother action too. I'm happy with it, and no complaints.
- Location
- Winnipeg,Man.
the Savage 64 is based on the ever popular Cooey, Winchester,Lakefield -Mossberg madel 64. Really it has not changed much since its insception way back. I have several and accuracy is okay for a semi. but it seems the 10-22 series need triggers, barrels, sights, action work to make them accurate. out to 100 yards with a scope, these little 64s are as accurate as the shooter.IMHO.
the older receivers are steel.the new savage ones i don't know.
they are an ok rifle and probably more accurate than a 10/22.
that being said,the 64 series is only a fair rifle for reliability--they start to jam after about 250 rounds--then it
needs cleaning.the bolt to receiver fit is tight and crud/grime will jam up the works.
i would go with a 10/22...
My buddy bought a Savage 64 based on old Cooey nostalgia. It seems like they really start sucking when they get dirty. Jams like nobody's business. I have an SR-22 which I run a stock trigger and I'm perfectly happy with that. On the 64, I found the trigger to be gawd awful heavy. I don't remember any creep just an immovable trigger. On the plus side it was accurate when it did shoot and everything seems to be well built.
I adore my 64!
I'm biased...I bought my first Cooey 25 years ago, and it's still a fav. I've owned quite a few of them since (Cooey, Lakefield, Savage...even a SS Savage). Accurate for a semi. Originally introduced as an economy .22, and same basic rifle in production for 50+ years...that means something. Made in Canada too.
No aftermarket bits, or hi-cap mags if that's your thing. They can be fussy, and should be cleaned every 500-100rds or you will have a jammy rifle. I only oil inside the receiver for storage. For use, I run them dry.
That typed, last couple times I went into a shop, the Savage 64's were more expensive than Rem 597 or Marlin 795. With this in mind, I'd lean towards one of those if I was buying a new .22 today.
I'm biased...I bought my first Cooey 25 years ago, and it's still a fav. I've owned quite a few of them since (Cooey, Lakefield, Savage...even a SS Savage). Accurate for a semi. Originally introduced as an economy .22, and same basic rifle in production for 50+ years...that means something. Made in Canada too.
No aftermarket bits, or hi-cap mags if that's your thing. They can be fussy, and should be cleaned every 500-100rds or you will have a jammy rifle. I only oil inside the receiver for storage. For use, I run them dry.
That typed, last couple times I went into a shop, the Savage 64's were more expensive than Rem 597 or Marlin 795. With this in mind, I'd lean towards one of those if I was buying a new .22 today.
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While the Savage 64 is a fairly good .22 semi-automatic, one of the biggest problems is that there are almost no aftermarket items to make it a VERY good rifle, especially in trigger adjustments.
My recommendation would be spend a bit more money and buy a Ruger 10-22 or a Remington 597 if you want a good semi-auto .22. My own preference is the Remington 597 as they seem to be more accurate than the Ruger 10-22. There is some contraversy about the Remington 597 jamming, but in most cases it is the fault of the operator themselves. The Remington system uses two guide rods for the bolt and these are held by set screws. People who do not read instructions tighten these screws up which causes them to "bow and bend" and that puts pressure on the bolt so that it now drags when it recoils causing jams and short cycling. Tighten them finger tight, then back off 1/4 turn and the rifle works as it should.
The Ruger 10-22 can be accurate, but it usually takes a couple of hundred dollars worth of add-ons to do it. A $50 Volquartsen hammer on a Remington will give you a great trigger pull, and a few minutes with a piece of sandpaper free floating the barrel will improve accuracy in most cases. And, the stock is man sized too.
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While the Savage 64 is a fairly good .22 semi-automatic, one of the biggest problems is that there are almost no aftermarket items to make it a VERY good rifle, especially in trigger adjustments.
My recommendation would be spend a bit more money and buy a Ruger 10-22 or a Remington 597 if you want a good semi-auto .22. My own preference is the Remington 597 as they seem to be more accurate than the Ruger 10-22. There is some contraversy about the Remington 597 jamming, but in most cases it is the fault of the operator themselves. The Remington system uses two guide rods for the bolt and these are held by set screws. People who do not read instructions tighten these screws up which causes them to "bow and bend" and that puts pressure on the bolt so that it now drags when it recoils causing jams and short cycling. Tighten them finger tight, then back off 1/4 turn and the rifle works as it should.
The Ruger 10-22 can be accurate, but it usually takes a couple of hundred dollars worth of add-ons to do it. A $50 Volquartsen hammer on a Remington will give you a great trigger pull, and a few minutes with a piece of sandpaper free floating the barrel will improve accuracy in most cases. And, the stock is man sized too.
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Brand new out of the box, my 64 was a superior rifle over my Remington 597 in almost evey way. The only thing about the 597 that I liked better was the factory sights. My 597 never shot a group smaller than inch and a half at 20 yards with any kind of ammo, 50 yard shots were pointless. The barrel channel required extensive sanding and a spacer needed to be added to the forward receiver bolt to get the barrel to float properly. The 30-round mags all needed to be sanded so they would fit into the mag well, the factory 10-round would only hold 8 or 9 rounds depending on what kind of mood it was in.
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Well, that is an interesting experience. Inch and a half groups at 20 yards? Obviously a problem somewhere. At 50 yards, my 597 groups with Federal Bulk HP is under 3/4 inch. My rifle is used mostly for our Gophers here, and it will hold "minute of Gopher" well out past 100 yards. We get a high percentage of hit at 125 yards and shoot out to 150 yards or so depending upon wind conditions. But then again, I have been shooting over 60 years including high power targets.
While the Remington 597 is my "fun gun", if I get serious I reach for my old Remington 513-S sporter, a Savage Mark II BVSS or my Zastava Z5. All of them cosisitently shoot 3/8 inch at 50 yards if I do my part.
However, the OP might want to access "RimfireCentral.com" and see what others think of the various rifles before he makes his decision to buy.
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Well, that is an interesting experience. Inch and a half groups at 20 yards? Obviously a problem somewhere. At 50 yards, my 597 groups with Federal Bulk HP is under 3/4 inch. My rifle is used mostly for our Gophers here, and it will hold "minute of Gopher" well out past 100 yards. We get a high percentage of hit at 125 yards and shoot out to 150 yards or so depending upon wind conditions. But then again, I have been shooting over 60 years including high power targets.
While the Remington 597 is my "fun gun", if I get serious I reach for my old Remington 513-S sporter, a Savage Mark II BVSS or my Zastava Z5. All of them cosisitently shoot 3/8 inch at 50 yards if I do my part.
However, the OP might want to access "RimfireCentral.com" and see what others think of the various rifles before he makes his decision to buy.
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Call_to_Arms
CGN Regular
- Location
- Oshawa, Ontario
You can find cooey 64s around here at gun shows for around 100$, 10-22s runs 230 new for a basic one and seem to go for more used, if you can find one. That being said I own a 64 and am looking for a 10-22 aswell.
Shanks4300
Regular
- Location
- Winnipeg, mb
I just picked one of these up about 2 months ago, I have about 600 ish rounds through it and no complaints. 3/4 inch group at 50 yards with federal bulk ammo. The only feed issues I've had have been with Remington yellow jackets due to the shape of the bullet. They tend to stovepipe on the feed ramp. The lack of aftermarket parts is somewhat frustrating, I have a buddy with a 10-22 that he can trick out with limitless options. Even with 5 mags I spend too much time reloading.
tungngroove2000
CGN Regular
- Location
- Beautiful BC
i've had a Lakefield 64B semi auto for almost 30 years. this thing has never let me down, FTF or FTE. it's a sweet lil shooter that enjoys a good teardown every couple hundred rounds. no customizations for it, but factory wood guns can be fun too. i've added a tasco 3-9 scope and it holds zero and groups great all day long. Savage as the others have said is the "new" Lakefield so i wouldn't hesitate at all. I'm actually adding to my safe with a bolt version. just buy lots of ammo and play safe.
