New Longrange pistol (Savage) initial impression and your suggestions please

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I just got back from a 3 hour drive to pick this bad boy up (second day in a row, NY sucks don't move here) and I stopped by the range on the way home. Pistol is a Savage striker in 243 Winchester, with a 2-6 Bushnell.

So I took some hand loads from my wife's rifle pushing 85g Barnes XLC molly bullets. Didn't bring targets as I really just wanted to experience the pistol, its not zeroed and I only had 6 rounds. I used some old targets from the trash can.

My first impression was OMG THIS TRIGGER SUCKS! Then when she finally went off, I was shocked at the lack of recoil there just isn't any at all! I love the pistol to say the least but this trigger has got to go! There is so much creep I took 4 breaths before it went off, and you can just picture how much the cross hairs shake during that time. For what I went to the range with I'm very impressed so far. It just needs some TLC.

I need a new base just not sure what the action is 110 maybe?
The pistol

The 100 yard group

The 200 yard group

 

[Ernie]

Congrats on the Striker.
Striker's have a rep about heavy triggers but are usually very accurate.

 

[zuba]

They had a few different triggers, all similar but some were a little easier to get down a bit. I know if you really want a better trigger you can add a savage rifle trigger to that action. I did it and I'm not a gunsmith Then you can look into rear grip stocks. I have tried hard to get mine below 2# and just cant do it without risking safety. I thought I had it once and when I turned the safety off it went off.. If you can get used to it they shoot pretty good.

 

[submoa]

Its a model 10 action the short action is two digits the long action is three digits ;-)

Great looking pistol. You need to go the savageshooters forum and check out some of the ones there

 

[sscoyote]

The SS triggers have a linkage that has a lot of play in them. There are ways to get some of it out and it will improve it considerably. I have seen 3 SS's that have decent triggers, once they were worked on, some more than others. You should easily beat those groups once you tinker with the rig some. This is what my buddies does pretty consistently at 425 in good conditions--22-250/60 JLK Low Drag, once we got the trigger adjusted right--

SS's are the fruggliest looking SP around but they sure can SHOOT!

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Thanks to all, so any tips on tuning the trigger? Also Any tips on getting the stock off? I pulled the action bolt last night but could not budge the action, there must be another bolt I don't see? I tried pushing forwards and back no joy?

I don't have it apart yet but initial thought are polish and maybe weld up and re cut linkage holes?

Jon

 

[tinkerer]

2 stock bolts, one at the trigger, one under the grip cap. Remove grip cap screw and its down that hole. Allen head.

To adjust trigger, I start at the front and adjust take-up. Next I adjust the spring tension and lighten it until the trigger pops, than add in about 1 turn. Next to the sear adjustment screw under the sear. Adjust in until trigger breaks, now out 1 full turn.

If you have a 1st gen, the rear roller needs to move freely, no corrosion. You may have to lube it and turn it unitl it rolls freely and make sure its nice and shiny on the outside.

Finally, cock it and bounce on bench on rear one time. If it pops, go and add a little spring tension.

A trigger job can be done, it involves polishing the sear face and the lever parrallel, and shiny.

Reassemble and don't torque screws too tightly, 30 inch pounds is plenty. Once snug, stop and try to cock it. If it binds, loosen 1/4 turn.

Apply a little fingernail polish to all set screws to secure once happy.

Larry
Tinkerer

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Larry thank you very much

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I just spent about 30 min on the trigger wow what a difference! Its shootable now thanks for the help. I did the hammer test with a rubber mallet and worked the bolt hard not to light but very shootable!

 

[tyler.woodard04]

those triggers are tricky. I still have one of the midgrips and was talking to a fellow shooter at the range a few weeks ago about it. guy used to work as a smith at a shop that closed and said he still had a custom built link. I bought it from him and installed it. wow! what a difference ill pull the action out and take a picture so maybe a smith or someone can make some more.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

those triggers are tricky. I still have one of the midgrips and was talking to a fellow shooter at the range a few weeks ago about it. guy used to work as a smith at a shop that closed and said he still had a custom built link. I bought it from him and installed it. wow! what a difference ill pull the action out and take a picture so maybe a smith or someone can make some more.

Thanks

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

OK got the trigger tuned in. It took a little more time after I figured out the safety was not engaging. Took her to the range last night results were so bad that I think that's all I should say.

This morning I went back out and shot 3 loads. I have one that was right at an inch. Now I have to load up some more and see if it was just a fluke.

 

[tyler.woodard04]

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

OK got the trigger tuned in. It took a little more time after I figured out the safety was not engaging. Took her to the range last night results were so bad that I think that's all I should say.

This morning I went back out and shot 3 loads. I have one that was right at an inch. Now I have to load up some more and see if it was just a fluke.