I had bought a 11 series Savage bolt in 300 SAUM.
Out of the box the rifle shot great , but the bolt was hard to lift after the shot was fired . I returned the rifle to the gun shop and they polished the chamber , but the bolt was still hard to lift up after firing a round.
I was using remington factory Ammo , so I thought I would try another box, but the rifle remained the same .
You would think the cartridge were over loaded.
Is this normal for a Savage? Other wise I was happy with the rifle
After the third trip back to the shop the dealer offered to exchange the rifle -which I did.I was getting upset with them.
Came home with a stainless Winchester model 70 in 06.

So in the end I doubt if I lost any money other than the Ammo, but I have heard so many stories about how great the savage bolt action rifles were .
By hard bolt lift I mean you had to whack the bolt up with your hand off your shoulder, instead of quickly operating the bolt with one finger for that second shot.

Did the rifle have a problem or was I expecting too much for the dollar ?

I have never had a problem with a Savage, or any of my friends who have them. I am guessing you got one with a tight chamber. Was this a new gun or used??

I have never had a problem with a Savage, or any of my friends who have them. I am guessing you got one with a tight chamber. Was this a new gun or used??

The rifle was new , old stock, package deal. The dealer did not think there was much wrong with the rifle having shot it himself . He thought you just needed to be rough with it.Well you need to be real rough .
All other rifles I have had over the years including the 303 B, you could rachet a second round quckly, with out droping the rifle off the shoulder . I think peronally the rifle had a problem . I was ticked , for otherwise I really liked the rifle and would have bought another in another calipier more suitable for deer hunting, had the first gun worked out.
As far as fit and every thing else , I thought the rifle was perfect.

I can't really comment on the problem you had, but you sure got a good trade out of the deal. Even used Winchesters cost more than new Savages in my neck of the woods...

Maybe I am misunderstanding your situation but here is the info I have heard. Savages don't have the smoothest bolt handle lift, it is due to some process at the factory where they don't mill the locking lug races in a true helix, I have never thought it was unbearable, but I am sending my Stevens200 custom to Fred from SavageShootersSupply to have him re-mill the races and true the action. It seems to be one of his more popular services, it costs $75 and I just got the call to send it in after being on the list since November. I'm not complaining, but just so you know, there is a wait.

The bolt lift was very stiff as if the cartridge was over loaded in my books.
I liked the rifle otherwise, as with over all looks and fit. And The 300 SAUM sure grouped with any factory ammo it was fed.
Here in Canada you just do not get work as such -done, and if the dealer tells you the rifle is fine. What then . Fine!! I said I trade fer that one. Grat -Snap-it, I was thinkin' a bit more horsepower than the odd six.
Now I might just unload a few spares out of the toy box ,and go WSM if there are no futher 300 SAUMs.

Where are the days gone when you bought something and then not have to build it once home.
My Mauser built in 43 , is still perfect

[Hi All you kids, Old man here, recently seen same problem
with new Savage, turned out the bolts holding the trigger guard on were hitting the bolt. Shorten the bolt length solved the problem. Mack the Knife.

NRA LIfer






UOTE=Harry Snippe]The bolt lift was very stiff as if the cartridge was over loaded in my books.
I liked the rifle otherwise, as with over all looks and fit. And The 300 SAUM sure grouped with any factory ammo it was fed.
Here in Canada you just do not get work as such -done, and if the dealer tells you the rifle is fine. What then . Fine!! I said I trade fer that one. Grat -Snap-it, I was thinkin' a bit more horsepower than the odd six.
Now I might just unload a few spares out of the toy box ,and go WSM if there are no futher 300 SAUMs.

Where are the days gone when you bought something and then not have to build it once home.
My Mauser built in 43 , is still perfect[/QUOTE]

Some of the package guns have a timeing issue. Contact Fred @ Savage Shooters Supply. Great guy, will have you fixed in no time

I could more readily understand this if we were talking handloads. I have several calibers where the shoulder gets pushed out upon firing. If you neck size like I do you might find the bolt will then be difficult to close or might not close regardless of the force exerted because neck dies do not bump the shoulders back. I resorted to Redding body dies to bump the shoulders when it happens. If you get into handloading you'll probably experience this. Most reloaders do eventually. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal