Savage A17 Mach2 - my new rifle review/findings - Part 2

[chevy]

Back to the range - Pic 12. Working nights so only had time to shoot paper - no Fireball action :-(

Had to use my brother in-laws make shift range as running short on time - distance to target this go around- 48 yards. Pic 13

The results - groups now hitting POA but are now actually larger than first outing. Pic 14

Smallest group to largest group Pic 15

Fired 80 rounds in total and decided to pick up all fired brass to see if that may tell me a story. Back home I go.

First looked for any split cases - found one.

Then checked all brass for deformities by placing them into a bullet compariter - fits perfect for the Mach 2 brass. If its bulged it will not fit the comparitor. All fit no problem but noticed the base of the rims had some bulging on say 15% of them. Pic 16

My take on the bulged rims is a headspacing/timing issue with the bolt??

On a positive note, the rifle cycles flawlessly and the magazine was easy enough to load and locked in the well with no problems. Trigger on the other hand has some serious creep so that will have to be looked at as well!

My conclusion - I will be calling Savage on my next day off to hopefully send it in for them to take care of the elevation issue along with the poor grouping which I think may be linked with the bulged rim base.

Look forward to hearing from anyone with a similar experience or comments.

Cheers

 

[.22LRGUY]

Thanks for the comprehensive review/photos. I'm a fan of 17M2 (see avatar photo) but am currently without a rifle in that caliber. Even with the 2 bolt guns I've owned, I've never found the accuracy some people claim is possible. Looks like that Savage is giving you trouble, good idea to contact Savage...as they don't exactly give those semis away. Keep us posted, I've contemplated this exact rifle a handful of times.

 

[PGW Steve]

It seems like it's a little off. I've got an A17 target sporter in HMR and it functions great and I managed a 1.05" average at 100 for 5 five shot groups with Hornady 17 V max. I'm a huge fan of the Mach 2 as well and have a CZ 452 American as well as a Varmint in it, I put a Lilja barrel on a 455 too. It's a fun round, but comparing my HM2 bolts, to my HMR bolts and the Mach doesn't have the accuracy of the HMR. This is comparing 5 rifles in each calibre, that said, your results seem far outside of the norm.

 

[Beater]

they are very fouling sensitive doesnt take many with mine to have them start to open up 100-150

 

[chevy]

Savage called me back today so they are very punctual regarding call backs/warranty claims.
They agreed there to be some problems with my rifle so they will be giving it the once over to determine if repairable or replaced.
More to follow & hoping to have a story book ending

 

[Longstud]

Just out of curiosity, did you only try one ammunition in ur rifle? I have three different guns in this calibre and all are extremely accurate. Each has a definite preference for which ammo seems to work best. Looking at your groups I’d be willing to wager your rifle will just be replaced. Staying tuned to see your outcome.

 

[chevy]

Just out of curiosity, did you only try one ammunition in ur rifle? I have three different guns in this calibre and all are extremely accurate. Each has a definite preference for which ammo seems to work best. Looking at your groups I’d be willing to wager your rifle will just be replaced. Staying tuned to see your outcome.

I used mostly Hornady but also a couple groups with CCI and Eley - no differences to speak of.

 

[Longstud]

I used mostly Hornady but also a couple groups with CCI and Eley - no differences to speak of.

I figured you had probably tried different flavours so its definately an issue with your particular rifle.Hopefully they take care of you and get it squared away. They are a lot of fun and can be exceptionally accurate. Both of my rifles shoot consistently tighter groups at 50 yards than my Vudoo or my Kidd gun and both of those are very accurate. The potential is there

 

[brucecorporal]

I put a nicer A17stock on mine-i could only find one target picture but will post a better picture soon.

 

[chevy]

That is a very nice group.....will be thrilled if mine comes back with that type of accuracy!
Did you bed your action to get that accuracy? Anything with the trigger as mine has some ugly creep?
Thanks

I put a nicer A17stock on mine-i could only find one target picture but will post a better picture soon.
View attachment 493283View attachment 493284

 

[brucecorporal]

No I never bedded the action-Just switched stocks. I admit that trigger... you know what it's like. I left it at the factory adjustment for now. It can pull off some good shots!!