Savage Model 64 Takedown 40207 22 LR

2

GUN TESTS GRADE: A (BEST BUY)

$212

The Model 64 Takedown has a minimalist approach. This rifle is basically a Model 64 barrel and action attached to an abbreviated polymer stock. It breaks down into two components: a receiver assembly and a barrel assembly.

Action Semi-auto, blowback
Overall Length36.25 in.
Disassembled Length20.2 in.
Overall Height (w/o optic)8.0 in.
Weight Unloaded4.5 lbs.
Weight Loaded4.6 lbs.
Barrel Length16.5 in.
BarrelBlued steel
ReceiverBlued steel
ButtstockTextured black synthetic; serrated buttpad, sling studs
Buttstock Length of Pull13.5 in.
Magazine(1) 10-round detachable rotary
Front SightSteel post
Rear SightAdjustable notch rear
Trigger Pull Weight5.4 lbs.
SafetyManual hammer block
Warranty1-year limited
Telephone(800) 370-0708
WebsiteSavageArms.com
Made InCanada

The Model 64 action is a simple blowback style. The receiver is drilled and tapped to mount a base, and there were no screw plugs in the tapped holes, so you can see into the action. Debris could easily get into the action if the rifle is dropped in mud, sand, or water. The serrated bolt handle was a roller-style, meaning it rolled as it is retracted to cock and load the chamber. You can push the handle in to lock the bolt back. The bolt does not lock back after the last shot fired. The safety lever was located on the right-hand side of the receiver above the trigger and directly behind the bolt lever. A hole indicates the safety is in the forward position and the rifle is ready to fire. You can see the bolt through the hole into the action. An “S” is stamped into the steel indicating the safety lever is in the Safe position.

The Savage’s muzzle wore a crown, and the front sight was dovetailed in place.

The trigger was smooth and narrow. Unlike on the KelTec and Ruger, we needed to break our shooting grip to manipulate the safety. The bottom metal with the magazine well is screwed into the stock, and a ridged metal magazine release is forward of the well. You need to press it forward to remove the magazine. To insert the mag, you use the front edge of the magazine to push the magazine-release lever forward and then insert the magazine. It was a bit tricky at first, but soon became rote.

We busted our thumbs on the steel magazine. We found the easiest way to load was to press down and to the rear of the cartridge while inserting it. The steel-body magazine held 10 rounds, and the tenth was hard to load.

On the Savage, we found we needed to depress the magazine-release button with the front edge of the magazine to insert the magazine into the magazine well.

The stock is the full-size Model 64 stock cut off just forward of the receiver. Sling studs were installed, and we like the ease of installing a sling. The polymer stock had a textured finish and molded checkering at the pistol grip. We liked the texture of the stock. Though there was no forend to grasp, we found we could grasp the front edge on the stock and pull it into our shoulders.

The round barrel sported a dovetailed front blade and an adjustable rear sight. A ladder adjusted elevation, and a hammer would be needed to tap it for windage correction. These sights were basic.

Note the flat in the Savage receiver that accepts the flat on the barrel. The white detent post in the stock is spring loaded and keeps the barrel nut from loosening during live fire.

The barrel has simple threading, and a serrated nut is held in place with a spring-loaded detent to keep the barrel and receiver together. To attach the barrel, just crank it on hand-tight, and you are ready to go hot. This procedure was not as fast as the Ruger’s, but it was super simple. The bottom section of the barrel assembly is milled flat so it fits in the receiver the same way every time. The muzzle was nicely crowned. Like the Ruger, the Savage was super easy to clean with the rifle broken down.

We liked the milled flat in the barrel because it was rugged and mated the same way to the receiver each time. The Savage is slower to break down, but the process is very simple to learn and use.

Going hot, we were surprised at the accuracy of the Model 64. In some instances we were able to shoot one ragged hole, and this is with iron sights. With a red dot mounted, we were even more surgical. Our best five-shot group measured 0.37 inches with the CCI Blazer 38-grain LRN ammo. The Remington Thunderbolt 40-grain LRN was close behind with a 0.43-inch group. Suffice it to say, the Savage averaged 0.5- to 0.7-inch groups with all the bargain ammo. We were smitten. After extended shooting, the barrel did become hot, so you need to take care. The trigger-pull weight averaged 5.4 pounds — the best out of the three rifles tested. It had a lot of take up but broke very consistently.

We purchased a set of Weaver #12 bases ($10) to mount the Crimson Trace red dot and continued to shoot one ragged hole in the target per magazine if we concentrated.

Our Team Said: The Model 64 Takedown had excellent accuracy. It was in between weight and breakdown length compared to the KelTec and Ruger. The deciding factor was the price. At $150 dollars less, it is very affordable and offered the best accuracy, but with no frills.

22 LR Range Data

Winchester Xpert HV 36-grain HPKelTec SU22CARuger 10/22 TakedownSavage 64 Takedown
Average Velocity 1236 fps1250 fps1277 fps
Muzzle Energy122 ft.-lbs. 125 ft.-lbs.130 ft.-lbs.
Smallest Group 1.06 in.0.74 in.0.74 in.
Average Group1.09 in.0.82 in.0.76 in.
Federal Auto Match 40-grain LRNKelTec SU22CARuger 10/22 TakedownSavage 64 Takedown
Average Velocity 1133 fps1143 fps1103 fps
Muzzle Energy114 ft.-lbs. 116 ft.-lbs.108 ft.-lbs.
Smallest Group 1.26 in.0.68 in.0.69 in.
Average Group 1.38 in.0.71 in.0.73 in.
CCI Blazer 38-grain LRNKelTec SU22CARuger 10/22 TakedownSavage 64 Takedown
Average Velocity 1218 fps1229 fps1224 fps
Muzzle Energy125 ft.-lbs. 127 ft.-lbs. 126 ft.-lbs.
Smallest Group 1.34 in.1.12 in.0.37 in.
Average Group 1.40 in.1.22 in.0.39 in.
Remington Thunderbolt 40-grain LRNKelTec SU22CARuger 10/22 TakedownSavage 64 Takedown
Average Velocity 1163 fps1197 fps1183 fps
Muzzle Energy120 ft.-lbs. 127 ft.-lbs.124 ft.-lbs.
Smallest Group 1.48 in.0.76 in.0.43 in.
Average Group1.50 in.0.81 in.0.50 in.

Related Articles

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Ruger 10/22 Takedown 11100 22 LR

2 COMMENTS

  1. Savage Model 64 Takedown 40207 22 LR
    I really enjoyed this article mainly because of it’s positive review as compared to what I read elsewhere and want to thank you. The Savage 64 is a Cooey Machine & Arms Co. design, the Model 64 that was first manufactured by Winchester with a plastic magazine which was replaced on the Model 64B with the current Zinc Alloy version that we see. 1964 is also the same year that Ruger came out with their famous Model 10/22 with the ingenious rotary 10 round magazine. I have to say that the 10 rounds stick mags have never appealed to me, they always seem to be in the wrong spot when handling the rifle. Winchester Western shut down their operations in Canada in 1979 and the Model 64 design was purchased by Lakefield Arms which improved the model by adding the left side lever safety to replace the push button bolt handle lock. Lakefield Arms was purchased by Savage Arms in 1995 including all of their 22 models. The bolt action designs became the Model 1G, IIG, 93 in 22WMR and they expanded the line which now includes Left Hand models in the 64 line as well as the 64 Take Down. The older Cooey model 64B had the same problem with the magazine safety catch, there is an after-market replacement part that solves this issue, If you are a little handy, you can drill a hole in the forward part of the magazine release lever and insert an appropriate size screw that will protrude and give a much better purchase to operate the magazine release. Due to the short fore end of the take-down design I find the magazine is really in the way when holding the rifle and this is my biggest gripe (it did not stop me from buying one as the “cool” factor is there) However, a couple of months before one was available to purchase in my area, I found on an online auction site, two 5 round mags that are a perfect fit for the model 64. They are original mags and not modified as these are cast metal and have what seem to be the same finish and the same markings as the 10 round mags and were made in Canada. So far, I haven’t been able to find any additional information on them and I am not aware of any bolt or semi-auto action that would have used them. I am thinking that they may have been a prototype development addressing my (and others) gripe on the long mags but couldn’t be marketed due to the competition from Ruger ( who would want a 5 round mag on a semi-auto – longer mags are usually more tedious to reload) The 5 round sure make for a slimmer design and are un-obstructive on the 64 take-down design. And yes, they are perfectly appropriate for hunting small game. When you think that Browning came out around that time period with the A-Bolt 22 and a 5 round mag and the next option was the 15 round, as they totally skipped the 10 round, go figure. If anyone has information on these 5 round mags, I would like to hear from you.

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