Troubleshooting Savage model 10 in .308 WIN

Draco877

Specialist (U.S. Army)
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 17, 2012
43
0
35
PA USA
I got a savage model 10 in .308 Winchester with the accu-trigger as a Christmas gift in 2012 and I had numerous issues with failing to feed. It would push the tip of the round out then next it might push the tip in but the end of the round is out or it might just jam the round forward and blunt the tip. I sent a part into savage to get fixed when I got the part back I just cycled rounds through it and it worked right for the first few. Then the round would go forward and right before it would go all the way it would stop and I would have to back the bolt up some to get it to lock. Ammo used was winchester 160 gr bought at walmart also where the rifle was bought from. Due to work issues I have not really had a chance to go work on it but coming up I will get some time. So can anyone give ideas and/or solutions to this?
 
Try a different bullet type.

As for the binding issue you mention, many Savages experience this due to the loose tolerance of bolt body...but it can be largely remedied by pushing the bolt in straight, with very minimal side or top/bottom loading of the bolt.
 
I always found that a smooth steady feed of the bolt forward resulted in no problem cambering. If i slowly try to ease a round in it has a tendency to pitch up and bind on the barrel face. I can load a 10 round mag and rapidly run the bolt and chamber all 10 rounds without a problem but if I baby them in I start running into feed issues.
 
Trust me RonHam I do not baby my weapons. Too long training with the Ma Deuce has made me a little too rough maybe. The first time I took it shooting I got downright aggressive with the bolt trying to get it to feed.

I have some Prvi Partizan - 145gr FMJBT I can use that to test. It will be a while before I can try it though.

Sad part to this is that I have an older one without the accu-trigger in .243 Win that has never given me a problem. Only problem I have with it is the scope which has fogged up on me during a hunt.
 
Update and corrections the previous ammo used was Winchester .308 WIN 180 gr. power-point Super-X. I just got pack from the range shooting it and some other guns. It seems that it just needed worn in some or I learned to hit its sweet spot. So that is alright now it seems However In addition to the round I just mentioned I tried two other rounds Federal Ammunition .308 WIN 165 gr, bonded soft point "Deer Thugs" and Prvi Partizan - 145gr FMJBT. It loved feeding the Federal ammo however with the Prvi Partizan it would go almost all the way. Key word "almost" it would go in but not enough for me to lower the bolt handle. Suggestions on this new issue?
 
I have a Savage 10PC in both .223 & .308. Both of these riffles have very tight chambers. Measuring fire formed brass, the .223 measures -.003 and the .308 -.002 = on the very tight side of spec. It could be that the factory ammo you have doesn't have the shoulder of the brass set back to the minimum side of spec. Just a guess on my part though.
 
I always found that a smooth steady feed of the bolt forward resulted in no problem cambering. If i slowly try to ease a round in it has a tendency to pitch up and bind on the barrel face. I can load a 10 round mag and rapidly run the bolt and chamber all 10 rounds without a problem but if I baby them in I start running into feed issues.
I've noticed the same thing with all my Savages (22LR & 223). DTAs also feed smoother with rough bolt manipulation. Just the "Nature of the Beast".