Download AR Dope Bag August 2001: Ed Brown Savanna Rifle
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Ed Brown ost custom rifle- That means Brown actions and smiths begin with rifles are built one at a time on Savanna Rifle Mfactory bolt-actions computer numeric controlled that they rework according to machining centers to customer their philosophies. For world- order with each rifle personal- class shooter and custom gun- ly built and tested by Ed or one smith Ed Brown, that was of his two sons. The result is the unacceptable as he could not Ed Brown Model 702 action control the quality of mass- that Brown offers as the basic produced factory actions. For building block for five models. that reason, Brown set out to The NRA Technical Staff manufacture his own bolt- recently received an Ed Brown action that combines leading- Savanna model in .300 Win. edge manufacturing tech- Mag. for test and evaluation. niques and proven features The Brown Savanna rifle is 1 with old-world craftsmanship. a classically styled, 7 ⁄2-lb. SHOOTING RESULTS Ed Brown elected to manufac- .300 Win. Mag. Vel. @ 15' Energy Recoil Smallest Largest Average ture his own rifle actions, combining Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ft.-lbs.) (ft.-lbs.) (inches) (inches) (inches) old world craftsmanship with modern manu- Federal P300WT4 3125 Avg. 3,150 24.5 0.85 1.06 0.92 facturing techniques. They are offered in short 150-gr. TBBC 27 Sd or long lengths with right- or left-hand operation. Hornady 8202 2923 Avg. 3,131 25.9 0.61 1.08 0.84 165-gr. BTSPIL 20 Sd sporter intended for 26" stainless or carbon steel Winchester X30WM2 2861 Avg. 3,272 28.1 0.47 0.96 0.70 big game hunting at depending on caliber and options 180-gr. PP 22 Sd long ranges. Avail- selected. The rifle is not intend- Average Extreme Spread: 0.82 able in either left- or ed as a showcase of artwork or as Measured average velocity for 10 rounds from a 26" barrel. Range temperature: 75° F. right-hand operation a display case queen. For those Humidity: 21% Accuracy for five consecutive, five-shot groups at 100 yds. from a and long- or short- reasons, the Savanna rifle fea- sandbag. Abbreviations: BTSPIL (boattail spire-point Interlock), PP (Power Point), action lengths, bar- tures a no-nonsense checkered, Sd (standard deviation), TBBC (Trophy Bonded Bear Claw). rels are either 24" or fiberglass-reinforced, pillar- The American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” at least since WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information 1921, when Col. Townsend Whelen first titled his column with it. Even based on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances.They do then, it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used by target shoot- not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolutely nec- ers to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line. “Sight dope” essary to properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. also was a traditional marksman’s term for sight adjustment information, Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training require- while judging wind speed and direction was called “doping the wind.” ments, procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity. 80 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • August 2001 SAVANNA RIFLE MANUFACTURER: Ed bedded, synthetic stock, all- Brown Custom, Inc. (Dept. AR), P.O. Box 492, steel construction and matte steel bolt has a welded-on han- Perry, MO 63462; black finish. dle and spiral flutes to reduce (573) 565-3261; But where it counts, the Ed weight, distribute lubrication When handed an Ed www.edbrown.com Brown Savanna rifle allows and enhance cleaning. An easy Brown Savanna rifle for the CALIBER: .257 Ackley Imp., absolutely no compromises. to operate, push button bolt stop first time, one particularly .25-’06 Rem., .270 Win., To assure the accuracy needed is located on the left rear side of notices its excellent balance .280 Rem., .280 Ackley the receiver, and there is a three- Imp., 7 mm Rem. Mag., for long-range hunting, only and refined handling. What 7 mm STW, .30-’06 Sprg., hand-lapped, match-quality position safety lever on the right that means is the Savanna can .300 Win. Mag. (tested),. barrels with deeply counter- rear of the bolt shroud. be carried comfortably for 300 WSM, .300 Rem. Ultra long periods without Mag., .300 Wby. Mag. and fatigue and comes to the .338 Win. Mag. Additional shoulder effortlessly. calibers, including short- actions, available. Experienced hunters ACTION TYPE: proprietary will fully appreciate design turn-bolt, center- both those features, and fire repeater with two novice hunters will soon front, opposed locking come to the same con- lugs on bolt, long- or clusion. Operation short-length, left- or right- proved straightforward hand, three-position The Savanna rifle uses a fiberglass-reinforced synthetic stock with alu- safety, internal ejector, and smooth. In particu- external extractor minum pillar bedding, socket-head action screws, quick-detachable lar, the bolt operates and RECEIVER: heat-treated, sling swivel studs and a rubber recoil pad. glides smoothly without CNC-machined binding, the bolt release carbon steel sunk muzzle crowns and The 1.360" diameter button operates easily and the FINISH: matte black 1 benchrest-quality chambers receiver itself is machined magazine floorplate releases OVERALL LENGTH: 46 ⁄2" BARREL: match-grade, are used—No. 3 contour in from heat-treated, carbon steel on demand. hand-lapped, carbon standard calibers and No. 4 with a solid rear bridge, round Styling of the Ed Brown steel, 24" or 26" (tested) contour in magnum calibers. bottom and 0.300" thick, Savanna rifle can be described RIFLING: conventional, Socket-head action screws collar-type, front recoil lug. as purposeful and practical, eight-groove 1:10" RH hold the precision-bedded Sidewalls of the front receiver and we came to appreciate the twist action securely in the synthet- ring are approximately 0.185" styling in its own right. MAGAZINE: internal, double-column with ic stock against aluminum thick. There is a 0.115"- However, the purposeful, hinged floorplate pillars. Blued steel quick- diameter gas-relief hole drilled practical approach may not WEIGHT: 7 lbs., 8 ozs. detachable (QD) sling swivel into the right side of the front appeal to everyone—especial- SIGHTS: none, steel two- studs are standard equipment receiver ring to allow high- ly a buyer seeking bragging piece scope bases as is a 1"-thick rubber recoil pressure gases to escape in the rights on a showcase queen. installed pad. Talley steel scope mount unlikely event of a ruptured For the experienced hunter, TRIGGER: adjustable, two- stage, 2 lbs. pull. bases are installed and secured cartridge case head. All however, the styling appears STOCK: sporter-style fiber- by heavy duty 8-40 screws. Savanna rifles have an internal just right. glass synthetic with Brown’s Model 702 action magazine as standard. Savanna On a rifle such as this, the cheekpiece, 18 l.p.i. is a classic Mauser-type turn- rifles in the new .300 WSM buyer expects superior work- checkering on pistol grip bolt repeater with a short 90 caliber will have a detachable manship, fit, finish and accura- and fore-end, 1" black degree bolt throw and dual, box magazine option. cy. After all, that is what the and rubber recoil pad; precision bedded with opposed front locking lugs The adjustable trigger is Savanna rifle is all about. In our aluminum pillars: length offering plenty of contact area. held to the lower rear of the opinion, workmanship, fit and 5 of pull, 13 ⁄8"; drop at heel, The bolt locks directly to the action with two pins. On mod- finish are fully commensurate 1 1 2 ⁄4"; drop at comb, 2 ⁄4" action, which is a stressed part. els with an internal magazine, with the asking price. SUGGESTED RETAIL An M16-type, non-rotating the floorplate is hinged at the We fired nearly 200 rounds PRICE: $2,800 extractor is used along with an front and released by pressing of ammunition of various internal ejector. The 0.700" a small button in front of the brands through the Savanna diameter, hand-fitted, carbon machined steel trigger guard. rifle without malfunction. Diameter of the Brown receiver is 1.360" (l.), which is large enough to accept large mag- num cartridges such as the .338 Lapua Mag. and .460 Wby. Mag. Brown’s new proprietary rifle action uses a carbon steel bolt (r.) with dual, opposed front locking lugs, an M16- type external extractor and an internal ejector. Note the helical flutes on the bolt body that reduce weight and increase stiffness. 81 Accuracy proved excellent colder months of the year Unlike some competitors, your ammunition is capable of, and perceived recoil was mod- when hunters wear heavy Ed Brown does not guarantee which is more than acceptable erate thanks in part to the clothing, which can make accuracy. The reason is, of for most types of hunting. rifle’s excellent balance. In rifles with 14"-plus pull course, that the Savanna rifle is Ed Brown’s Savanna rifle will particular, we like the some- lengths unwieldy. A minor capable of substantially greater be appreciated by experienced 5 what shorter than normal 13 ⁄8" detail perhaps, but indicative accuracy (1/2 m.o.a.) than most hunters willing to pay for a reli- length of pull on the Savanna. of the thorough attention to hunting ammunition can deliv- able, high-quality, precision tool Why? Because typically, rifles detail given to this rifle’s er. However, the Savanna rifle for hunting at long ranges in all such as this are used in the design by Ed Brown.