Savage Sporters

[Retired W4]

I recently picked up a 23C (32-20) to go with my 22LR 23A. Then, as luck would have it, my gun show partner comes over with a 23D (22 Hornet). These guns are incredibly simple with the barrel and receiver as one piece of metal. I already had my 23C apart for cleaning and prepared for a stock refinish as I did with my 22LR. We took notice of how much heavier the high pressure 22 Hornet version is. My little 23A functions perfectly and I can't wait to get the other two up and running for a shoot out.

Anyone here have experience with the center fire Sporters?

 

[Bruce51]

I have a Sporter in 25-20 and have found it to be a nice shooting rifle.

Finding a good load was very interesting.

I tried over forty different reloads and found that 12 grains of IMR 4198 gives decent accuracy with both 60 and 75 grain bullets.

While 2400 loads were ok the rifle did not like AA#9. Also POI varied a lot with loads that were only one tenth of a grain different.

The 85 grain lead bullets were a no go probably due to the one in fourteen twist rate.

I read here recently that 32-20 cases were available again if you need to stock up.

Bruce

 

[Retired W4]

I do not reload myself but I have a good friend who loads for me. He currently has some 32 Colt for my Marlin 1891 ready. I will be looking for the 32-20 brass. I'm sure you know... 25-20 uses the same magazine as 32-20 in the Savage. An OGCA buddy picked up a very nice mag for me at the last show/meeting. They are very hard to find.

 

[erikpolcrack]

I have a 22LR, a 22 Hornet, a 25-20, and a 32-20. Love all my old Savages.

 

[dwh]

I have 23c 32-20 I acquired about a year ago. It came with a box of 100gr Remington express ammo, which wouldn’t hold a shotgun pattern. It’s quite accurate with both cast and jacketed bullets. I did mount a 4x weaver on it by making a slight modification to a weaver scope mount. A weaver mount for a browning sa-22 needs one of the mounting holes opened to take a 10-32 machine screw. Good luck finding a load and enjoy.

 

[erikpolcrack]

I have 23c 32-20 I acquired about a year ago. It came with a box of 100gr Remington express ammo, which wouldn’t hold a shotgun pattern. It’s quite accurate with both cast and jacketed bullets. I did mount a 4x weaver on it by making a slight modification to a weaver scope mount. A weaver mount for a browning bsa needs one of the mounting holes opened to take a 10-32 machine screw. Good luck finding a load and enjoy.

I'd like to try the same mount. What is a Browning BSA?

 

[dwh]

I meant to type sa-22.

 

[Bruce51]

Mine came with the original magazine which I see one listed on Gunbroker at $149.95. Wow!

I think that is half the value of the entire rifle!

It is not a great mag but it works well with the 60 grain Hornady sp.

My load development goal was to get the same POI with 60 and 75 grain bullets. IMR 4198 made that possible so I will stick to that powder.

Has anyone tried 4227 as I have not and still need to give it a try.

I had a nice 4x Weaver on until a mishap lead to loss of zero.

Replaced it with a Vortex 3X9 BDC but it shot just as well with the Weaver.

The Savage has such a long thick barrel it is almost impossible to overheat with repeated firings.

Enjoy having such a fine rifle in the accumulation and amazed more shooters have not caught on to how good and reasonable it is to own one.

Bruce

 

[growr]

Does a Savage 1920 Sporter in .250-3000 count?

Randy

 

[tinstarfirearms]

I have a Savage 23B in .25-20 as well and it is so very accurate up to 75 yards with iron sights. I shoot the 85 grain lead bullet from Meister over 5.0grains of Unique with good results. I bought an original magazine hoping it would help my rifle actually be a repeater rather than an on again, off again single shot but it is not better than the Triple-K style magazine that came with it. Numrich has quite a few good parts if needed.

Andrew

 

[Bruce51]

Does a Savage 1920 Sporter in .250-3000 count?

Randy

Interesting. I didn't think that the action would handle .250-3000 due to its lack of forward bolt locking lugs.

Is the bolt really that solid?

Bruce

 

[Retired W4]

I believe the Model 40 Sporter was the first of that type chambered in .250-300 (1928). I might be wrong but the 1899 .250-3000 was a different design. I only know for sure, the 23D/22 Hornet is much heavier and does have locking lugs, unlike the 22LR/25-20/32-20.

 

[TLflag]

Model 20

Not only does my Model 20 in .250-3000 shoot well, but it also has a threaded barrel with a cover cap. Sure wish this gun could talk and tell me where it's been and why !

 

[Retired W4]

Here is my 23A. I know everyone likes pictures. I'll get the 23C up after I put it back together.

 

[Bruce51]

Darn you enablers! I have a set of 250-3000 dies and no rifle.

Might has well dangle a carrot on a stick as tell me the model 20 and 40 can be had in that caliber.

I can't find one today but I'm looking now.

As always I learn a lot here and enjoy the show and tell.

Bruce