Savage 340 .30-30 question

[pharmseller]

So I wandered in to the local toy store looking for some 1911 magazines. I walked out with a surprisingly well cared for Savage 340 in .30-30.
So here's the question: when was it made?
No serial number. Nope. Nothing. Not filed off, just absent.
Drilled and tapped for a peep, but not a scope mount.
No checkering.
Sling studs.
Rear sight has a wheel to raise and lower the inadequate rear sight. I'm looking for a FP 340 even as we speak.

So, when was she born?

P

[765x53]

No serial number on a long gun means prior to 1968.
Thats all I can tell.

[Hobie]

I'll look in my box-o-FPs for a sight. Can't remember if I have one or not.

[86er]

Standard grade was made 1950-1985. Any of the variations, like deluxe, 340C, 340V, etc were made only from 1952-1960. After 60 there were no production variants. I've owned several and sold them. They were each very accurate and I found that with short, plain base bullets of 150-165gr some of the bullets were able to function properly while leaving enough case capacity to reach 2350 fps. With FP or RN bullets of 150 or 170 gr you could get the heavier bullets going right at 2400 fps without issues and the 150's could get another 75 fps on that.

[Pete44ru]

If you inspect the bottom of the barrel/receiver, 'chances are you'll find the circled Savage Letter Date Code, denoting the DOM.

Savage started marking all their firearms in 1949 (with "A"), up to 1970 (with "X"), shipping the letters "I", "O", & "Q" , IIRC.

.

[Booger Bill]

I bought a nice used one back in the late 50s and gave it to my mother for deer hunting. After my folks died I took it and other guns back to california. My safe was full and I left those guns out. Soon as I got back my truck was stolen along with a revolver I had hidden. It tipped them off I was a gun person. I was watched, and burglared. I lost all the family guns I had brought back from wisconsin. That gun I was going to play with because you can shoot spitzers in it etc. They are a fine cheap gun. (or was).

[Huntermb]

I had a couple over the years, ugly, yet they sure seem to shoot well and never malfunctioned for me once.

[buckeyeshooter]

I have an uncle who bought one in the 50's. I can't even tell you how many deer he has shot with it. Probably a rail car full. If I ever see a nice one-- I'd buy it!

[Thunder50]

I have three, one of which I had JES reboring convert to 38-55. Haven't done much with them, but last fall, took out the 223 I had bought and that cheap old thing went under an inch with some Hornady Vmax bullets and just a random powder charge I pulled out of the book.

The one time I took out the 30-30, with WW 170's, same thing, under an inch.

They will shoot. They have heated up quickly ( after about 8 shots) and then start to wander a bit. Pace your shots and you will be rewarded.

[damienph]

I have three, one of which I had JES reboring convert to 38-55. Haven't done much with them, but last fall, took out the 223 I had bought and that cheap old thing went under an inch with some Hornady Vmax bullets and just a random powder charge I pulled out of the book.

The one time I took out the 30-30, with WW 170's, same thing, under an inch.

They will shoot. They mine have heated up quickly and then start to wander a bit. Pace your shots and you will be rewarded.

My 340 Series E, in .223, will easily shoot under an inch, the problem is the heavy trigger. I believe it would shoot 1/2" if it had a trigger like the accu-triggers. The 340s are very accurate rifles.

[O.S.O.K.]

The holes on the side are for a scope mount - there's a special side-mount, centered scope mount for them - a stampled mental clamp type - I had one for the Steven's model that I had, which is a copy of the Savage. I put a little 4x scope on it. But this was sold off several years back...

Here's some information on the rifle: http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_in ... ge_340.htm

Apparently B-Square makes a mount: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=146614

[damienph]

The holes on the side are for a scope mount - there's a special side-mount, centered scope mount for them - a stampled mental clamp type - I had one for the Steven's model that I had, which is a copy of the Savage. I put a little 4x scope on it. But this was sold off several years back...

Here's some information on the rifle: http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_in ... ge_340.htm

Apparently B-Square makes a mount: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=146614

I don't know if it is still available but Weaver made a mount also. The Weaver is what I have on my .223.

The stamped steel mount works ok, but it really looks flimsy. Some of the early receivers were tapped for a receiver sight. My Series E isn't but my older .222 Model 340C is.

[Remington40x]

That wheel adjustable rear sight suggests its an older one, not one of the later ones. 1950s would be my guess. If I'm correct, the screw holes in the receiver are for a peep sight, not for the side mount scope base.

I have one from that era, actually a 325, as it has a 22" or 24" barrel (can't remember which, but it's longer than the carbine length barrel), plus two I bought for my twins, one 340 and one Stevens 840, both of which have 20" barrels. All three shoot very well for an inexpensive deer rifle. I hunt regularly with mine, even though I own a few other, what most would consider better, deer rifles, because it's light, low recoil and easy to carry. I did put a lace-on leather cheekpiece on mine to get the comb raised so I don't have to monkey with it align my eye to the sight.