Savage 340 30-30

[seabreeze133]

Gentlemen:

Went into a pawn shop that I never go to looking for a 30-30 lever gun and the only thing they had was a Savage 340 in 30-30. Walnut stock w/no scratches. 99% blue except in the magazine area. A barrel band . Dockendorf front and rear sights, which look kinda strange. Ran a patch through it w/Hoppes and then a couple of dry patches. Came out real clean and the bore looks bright and shiney.

Best he would do was $145 + the background check. Was that a good price and could it be made to work w/cast boolits? No serial number in sight, so how do I tell the age.

Ha! EAT YER HEARTS OUT.

:o)

BTW, no idea what Dockendorf sights are.

[No_1]

That was a great deal. People don't give these little guns the credit they deserve. I have passed up a couple while looking for the perfect candidate for a conversion to 375 Win. One day I will find mine. Please post pics.

R.

[seabreeze133]

I will post pics when I figure out how.

Is the 340 a candidate for conversion to 375 Winchester? Would not do this one but u never can tell what would come up. This thing is so clean and looks as if it has not had 2 boxes shot thru it so I am not going to mess w/it.

Don




That was a great deal. People don't give these little guns the credit they deserve. I have passed up a couple while looking for the perfect candidate for a conversion to 375 Win. One day I will find mine. Please post pics.

R.

[rockrat]

I had Jesse Ocumpaugh rebore mine and rechamber it to 38-55. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. Plus, I picked up a kind of junker one, so have an extra 30-30 barrel if I want to change it.

[Ranch Dog]

I would say it was a sweet deal, the 340 was my first centerfire rifle and I wish I still had it. I want to say that the serial number is at the base of the barrel but I'm sure the two posters above know better as it has been a number of years.

[No_1]

I don't see why not. As you know the .375 win is a blown out 30-30 so to speak and the other poster has one that is bored to 38-55. I think I would get another barrel already chambered to .375 Win and save the 30-30 barrel. One of the beauties of the Savage line is th3 barrel nut which make barrel changes fairly easy. I am sure if you search / ask, you will get responses from those that are experienced with Savage barrel changes.
Here is a link to a exploded view of the rifle with a parts list. http://www.wisnersinc.com/exploded_views/Savage_340.htm

R.

[seabreeze133]

Well I have more questions now:

1 - Anybody know about Dockendorff sights? Front globe w horizontal wire and a VERY small dot. Rearsight has a SMALL half circle notch and the elevation adjustment is a wheel with markings from zero to 5. Fits in the original dovetail.

2 - There are 2 screw holes on the left side of the action. One at the bolt handle +/- and the other 1 1/4" or so to the rear.

3 - Loads; I have 311284, 309200R lee and 311041 GC off the group buy. Thinking of the RD 165 also. I have 4227, Unique, 2495, 4895, 335 and RL7 powders and am interested in a load in the 1500 fps range plus something in the 1800 + fps range for deer and Mr Pig.

Took the thing apart and there is no sign of a serial #.

There is one action screw and another screw at the forend of the stock that fits into a band.

Folks at the shop seemed to think it is a pre 68 mfg.

Don

[seabreeze133]

Well. I finally found on the Wisners site that the Dockendorff sights were at one point standard on the Stevens 325 series. They had a pic of the rear sight.

Don

[Ranch Dog]

Don,

These rifles used a "side mount" scope base. The scope was over the bore but the base was mounted on the left side of the receiver.

Parts in the drawing...
http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=089Zz340%20SERIES% 20E

[seabreeze133]

AHAA. I was hoping for that as I don't want to drill the receiver. Anyone have any idea where the base can be found and I wonder if there was a base for a peep sight like the redfield target series?

:o)


Don,

These rifles used a "side mount" scope base. The scope was over the bore but the base was mounted on the left side of the receiver.

Parts in the drawing...
http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=089Zz340%20SERIES% 20E

[seabreeze133]

It appears Weaver makes mounts and rings.

[oksmle]

seabreeze133 .... I currently have a Springfield Mod. 840 in .30-30 cal. This is the "cheap" version of what you have. The barrel is 18 1/2" & all the load data listed below is from this carbine. If you have the longer rifle the same loads should clock a little faster for you. I have made a .38/55 & a .35/30-30 from previous Mod. 340s. Works just fine. I would not attempt the .375 Win, even though mechanically it's as easy as the .38/55. It is equipped with a 2 1/2x Burris scope that is probably decades older than the carbine. BTW, I purchased the carbine in 1983 for $25.00 in front of a Pawn Shop after the Pawnbroker refused to give him anything for it due to a broken stock. Then I traded a Beagle puppy for the scope & mounts to a "best friend" & enjoyed training & hunting with the Beagle for the next 15 years. But that's another story. Here's a mess of loads. Be aware of the #311284 when it comes to OAL. The magazine in my carbine is such that I have to adhere to the 2.55"OAL. This means the GC is sticking below the shoulder when loaded. Dosen't hurt a thing. You might get away with a bit longer. I eventually modified the #311284 to a top pour mold, & while doing so I made the cutoff sprue into the size metplate that would allow me to seat the boolet out a bit. The rest of the loads present no problem.
Remington cases dedicated to this firearm. Fireformed & neck sized only. Remington LR Primers. Boolits are straight WW.

1. #311284 (unmodified) 210.0 grs. 33.0 grs IMR 4350 - 1786 fps.
2. #311284 (modified) 200.0 grs. 33.0 grs IMR 4350 - 1802 fps.
3. #310195 Old West 195.0 grs. 34.0 grs IMR 4350 - 1871 fps.
4. #313492 (wadcutter) 93.0 grs. 4.6 grs Unique - never cron. this load. 5 shots in one ragged hole at 25 yards.
5. #311291 185.0 grs. 33.0 grs IMR 4350 - 1818 fps.
6. #311291 185.0 grs. 33.0 grs IMR 4831 - 1727 fps.
7. #311291 185.0 grs. 34.0 grs IMR 4831 - 1825 fps.
oksmle

[seabreeze133]

Thank u this will be a big help.

I probably wont change this gun at all as it is really too nice. But if I run across another in good condition, it could become a 38/55.

Don




seabreeze133 .... I currently have a Springfield Mod. 840 in .30-30 cal. This is the "cheap" version of what you have. The barrel is 18 1/2" & all the load data listed below is from this carbine. If you have the longer rifle the same loads should clock a little faster for you. I have made a .38/55 & a .35/30-30 from previous Mod. 340s. Works just fine. I would not attempt the .375 Win, even though mechanically it's as easy as the .38/55. It is equipped with a 2 1/2x Burris scope that is probably decades older than the carbine. BTW, I purchased the carbine in 1983 for $25.00 in front of a Pawn Shop after the Pawnbroker refused to give him anything for it due to a broken stock. Then I traded a Beagle puppy for the scope & mounts to a "best friend" & enjoyed training & hunting with the Beagle for the next 15 years. But that's another story. Here's a mess of loads. Be aware of the #311284 when it comes to OAL. The magazine in my carbine is such that I have to adhere to the 2.55"OAL. This means the GC is sticking below the shoulder when loaded. Dosen't hurt a thing. You might get away with a bit longer. I eventually modified the #311284 to a top pour mold, & while doing so I made the cutoff sprue into the size metplate that would allow me to seat the boolet out a bit. The rest of the loads present no problem.
Remington cases dedicated to this firearm. Fireformed & neck sized only. Remington LR Primers. Boolits are straight WW.

1. #311284 (unmodified) 210.0 grs. 33.0 grs IMR 4350 - 1786 fps.
2. #311284 (modified) 200.0 grs. 33.0 grs IMR 4350 - 1802 fps.
3. #310195 Old West 195.0 grs. 34.0 grs IMR 4350 - 1871 fps.
4. #313492 (wadcutter) 93.0 grs. 4.6 grs Unique - never cron. this load. 5 shots in one ragged hole at 25 yards.
5. #311291 185.0 grs. 33.0 grs IMR 4350 - 1818 fps.
6. #311291 185.0 grs. 33.0 grs IMR 4831 - 1727 fps.
7. #311291 185.0 grs. 34.0 grs IMR 4831 - 1825 fps.
oksmle

[HeavyMetal]

I have several 340/840 rifles. 22 hornet, 222 and 30-30. Nice guns! There was also arifle chambered for the rare 225 winchester. Am kinda looking for one but won't pay the price I've seen on gun broker!

Reason for this post: Yes the 340 series gun uses a Barrel nut to hold on the barrel unfortunately it is a smaller size than the Savage 110/112 series guns!

I have never seen a barrel nut wrench for sale for the 340 series guns, the 840 I had actually used a spanner wrench, and would be interested in one if it were to surface.

I will suggest that you keep an eye peeled for one as well if your planning on doing any 340 re barreling.

I was actually thinking of a 340 in 30-30 converted to 7-30 Waters with a 24 inch mid weight barrel and, with right twist for light boolits, this could ber a great varmint / deer gun!

[seabreeze133]

Well now Numrich Arms has the base and rings and the photo looks as it is the factory stuff. $20.10. Ordered the scope mount and rings along w/a spare magazine. Supposed to be in mid next week.

If I find the time to load, I plan to try the 3 molds I have plus Nosler 125 BT and will report back............if it shoots. :o) Otherwise ...real quiet on this end. Course quiet may mean I am having to work.

[Buckshot]

..............You might consider this as a means to unscrew the barrel nut on the 340 series rifles. Try some box end wrenches until you find one that will barely fit over the nut. Heat the end of the wrench to a medium red and hold it there for a couple minutes. Hang the wrench from a wire with the hot end down inside an empty 303 size can, or bury the end in dry ashes or sand. In a couple hours it will be ready to drill and tap for a setscrew.

Wrap a piece of brass strip (from the hobby shop or shim stock) around the nut and then fit the box end over the brass. Run the setscrew down until good and tight.

.................Buckshot

[Hang Fire]

I recently picked up a Stevens 325C in 30-30, it has the flat butter knife bolt handle, is not drilled and tapped for scope, so will be installing a Williams FP340 receiver aperture sight on it. It is in great shape with perfect bore, I could not abide the varnished light blond beech stock so redid it, also gas bedded the recoil lug as the rather thin wood web has a propensity for cracking.

Savage only mfg the Stevens 325 series (A, B, C, have read there was an S) for 3 years from 1947-50, then Savage stamped it as the 340 series (and sold under various other labels) until 1984. Remington incorporated many features of the 325-340 into their model 788, and later the 700.

I really like the 325 and 340, they are not pretentious, just rock solid little hunting rifles, in 30-30 with cast boolits, this 325 is tack driver. But it will not be mine for long, the wife paid for it and after shooting it, she now says it is hers, as it fits her better than any rifle she has ever shot.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/TANSTAAFL-2/P1010005-2.jpg

[HeavyMetal]

I really like that butter knife bolt!

Did some looking around late last year and came up with two that I could put on my 22 hornet and the 222. These bolts clear a 3x9 scope much better than the originals!

In case your wondering the bolt is made in several sections so all I had to do was pull it apart and switch out the bolt handle itself, never affected the headspace.

[Newtire]

I have the 325 model with the butter knife bolt too. It's a little hard to work compared to a big old bolt on other CF rifles but looks cool.

The thing with unscrewing the barrel is like this. Find a steel rod that matches the contour of the nut flutes and cut pieces to fit into each flute. Then wrap a hose clamp around this and use a pipe wrench on the hose clamp. I heard of this either on this site or somewhere and it works well.

[Kraschenbirn]

Range Report:

Picked up a Lyman 311466 (160 gr Loverin GC) mould not too long ago and finally got around to test firing a few loads in my 340 30-30 this afternoon. Got what I felt were reasonable results with both 17.5 gr 2400 and 24 gr. IMR4198...2" (+/-) @ 100 yds but last load was a real eye-opener.

19.0 gr AA5744 put first five rounds into just under an inch which is just about what I get with CBs in my McGowan-barreled M700. Second group printed just a hair over an inch so I switched to clean target and fired the rest of the batch...10 rounds into 1.10! Didn't have the chrono set up but POI was about the same as the 4198 loads so I'm guessing that the velocity is around 1600 fps. Gonna load another batch with the same charge and see what it does @ 200 yds...and chrono a few at the same time. Should have further results some time next week but looks like I've got me a pretty fair gopher gun.

Bill

[seabreeze133]

Well I got to the range today w/the 340 30-30and a sporterized 1903A3.

The 340 did reasonably w/the Lee 200 cast boolit and 13 gr H4227. 311041 (old) and 311284 were less than i expected. Need to up the 340 loads w/the Lee boolit and see what happens.

The springfield did pretty good w/the Lee 200. RL7, 0.311, wlr primers, teflon tape lube and LC Match brass. Started at 24 gr and went to 25.5 in 1/2 gr increments. Groups tightened up as the load increased w/the best at 5 in 0.95. all at 50 yds. Redfield rear sight and a sourdough front w/brass insert. Stock A3 bbl cut behind the front sight and a good crown. I will try up to 26 gr RL7 and then take the best load and play w/seating depth and match prep the brass.

No leading. No chronograph so no idea of velocity.

Am looking for a base that will fit the existing hole spacing to mount a Lyman globe front on the Springfield. Champions choice may have what I need. I could be REALLY happy w/ 1.5 to 2" 5 shot groups at 100.

Next step for the 340, in addition to slightly hotter loads, will be a FP340TK rear as the std rear sight is a little rough on the old eyes.

Any idea of a velocity range that i am in would be appreciated. This should be a good Bambi load.

Cheers

Don

[Newtire]

Seabreeze,

Keep us posted on the 30-06 loads with that 200 gr. Lee. I used 25.5 gr. RX-7 to shoot the nmost accurate load I have ever shot in a cast boolit load with a Springfield and the Lyman 311290. I think that 25.5 gr. was what the Lee dipper threw that I was using at that time.

I use that powder up to 30.0 gr. with the RCBS 165 sil. also and get outstanding accuracy in my FN Mauser.

[Hang Fire]

I ordered the Williams FP340 aperture sight for the Stevens 325 from Kittery Trading Post for 63 bucks and free shipping, best price I could find.

[KCSO]

Check out Shooting Times this month they had an excellent spread on the 840/340.

[krag35]

I have a savage 340 in 30-30, dad gave it to me for Christmas 1976. I shot Antelope, Mule Deer, coyotes, grouse and Elk with it until I grew up and realized that that lowly 30-30 just COULD NOT possibly kill an Elk. Anyway that was with factory Remington 150 gr. Now days it shoots Lyman's 31141 over 25 gr of IMR4895 with CCI 300 Primers. With an ancient Weaver 2.5X post scope it'll shoot less than 1" groups at 50 yds.

I wouldn't trade it for the latest anything.

[seabreeze133]

Oh there is bad news tonight. I have discovered 3 matches and am willing to part w/a Savage 340 and related stuff. PM me for details.

Don

[Bull Shoals]

I believe he means the 3-gun matches:Fire:

[Hang Fire]

Got the Williams FP340 sight in and mounted. First thing I noted was the gas shield struck the sight in low position when bolt was inserted, had to elevate the sight past the midway point for gas shield clearance. Had fears which were confirmed when I went to bore sight the rifle, with the current OEM front sight, looks like the rifle is going to be hitting high, as in quite high.

I have question for others whom have installed the Williams FP340 on their Savage 340 or Stevens 325. Did you encounter this problem, did you install a new front sight, if so, how high? The current front ramp and blade on my 325-C is the one piece type (no dovetail) and attached to barrel with two screws. As I understad it, later models utilized a dovetailed ramp.

[seabreeze133]

Hmmmm stoopid computer, leavin out the "gun".




I believe he means the 3-gun matches:Fire:

[Molly]

Dunno if you guys would all be interested, but on the chance that one or two of you might be, I thought I'd mention that there was an article entitled "Turpentining the 30-30" that was written around the Sav. 340 rifle in 30-30. Sometime after 1985 or so, as I recall. A quick dig through my back issues hasn't turned it up, but it's there! Anyone got an Index?
Molly

[MT Gianni]

I'd be interested Molly. What magazine do you need the index to? Gianni

[Molly]

I'd be interested Molly. What magazine do you need the index to? Gianni

OK Gianni,

Since someone wants to know, I dug into my old Handloader Magazines a little deeper. Here's some citations that you'll like to read:

1. Issue 19, (May-June 1969), page 40: "30-30 Bolt Action Handloads"
(This for the 30-30 in the Remington M. 788)
2. Issue 63 (Sept - Oct, 1976), page 38: "Cast Bullet Accuracy with a Bolt Action 30-30" (Also for the Rem M. 788)

I found a whole bunch of 30-30 articles in the Handloader Indexes, but no trace of the 'Turpentining the 30-30' article that was written around the Sav 340.

A-HAH! Found it! Take a look here:

Handloaders Digest 4th Edition
"Turpentining the .30-30 "
by H.V. Stent

Molly

[gnoahhh]

Here's how to date a Savage (and I don't mean dinner and a movie!): Starting in 1949 Savage started putting a date code on all of their guns. It consists of a letter and one or two digits stamped inside an oval. On Savage 99's it's found on the front of the lever boss (hence the term "lever boss code" used among 99 collectors). On the 340 it's typically located on the barrel just forward of the reciever. On other Savage models you must look for it, but it's there. They did this from '49 through the 60's- don't know for sure when , if ever, they stopped. Even on Savages with serial numbers the "code" stamp is the only way to tell for sure a gun's year of manufacture. (NOTE: don't mistake the "SP" in an oval for the code stamp. It is the Savage proof mark. They're about the same size: about 1/8" diameter.)

1949= A(followed by a number)
1950= B "
1951= C "
1952= D "
1953= E "
Etc. - you get the idea

My 340 came to me from my late father. In 1956, at a fire sale in a local gunshop, he had a choice between this 340, in .30/30, new, for $40 or a Model 70 .30/06, new, for $60. Both had a little water damage on the butts from the fire that you couldn't hardly see. I was 3 at the time, and got the story from him years later. Anyway, he bought the Savage because $60 was exactly all he could afford- and if he spent it on the Winchester, he wouldn't have any money left over for ammo! ( I still have the original 3 boxes of shells he bought with the gun- empty and dogeared, but priceless to me.) It remained his primary deer rifle long after he acquired more "stylish" guns.

Lots of rifles passed through both of our hands in the last 50+ years, but that little 340 will always have a home with me. Even though it is scary accurate I don't shoot it much anymore-usually only when I need a nostalgia fix when thinking about my Pop.

[Molly]

I need to buy a set of 1" Weaver sidemount detachable rings (high style) for a Savage 340.

I'd also like to see if I could use Weaver 1" Long (and/or maybe short) sidemounted rings too. These are not the same thing as above. They have a set of rings integral to a side mount plate. These would be for possible use on a 310 Cadet Martini rifle. Any comments or advice would be appreciated here.

Here are links that illustrate what I'm looking for:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=119028

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=272671

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=340963

Before I order anything on-line, I figured I would check and see if anybody has a set I could use that was laying around unneeded.

Molly

[seabreeze133]

Gentlemen

After reviewing thr shipping rules of UPS and USPS, I am not willing to sell firearms to out of state addresses. So my original intent to sell only to be picked up in Henderson stands.

Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

Don

[Trav]

Thanks for your post with the diagram Ranch Dog (Couldn't have done it without it). Just a note though for anyone else using the diagram to re-assemble there "trigger assembly". When installing part (31) into part (33) it has to go into the bottom hole on the diagram not the top (picture is kind of makes it look like it goes into the top hole)

[Trav]

How do I remove the rear sight on a Stevens 30-30 model 325c? I don't want to ruin it (Need to put it back on) Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[bruce drake]

1. Apply duct tape to the sides of the barrel. Ensure you don't wrap the tape over the sights dovetail. That defeat the purpose of the rest of the text. :) This to prevent scratching the barrel.
2. take a small piece of metal bar stock or wood shim and lay it on the side of the barrel.
3. Pick up a small C-Clamp and put the top of the clamp against the shim and the rotating screw head against the rear sight.
4. Rotate the clamp's screw head to where it slowly pushes the rear sight out of the dovetail notch.
5. This should work to ease the sight out without creating any issues like peened sights or mashed dovetail slots.
6. Once the sight is out, you can remove the duct tape if you wish, although, some portions of the country consider it a easy form of camouflage. :))

Bruce

[Molly]

How do I remove the rear sight on a Stevens 30-30 model 325c? I don't want to ruin it (Need to put it back on) Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Brownells sells a small, inexpensisve and very specialized sight pusher that makes pushing them off and pushing them on a breeze. If I recall correctly, it's called a sight pusher for some odd reason. (BG)

Molly

[Hang Fire]

How do I remove the rear sight on a Stevens 30-30 model 325c? I don't want to ruin it (Need to put it back on) Any help would be greatly appreciated!

When I installed the Williams aperture, I just used a brass punch and drifted out the dovetailed rear sight and installed a 3/8" dovetail blank.

[greg gremlin]

I just picked a 340 up in Provo Utah. 30-30 walnut stock and dockendorf sight. 170 otd. The bore was excellent. Muzzle was a 1 with a garand gage. I stripped and refinished the stock. Now to cast up some boolits and see how it shoots. Ordered molds and sizer from midway. best greg [smilie=w:

[tinsmith]

I purchased an older Savage 340 in 30-30 when I moved from Indiana to Missouri. It was in like new condition. This little plain-jane rifle is made from walnut and steel. No plastics or space-age materials thank you. I fitted a receiver sight that I found on Ebay and it fit into the existing holes. This is my woods rifle and is usually loaded with my favorite cast plinking load: Lyman 311316 113 gr gas check boolit with 8.5 gr Unique. It clocks at 1535 fps. The only problem that I have found with my rifle is that every cast or jacketed load seems to group in a different place. No real issue though as I list sight correction data on the ammo box. Fine little rifle, a keeper!