Cleaning My Savage Bolt

[WoodchuckAssassin]

Well, I'm done fighting the urge - I'm off to the local shop to pickup a Savage 340c in 30-30. The price tage is $300, but I hang around the shop enough to where I'm hoping for something a little closer to $250.

Like I said before, the bolt was a little slugish. I read online that it's not advisable to disassemble a Savage bolt. What might be the easiest way to clean it without taking it completely appart? I heard that boiling it in water with Dawn works, but for some reason that just sounds silly to me. Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[dprice3844444]

kerosene soak

 

[lefteyedom]

Taken the bolt apart. If the rifle has 30 years of crud in the bolt nothing short of a detailed cleaning is going to get the job you want done.

Study the diagrams, use the correct tools and go slow you will be fine

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Ed's Red soak

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

I’m sooooo happy with my Savage 340C! It’s my first “high power“rifle (It’s no .308, but there’s something about the 30-30 that’s just…fun), and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve always liked things that were a little off, and a BOLT action chambered in 30-30, an outdated (though effective) bolt design, and a side mounted weaver scope? What more could a weirdo wish for? Haha.

After getting it home, I compulsively took it apart (though I didn’t detail strip the bolt), and scrubbed her clean. There wasn’t nearly as much junk to clean as I thought there would be, and after playing with the bolt for an hour or so, it was nice and smooth, and I don’t think I’m gunna try a detail strip of the bolt at this point (but I still appreciate all the input from TheHighRoad members). If it runs fine at the range, I’m just gunna let it ride. The trigger is good, but not great. It’s probably comparable to an older CZ trigger. I don’t dare work on it myself, so I’ll save my pennies and take it to a smith sometime real soon.

On another note, the serial number is 115*** - Does anyone know when what year it was made? From what they told me at the toy store, there was a federal law that said serial numbers needed to be on guns starting in 1968, so I know it’s older than that. Beyond that, I don’t know much. Thanks for any help you can pass on.

 

[rem40xc]

Taken the bolt apart. If the rifle has 30 years of crud in the bolt nothing short of a detailed cleaning is going to get the job you want done.

Study the diagrams, use the correct tools and go slow you will be fine

You refer to instructions and diagrams for savage 340 bolt dissassembly. Where might I find those?

Thanks,
rem40xc

 

[airedaleman]

It's post GCA 68; prior to that law, the 340 guns were not serial numbered. There were a number of minor design changes made from the time they were
introduced as the Stevens Model 325 back in 1947.
The triggers are very complicated, and best left alone unless you are really good at working with lots of pins, springs, etc.
I've had several, including a 340V in 225 Winchester - a gun I never really felt comfortable shooting with factory ammunition. Currently have a 340B in 222 Remington with a Weaver K10.
325's and 340's are in my estimation sleepers; lots of bargains are still out there.

 

[hdbiker]

I love my Springfield 840,same as a 340 but better finished with walnut wood.Shoots 1 1/2 inch at 100 yds.all day long with a 1 inch once in a while.Likes the 170 bullets better than the 150's.I never took the bolt apart,but blew Gun Scrubber threw it once in a while and it works perfect . Good Luck hdbiker