Reynolds357 said:
To me it seems Savage never admits they have or had a problem until its so obvious they have to. The exploding RUMs come to mind. (I love Savage, I own 30 something of them)
Well you sent me down a rabbit hole that is for sure!
So I started searching for "The exploding RUMs", and I didn't find much. I found reference to three rifles, and only one of them I can say without a doubt was a small shank .300 RUM. My first internet search led me to a post by
"dirtygrass" on monstermuleys.com, which also linked this
article.
So in the article that was in "dirtygrass's" post there was this comment by "banana":
"unfortunalty, my husband owned savage 300 ultra mag rifle and on halloween 2009 the rifle exploded into his face.....Serious injuries are the end result.....My husband is a huge hunter and has been for YEARS....No obstruction in barrell and yes this rifle is cleaner than a hospital.....This is not the first time that a 300 ultra mag made by savage arms has exploded......If you own one you need to take it to a professional and find out which bolt and bolt assembly parts have become weak or are faulty before this happens to you or somebody you know. Colorado 2009"
So that in turn I was able to find this
lawsuit for the hunter that I believe is being referenced in the comment by "banana". Timeline for the three exploding RUM Savage's were 2004 in Utah, 2009 in Colorado, and 2013 unknown location.
So after this my internet search drys up unless you want to comment on the over
40 law suits against the Savage 10 ML-II.
"Court documents filed in support of Hansen’s case indicate the gun manufacturer was hit by more than 40 lawsuits claiming a gun barrel split or exploded since 2004. Lawyers acting for Hansen claim Savage Arms set up its own internal “muzzleloader return team” that fielded hundreds of warranty and service claims."
So in the case of the exploding .300 RUM Savage rifles we have three documented cases. We have three rifles purchased in the years 2003-04, two from Sports Authority formerly Gart Sports, and one not mentioned. The only one we know for sure is a small shank barrel is the one from "dirtygrass" based on pictures he posted, by being purchased in 03-04 the other two could be either large shank or small shank there is no reference. The one thing that was referenced by both "dirtygrass" and "banana" is that the locking lugs or bolt assembly failed. Not once was there a mention of the barrel exploding or photographic proof that the barrel exploded on a RUM rifle.
In the three cases "dirtygrass" admitted to using reloads,
"180gr Branes triple shock, 2 grains under max, home moly coated." The first article linked about the Utah man mentioned factory ammunition was used. The third law suit and "banana" don't mention anything about the ammunition used.
So I can't find any indication that a small shank barrel created these blow up incidents, but I can't find anything that says they didn't. I know I'm not well versed in fluid dynamics, metallurgy, and engineering to say that it or isn't a barrel dimension problem. I also know using firearms and reloading can be dangerous if your equipment or practices are flawed in anyway, I'm sure that's why there are a lot of warnings that come on firearms, ammunition and in reloading manuals and equipment these days.
What I did learn thought was:
1. There was never a recall or warning put out on small shank WSM/RUM cartridge rifles (not including the .17 WSM B-Mag). Those rifles with small shanks are still being used safely without any further incidents.
2. There was never any follow up to any of the law suits, so I'm assuming either dropped or more than likely settled out of court after a non disclosure was signed.