Old rifle, scope mount

This rifle has a split receiver bridge, so in addition to the gunsmithing cost to D/T (usually starts at around $80 and goes up from there -- some charge by the hour, others offer fixed cost per hole) you will also need to source and purchase an obsolete side mount. I think it is factory drilled for a receiver sight, if you eyes can still manage a peep sight, but finding an appropriate one is another chase and expense. Either way, even if the rifle was free, there is a chance that you could end up more out of pocket by the time you are finished than the retail price for a brand new economy bolt action like a Ruger American. This kind of project is cool, but can become a rabbit hole.

The old 325A was a charming rifle for its day, but unless you have an especial love for this model my advice would be to back away from the deal -- tell him the entire scope mounting process will cost too much. There is a cheap mount available, BTW:
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/540380a

You are probably looking at $100 or more, depending on how much your smith charges for D&T jobs, 4 holes. The Weaver side mount and base go for nearly $50 most places. There is a stamped steel mount available but I can’t really recommend it, go with the Weaver.

1. The split bridge of the Stevens calls for a side scope mount. Made by Weaver, B Square, and you can even get the very simple stamped Stevens mount from Numrich (Dave's link above.)

2. Williams Gunsight charges $150 to drill and tap for a side mount. Other places might be less. The gunsmithing survey in my last print Brownells catalog says anything from $20 to $45 PER HOLE.

There is a resource site with scopes discussed about 3/4 of the way down the long single page.
https://www.leeroysramblings.com/Gun Articles/stevens_325_savage_340_bolt_act.html

I don't have a clue how much it costs to D&T the 325A, but a couple of calls to local gunsmiths would be more accurate than any guess on my part.
I own 2 versions of your rifle; a 1982 Savage 340 series E and a 1964 Revelation 225 (Savage 340C)...both in 30-30...both came already D&T'ed. I, too have aging eyesight and I have to admit to scoping all of my rifles. I think your are going to be very pleased with your Savage. Finding a period-correct vintage scope to mount on it would be even more fun! I have an old Westernfield (Japanese Tasco) 4x on the 1982, and a Revelation (U.S.A. Realist) 3-9x "in the mail" for the Revelation.
It's a shame bolt 30-30's are no longer manufactured. I prefer shooting either of my bolts over my 1980 Marlin 336C...and it's a great rifle in its own right!

"Local gunsmith." Shudder. Finding a good general gunsmith can be a challenge in a world of AR assemblers and Glock stipplers.

True, my Remington 788 .30-30 is a good rifle. It did take me a while to realize that the failures to eject were cases bouncing off the scope knob back into the action and not a defective extractor or ejector. I fixed it by rotating the scope 90 degrees. Now I just have to remember that windage and elevation are swapped.

Sportsman warehouse has good deals on gunsmithing.

Jim,

I have a Wincheter 94 with a side mount and the scope rotated 90 degrees, and folks have actually approached me on the range to tell me I had the scope mounted "wrong". I have considered doing the same on a Savage 110 just to make more room for my fat fingers when loading.

-kBob

My only true local gunsmith, CST grad. charges $50/hole and I’ve known him for decades. I used to get discounted work from the other true smith but he passed several years ago.

You might consider asking around if anyone (machine shops, LGS guys) owns a mill and can competently do the work cheaper. That can be a risk but if you cannot back out...

kBob,
Somebody actually made a scope with the windage knob on the left side, but I don't remember who.
I see no advantage to having the windage on the right except for a target rifle where you might be clicking for wind changes.

I have a first year of production 340 in 30-30. Fun,fun rifle. Enjoy.

The only problem with my 788 is a tight chamber neck that keeps me from using the typical larger-than-groove diameter cast bullet. So I plink with pulled FMJs a friend's Uncle had left over from making up "Mexican Match" .30-06.

I don't know about mounting a scope, but I have a 325C and it's a good little gun.
Some rifles just "fit" when you pull them up to your shoulder, and this is such a rifle for me.

I hunted with one 45 years ago, my 1st deer hunt. It was a gun loaned to me by a man my dad worked with. Ended up coming across a nice one 3 years ago and bought it. Fun little rifle, and brought back some great memories of my first deer hunt.

Dave DeLaurant said:

This rifle has a split receiver bridge, so in addition to the gunsmithing cost to D/T (usually starts at around $80 and goes up from there -- some charge by the hour, others offer fixed cost per hole) you will also need to source and purchase an obsolete side mount. I think it is factory drilled for a receiver sight, if you eyes can still manage a peep sight, but finding an appropriate one is another chase and expense. Either way, even if the rifle was free, there is a chance that you could end up more out of pocket by the time you are finished than the retail price for a brand new economy bolt action like a Ruger American. This kind of project is cool, but can become a rabbit hole.

The old 325A was a charming rifle for its day, but unless you have an especial love for this model my advice would be to back away from the deal -- tell him the entire scope mounting process will cost too much. There is a cheap mount available, BTW:
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/540380a

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IIRC, they are. I recall seeing a Williams for these models... it appeared to mount behind the split bridge with the aperture ahead of the bolt handle.

I don't know what you paid for the 325A...I was born in 1954 (too?)...but keep it if you can. They don't make these anymore and never will. If it "is in really nice shape" as you said, hold on to it even if will be just be to hand down someday. With iron sights...and our diminishing eyes...it is still a shooter and built to take a beating.
Scope or no-scope, I'd be proud of it.

I'd call Kevin at done wright - https://g.co/kgs/zLZFFU
He's very fair and pretty smart. I've been happy with anything he's done for me. He's in crystal lake, so not terribly far.

kmw1954 said:

Thanks, I just sent them an email. Didn't you also tell me of one up here in Trevor?

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Nope, I only use done wright (for normal stuff) and bobs gunsmithy (in elgin). Bob is amazing for weird stuff but he is extraordinarily slow, but worth the wait- think in terms of years....