Stevens 325A (Savage 340) bolt-action 30/30

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have owned five 340's in 22 Hornet, My current Hornet shoots 1/4" or smaller groups @ 100 yards with Hornady 35 grain ammo! The rifle has a reworked Black Walnut stock with a Schnable fore end.

I had one 340 in 30-30, best I could get it to shoot was with Remington 55 grain Accelerators 5/8" at 100 yards.

I was visiting a friend's house and they had a Ram Silhouette about 14" tall set at 50 yards. I shot at it 3 times and thought I had missed, when we walked to it, it had 3 holes in it in a nice little group! That was the first 340 in Hornet I owned. In the 70' & 80's it became hard to find ammo that shot well. If you could find the Canadian Air Force survival ammo you did good! But FMJ was unimpressive on varmints. Then Hornady brought out The 35 grain V-Max at 3100 fps, I would order 100 or 200 rounds in the same lot # a year. (turns out, the first 3 years was all the same lot!)

The Hornady brass was extremely consistent at the beginning, but like everyone else the machinery wore out and the ammo became junk. Before the Rona Pandemic started, Midway was carrying Nosler Ammo and Brass. I bought a bag of 250 "Needs Prepped" brass. After full Length sizing, I trimmed it to length, uniformed the flash hole (Not necessary) and uniformed the primer pocket (also not necessary) then I weighed every case on my digital scale. ALL 250 weighed the exact same to the accuracy of the scale (1/10th grain) The brass from the flash hole and primer pocket uniforming was just a few flakes smaller than talcum powder! I had also bought a box of 100 "Ready to Load" brass. It weighed the exact same as the finished "Prepped" brass.

I had a Stainless Anschutz model 54 with a bull barrel (one of only 5) the current Savage 340 (has no Serial number so it was made in the 50's) shoots groups much smaller! So, I sold the Anschutz, and the 340 will be the last rifle I will own, and It'll most likely be willed to my oldest grandson. I used H4227 powder with the 46 grain bullets and AA1680 with the 35 V-Max along with Rem 6 1/2 primers.

I have 3-9 40mm Simmons "Big Eye" scope on it, so far furthest groundhog has been 247 yards (Lazer ranged) right in the noggin!

Ivan

 

[mtgianni]

I have owned a couple and currently have one in 222. The smaller bores generally have the better wood.
This guy has some good ideas if yours ever need repair.
Gunsmithing the Savage Model 340

 

[ruger 22]

My brother had one in 30-30 along with his Model 94. While it did not have the looks appeal of the 94 it was much easier to shoot and handle than the 94. One he got it the 94 went into the closet.
Having shot both I would much prefer the Savage.

 

[Gene L]

Had one in .22 Hornet. About an inch and a half with a problematical trigger which couldn't be improved on, according to someone who knows. Ugly little rifle. The LGS has a .30-30 in top condition but he wants too much for it and I certainly don't need another .30-30.

 

[DWalt]

I just remembered a story from many years ago about my .222 Model 340. At the time, I was reloading with a Lyman Tru-Line Jr. turret press (which I still have). It used special small diameter dies. Back when I began loading the .222, I got a case stuck in the FL die, and there was no way I could remove it. Not enough case lube, I guess. In the process, I managed to destroy the FL die. No internet back then, so I wrote a letter to Lyman to see if they would sell me a new FL die and asked how much it was. A week or two later, a new die arrived in the mail, no charge. That's service. I probably still have that .222 TLJ die set hidden away somewhere, but if so I have no idea where. The 340 was the only .222 rifle I ever owned, so I really do not need a die set.

"About an inch and a half with a problematical trigger which couldn't be improved on, according to someone who knows."

As I mentioned earlier, I did a trigger job to improve the pull on my 340. I don't remember it as being particularly difficult, but after 50+ years, maybe I forgot that part.

 

[Drm50]

I’m surprised nobody mentioned having a 340 in 225 Win. I had one and is only one that was lousy shooter. I saw one at a show couple years ago tagged at almost $600.

 

[rufgr]

I have a 340 that started life as a 30-30 but i purchased a 375 H&H barrel on e-bay , cut the chamber off and rechambered in 38-55. This was a fun project that resulted in a cool little rifle. I have been meaning to find a 22 caliber barrel and build a 219 zipper but other projects have gotten in the way.

 

[30-30remchester]

I refer to these type firearms as "homestead guns". Many different models and caliber but homestead guns were built to serve a distinct niche. So many ranchers and farmers weren't hunters per say but needed guns occasionally. The bolt action shotguns produced by the train loads were homestead guns. Shot 2 or 3 times a year at best. These neat little bolt action Savage/Stevens can be found in many a farmhouse. One box of cartridges could last for decades. No need to buy a Winchester Super Grade for such activity. I have owned a half dozen of these and never paid over a hundred dollars for one nor sold one for over a hundred till just a few years ago. Sold one in 22 Hornet for $225 a few years ago and thought I was cutting a fat hog.

 

[ColbyBruce]

The .225 Winchester versions are seldom encountered here, as are the Winchester 670’s chambered in .225. The few I have encountered only shot well with hand loads.

When the .204 Ruger arrived on the scene I wasn’t pleased with the accuracy of the factory loads either. Again, hand loads solved the issues.

 

[Drm50]

I have a 340 that started life as a 30-30 but i purchased a 375 H&H barrel on e-bay , cut the chamber off and rechambered in 38-55. This was a fun project that resulted in a cool little rifle. I have been meaning to find a 22 caliber barrel and build a 219 zipper but other projects have gotten in the way.

I saw article that upstate guys were using Savage 170 pump 30/30s to convert to 375 Win. This was about 5 yrs back when Ohio 1st got limited rifle deer season. This was when 375W brass and ammo was scarce. They were blowing out 30/30 cases for brass. I’m not a big fan of Sav 170. They are basically rifle conversion of their pump 410 shotgun. I think a Remington 788
30/30 rebored to 375Win would be the ultimate Ohio Deer Gun.

 

[Skeet 028]

I have had 325s and 340s. Actually nice shooting little rifles for the money. My first center fire rifle was a 340 in the Hornet. I found it leaning against a barb wire fence in a fence row. Shot really well and when ya hit a groundhog...it WAS impressive. Esp to a 10 year old. My last 340 30-30 I used to make high pressure loads using 225 brass. The one locking lug was kinda problematic. case stretching and all..so I went to doing the same with a Win 54 30-30 and also a Rem 788 30-30. The old Win would shoot well but the 788 was the cat's meow. I think I had every caliber they made 'em in. The 222 was the most accurate the 225 was the worst. Heck I still have a few mags down in the vault somewhere....and a Weaver side mount and scope. I also liked the bolt handle on the 325. Sure brings back old memories

 

[drumminor2nd]

I had the Stevens in .222 as my first centerfire rifle. It was the first rifle I shot under a 1-inch group at 100 yards (just some simple handloads of H4195 and bulk 55-grain FMJs after I glass bed it and put a Weaver K4 on it). I regret selling it, but I really didn't -- and still don't -- actually need a .222.

 

[damienph]

I like the Savage/Stevens bolt action rifles.

I have a Stevens 325 in .30-30 and two Savage 340s, one chambered in .222 and one in 223.

They all have heavy triggers but are fairly accurate.

Savage 340E on left, Stevens 325 on right.
(The 340 in .222 is out on long term loan so no picture)

 

[erikpolcrack]

Have several - two 30-30s, a 222, and a 223. Great bang for the buck!

 

[DWalt]

When you come right down to it, a 340 in .30-30 would be adequate for most hunters in the lower 48. Maybe not so good for Alaska and in the Rockies.

 

[Buford57]

I still have my grandmother's 325C. My first centerfire and a nice little rifle. When spring breaks, I'll have to get out to the range with that, my wife's grandfather's 94 Winchester and the Stevens 219 I got for my son (who never used it) and have a 30-30 day.

The bolt and the single shot will be OK but I need to watch my ammo consumption with that high capacity, rapid fire Winchester.

 

[ColbyBruce]

These models were affordable

when I was in high school. I had some old catalogs so I photographed a few of the 340.

 

[Dziadzi#1]

340 Savage

I’ve had a few 340’s in .30-30 and 2 in .222. All shot well, with the .222’s shooting the best (shot a few woodchucks up to about 200 yds.). The only problem I have ever had was with one of the .222’s that wouldn’t extract. I tried some new parts, but still had the problem. The rifle was a later model with a different extractor than the .30-30’s had. If I ever come across another one that tickles my fancy, I might get I’d for the right price.

 

[mtgianni]

I’ve had a few 340’s in .30-30 and 2 in .222. All shot well, with the .222’s shooting the best (shot a few woodchucks up to about 200 yds.). The only problem I have ever had was with one of the .222’s that wouldn’t extract. I tried some new parts, but still had the problem. The rifle was a later model with a different extractor than the .30-30’s had. If I ever come across another one that tickles my fancy, I might get I’d for the right price.

I emailed Leroy, the gunsmith I posted about and he recommended a good cleaning to the extractor even if I thought it was clean. That and a brisk bolt working made mine work much better.

 

[Freischütz]

The 30/30s have a good reputation for accuracy with cast bullets.