Savage A17 review

[wchutt]

Ok, finally got to get out to the range with the new Savage A17. I broke it down and cleaned every thing before taking it out. The way to remove the bolt is simple and allows quick access for cleaning the barrel, I like the way they designed it.

I started the break-in loading one round at a time and cleaning the barrel after each round. (Not convinced about the whole break-in thing, but that is for another thread!)
The rifle shot fine through the break in process, loading a round at a time and I quickly got a tight group at 50 yards.

I moved to 100 yards, loaded up the magazine, and started to sight it in. Here is where the problems started, it would not fire a second round.
Manually cycled and it would fire a round but not the second. It appears the bolt is fully cycling, the spent case is ejected, the new round is loaded and the bolt is full in closed, but no click when the trigger is pulled. I was using the new A17 ammo, but I did also try some Hornady 17 grain, there was no difference in operation.

I cleaned every thing and it did not help. I ended up putting 50 rounds through it as hope springs eternal but nothing changed. Also five time the magazine dropped out when the gun fired. This was not like it was blown out, I have experienced that with a 17HM2, it dropped out. The first time I assumed I had not properly seated it, but it still happen repeatedly. I stopped even really trying to sight it in, I was not striving for accuracy, I was getting pissed off and started switching ammo so I can not really give a fair review of the accuracy.

I have sent a request into Savage, my first response is to ask for my money back as it is not a semi-auto as advertised...will see what they say.

Bottom line: it is a piece of crap as it stands now. I would tell anyone who asks to avoid it like the plague. Wish I would have gotten the Alexander Arms upper right now!

Squirrel hunting on Thursday will just be with .22's...

[Occams Rasor]

Sorry to hear about your troubles with the New A17.
Here is a link to a review by 22plinkster on A17.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShK2sJ4WgYo

He did not seem to have any problems. Hopefully Savage will
make the right for you ASAP.

Best of luck

[WartHog]

That sucks that you're having issues. Subscribed to see Savage's response and what the outcome is.

[k1dude]

Man, between the BMag problems and the A17 problems, Savage is laying some rotten eggs.

[Merc1138]

Sorry to hear about your troubles with the New A17.
Here is a link to a review by 22plinkster on A17.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShK2sJ4WgYo

He did not seem to have any problems. Hopefully Savage will
make the right for you ASAP.

Best of luck

You might want to read the description for that video. It seems that this guy is honest about receiving products from the manufacturer, but not everyone on youtube is. Even with being honest about how he got the rifle, you should still take anything said with a grain of salt. It would be incredibly stupid for Savage to not verify products sent to people for review aren't functional(products are cherry picked in other industries when sending samples out for review).

[wchutt]

You might want to read the description for that video. It seems that this guy is honest about receiving products from the manufacturer, but not everyone on youtube is. Even with being honest about how he got the rifle, you should still take anything said with a grain of salt. It would be incredibly stupid for Savage to not verify products sent to people for review aren't functional(products are cherry picked in other industries when sending samples out for review).

I wonder if he will trade?

[joe47]

Sorry to hear about your troubles with the New A17.
Here is a link to a review by 22plinkster on A17.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShK2sJ4WgYo

He did not seem to have any problems. Hopefully Savage will
make the right for you ASAP.

Best of luck

The 22plinkster is doing something with a .17 HMR at 50 yds that can be done with a .22 at 50 yds. Actually I have several .22's that will do better than that at 50 yds.
If I was shooting for accuracy, regardless of caliber, I would prefer a bolt over a semi anytime. Of course, spraying lead is more fun with a semi.

[Eric Mayer]

Thanks for the update.

A few questions:

1) After cleaning it, did you grease it in the areas described in Savage's tutorial video? If you did, what type of grease/lubricant did you use? (I know of at least two people who did not and had the same issues you are describing)

2) When you put it back together, at what torque (action screws) did you attach it to the action (if you took the action out of the stock)?

3) What ammo are you using (brand, type, approx date)?

Let me know!

Thanks!

Eric

[wchutt]

Thanks for the update.

A few questions:

1) After cleaning it, did you grease it in the areas described in Savage's tutorial video? If you did, what type of grease/lubricant did you use? (I know of at least two people who did not and had the same issues you are describing)

2) When you put it back together, at what torque (action screws) did you attach it to the action (if you took the action out of the stock)?

3) What ammo are you using (brand, type, approx date)?

Let me know!

Thanks!

Eric

I did not remove it from the stock, I removed the bolt, cleaned the inside of the receiver, the bolt, and the barrel.

I used Breakfree CLP generously, I run a new gun wetter than I would regularly, I have it finger smeared wet if that makes sense, I used TW25 grease on the delay lug slot.

I tried both CCI A17 ammo, then went to Hornady 17 grain, saw no difference in function between the two. Obviously the A17 ammo was new and so was the Hornady.

[Eric Mayer]

Before you give up, I would try a couple of things. They recommend a light synthetic grease, such as M Pro7. They also have a recommended torque for the action screws, that I would also check (for the magazine issue).

If you haven't already, take a look at their video and see if changing to what they recommend, and checking your action screw, does anything to resolve your issues.

Basic Disassembly and Cleaning of the Savage Arms A17 Rifle

Let us know how that works out, if you try it.

Eric

[wchutt]

I went though every detail of disassembling and reassembling, cleaned it and lubed it again. (I used the afore mentioned produces, if it is so finicky that two of the best lubes don't work that is crazy!) I took it out today and tried agian, 10 rounds, same results... I know, Einstein's theory of insanity...
Since no reply to my email I called Savage, the customer service person was pleasant, and is sending UPS to pick it up tomorrow, will post when I hear from them.
Also talked with an acquaintance who owns a gun shop and he received one, he said his has functioned perfectly and is very accurate, on par with the Savage bolt action 17's he has. He went on to say his favorite is an Alexander Arms which is extremely accurate and out-shoots any 17 he has shot...

[Izzy43]

I went though every detail of disassembling and reassembling, cleaned it and lubed it again. (I used the afore mentioned produces, if it is so finicky that two of the best lubes don't work that is crazy!) I took it out today and tried agian, 10 rounds, same results... I know, Einstein's theory of insanity...
Since no reply to my email I called Savage, the customer service person was pleasant, and is sending UPS to pick it up tomorrow, will post when I hear from them.
Also talked with an acquaintance who owns a gun shop and he received one, he said his has functioned perfectly and is very accurate, on par with the Savage bolt action 17's he has. He went on to say his favorite is an Alexander Arms which is extremely accurate and out-shoots any 17 he has shot...

Take heart, even the most expensive firearm manufacturers occasionally turn out a lemon now and then. Even Leupold is known to create a lemon scope although not very often. Savage will make it right for you, just a pain that you have to send it back and wait.

[Eric Mayer]

Sorry to hear that you had to send it back. Hopefully, it will be a quick fix and on the way back quickly! I am on the list for Savage to send me one, so if I get it before I go back up to NE CA ground squirrel hunting, it will really get a work-out.

Let us know how it works out.

Eric

[newbie-T]

...
Since no reply to my email I called Savage, the customer service person was pleasant, and is sending UPS to pick it up tomorrow, will post when I hear from them.

You mentioned, in anther thread, that you got the rifle back from Savage. Any update on how it works now?

[wchutt]

Sorry I never got back to this...
So, got the rifle back and have been able to spend some time with it.
Pros:
Price
Accuracy for the price
Cons:
Trigger
Magazines

In my opinion the rifle shoots well for the price point. I am not a good shot, between poor eyesight and shakiness I am able to keep 5 shot groups within around an inch at 100 yards rested. Someone with a little talent could tighten that up. It will shoot minute of squirrel which is what matters to me.

The rotary magazines are a pain to load, my only other experience with rotary magazines are 10/22 magazines and the Savage seem to bind and require a lot of jiggling and force to get rounds in, they may break in with time?

The Accutrigger is simply awful. As a reference, most of my AR's have either Wilsons or CMC triggers and all my 10/22s have Volquartsen hammers. The Savage trigger has a huge amount of gritty take-up, an lot of flex, and then has a mushy break.

Bottom line, Hum. I think it was worth what I paid for it.
I hope there will be some improvement I can make to the trigger.
I know in the future I will be upgrading to an Alexander Arms upper, but I will shoot this for now.