Savage 12 F/TR Muzzle Crown

Hello - I have a new to me Savage 12 F/TR. The previous owner said he never shot the rifle. However, upon cleaning it there was fouling and powder in the barrel. Not much, but it was there. I assume the barrels are cleaned after savage test fires them. He has the original receipt and otherwise this thing looks brand new, except for the crown. I've attached some pics, and to me the crown just looks whack, like the reamer or whatever the used for the crown was bouncing. It looks so bad (to me but I don't really know anything) I suspect the previous owner messed with it. Though I don't know why he would. I'm shooting it in the morning so we'll see if there is any real issue or not.

Here are the pics:

[img width=600 height=450]http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PasEXrRYnyc/S_9kJZBVObI/AAAAAAAAAkg/fgtdnqFWDO0/s800/IMG_1437.JPG[/img]
[img width=600 height=450]http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PasEXrRYnyc/S_9kMIOlM2I/AAAAAAAAAks/V8vKMglXnio/s800/IMG_1445.JPG[/img]
[img width=600 height=450]http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PasEXrRYnyc/S_9kNWb2xFI/AAAAAAAAAk0/0MPTV6c6F4o/s800/IMG_1447.JPG[/img]

Thanks

the factory shoots them and dose NOT clean them. Some factory crowns do need to be recut. Go shoot it and see how it is.

Looks like someone took a countersink bit to it...

Sure it'll probably shoot good, but I'd take it to a local smith and get a new crown put on it. Should only cost around $50.

Assume nothing when it comes to the factory.As for the crown you are right it looks terrible but I have seen worse and they still shot pretty good.Only way to tell is to shoot it.

Thanks all. Headin out this morning I'll let you know how it goes.

EDIT: Quick update as I'm scrambling to pack. Shot some Hornady 155 A-max, Federal 168 Sierra Matchking, and 168 grn Black Hills Match BTHP. Shot ~ 0.5@100 with the Federal and the Hornady wasn't far behind. It definitely didn't like the Black Hills Ammo. Groups were scattered and ~1".

Will post pics after the weekend.

Have a good one!!

...Kinda crude but not surprizing...Myself, I'ld recrown it if it was mine... But then I have my own lathe.. ;)

Quick pic before I run out. Federal 168 @ 100. Thin lines are 1" square:

[img width=600 height=450]http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PasEXrRYnyc/TABTa0jIacI/AAAAAAAAAlc/lzPoLT3QGi8/s800/IMG_0950.JPG[/img]

Another update. Try some new factory loads as I was heading to the 1K range for the first time. I had Buffalo Bore "Sniper" 175 grn SMK @ 2800 fps and Hornady 155 grn A-max Match. My first 5 shots with the 175 SMK were unimpressive so I tried the Hornady. Here are the first 3 shots:
[img width=600 height=400]http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PasEXrRYnyc/TAu2BzPf1pI/AAAAAAAAAmc/Bcjo9bxx590/s800/IMG_8476.JPG[/img]

I adjusted the zero and fired one more right in the center Diamond and figured I was good to go to 1K. Winds were 0-5 mph and swirling. Hornady lists MV @ 2850. I worked up some dope at 2900 from the 30" barrel, figuring Hornady's numbers were high, and I would get more than just 50 fps from the 30" barrel. Plus it was going to be a 85-90 degree day. Turns out my dope was still a little slow. 1K pics:

200 and 300 yard shots - 200 yard rear rest was off hand as I had tohold it up about 4" to just get on target. very awkward. I forgot to adjust my paralax on 300#1:
[img width=600 height=400]http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PasEXrRYnyc/TAu2CsYrLAI/AAAAAAAAAmg/DA9Nq3MINOw/s800/IMG_8479.JPG[/img]

5 of my 9 1K shots:
[img width=600 height=400]http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PasEXrRYnyc/TAu2BKxDJ7I/AAAAAAAAAmY/lvsONkL12YI/s800/IMG_8472.JPG[/img]

All 500,600, 800, 900, and 1K shots. All but 6 of the 30 were on target:
[img width=300 height=450]http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PasEXrRYnyc/TAu2Degv0FI/AAAAAAAAAmk/cezDHI5Cufw/s800/IMG_8480.JPG[/img]

waitaminute, I know that target and scoring system, you brought that out to Sac today?

Yup (well, Saturday for the practice) - I was the new guy in shorts :D I shot in the first relay.

Wishin' I had remembered the sunscreen on the back of my legs too!

That crown looks like someone took lapping compound a brass screw to it, I would cut it of no matter how it shot.

That does look like someone screwed with it... I've seen some messed up crowns that made it out the factory door before, but that looks deliberate.

It should be a relatively simple job for a gunsmith to take the barreled action (sans scope!) chuck it up in a lathe, dial it in and touch up the crown. Not sure if they'd have to do much else.

Thanks all. At this point, I'm going to keep shooting it before I do anything with it. It could possibly get worse right?

FWIW- These were all prone off a Harris 1A ultralight bipod (off my 22-250) and rear shooter's ridge bag.