Savage Model 42 takedown disaster.

Picked up a savage model 42 just over a week ago. Slapped a bushnell advanced micro on it. I even just stocked up on a bunch of .410 ammo. Couldn't get a decent group under 3 inches even at 15 yards even with the .22wmr because the bushnell can't hold a zero for nothing.
So I try it today with just the (terrible) iron sights. Turns out the barrels must be crossed, because although the groupings are super tight now, the .22wmr is 3" to the left and the .410 is 5" to the right, at ONLY 10 YARDS.

So somehow I managed to pick up a $300 reflex sight and a $600 gun that are completely useless. Anyone know the usual time it takes for a warranty like this? I'm going to be livid if I have to wait a whole damn year for them to fix their mistake.

I have the same gun ( non-takedown) I also have the EGW rail scope mount with a red dot scope. It’s dead nutz accurate. This seems very odd. Hope you get it figured out.


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That seems odd. Can you change up brands of ammo? That might make a difference. I have a 6.5 swed that i had purchased some premium grade ammo for.

I had it sighted in bang on 100 yards. Next season I needed another box of ammo. I bought one and the box of the same brand looked a little different. Once I try to sight it in with the new box, I could hit the paper at 100 yards till I moved the scope. Seems they changed manufactures under the same brand name.

Maybe just changing one brand might bring things together better.

I have never had a bushnell anything not hold zero, are you sure the mount is tight?

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Originally Posted by Fox

I have never had a bushnell anything not hold zero, are you sure the mount is tight?

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Wow......I hope you get that sorted out! Did you buy it at General Gun?

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Originally Posted by Fox

I have never had a bushnell anything not hold zero, are you sure the mount is tight?

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Mount is tight and picatiny screws had locktight on them. The Advanced micro has two locking screws in the back that lock the windage and elevation adjustment. With the locking screws tight the windage and elevation can still move.

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Originally Posted by Gregger17

I have the same gun ( non-takedown) I also have the EGW rail scope mount with a red dot scope. It’s dead nutz accurate. This seems very odd. Hope you get it figured out.


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I just dropped off the gun at Savage's head office in Canada yesterday near Peterborough. Stopped off on my way up north. Customer service was great, hopefully it comes back soon.

For it to be off that much at 10 yards barrels are certainly tweaked.

Fox, I punish bushnell elites in 3500, 4500 and 6500. They are tough as nails and on guns that crank out over 70 pounds of recoil…

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

For it to be off that much at 10 yards barrels are certainly tweaked.

Fox, I punish bushnell elites in 3500, 4500 and 6500. They are tough as nails and on guns that crank out over 70 pounds of recoil…

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The old Sportsman scopes, no idea how old they are as we have played musical scopes before. They always stand up to slug guns and rifles, plus they have not broken on me with a springer pellet gun, which is a scope killer. The only thing I have been told is that if you are constantly going through the motions on the retical then can break, as in competition shooting, but I do not do that, these are hunting rifles.

The only scope I have had break was an old Weaver 3-9x40, the thing must have been pumped a few times hunting as the bell broke at the adjustable objective. I put a BSA scope on that rifle after that because it was all I could afford, I wish now I had saved up and bought another bushnell.

Face it savage 42 is a bad gun. Slap a $1000 dollar scope on it it’s still crap gun underneath

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Originally Posted by Fox

The old Sportsman scopes, no idea how old they are as we have played musical scopes before. They always stand up to slug guns and rifles, plus they have not broken on me with a springer pellet gun, which is a scope killer. The only thing I have been told is that if you are constantly going through the motions on the retical then can break, as in competition shooting, but I do not do that, these are hunting rifles.

The only scope I have had break was an old Weaver 3-9x40, the thing must have been pumped a few times hunting as the bell broke at the adjustable objective. I put a BSA scope on that rifle after that because it was all I could afford, I wish now I had saved up and bought another bushnell.

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X2 on the Bushnell. Great product and they really take care of you. I dropped off an Elite 3200 at their Mississauga office that was on my dad's Golden Boy (.22) as it would not hold zero and they took it to the back room and 15 minutes later the guy came out with a brand new scope in the box, handed it to me and apologized.

Now that is customer service!

I got a Bushnell of Amazon this year, have put sabots slugs turkey loads through it and its been great. Going to do a final sight in this week just to make sure I'm 0ed for the hunt.

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Originally Posted by 410001661

X2 on the Bushnell. Great product and they really take care of you. I dropped off an Elite 3200 at their Mississauga office that was on my dad's Golden Boy (.22) as it would not hold zero and they took it to the back room and 15 minutes later the guy came out with a brand new scope in the box, handed it to me and apologized.

Now that is customer service!

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Ya, I don't see the reason to fork out the money on a Leopold or Zeiss when the 50 year old Bushnell and all the newer Bushnells have never let me down.

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Originally Posted by js4fn

Face it savage 42 is a bad gun. Slap a $1000 dollar scope on it it’s still crap gun underneath

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Well, I’ve taken hundreds of grouse with this gun over the years. Topped with a cheap Truglo dot sight. I do wish it was 20g /22lr, instead of 410g. I have no idea why the 42 gets slammed..oh well it fills my freezer…
There is definitely something wrong with this guys gun.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...674428acd0.jpg


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Originally Posted by js4fn

Face it savage 42 is a bad gun. Slap a $1000 dollar scope on it it’s still crap gun underneath

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I honestly don't understand the hate for the Savage 42 (when it's barrels are lined up...), this is a genuine question. Yeah the iron sights are garbage but it's super easy to slap on any scope or red-dot on it. I definitely have my quarrels with it. Such as it not being able to switch .410 chokes. But it's not meant to replace your .22 rifle or your go-to .410. It's meant to be a small-game pack-gun/trapping-line gun (the takedown version specifically). Just about any gun can be terrible when it's not used for its intended purpose.

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Originally Posted by Gregger17

Well, I’ve taken hundreds of grouse with this gun over the years. Topped with a cheap Truglo dot sight. I do wish it was 20g /22lr, instead of 410g. I have no idea why the 42 gets slammed..oh well it fills my freezer…
There is definitely something wrong with this guys gun.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...674428acd0.jpg


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I definitely agree it should've been 20 gauge instead. 20 gauge is more versatile and readily available. But .410 gets the job done, even for big game in a pinch if no other option is available. The main reason I got this gun was because of it's takedown feature. It's a gun I can shove in my backpack and still go hunting while camping. Plus .410 slugs are certainly better than a knife and harsh words in bear/wolf country where I regularly backpack in.

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Originally Posted by MihajloSimsic

I definitely agree it should've been 20 gauge instead. 20 gauge is more versatile and readily available. But .410 gets the job done, even for big game in a pinch if no other option is available. The main reason I got this gun was because of it's takedown feature. It's a gun I can shove in my backpack and still go hunting while camping. Plus .410 slugs are certainly better than a knife and harsh words in bear/wolf country where I regularly backpack in.

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Have to find a Savage model 24.

https://www.savageshooters.com/conte...-24-Variations

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Originally Posted by Fox

Have to find a Savage model 24.

https://www.savageshooters.com/conte...-24-Variations

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If 20 gauge is a must I feel the Chiappa M6 would be much easier to come by than a Model 24, especially one with a 20 gauge barrel, and much more affordable. Definitely Savage should make more takedown model 42s with a higher ammunition selection.

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Originally Posted by MihajloSimsic

I honestly don't understand the hate for the Savage 42 (when it's barrels are lined up...), this is a genuine question. Yeah the iron sights are garbage but it's super easy to slap on any scope or red-dot on it. I definitely have my quarrels with it. Such as it not being able to switch .410 chokes. But it's not meant to replace your .22 rifle or your go-to .410. It's meant to be a small-game pack-gun/trapping-line gun (the takedown version specifically). Just about any gun can be terrible when it's not used for its intended purpose.

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Hey if you guys are happy with the savage 42. I’m happy for you

Just really not a plastic gun guy

I have a savage 24 p its 22 over 20. But I was lucky enough to find a savage 20 to 410 adaptor. Perfect squirrel rabbit gun

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Originally Posted by MihajloSimsic

If 20 gauge is a must I feel the Chiappa M6 would be much easier to come by than a Model 24, especially one with a 20 gauge barrel, and much more affordable. Definitely Savage should make more takedown model 42s with a higher ammunition selection.

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They used to have a 20ga 30-30, that would have been a wicked mixed bag gun for rifle areas, a 20ga 222 would be great for coyotes too.

My savage 24 p 22 over 20 with savage 20 to 410 adaptor. Now if you could get a 223 over 20 with adaptor be sweet gun

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I don’t like light wood but the gun makes up for that

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Originally Posted by MihajloSimsic

I just dropped off the gun at Savage's head office in Canada yesterday near Peterborough. Stopped off on my way up north. Customer service was great, hopefully it comes back soon.

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Please let us know how Savage handles this. Barrel regulation on double guns can be a thorny issue. I've seen responses from manufacturers about shotguns far more expensive than a Savage that have a significant deviation of POI that the patterns are "within their acceptable tolerances."

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Originally Posted by js4fn

My savage 24 p 22 over 20 with savage 20 to 410 adaptor. Now if you could get a 223 over 20 with adaptor be sweet gun

I don’t like light wood but the gun makes up for that

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This thread is about issues he's having with his Model 42, and he asked a couple questions about others who have the same model. Nobody asked what you like better, or for photos of your combo gun.

-N.

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Originally Posted by Sprite

This thread is about issues he's having with his Model 42, and he asked a couple questions about others who have the same model. Nobody asked what you like better, or for photos of your combo gun.

-N.

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Yes your right. I won’t post anymore pictures

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Originally Posted by Sprite

This thread is about issues he's having with his Model 42, and he asked a couple questions about others who have the same model. Nobody asked what you like better, or for photos of your combo gun.

-N.

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Yet the OP did post that it would be nice if there was a 20ga and more cartridge options, so posting about the 24 is valid.

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Originally Posted by Fox

Yet the OP did post that it would be nice if there was a 20ga and more cartridge options, so posting about the 24 is valid.

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Doesn't matter, his interjection about the 42 being a "junk gun" was completely out of left field and didn't help anyone with anything.

Thread derail over.

-N.

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Originally Posted by Sprite

Doesn't matter, his interjection about the 42 being a "junk gun" was completely out of left field and didn't help anyone with anything.

Thread derail over.

-N.

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Very true

Back to the 42, I was looking at them but for the money another 22LR and 410 I could not justify it.

Best of luck getting it fixed up and running.

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Originally Posted by js4fn

Yes your right. I won’t post anymore pictures

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He has a point, but I did enjoy the pictures at least.

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Originally Posted by Badenoch

Please let us know how Savage handles this. Barrel regulation on double guns can be a thorny issue. I've seen responses from manufacturers about shotguns far more expensive than a Savage that have a significant deviation of POI that the patterns are "within their acceptable tolerances."

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I'll definitely let you guys know asap. Companies definitely have a margin for error on products, but I wouldn't count a 8" difference between barrels at only 10 yards as an acceptable deviation lol. If they make me pay a penny for the warranty you wont see me buying savage again. But so far I have nothing but good experiences with them despite the crap defect lol.

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Originally Posted by MihajloSimsic

I'll definitely let you guys know asap. Companies definitely have a margin for error on products, but I wouldn't count a 8" difference between barrels at only 10 yards as an acceptable deviation lol. If they make me pay a penny for the warranty you wont see me buying savage again. But so far I have nothing but good experiences with them despite the crap defect lol.

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This is why I tend towards old guns. If they are still shooting and still functioning properly 50+ years down the line they are probably not a POS. Hunting guns are never shot out like competition guns, so as long as they are not rusty I go for old.

The last savages I shot were lower end axis, they felt like crap, shot fine but just gritty bolt, tough to on open, just felt bad, so your experience is not surprising to me.

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Originally Posted by Fox

This is why I tend towards old guns. If they are still shooting and still functioning properly 50+ years down the line they are probably not a POS. Hunting guns are never shot out like competition guns, so as long as they are not rusty I go for old.

The last savages I shot were lower end axis, they felt like crap, shot fine but just gritty bolt, tough to on open, just felt bad, so your experience is not surprising to me.

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It's definitely surprising to me. I have nothing but good experiences with savages and they always seemed like the best option for affordable guns. I've used two other savage guns my dad owns and they're honestly the best bolt action small game guns I've ever used. A 22-250 and .17hmr. Smoothest triggers, fantastic safeties, and competition level accuracy. Bolts were nothing amazing but were still smooth. I definitely agree old guns that still work are the best. My dad's mossy 590 with a 20" cylinder barrel got better slug groupings than his rifled supernova ever could.

I just installed a scope on buddy’s Savage .22.
Amazing accuracy but man oh man my old Husqvarna chainsaw has a smoother trigger. lol I never pulled a trigger that was so hard. It didn’t have the accutrigger.

If Savages didn't shoot so good id be a huge hater. I hate the cheap plastic, The thin bluing, The half inch of creep on the accu-trigger. But they all shoot just as good as guns worth 5x much.

I remember buying a 42 ,.410 over .22 for like $299 about 10 years ago. Shouldn't have sold it, It was great for what I used it for.

Hope you get it sorted out soon OP

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Originally Posted by MihajloSimsic

It's definitely surprising to me. I have nothing but good experiences with savages and they always seemed like the best option for affordable guns. I've used two other savage guns my dad owns and they're honestly the best bolt action small game guns I've ever used. A 22-250 and .17hmr. Smoothest triggers, fantastic safeties, and competition level accuracy. Bolts were nothing amazing but were still smooth. I definitely agree old guns that still work are the best. My dad's mossy 590 with a 20" cylinder barrel got better slug groupings than his rifled supernova ever could.

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Took the old mauser 38 out yesterday, only shot at 50 yards to verify things but 3 shots inside the same hole, not bad for an 80+ year old rifle :). Oh, and the 106 year old rifle is right around 1 MOA with factory 180gr Winchester grey box, have not got into the reloads yet there.

The savage guns you have shot, what versions are they? The higher end savages are suppose to be amazing, and accurate as heck, the savage 14, 114, 110 and the better rimfire guns. I have not been able to shoot any of those but I have shot the bottom end axis rifles and although accurate they just feel like they need to have a few thousand rounds through them to make them right.

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Originally Posted by Fox

Took the old mauser 38 out yesterday, only shot at 50 yards to verify things but 3 shots inside the same hole, not bad for an 80+ year old rifle :). Oh, and the 106 year old rifle is right around 1 MOA with factory 180gr Winchester grey box, have not got into the reloads yet there.

The savage guns you have shot, what versions are they? The higher end savages are suppose to be amazing, and accurate as heck, the savage 14, 114, 110 and the better rimfire guns. I have not been able to shoot any of those but I have shot the bottom end axis rifles and although accurate they just feel like they need to have a few thousand rounds through them to make them right.

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Can't remember them off the top of my head but they weren't crazy expensive. Getting groups in the same hole at 100 yards with both of them. Definitely rifles need to be "broken in". I was thinking about buying an SKS or Zastava Mauser but Canadian tire stopped selling surplus guns.

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Originally Posted by MihajloSimsic

Can't remember them off the top of my head but they weren't crazy expensive. Getting groups in the same hole at 100 yards with both of them. Definitely rifles need to be "broken in". I was thinking about buying an SKS or Zastava Mauser but Canadian tire stopped selling surplus guns.

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Lots of places selling used guns that are not CT, mind you I did buy an SKS years back at CT, ha ha.

Some manufacturer's are just smoother out of the box for sure, like I said, the axis was accurate but could have used work to make it good.

Funny enough we just took my wife's bolt action 30-30 out, a Savage 340, we only shot at 50 yards because we were not on the rifle range but she put 3 factory rounds into the size of a quarter and the trigger was smooth as silk and it is somewhere between 40 and 60 years old.

Now you are making me want to find an old combo gun :D, don't worry, I live well away from you so we will not be fighting for the same 410 slugs, ha ha.

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Originally Posted by Fox

Lots of places selling used guns that are not CT, mind you I did buy an SKS years back at CT, ha ha.

Some manufacturer's are just smoother out of the box for sure, like I said, the axis was accurate but could have used work to make it good.

Funny enough we just took my wife's bolt action 30-30 out, a Savage 340, we only shot at 50 yards because we were not on the rifle range but she put 3 factory rounds into the size of a quarter and the trigger was smooth as silk and it is somewhere between 40 and 60 years old.

Now you are making me want to find an old combo gun :D, don't worry, I live well away from you so we will not be fighting for the same 410 slugs, ha ha.

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HAHA I got a lifetime supply of slugs already no worries lol.

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Originally Posted by MihajloSimsic

HAHA I got a lifetime supply of slugs already no worries lol.

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70 slugs is a fun afternoon. Lol