Re: Who has taken a Savage 10 thru a Tactical Course?
My experience in going from the NE to the SW taught me that hot loads in the NE can become overmax loads out in the SW, mainly due to the temperature increase. Just be certain your rifle isn't going to experience pressure issues with your ammo when the temps get over 90 degrees. Primers can blow and they frequently take the extractor with them, and can wreak havoc with the ejector, too. I've had this happen 8-10 times in a day in the S/W, and at least half of the times the extractor and/or ejector needed to be replaced. Luckily, we had an armorer along who had the requisite knowledge and parts. The second day, we band-aided the problem by keeping the ammo in a cooler; but condensation can also cause problems, so be mindful. An insulated day pack might be useful here.
This little
item can serve very nicely as an emergency extractor if the one on the bolt fails. You slip the hooked end into the R/H bolt lug recess, hook the cartridge base, and pull. Most of the time, even though the primer's popped away, the case will slide right on out. Be sure to find and remove the popped primer, it can jam things up. It usually ends up somewhere down below the bolt.
One other issue with ammo is weight. Airlines limit you, and they include the weight of your packaging. Metal ammo cans will not fly well. Take along some of your ammo in your checked baggage for the first day; preferably in plain lightweight commercial ammo packages (my .260 handloads masqueraded as FGMM .308. It may also pay to keep mum about any handloads.). Send the rest ahead UPS, preferably a couple of weeks in advance, with a call you number on the outside for when it arrives, so it's definitely there and waiting when you need it. Packing along extra ammo can become a pain if you don't use it and have to take it back with you. It still has to meet the maximum weight limits for air travel. It may pay to be prepared in advance to UPS excess ammo back home, and to leave time in your return trip itinerary for this task.
I don't do Tactical Ops training or comps due to physical limits, but this info was obtained in NM over a week-long F Class comp, and should be completely applicable.
Greg
