I've owned a Savage 340B bolt action 30-30 w/ a solid Bsquare scope mount, side mounted, under a simmons master series 4X32. With 170 grain corelokts, this gun is capable of same hole accuracy, is that unusual for this gun or is it common? I remember with open sights, I could put all the shots into a dollar bill at 100 yards and I could hardly see the dollar bill tacked onto the target. Also, I killed a bear in Canada at 65 yards, went through both shoulders and exited, putting the 225 lb bear down within 10 yards, so I have no hesitation about shooting a whitetail with this 170 grain load. Sorry I don't have a picture but it can be googled as some will say this is the ugliest gun ever made, and if you are gonna carry a short action, why not get a 308, but theres something about deer hunting with a 30-30 and with it being this accurate, I hate to switch. Any other thoughts on this rifle??? I know it was also made in one of the 22 calibers and from what I understand it was the cheapest gun around at the time.
Underrated Savage 340B
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Abel
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I have always heard great things about this model's accuracy. I wish that Savage still made it. No need to drop the 30-30 for a more modern cartridge if its still getting the job done.
airedaleman
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The 340 series guns are big sleepers in my estimation. They're not particularly good looking, but their fit and finish put most new production to shame. Although designed as an entry level rifle, they appeal to me more than anything being offered these days. I had a Stevens Model 325 (a.30-30) which was the progenitor of the Savage 340. The 325 had a butter-knife bolt handle and introduced the barrel nut method of barrel fitment used today by Savage and Marlin. The 325 I had was about 90%, and I paid $65.00 for it back in the mid-80's. For some reason or other, I never got around to shooting it, and it went to finance some other firearms purchase. The 340 was, over the years, chambered for the .22 Hornet (early ones designated the Model 342), .222 Remington, .223 Remington, and the .225 Winchester.
Back in the late 50's/early 60's, Savage offered a deluxe model with checkering and sling swivels. There were alsoruns of .30-30 carbines with
either 18- or 20-inch barrels. The letter designations indicated design changes, mostly dealing with extractor and ejector changes. Right around the time Savage dropped the 340, I bought a new 340V in .225, and mounted a Simmons fixed 10-power scope on it. Shot quite well (especially with hand loads) and I killed a fair number of woodchucks with it. It was a sure bet rig out to 250 yards, about as long a shot as I could find in central Massachusetts. Never felt comfortable shooting factory ammunition in this rifle, as I felt the .225 was pushing the limits of the action, and there were reports circulating at the time of erratic pressure spikes in factory ammunition. Again, sold it to go on to something else.
And NOW I've got a 340B in .222 Remington... but that's a whole 'nother
story! If anyone can stand it, I'll get into that at a later time.
Needless to say, I think the whole 325/340 clan is pretty good. Buy 'em while they're still affordable!
Back in the late 50's/early 60's, Savage offered a deluxe model with checkering and sling swivels. There were alsoruns of .30-30 carbines with
either 18- or 20-inch barrels. The letter designations indicated design changes, mostly dealing with extractor and ejector changes. Right around the time Savage dropped the 340, I bought a new 340V in .225, and mounted a Simmons fixed 10-power scope on it. Shot quite well (especially with hand loads) and I killed a fair number of woodchucks with it. It was a sure bet rig out to 250 yards, about as long a shot as I could find in central Massachusetts. Never felt comfortable shooting factory ammunition in this rifle, as I felt the .225 was pushing the limits of the action, and there were reports circulating at the time of erratic pressure spikes in factory ammunition. Again, sold it to go on to something else.
And NOW I've got a 340B in .222 Remington... but that's a whole 'nother
story! If anyone can stand it, I'll get into that at a later time.
Needless to say, I think the whole 325/340 clan is pretty good. Buy 'em while they're still affordable!
My 340 based gun in .222 with Coast to Coast Hardware markings is hands down the butt ugliest gun I own. However, in spite of a bolt face eroded by primer leakage from overloads, a chamber throat that looks like a half inch of bad road, and a few random pits down the bore, it reliably puts five handloaded Hornady V-Max bullets into just over an inch.
It has more than met my modest varmint hunting needs, for a bit over $200 plus a scope.
It has more than met my modest varmint hunting needs, for a bit over $200 plus a scope.
airedaleman
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Jubjub, what weight V-Max bullets and what powder charge are you using?
brassdog
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Yes, the 340 is very accurate if it is in good shape. It may not be sleek and sexy but it sure will shoot more accurately than you can.
Just remember that it is a one lug bolt gun and to stay within the standard pressures/loads.
Just remember that it is a one lug bolt gun and to stay within the standard pressures/loads.
R.W.Dale
Member
With the right expectations these rifles can be quite rewarding to own and shoot.
However these rifles aren't without thier faults.
The bedding is weird and very inconsistent. You have a barrel band a bolt behind the recoil lug and nothing supporting the action at the rear.
The action is rather limber and will yield short case life and dramatic POI shifts if pressures are ramped up at all. This is exastorbated by the fact many buy these guns thinking they'll turn 30/30 into 300sav
The magazine length is also very constrained for bullets any longer than 30/30 rn projectiles.
If you're buying one cause you want a neat 30/30 that just happens to be a bolt action you'll be well pleased. But if you buy one thinking you'll do great wonders with 30/30 you'll be sorely disappointed as I was with the two examples I owned.
However these rifles aren't without thier faults.
The bedding is weird and very inconsistent. You have a barrel band a bolt behind the recoil lug and nothing supporting the action at the rear.
The action is rather limber and will yield short case life and dramatic POI shifts if pressures are ramped up at all. This is exastorbated by the fact many buy these guns thinking they'll turn 30/30 into 300sav
The magazine length is also very constrained for bullets any longer than 30/30 rn projectiles.
If you're buying one cause you want a neat 30/30 that just happens to be a bolt action you'll be well pleased. But if you buy one thinking you'll do great wonders with 30/30 you'll be sorely disappointed as I was with the two examples I owned.
My dad loads for his with Spitzer bullets and loads hotter than factory loads and it shoots great. The only problem is trying to eject an unfired cartridge will sometimes booger up the nose of the bullet.
So in my experience, you can turn the 340 into a longer range proposition than a lever gun.
So in my experience, you can turn the 340 into a longer range proposition than a lever gun.
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