In my search for a good deal on a Remington 700 donor rifle - I have managed to purchase two Savages on gunbroker; too good of deal honestly.
Both are in 270 Win, one is from 1980s another is the latest the 20-teens. Both are the basic "budget" rifles. I thought that would be a good opportunity to compare the two.
First side by side view.
Not much has changed over the years from the looks of it. The new reciever is all round VS flat in the back on older model. I don't know what was the thinking behind "flat back" - but I really like all round looks and function.
Now lets look at the inner workings. Here are the stocks.
The old stock has no pillars. As a matter of fact you can't even properly torque down the front screw - it runs into the bolt head, and since rear screw is unsupported tightening it bows/stresses the receiver. New stock both issues are addressed with steel pillars. Both have plastic trigger guard.
The action itself.
The barrel nut is now square tooth instead of rounded (I honestly prefer rounded look, but looks like new nuts are smooth all around). The safety is three position vs two on older model. The older rifle has a Basix trigger - fantastic benchrest trigger, but for field use I prefer Accutrigger reliability and safety. The magazine is no longer attached to the action (thanks God - what a PITA to remove). The new sear/spring is simplified.
And here is big difference - the recoil lug.
The old lug is only .150" and is rounded and uneven. The new lug is .190" and very flat.
With all this said - now it makes a lot more sense why respectable gunsmiths/shooters that should know better talk bad about Savages: old models had issues. The good news, the issues have been addressed; the value and the quality of the rifles has been improving over the years (the opposite of some other manufacturers out there).
Both are in 270 Win, one is from 1980s another is the latest the 20-teens. Both are the basic "budget" rifles. I thought that would be a good opportunity to compare the two.
First side by side view.
Not much has changed over the years from the looks of it. The new reciever is all round VS flat in the back on older model. I don't know what was the thinking behind "flat back" - but I really like all round looks and function.
Now lets look at the inner workings. Here are the stocks.
The old stock has no pillars. As a matter of fact you can't even properly torque down the front screw - it runs into the bolt head, and since rear screw is unsupported tightening it bows/stresses the receiver. New stock both issues are addressed with steel pillars. Both have plastic trigger guard.
The action itself.
The barrel nut is now square tooth instead of rounded (I honestly prefer rounded look, but looks like new nuts are smooth all around). The safety is three position vs two on older model. The older rifle has a Basix trigger - fantastic benchrest trigger, but for field use I prefer Accutrigger reliability and safety. The magazine is no longer attached to the action (thanks God - what a PITA to remove). The new sear/spring is simplified.
And here is big difference - the recoil lug.
The old lug is only .150" and is rounded and uneven. The new lug is .190" and very flat.
With all this said - now it makes a lot more sense why respectable gunsmiths/shooters that should know better talk bad about Savages: old models had issues. The good news, the issues have been addressed; the value and the quality of the rifles has been improving over the years (the opposite of some other manufacturers out there).