Model 40

[bubo2069]

Hi all, first post here. Alittle about me: I've lurked on the H&R and T/C Contender pages. I'm really liking single shots. I currently own a Savage Steven's 30 favorite 22LR(new production) and a T/C contender in 44Mag and a 45/410 barrel. I also like Savage rifles, as I used to own a Model 12 VLP in .204 and a MKII Mako in 22LR.

But here's the questions:
I handled a Model 40 yesterday and I think I'm in love. I've wanted one since the came out but never found one for sale localy. I've also always wanted a 22 Hornet. The price is $450.00 OTD brand new. Does the price sound ok? What are the pro's and con's of this model?

How do you guys think a Leupold VX-III 4.5-14(not AO) Matte finish Duplex reticle would work on the M40? The price is $305 and some change OTD, again brand new.

Also what make of bi-pod would be best? I know Harris is top notch but what about some of the lower priced brands? It's not like the gun is some uber magnum.

I'm also not too worried about ammo costs as I handload and am going to have to gear up for the hornet, so any good recipes? what's the best in compnents? I have some Remington 55gr FMJ bullets kicking around and no gun to shoot them in, so is the 55 too much for the M40? what is the rate of twist?

I'm sure I'll be plugging in replies with more questions but this is a start right

Any and all input is most greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Scott

[bubo2069]

Forgot to say, I'll probably never go varminting as I have no where to go and no one to go with. Most of my shooting is paper punching at 25yds. But with the hornet the 50 and 100yd ranges might get some use by me

also about the Leupold, is this scope going to be alright at the shorter distances since it's lacking the AO? what about paralax?(sorry for the ignorance as I'm an iron sight guy )


Scott

[j104wd]

there are several of us on here that have model 40s due a search in the savage section. I think the scope should be fine. I shoot 40gr nos bt and the 40 gr vmax 55 grains is a little too heavy for the hornet if you are just paper punching look into the 34gr varmint nightmares(midway or midsouth cant remember) you can buy those in boxes of 500. price is higher than what I paid but I bought mine when they first came out.

[Catfish]

I reall don`t know what a good price for a new Savage is, I have 4 Savage rifles that I`ve bought in the last 5 yrs., but have bought them all used. If you were going to use the Hornet for hunting I would recomand you get a lower powered scope, but from the bench you cannot have to much power. I doubt that you will get any accuracy for the 55 gr. bullets and would recomand you try thr old 40 or 45 gr. Hornet bullets. I always shoot H-4227 in mine, but that was before they made Little Gun, eather of these powders should work well with Little Gun haveing a higher velocity which means nothing to you.

[LaOtto222]

I have a soft spot for single shot rifles also. I have a model 40. The twist is 1-14" - a little too slow for 55 grain bullets. As far as powder - try W296 or H 110 with light bullets (35 grains and under). Try some Lil'Gun with the 40 - 50 grain bullets. I have not had very good luck with it (erratic), but others have and it gets higher velocity than other powders with 40 grain bullets and above. There are other powders that work in the 22 hornet like 2400 and H4227 to name a couple. The scope you mentioned is a good one, I have a Mueller APV on mine and am satisfied with it. It costs considerably less than the Leupold - $115 shipped and has an AO, down to 10 feet if you want. But like I said the Leupold is a great scope. If you get back to the shop, work the action. On mine it was not that smooth, I have done some work on it and it is better, but still not as smooth as 2 Stevens or Remington 700 I have, for that matter a couple of rim fire bolt actions I have. I do not know if they are all like that or just mine. I say work the action and pay particular attention to the smoothness to see if it suits you. Mine feels draggy with a cartridge or not. Another thing I do not like about the model 40 is that bullets need to seated pretty far in to work through the action, so far back, they will not come close to the rifling. You can seat them out further being a single shot, but if you do not fire it and want to unload you will not be able to. The case head hits the ejector (which is fixed in the bottom of the action) and will not clear the opening. Making getting it out a real difficult time. I really like the looks and feel of the model 40 and it shoots good despite not seating the bullet out very far. Unless you need to keep the noise down, you might consider a Stevens 200 in 223. It would handle the 55 grain bullets with ease (1-9" twist rate). The stock is not as good and the finish is not as good as a model 40 either, but I think the action is better, you get as much accuracy if not more and it costs very little more to reload for than a 22 Hornet, maybe less, depending on how hot you load the Hornet. You can swap out the stock if you do not like it and have about the same amount of money in it as the model 40. Another route is a CZ in 22 Hornet - more money, but I think it a much better rifle. The only thing I do not like about the CZ's are the trigger guards - chintzy looking - functional, but just cheap looking. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[Rangr44]

The CZ-527 trigger guard webs, and the protruding magazine, are an EZ fix.
The fix also changes the style/lines of the CZ to a much more pleasing one, IMHO.

A fellow forum member, ROYB, converted my Hornet, shortening the mag, disappearing the webs, and invisibly refinishing his work.
Issue-sized mags can still be used.

http://www.rvbprecision.com/shooting/cz-527-rifle-magazine-conversion.html

Roy is a stand up guy, and does an excellent conversion - I can't recommend him highly enough - 300%, minimum.

I like the Savage 40, but since I already havahornet, I'm looking at a Savage 25 Classic Sporter (.223 or .204) - the Model 40's visual clone, but with front bolt lugs and is a repeater.

.

[ShottieMan]

Model 40 owner here also. Think I may have paid the same or a little less than that. I can't recall.

Mine is a great shooter and LOVES the Hornady 35gr. V-max loads.  I had to send it back to Savage twice tho' due to cases sticking in the chamber. I think it was more of an ammo issue than the gun however. Ever since I switched to Hornady, I've haven't had an issue.

The scope sounds good and as far as Bi-pods, I use the cheapies from Wally World. Haven't had an issue with them yet!

Let us know how ya make out! Can't go wrong with the M40 IMHO!