List of Savage O/U Rifle/Shotgun Combos?

[JNewell]

Does anyone know of a reference list that shows the various Savage combinations of rifle/shotgun? I saw a couple this weekend - .22LR/.410 and .22WMR/20ga. I know there were others...

Also, any comments on how they shoot, accuracy-wise? I am thinking something like .22 Hornet/.410 would be a good pest dispatcher.

 

[JNewell]

Whoa, just checked the current Savage catalog (wow, what a concept, read the manual :banghead: )

I see they're still making quite a bunch of different combos.

Still, any comments on how they shoot and handle? Whether the wood stock versions are more or less well made than the current crop w/ synthetic stocks?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Had one in the late 70s and early 80s. 22 LR/20 gauge. Trigger could have stood being a bit lighter, but it broke clean. I had a peep mounted and used it as a small game and truck gun.

Happily, when zeroed for my 22 HP ammo of choice at the time, it shot Brenneke slugs to POA at 40 yards. I Brenekked a couple of deer with it before someone pointed out that having a rifle along in a shotgun area was verboten.

50 yard 22 groups were tiny. Having that shotgun barrel attached stiffened the 22 barrel and the barrel vibrations must have been very consistent.

The peep sight kinda got in the way when wingshooting. Kept trying to aim.

 

[Brian Williams]

I saw a 30-30 over 12 and a 223 over 12 at a shop yesterday.

 

[JNewell]

For some reason (I think I'm remembering how they sold these back in the 70s) I thought that there were only a few combos manufactured at one time and that pretty much each model was one specific combo. But, according to the catalog, you can (in theory, at least?) mix and match the 12 or 20 with about half a dozen calibers, including .22LR as well as .22 Hornet, .223 Rem, and several others, including the .30-30 (not my interest). The .223 might be a cheaper choice to feed. Hornet would pretty much indicate loading 'em at home...which I can do but time always seems so short...

Dave, interesting note on the accuracy!

 

[Dave McCracken]

J, that 22 lifted some eyebrows at the range. I was doing a fair amount of benchrest then and plopped it on the sandbags just to see. I'd take a shot in between centerfire shots, so each got to cool off.

A couple 50 yard, 5 shot groups would fit under a dime. All under a nickle. Good technique, right ammo, and that peep giving 2 feet of sight radius.

IIRC, Eley Match gave larger groups than Rem HPs. Go figure...

 

[JohnBT]

They make good porch or truck guns. I had a .22WMR/.410 back in the early '60s and it was okay for what it was - a compromise. It shot just fine, the trouble was it was too heavy for a singleshot walking around rifle and too heavy to swing quite right when used as a shotgun.

I was only a kid then but I was a big kid, so I sold it and got a Fox Model B 12 ga. (Of course I got the one that kicked like the proverbial mule - must have been choked extra full in both barrels. My uncle sold it for me to a guy at work and the first time he shot it he broke his nose on his thumb. That gun was hexed.)

John

 

[JNewell]

good porch guns

That is pretty much the mission in a nutshell. I agree on weight -- I am always a little surprised at how heavy they are when you pick them up. If anything, the newer synthetic stock examples seem even heavier (haven't checked actual specs, though).

 

[Blue Line]

I had a 22mag over 20 ga, that I thought was the berrys. That gun could shoot! I especially liked it for tree rats each complimented the other for both long and close shots repectively. Wish I still had it. (how many times have you heard those 5 words)

 

[enfield]

I have a .222 over 20 gauge.

 

[Gordon]

I've had a bunch of these! Starting with my Tenite Stocked 1953 22/410 of my boyhood which my wife used until recently while gardening( a granddaughter has it now!) up thru the .223/12ga one I keep for a "porch gun" there has been (and I still have them) .22hornet/20 ga , 30-30/20ga, .357Max/20ga. Thes eguns are being given to my heirs this year. I am keeping the .223/12gauge late one for now! BTW IMHO the best made ones were the 24V series made in early 70's, good fit and finish, useful calibers and no plastic parts (good case colors too!).