did a stupid thing. I loaded my 10ML one day without shooting it. Took me two weeks before I was able to shoot again and I loaded it again. Although I knew that the bullet hadn't gone down all the way I thought it was just stuck for some reason and decided to shoot it out. The end result was a bulged barrel.

I called Joe Degrande at Savage concerning this and he advised that I ship my gun to him for inspection. Sure enough he found a bulged barrel and in two weeks my newly barreled gun was at my doorstep along with a three shot/100 yard target showing holes measuring 1 1/4" center to center. Two of the holes were interlapped.

I am wondering what other gun manufacturer would cover for my stupidity in such a way?? This must be awfully expensive for them. Not only in materials but also in labor. In a day where warrantees and guarantees are backed by tiny unreadable print and a retreat from customer service in general, I am amazed at this service.

In contrast, on the home page of Sportsmansgude.com is a Low Price Guarantee. It says that within 30 days of purchase if you find the exact same item, selling not as clearance item, at less price than the one you bought from them that they will match the difference GUARANTEED! That's pretty explicit and clear isn't it? When I tried to hold them to that guarantee after finding the item on ebay.com as a Buy It Now item from an online (well known) retailer the customer service dept alerted me to the fact that the retailer must be a "nationally well known retailer" and cannot be on Ebay since they also sell things at auction. My question to them is...Why isn't all of this stated in print on your web page? It wouldn't take up much room to state such. However my words fell on deaf ears.

This attitude isn't so unusual in today's times. This is why I am so astonished at Savage Arms responce to my own stupidity that wasn't even their fault at all. Noone makes barrels that can't be damaged by operator misuse. I salute Joe DeGrande and Savage Arms for doing more than they promise. I almost feel compelled to send them at least a little something for their expenses (ALMOST) They not only mean what they say and say what they mean.....but they go further than that in protecting the cusumer from himself.

Thanks Joe

Sure sounds like they did you right Joe. I really like to hear stories like that. Thanks for sharing it.

I just sent them back a savage .243 stock that was cracked, It MAY have happened when i was coyote hunting and slipped and fell on the ice and snow , lol but i looked it over good didnt notice anything wrong with it , called and talked to them about it ,told me to just send it back with copy of proof of purchase , didnt seem to be any problem , my buddy will never let me live it down either, what ya doin ronnie maken snow angels , lol

savage arms gets an A PLUS for service in my books, recieved my rifle stock back , no questions asked, all it cost me was the shipping to send the cracked one back, nothing big and fancy but it's mine, i think it's a good hunting rifle, think im going to rescope it before winter, go with a bushnell legend 3-9-40, savage .243

Kudos to Savage for great service!

Your post brings up a point that should be emphasized -- NEVER fire any muzzleloader unless the projectile is firmly seated on the powder charge!! You were lucky -- a bulged barrel is the "best case" result. "Worst case" is your rifle turning into a fragmentation grenade.

BE SURE! Once you've settled on a load, mark your ramrod even with the muzzle when you know you have your projectile fully seated. Then, check your load against that mark EVERY TIME.

Guys,

Just to let you know, Savage Customer Service is First Class.
A few months ago I contacted them about an issue I had with a Savage 210F. I was surprised when I got a return call from the man himself, Joe Degrande (Director, Customer Service).
He suggested that I send in the firearm for their examination. A couple of weeks passed and I was told by Joe that the problem was resolved and the 12 ga. would be shipped . He trusted I would be happy with the corrections and to let them know if they could be of further assistance.
Let me tell you out there, I couldn’t be happier with the results. They even sent me a test target shot at 100yds 1.7 inches for three shots..( 3” Win. 385 gr. Partition Gold) Two shots almost touched. Not bad for a slug gun eh ? That 210F does shoot.

Since I believe in telling the “Boss” (Ron Coburn) as well as the Savage Team, I trust Mr. Coburn reads this message. Maybe his admin. will relay it to him.

To everyone on the “SAVAGE TEAM“……..

THANKS ! You all did a great job.

Guys,

Just to let you know, Savage Customer Service is First Class.
A few months ago I contacted them about an issue I had with a Savage 210F. I was surprised when I got a return call from the man himself, Joe Degrande (Director, Customer Service).
He suggested that I send in the firearm for their examination. A couple of weeks passed and I was told by Joe that the problem was resolved and the 12 ga. would be shipped . He trusted I would be happy with the corrections and to let them know if they could be of further assistance.
Let me tell you out there, I couldn’t be happier with the results. They even sent me a test target shot at 100yds 1.7 inches for three shots..( 3” Win. 385 gr. Partition Gold) Two shots almost touched. Not bad for a slug gun eh ? That 210F does shoot.

Since I believe in telling the “Boss” (Ron Coburn) as well as the Savage Team, I trust Mr. Coburn reads this message. Maybe his admin. will relay it to him.

To everyone on the “SAVAGE TEAM“……..

THANKS ! You all did a great job.

I've had a Savage 210 for a number of years now ! It is primarily for hunting Sika deer on the refuge in MD . But I use it some in VA as well ! Anyway mine shoots as well as yours with MANY of the newer sabot slugs !

I also HAD a few of the Savage Stryker bolt action pistols that shot better then I could hold them .

But recently I purchased a sorta used Savage 10ML . Guy that had it originally never was able to get it to fire well . Come to find out he was not using the correct components ! So his loss will hopefully be my gain ;)

More kudos to Savage and Joe DeGrande. I returned my 17hmr following a telecon with Joe re some accuracy issues. Joe called me later ON A SATURDAY, to tell me that the gun was examined and test fired on their range. Advised that I should switch to 20 gr. bullets for best accuracy. Sent test target with 2 groups of .72 and 1.2.
Savage is the best.
Bob

Savage are just good people. Had a 7mmSTW that had a high spot in the chamber and I sent it to them and they rebarreled my rifle with a new one and in time for me to make a hunt I had set up.

Trafalgar:

As a side note; Today is the 203rd anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar. Lord Nelson led his british fleet against a larger combined French and Spanish armada - and smashed them! This was a significant turning point in History and one of the greatest naval battles of all time.