DallasCMT
06-08-2014, 04:36 PM
New to the forum here, and have my first Savage.
It's a Model 30 Series E 20 gauge, 28" barrel shotgun in great shape that I picked up for a fair price from a friend's friend's father who died. Unfortunately there is little information on the web about these older, inexpensive guns. I can't find a take-down manual, anywhere. It will make a good kick-around gun.
I really don't need another full choke pump 20 ga, and may consider reducing the barrel length to open the choke.
1) How can I tell what the choke is? I've read that older Savage shotguns used *, **, and *** to signify Full, Mod, and IC. I can't find any * marks on this gun. I have a 1st year production Winchester Model 12 20 ga (full choke) and it's muzzle measures .582 at about 1/4" into the barrel with a cheap caliper, and this Savage 30 measures .597 when measured the same way. This is using a 6" Brown and Sharpe dial / slide caliper and the measuring end has flats, so that's making my measurements several thousandths smaller. I'd really rather base the choke on a gun marking, if possible. I think .611 is an IC choke in 20 ga.
2) The marks I do find look like a "3" in a square box, as well as a "52", and what looks like "SP1" or maybe "SPL". It's hard to tell since the stamp appears to be struck at an angle. (see below). Anyone know what these stamps mean?
3) How can I remove the barrel? I can unscrew the end cap but it won't come off, and nothing else feels looser after I loosen the cap. I've read that they can be loosened and then the barrel will rotate counter-clockwise (when viewed from the receiver) but it won't budge. It may be old and tight.
From what I can tell, this was made in the late 1970's with a S/N C663###.
Any help is appreciated! I shot it at the trap range this weekend but didn't hit much with it. Near the end I realized it does seem to shoot a bit low.
Thanks everyone, and thank you for any information you can provide!
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/OAL-Right_zps5e4207a4.jpg
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/Markings_zps37ef3c91.jpg
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/BarrelStamp2_zps5e00212d.jpg
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/BarrelStamp1_zpsb0b7e7cd.jpg
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/ForEndNut_zpsf2fbe259.jpg
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/BarrelMark1_zpsfa53b346.jpg
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/BarrelMark2_zpsaba8a549.jpg
It's a Model 30 Series E 20 gauge, 28" barrel shotgun in great shape that I picked up for a fair price from a friend's friend's father who died. Unfortunately there is little information on the web about these older, inexpensive guns. I can't find a take-down manual, anywhere. It will make a good kick-around gun.
I really don't need another full choke pump 20 ga, and may consider reducing the barrel length to open the choke.
1) How can I tell what the choke is? I've read that older Savage shotguns used *, **, and *** to signify Full, Mod, and IC. I can't find any * marks on this gun. I have a 1st year production Winchester Model 12 20 ga (full choke) and it's muzzle measures .582 at about 1/4" into the barrel with a cheap caliper, and this Savage 30 measures .597 when measured the same way. This is using a 6" Brown and Sharpe dial / slide caliper and the measuring end has flats, so that's making my measurements several thousandths smaller. I'd really rather base the choke on a gun marking, if possible. I think .611 is an IC choke in 20 ga.
2) The marks I do find look like a "3" in a square box, as well as a "52", and what looks like "SP1" or maybe "SPL". It's hard to tell since the stamp appears to be struck at an angle. (see below). Anyone know what these stamps mean?
3) How can I remove the barrel? I can unscrew the end cap but it won't come off, and nothing else feels looser after I loosen the cap. I've read that they can be loosened and then the barrel will rotate counter-clockwise (when viewed from the receiver) but it won't budge. It may be old and tight.
From what I can tell, this was made in the late 1970's with a S/N C663###.
Any help is appreciated! I shot it at the trap range this weekend but didn't hit much with it. Near the end I realized it does seem to shoot a bit low.
Thanks everyone, and thank you for any information you can provide!
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/OAL-Right_zps5e4207a4.jpg
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/Markings_zps37ef3c91.jpg
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/BarrelStamp2_zps5e00212d.jpg
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/BarrelStamp1_zpsb0b7e7cd.jpg
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/ForEndNut_zpsf2fbe259.jpg
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/BarrelMark1_zpsfa53b346.jpg
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/Clay1397/Gun%20Stuff/Savage%2030/BarrelMark2_zpsaba8a549.jpg