I just picked one up in .270. Synthetic stock, fluted bolt and barrel, little less than $300. Anyone have one? Do you like it?
Ok, I just physically picked it up today. For the price, not a bad knock around hunting rifle. Initial observations- all I did was take it down and check a few things out, it needs attention to fit me. *Stock- LOP is 14", recoil pad is not flush with stock. Fore end has substantial contact with the barrel, so not free-floated. It has a removable, hard plastic bedding block. I've not run across this before. Good fit though. *B/A- Bolt is spiral fluted, shallow flutes. Bolt head design is standard Savage, 2-piece but not sloppy. Safety is positive, no slop. Magazine is plastic but it fits well, no rattle when inserted and locked in. Bolt throw has that new, sorta gritty feel but it's slick enough for being new. Blueing is OK, but a wear spot on the barrel crown and bolt handle was noticeable. Barrel crown is nice though, target crown and deep enough to protect the bore unless you really smash it. Flutes in the barrel extend from the fore end to about .950" from crown, pretty shallow but they look cool (I suppose). *Trigger- The trigger is not bad at all, fresh out of the box. It's like an Accu-trigger in design. The trigger had no slop, and the blade was smooth. It has a hitch before it releases, but the pull is light. When I reassembled the rifle the "hitch" disappeared. So, it's a new rifle/bedding/tension issue. I did not check pull weight. So, I have some work to do but it's not horrible. I'll try a few 3-shot groups Friday after work to establish a stock base line, go from there. My scope will be a Burris 2 x 7, ammo will be Hornady 140gr. Interlock for the first 200 rnds. Gotta keep it consistent. We'll see how it goes.
I'm surprised it's not actually free floated as they advertise it as it is. How bad is it? At least the synthetic won't move like wood will! I would hack that forearm up to float it...redneck like. Fluting in my opinion is a really good thing, from barrel whip to heat disapation. I really like Hornady ammo, it's usually my go to. Federal gold match is also very good for consistency testing. Just give it 50 rounds or so to break in. Do 5 shot groups even 10 to actually get an honest accuracy assessment. I know the interweb likes the 3. I think it should do very well for what it's made for, be a good deer rifle. For under 300 I don't think you can nitpick too much.
Concerning the fore end, tried the 'ol dollar bill test. Made it about an inch. Flexed the fore end down and got another 3/4", so not close to floated. I have plenty of barrel channel tools for floating so I'll clearance it for a .050 float. Why so much you might ask? Pine needles. Initially, 3-shot groups will work. I just need it on paper and (2) three shot groups to establish the base line. I'll have more trouble adjusting the LOP. I'm short so a 12-3/4" LOP works for me. I'll have to glass in a dowel or two and foam fill the butt before I can install and grind a new pad. The stock one won't work after I shorten the stock. Plenty of time between now and Oct. May even build a muzzle brake for it in the meantime, who knows? Let you know how the first groups average out. JB
Here's a brief report after tonights shenanigans. Initial sight in @ 50yrds. On paper first round, couple of adjustments and 5 rnds later.... the hooligans show up. USGS has had Bear School at the range all week, and they're having an IPDA match tomorrow, so everyone came out to take advantage of the good weather. So we shot a bunch of other stuff. Before I left, I put 4 more downrange, but still only at 50 yrds. Rest was really shaky (old headrest from my car) but it shot OK. Group for 4 rnds. was .831(hor.) x .197(vert.), center to center. So, a bit of horizontal stringing. With the stock as it is, it shot better than expected. So, time to work. Thanks, JB
My nephew bought a .300 win mag recently. I didn't take it apart, but I'm not a gunsmith It seems well made for the price point, and it functions fine. We put a $200 Vortex 4x12 on it the other day. Wouldn't have been my first choice, but it's just a messing around gun for him. He doesn't hunt much or shoot competitively, just likes to make noise at the range. First shot was on paper just bolting the scope on no boresight, and then he adjusted it one shot at a time, which frustrates me. But, again, it's not mine, and I get it at almost $2 every shot. The funnest part was when he put a round in the magazine but it didn't get picked up and fed into the chamber. I wish I had the massive flinch on video And this was from a Lead Sled. I'm not sure what a 3-5 shot group would look like anyway lol.
Whelp, I'll bring this one back. 'cause if I'm not fast, at least I'm not speedy. Did the free-float tonight. Had to take out more than I thought, almost to the point of considering having to shorten the front action screw. Lot's of contact in that forend. So no, these rifles are not reliably free-floated from the factory. I'm right at .040" clearance, maybe a scootch less , but enough to not worry. The forend is pretty stiff, not like others. I'll have to deal with the LOP after hunting season. Just an FYI.
