Tuning Savage Actions Using Action Screw Torque Settings
This article originally appeared in the SAVAGE ACCURACY Blog
Stan Pate is the Captain of Savage’s National Championship F-TR Team. In this article, Stan explains how to adjust the action-screw tension on a three-screw Savage target action to achieve the best accuracy. The procedure described here can be used for any Savage action, including the two-action-screw models. However, the optimal settings for each particular rifle may vary slightly.
Match shooters need to get that extra accuracy edge from our ammunition and firearm. It is easy to get one of the Savage rifles to shoot accurately — even to match standards. If you are looking for that little bit more from your rifle, then please read a method that I have found that works for me. For those of you that are familiar with tuning a receiver (such as a match rimfire action), this article will be nothing new. For the rest of you, this might be new material. The goal here is to find the “sweet spot” for the rifle in relation to the torque settings used on the receiver screws. The proper torque settings [can vary] from rifle to rifle, but they will usually have a noticeable effect on consistent group sizes. A properly-torqued rifle will optimize the “harmonics” of the barreled action using the receiver screws so that the gun delivers peak consistency.
Here is the process I have found that works for me in tuning a Savage rifle receiver to peak accuracy. To use my process you first must already have a load that shoots accurately and consistently in your rifle, and I always use a fouled barrel like I’d be shooting in a match. This process works for me in both the model 10 (two receiver screws), and the model 12 (three receiver screws).
Seat Recoil Lug and Start with Front Action Screw(s)
On the model 12, I will first ensure that the recoil lug is seated securely against the stock by just lightly tightening up the front receiver screw then gently but firmly bumping the butt pad against the floor. Next I will tighten up the front two receiver screws to 30 inch-pounds starting at 20 inch-pounds and working up to the 30 inch-pounds in 5 inch-pound increments, and always tightening the front screw first and then the second screw. Once the front two receiver screws are torqued to the final torque setting, I will set the rear receiver screw to 5 inch-pounds and shoot a 5-shot group [to evaluate accuracy].
Increase Torque Incrementally on Rear Action Screw
After the group is shot and I am satisfied that I called all of the shots as good shots I will allow the rifle to cool off to about the temperature that the fist group was shot at. I will then add 5 inch-pounds to the rear receiver screw and shoot another five-shot group and allow the rifle to cool again. I repeat this process until I have tightened the rear receiver screw to 40 inch-pounds or have seen the groups get smaller and then start getting larger again. Once you have seen the groups decrease and then start to increase in size then you will have found the area of torque to work in. You can then can fine tune this to the exact inch-pound torque settings.
Tuning a Model 10 with Two Receiver Screws
The Savage model 10 action, which has two receiver screws, uses the same process as the three-screw model 12. Measure your group sizes and place the measurements in front of you so that you can see the bell curve showing where your best groups were achieved. NOTE — there may be a better way of doing this and if you should have one, I’d be very interested in hearing it. Good shooting and I hope to see you all on the range. – Stan Pate
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This is on the Palma rifle using the torque settings of 30 inch pounds on the front two reciever screws, and 15 inch pounds on the tang screw, it is approximately 1/2″ center to center. |
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This is my second torque setting which for this rifle and this load is the optimal setting of 30 inch pounds on the front two reciever screws and 25 inch pounds on the tang screw, this group is approximately .180″ center to center. |
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This is the third torque setting which for this rifle is moving away from the optimal torque setting towards the heavy side of the scale. This torque setting results shows that you will usually see a “bell curve” of accuracy as you move into the optimal torque setting. This group is almost .7″ and the torque setting was 40 inch pounds. |
This article was edited for length to appear in the Daily Bulletin.
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Great information! IMO, everyone who is interested in bolt action accuracy tuning should take note. I had heard of something similar that the military does when building and testing bolt actions for high accuracy applications, but I have never seen such specific information, with targets. Thanks
This is cool, and I might even try it, but I’m not sure that the variation in group size and shape shown in the examples means anything.
One group at each torque setting is not going to provide enough statistical data to draw any conclusions. Group size variation within +/- 50% of the long-term average (apparently about 0.46″ in this case) doesn’t indicate any real change in accuracy. I think you’d need 10+ groups shot at each torque setting (under identical conditions) before you could really conclude that you had “tuned” anything.
http://www.shootingsoftware.com/ftp/Perverse%20Nature%20of%20SD.pdf
This is great information. So many people are shooting Savage actions now, and I have found that the torque on the action screws, and the order they are tightened does have an affect. Free floating the tang area behind the safety is another factor that can help to eliminate fliers.
Thanks for giving the Savage action some attention as they are capable of some very affordable precision.
Thanks Stan for sharing this. Folks, it really works well. Stan and I discussed this in England and we both noted the same trend.
Makes me want to try this on my remington. Cant hurt anything.
I’m using this technique on my Kelbly Panda F-Class. It has three action bolts. Too much on the rear bolt and the groups really open up! That’s the critical bolt that needs tuning on mine.
The absolute best way to tune a Savage action is to trade it in on anything else that is not garbage!
I know a guy that tried this on his Bat action after reading this article. It had the same effect as the Savage action (it changes POI and group size). I believe this would apply to ALL ACTIONS with three screws, not just the savage.
I see by John B’s comment there are still narrow minded individuals that have not made it to Washington D.C.
John B. Just one thing for you to think about. Which rifle currently holds the 1000 yard US National Team record?
A factory Savage.
As it is a Team record, not just one Savage had to be performing superbly, but 4 of them.
Shooting ladders has always helped me to quickly home in on sweet spots with powder charges and bullet jumps. I then shoot groups to fine tune. Why not do the same with screw torque. I’m going to give it a try.
What is the make of the Torque Wrench beinging used? I can read “SEEK***” but there is some blur on the glass.
hello savage team, just wanted to ask some help with my handloads for my 12 ftr savage. i`m chargeing 47 gr reloaders 15 155 smk bullet( cod 2155) winchester brass oal 71,72 and 73mm. best group was 1 moa at 164 yards. by chargeing 150 smk same configurations best group was 0.45 moa. i would like to get 0.45 moa or better by useing 155 smk. what could you tell me ? best regards, from argentina. Javier
http://www.seekonk.com/torqstart.html
That’s a Seekonk torque wrench.
can you give me more information about torque screw? little bit confusing. ^^