Savage B.Mag 17 Winchester Super Mag Teardown

[gmstack]

my bmag is going back today or tomorrow. stock channel looked like a rainbow. it shoots terrible. savage did not hesitate to arrange to take rifle back to attempt a fix. one of my most futile days at range ever. I suspect the problems are more than stock.

 

[gmstack]

the ammo is almost impossible to find. people are buying up all they can find and selling it at 50.00 a box and more. reprehensible behavior it shows what jerks some really are.

 

[gmstack]

to sum it up nimrodmar10 , I guess you might say I feel or share your pain !!

 

[oregonreloader]

I had a chance to shoot my B.MAG on Tuesday. Here's a summary of my experience:
Savage B.MAG Interim Report: November 12, 2013

Bottom Line: I think the B.MAG has potential. But it needs some "tuning".

Background: I purchased a B.MAG that I returned to Savage because it would not group. They sent me a replacement. Between the time of sending the first and getting the replacement, I had determined that the B.MAG was designed to have a floating barrel. The replacement's forend contacted the barrel "snugly" in two places because of an upward bow in the forend. Using a die grinder I relieved the webbing in the forend that was causing the problem. Before complete relief was achieved, I realized I had done two things: 1) I was weakening an already flimsy stock, and 2) I had voided the warranty. Oops. I avoided further weakening by shimming the forward stock attach point to achieve the floating barrel. I mounted a Leupold Vari-X III and I was ready to shoot.

Shooting: First of all, let me qualify my statements below by stating that I am not a marksman and I need more time and less-shaky hands to achieve that distinction. That said, I sighted the B.MAG at 100 yards and got my groups down to about 1" to 1½" after 40 rounds with the 20gn bullet in 5-shot groups. I cleaned the bore after every 5 shots. The shots measured 2960 – 2975fps using a CED M2 chronograph. The accuracy isn't "good enough" yet, but I'm thinking things will improve after I can solve some problems.

The problems included:

1. Sometimes the bolt release catch didn't "catch" and when extracting a cartridge, the bolt came out of the receiver.

2. Sometimes the extractor didn't extract the cartridge.

3. All the time, the magazine had to be held with upward pressure to allow the bolt to pick up a new cartridge. About 1/32" was all that was necessary, but unless it was held in the up position, the cartridge failed to feed.

4. The trigger—set to a release pressure of 3½ pounds—feels "gritty".

5. Loading the rotary magazine is a chore; it's stiff and rough compared to Ruger's 10/22 magazine.

Summary: After talking with a gunsmith, I'm hoping that we can fix all of these problems with some "tuning". The jury's still out on the accuracy of the B.MAG, but I'm optimistic about it's potential. I wish Savage had spent more time on the finishing and QA of the B.MAG so the customer doesn't have to do it for them.

Now to find a source of ammo....

 

[varmintH8R]

And with that review, I am no longer on the fence. That list is too long for a rimfire rifle REGARDLESS of price.

 

[oregonreloader]

I sent my shooting report (above) to Savage. Today Savage sent me an email saying they were issuing a call tag and that they would have their top gunsmith look at it. So good on Savage. I'll box it up tonight and await UPS to call for it.

 

[Bennybone]

When I began reading on page 1 I thought to myself that by page 5 there would be happy endings with simple stock tuning

BUT

Based on your interim report I am going to pass on this rifle, both the rifle ($ 289) and ammo ($ 25.00 a box) are available at a local gun store right now however your grouping reports have me thinking I wouldn't touch the Bmag with a 20 foot pole.

BB

 

[dave3240]

Hey guys my first post and I wish it was something grand but allIes can say is I wish I had read this forum
About 6 days ago when I bought my b-mag, now I am really concerned. I could have bought the 17hMr but decided to give this a try, boy I,m thinking I really screwed up. I will give mine a whirl and let you no, I have 200 rounds of the gr.

 

[oregonreloader]

Hang in there, Dave. Before you do anything, check to be sure the barrel is free-floating. Run a piece of paper between the barrel and the forend. It should slide all the way to the chamber area. If that checks out, you're hopefully on your way to a good shooter. Keep us posted.

UPS picked up the replacement B.MAG for a trip back to the factory. My customer care rep at Savage promised me that she would have the head gunsmith look at it and resolve the problems. I likely won't get it back until after the holidays. But thats's OK, as it's too cold to out much here anyway.

 

[dave3240]

Thanks, I will check out those things and good luck to you.

 

[johnhhernan]

I have the same accuracy issues it sounds like but when I go to eject the spent case I have to literally hit the bolt handle up (HARD) with my the palm of my hand in order for it to eject the spent case. It's like it over-expands in the chamber does anyone else have this issue.
I agree with what I'm reading, this is a piece of ****, I want my $$$.$$ back

 

[varmintH8R]

What a shame. If they were making a 93 BTVS type rifle in this chambering they would really have something. I have one in 17hmr, and while the fit and finish isn't awesome it at least feels solid and shoots well. And the price was reasonable.

By completely cheaping out on the b mag, they will almost certainly hurt their growing reputation of budget guns that shoot good. Protecting (or not) their brand is their prerogative.

Even worse, by pooping the bed with the execution this rifle they are jeopardizing the future of a really interesting new rimfire cartridge. Hopefully they get their act together, find another stock and mag system for that action, or someone comes out with a competitive rifle in 17WSM that isn't $1200. I would hate to see the cartridge become a virtual orphan.

 

[midwesthunter]

Ya I pre ordered one, and when it came in I told them to call me when they get some ammo in as well. Well no ammo yet so I called and they sold it to someone else and gave me store credit. Ordered a Thompson center receiver, There is a custom barrel show that is cambering the 17 wsm for the TC's so when ammo becomes more available I'll prob get one. Or I want one in a AR plat form

 

[tuck2]

After reading all the post I m glad that I will be picking up a CZ 527 Varmint 17 Hornet rifle next week. I like the 17 Winchester SM cartridge but there are more problems also being reported about the cheep Savage rifle at other web sites.