Re: Savage for atactical build , worth it?
I am a Savage fan.
The DIY factor combined with the accuracy of these rifles allow the budget minded shooter to hang with the boys for a fraction of the cost.
That being said, I have come across a reason I would have reservations before using one for a tactical build, at least one that I would possibly risk my life on.
I had a primer leak on 3rd shot off-hand at a tactical shoot. I thought I lost my case as I could only find 2 on the ground beside me. On the next station, I was having feeding problems. What I found was my 3rd shot did not eject from the last station. This happened because my ejector had siezed from the fouling from the leaking primer. My ejector was so fouled I had some work to do to just to get my bolt out so I could work on removing the fouling in the ejector area. Needless to say, my day was pretty much done as far as completing my shoot. That was the bad news. The good news is I was still alive because this was not a life and death situation. If it was, I would likely be dead.
Now, in defense of the Savage, I was using LC brass that had the primer pocket swaged before reloading. There is every possibility that the additional modifying process that this brass went through contributed to this malfunction.
Even so, I look at that little Savage extractor with that little ball and spring with a more skeptical eye than I would at say a Win Mod 70 claw extractor for example.
Speaking for myself, reliability takes priority to even accuracy in a tactical rifle. As such, I would not recommend a Savage as my first choice for a tactical rifle.
I still love my Savage and as a more economical rifle build to train with etc., I would give it a definite thumbs up.
If this country breaks down into a fire fight for/against the Constitution or some other likewise event, my Savage tactical rifle would be relegated to bartering material.
