A few questions on a Sav 340c .222

[Black_Wolf]

I recently purchased an old 340c .222 bolt action. After some research at the Sav99 website all i could find out was that model was removed from the catalogs in 1964.  
My first question is what year did Savage start making this model?
 
Also, I saw a post here from a member that has a 340b model also in .222, so my second question is what is the difference between the 340b and the 340c?
 
My last question is why my rifle has no serial number or markings to indicate that its a Savage? The dealer told me it was a Savage and that it was at least 40 years old, so thats how i knew what it was. Thanks in advance.

[EVOC ONE]

I have my eye on a Savage 340 .222 Series E at a local gun shop.  It appears to have a walnut stock with nice checkering and deep bluing.  I've seen a few 340's over the years and none looked as "high dollar" as this one.

Checking the Blue Book, there really isn't much info other than listing the .222 under the general 340 listing.  The shop wants $325 for it, but the owner has indicated he would come down, I'm just not sure he'll come down enough.  I believe the Blue Book lists the 340 as $225 NIB, but they don't specify many specific models.

If $325 is in the ball park, I would probably pay what he is willing to drop the price to.

Any help?

Thanks much.

EVOC ONE

[Black_Wolf]

Hi EVOC ONE
 
I did some more research and found that differences between the b c d v models are slight and are variances in trigger guards, slightly different bolts and stuff like that. There wasnt much in print about the Series E that i could find but i did come accross two for sale and viewed the pics. Both were 30-30 cal and nice looking guns. I would try to talk that guy down to $280 and see if he bites and snag that gun up. I paid $294 for mine after taxes but it came with an old Weaver K6 and matching scope side mount. It has beautiful walnut furniture, but not checkered, the original clip and is a tight excellent condition  shooter. If you buy that series E post a pic of it, i would like to see it.

[Black_Wolf]

Hi EVOC ONE
 
I did some more research and found that differences between the b c d v models are slight and are variances in trigger guards, slightly different bolts and stuff like that. There wasnt much in print about the Series E that i could find but i did come accross two for sale and viewed the pics. Both were 30-30 cal and nice looking guns. I would try to talk that guy down to $280 and see if he bites and snag that gun up. I paid $294 for mine after taxes but it came with an old Weaver K6 and matching scope side mount. It has beautiful walnut furniture, but not checkered, the original clip and is a tight excellent condition  shooter. If you buy that series E post a pic of it, i would like to see it.

[EVOC ONE]

Hello Black_Wolf.

Thanks for the info.  Maybe the $300 range is not out of the ordinary.  He also has three other 340 series rifle, each in .30-30.  One or two have scopes and one even has a "butter knife" style bolt handle.  One of them is a Stevens Mod 325, but looks like a 340.  All are between $225 and $325.

I'm a regular customer and he always works with me on the prices.  I suspect he will come down to $300.  I let you know.

As for the pictures,  I still don't own a digital camera, but my daughter does, so I'll see if she can post a picture, if I get it.

Thanks again.

EVOC ONE

[Black_Wolf]

I hate when the boards do that.

The 340's are modeled after the Stevens 325 which is the original rifle of that style.

The $300 range must be the going rate because all of the 340's i ran across while searching (about 6 or 7 of them) were right around that price range
 
Still have not come up with any time lines on when Savage introduced the 340, but i will keep looking. I would like to know appx when mine was made. The dealer felt that it could be from the 50's but could not be positive.
 
Know what you mean about the digital cam, i need to get one myself.

[bob helget]

I bought a Savage 340C in a 30-30 cal at a garage sale for $150.  I bought it for my 13 year old son for deer hunting.  I am really pleased with this gun.  It shoots really nice, smooth trigger, I hand load 150 grain spire points, so far two shots, two deer, the last one at 90 yards open sites.  I would defnitely not hesitate buying another one.

[PEPAW]

I have the same .222 and it was the best rifle purchase I ever made.   I paid about $175 for it in the mid 80's, had the stock shortened and  the barrel trimmed and recrowned.  It has been a super "training" gun for my family and several of my friend's children.
It is a very accurate and easy shooting rifle.   I plan on keeping it although my crew has outgrown it because it is so good for practice and varmits.   I may add on to the stock someday unless I meet someone who has a little hunter who needs it for their first rifle.
Most of the ones I have seen were 30-30's and feel lucky to have found a .222 on a rack in S. TX.  

pepaw

[Black_Wolf]

Bob. I agree i love the hell out of mine and would not hesitate getting another as i would like to get some in different calibers.
 
Pepaw. Yep, i would keep it also. Mine is bone stock with no mods, but i would like to have it checkered, just dont know if i will because its all original and in such excellent shape. I saw a stock for one on ebay not too long ago and parts are still readily available for them if you ever want to restore it back the way it was.
 
Is there serial numbers or makers marks on any of you two fellas rifles?

[Snowshoe]

We have 1 Savage 340 and 1 Stevens 325 both in .30-30. one has a peep sight, and other wears a scope. They are fine shooting rifles and a lot more than an ordinary .30-30 with pointed bullets loaded. They also come in .225 Winchester, and I would like to find one of those.

[Black_Wolf]

Yep, since i first posted this i picked up a real old Sav340 in 30-30. The old guy i got it from said his father bought it in the 40's, but i'm not too sure on that as i dont think they were made that early, but i could be wrong. It's not tapped for a scope and has its original sites and other than some dings in the wood its in very good shape and tight. The bore is like a mirror and i'm looking forward to shooting it. Its good to see that others have a fondness for these rifles as i do. .225 Win huh? I did not know that? If i run accross one i will give you a heads up on it. Do you know the complete caliber line for the the 340's?

[uncle joe]

Gun List's 2006 Catalog says the gun was made from 1950 -1985
and came chambered for 22 hornet - 222 Rem. - 223 - and 30.30
I just got one today in 30-30 98% even has the orig. leather sling, and front and rear Dockendorf sights. An old timer at the shop I bought it at said he knew the original owner and he bought it new in 1954. He knew all this because the previous owner was a hunting companion of his and he brought it to the shop to sell after his friend passed away. I always wonder about the orrigin and history of an older gun when I get it, kinda nice to know it for a change. I plan to put either a Lyman or Williams peep
on it since it comes from the factory ready to accept one, that and because I've gotten to the age of "CSS" (can't see s*#@)

[uncle joe]

I just checked with Numrich Gun Parts and they list the magazine as fitting the 30-30 and 225 so it must have been chambered in that cal. This was a listing for "early models".

[Black_Wolf]

I thought i was right about the 340's being later than the 1940's Thanks for confirming it.  
 
Congratulations. Sounds like ya got a nice old rifle and that is really cool that you know its history to boot. I also wonder of the history, the past owners and the hunting seasons long past that the gun has seen when i purchase a used rifle too. Wish i could find out the history of my .222, but, oh well.
 
.22 Hornet and .223 huh?. Hmmm, i'm going to have to keep a lookout for those two as i would like to have both of them, esp the Hornet!  
 
Post a pic of your new shooter if you wouldnt mind as i would like to see it and compare the gun to my 30-30 and see if they are around the same age.
 
Thanks again for info.

[hunman55]

:grin: Guys, I didn't scroll down far enough to see this post. Much good info. Seems I got a good deal. Can't turn down a Savage 340 for $42. Hunman55

[Black_Wolf]

Wow! For $42 you got a good deal! Like i said in one of my earlier posts, you can still gets stocks for the 340s if yours is beyond fixing. Numrich has them i think and there is a Savage parts place that might have them too. Look around at different places for the clips as i have seen them on a few sites and they were priced lower. Good luck with your new shooter.    

[MGMorden]

Wow! For $42 you got a good deal! Like i said in one of my earlier posts, you can still gets stocks for the 340s if yours is beyond fixing. Numrich has them i think and there is a Savage parts place that might have them too. Look around at different places for the clips as i have seen them on a few sites and they were priced lower. Good luck with your new shooter.    

Richards will also inlet any of their stocks for the 340, and Boyd's makes a stock identical in style to the original.  Prices run about $60 IIRC.

Of course, IMHO, unless there are actual cracks and such in the stock, it's rare that one is beyond saving.  You'd be surprised what some sandpaper and a $3 bottle of Tru-oil can do :wink:.