Savage model 64 issues

[shda5582]

So I acquired a brand-new (seemingly) Savage model 64 rifle from Turners about a month back and just now got it out to the range to shoot it. At the same time, I bought an extra magazine that fits that exact model.

Now to the issues:

- Upon firing the rifle, 90% of the time, the bolt will not cycle automatically, forcing a manual cycle of the bolt

- Once you manually cycle the bolt, it will hang up on the cartridge itself and will not pull another off the magazine AND/OR if it does, it misses putting it into the chamber for firing, meaning you have to dump the round out and hope the next one strips off correctly.

- The ammo I was using was: Winchester .22lr hollow point, 38 grain, 1280fps.

- Noticed on the mags that the very tops of them were being very scraped down to bare metal (could be due to break-in, but seemed a lot more than that).

Is there anything internal that could be going on that is preventing proper operation? Keep in mind that this is a brand-new rifle that was never fired before yesterday.

[GrapeShot]

Search savage 64 magazine on youtube and there is a video showing where to round out some edges on the mag to alleviate some of those problems. I had some issues at first as well but I filed a bit of the mag and put a lot of rounds through it. It works great now for me

[shda5582]

Well, I guess I made a pretty dumbass move, then. Wound up buying about 1500 rounds of the hollowpoint because it was on a good deal around x-mas time, and I wanted a lot so my daughter could shoot for a long time without worrying about ammo like I do.

Don't suppose that someone here would be willing to trade the HP for round nose?

I'll take a look at the video when I get home, YT is blocked here.

And thanks for the help

[dpop67]

Where you located. If it's for your kid I can swap round nose for HP. It all shoots through our 10/22's. I'll see what we have on-hand just sold a bunch of thunderbolt this week.

[three28is]

I had this issue also on my 64. It didn't do it much after i took the sharpness off the mags a little and after a little break in period. Also take a look at the breach face of the barrel, the ramp sucks. Very lightly round the edge of the bottom part of the chamber opening. The hollow points like to get stuck on that face.

[shda5582]

Where you located. If it's for your kid I can swap round nose for HP. It all shoots through our 10/22's. I'll see what we have on-hand just sold a bunch of thunderbolt this week.

Chino, and it is.

edit: although I do work in Ontario during the day and would have no problem meeting up 12-1 or after work @ 5p

[kyo216]

If I can cycle the ammo through the gun fine at home, it should shoot fine at the range right?

[three28is]

If I can cycle the ammo through the gun fine at home, it should shoot fine at the range right?

not necessarily. you can have issues with the bolt not fully cycling and ejecting shells, stovepipes and a whole bunch of other stuff. I wouldn't worry about it until you actually fire it and break it in because sometimes a new gun will need a few hundred rounds before it starts working reliably.

[kyo216]

not necessarily. you can have issues with the bolt not fully cycling and ejecting shells, stovepipes and a whole bunch of other stuff. I wouldn't worry about it until you actually fire it and break it in because sometimes a new gun will need a few hundred rounds before it starts working reliably.

Thanks. Hopefully I won't have any problems at the range with my Savage 64. I've been stocking up on cheap bulk ammo from Cabelas.

[shda5582]

not necessarily. you can have issues with the bolt not fully cycling and ejecting shells, stovepipes and a whole bunch of other stuff. I wouldn't worry about it until you actually fire it and break it in because sometimes a new gun will need a few hundred rounds before it starts working reliably.

Could that be the issue I was having on mine as well? Or would the fact that I was using HP ammo also be a factor?

[shda5582]

***NEED HELP***

If there is someone familiar with the Savage 64/is a gunsmith, please PM me ASAP. Thanks.

edit: See my post below, I'm good now.

[Frozenguy]

Don't modify the gun!!
Winchester HP 38 gr is the worst ammo for this particular gun. I have tried it side by side with many other brands/types.
I have 6 factory Savage 64 magazines and they all function 100% with the right ammo: CCI Mini Mag 40gr plated round nose.

It functions 95-99% with Federal 525 bulk pack (plated)
Those are the only two ammos I recommend for this gun. I've put maybe 800 or 900 CCI mini mag 40gr PLATED round nose through the gun and not one malfunction.
It is all in the ammo with these guns.

I had the same exact problems as you when I was using that Winchester ammo.

So I acquired a brand-new (seemingly) Savage model 64 rifle from Turners about a month back and just now got it out to the range to shoot it. At the same time, I bought an extra magazine that fits that exact model.

Now to the issues:

- Upon firing the rifle, 90% of the time, the bolt will not cycle automatically, forcing a manual cycle of the bolt

- Once you manually cycle the bolt, it will hang up on the cartridge itself and will not pull another off the magazine AND/OR if it does, it misses putting it into the chamber for firing, meaning you have to dump the round out and hope the next one strips off correctly.

- The ammo I was using was: Winchester .22lr hollow point, 38 grain, 1280fps.

- Noticed on the mags that the very tops of them were being very scraped down to bare metal (could be due to break-in, but seemed a lot more than that).

Is there anything internal that could be going on that is preventing proper operation? Keep in mind that this is a brand-new rifle that was never fired before yesterday.

[Frozenguy]

.22LR is selling like mad, so you can always easily get your money back in the marketplace for the hollow points. Start selling them off now and buy 40gr round nose plated Mini Mags when find them.

[Frozenguy]

Doesn't have to be CCI Mini-Mag round nose...

Fiocchi HV CPLRN (FHVCRN)
Aguila HV CPLRN (SuperExtra)
Federal HV CPLRN (Game Shok)
Federal HV LRN (Champion 510)
CCI HV LRN (Select)

Just buy brand-name - non-bulk - (think 50 box, 100 carton, and 500 brick) - that is high velocity, 40 grain and round nose. Plating is nicer to have but if you can't get that...lead round nose will have to do.

If all you can get at some point is Federal Champion 510 as a 50 / box or 500 / brick - then that'll have to do.

=8-)

How many of each of those have you tested and what was the percentage of failure? I tested four of them and they did not stack up to CCI mini mag or federal 36gr 525 value pack.


Lead nose recommended?! Do NOT get lead nose. It's gotta be plated.

[shda5582]

***NEED HELP***

If there is someone familiar with the Savage 64/is a gunsmith, please PM me ASAP. Thanks.

Ok, I didn't want to post this last night, but full disclosure:

Never try to reassemble a firearm when you're tired. You make simple, stupid mistakes. Such as putting the firing pin in backwards so it doesn't sit flush with the bolt body and refuses to slide back into the receiver.

I was up to 1am trying to figure this sucker out until I reversed it.