MaY 2012 Issue - Target Shooter Magazine

The Model 10 BA is a straightforwardconcept of a bolt-action, magazine-fedrifle in the`Jack of all Trades` 308 Win.chambering. Its robust build shows greatergonomic adjustability to the end-user, behe a police sniper or long-range steel-plateor paper puncher.Savage manufacture all their rifle actions and barrelsin-house, which has led to an accuracy reputationsecond to none amongst the large US manufacturers.We start off with a 24 inch button-rifled, fluted barrelwith a 1 in 10 twist suitable for bullet weights up to200 grains. Tapering to 0.875 inches in diameter at themuzzle, the barrel supports a laterally ported muzzlebrakewith six vents to cut recoil and muzzle-jump.Working back towards the action, we find Savage’susual barrel locking-nut, which simplifies bothmanufacture and later barrel swaps. With a `go` and`no-go` gauge, a little knowledge, a Savage barrelnutspanner and a simple barrel-vice, a new barrelcan easily be fitted. I watched the barrels being fittedand headspaced in the factory and, judging by theaccurate torque settings used and careful assembly, Idon’t think the average shooter will need the strengthof a gorilla either! The delicacy with which this wasdone was delightful to see in a huge manufacturingplant which, in some locations, seemed like a stepback in to Victorian times with great plumes of smokeand gas (thankfully being drawn into vast extractionhoods).Savage’s two-lug bolt features a plunger-ejectorand sliding extractor plus that unique replaceablebolt-head, which can be swapped in minuteswithout special tools thus allowing say a 223 oreven a magnum barrel-swap. This design, althoughsomewhat of a manufacturing compromise in mymind, does allow very close tolerances on headspaceto be maintained and, although accuracy was not theintention, that floating bolt-head is likely responsiblefor the extrordinary accuracy that many Savage riflesexhibit. Target Shooter’s Laurie Holland won theUKBRA championship a couple of years ago with an‘out of the box’ Savage LRPV rifle chambered in 204Ruger, shooting several quarter MOA groups in theprocess!The Savage Model 10 BATactical Rifleby Chris ParkinNo bedding issues here, the small silver wedgelocks the recoil lug in both directions.Im not sure you would want to, but a barrellocknut spanner was provided.The matt coating on the action feels grittyand wears quickly.9