Savage 11 - why not?

[karibunisana87]

I've been looking at the Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP package rifles. I've read quite a bit about them online, and I've checked them out in the store. I'm looking at the .308. The scope seems fine, but I don't like the BDC reticule and would probably sell and replace it (and get new rings as well). Otherwise, I can't really see anything wrong with it. The weight is under 8 pounds, which I'm perfectly happy with. The stock seems like a normal synthetic stock. The quality seems to be a step above the Savage Axis and Ruger American.

I know that a lot of guys on this forum invest a lot in their gear, and for good reason. To those of you with higher end rifles: what am I missing out on by buying the Savage? In what ways would the rifle be less capable than others?

 

[rbljack]

I don't own the higher end rifles, but I bought my first rifle when I started hunting in 1990... a savage 30-06 bolt action rifle, which was bought as a package. At the time it was the 110 package with synthetic stock, with scope rings, bases. Its been on a bunch of hunts, has been reliable, is somewhat lighter than other rifles I own, and its my primary rifle still. I should mention that I did take it to a gunsmith to get the trigger improved after the first year or two of ownership.

Last Christmas, I bought my son a savage 111 synthetic stock package, and it comes with the accutrigger. Long story short, I feel the savage was a great bang for the buck in 1990, and an even better bang for the buck in 2015 with the accutrigger. Its not a high end shiny rifle with the highest performance scope, BUT its an affordable option for sure that WILL get the job done. Do I still want a kimber mountain acsent rifle...of course....LOL. but my trusty savage continues to perform year after year. If it gets a new scratch in the stock...so what, no big deal.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

To me a rifle is a tool. It should go bang every time, and it should hit what I am aiming at. All of my Savages do that very well.
Some people don't like the accu trigger, and some don't like the stock.

 

[StrutNut]

I have the Savage 16 Bear Hunter with the Accutrigger and Accustock. It also comes with a on/off muzzle brake. I love the gun. Very accurate and not much recoil for a 300 win mag. Also extremely easy to modify. I will be replacing my bolt handle soon. For about $55 I can replace the handle myself with an allen wrench. Saw a video on how to do it on you tube. Within minutes I had mine off and put it back on. Just to see how easy it would be. I did here the regular stocks are too flimsy for a bipod but the accustocks were just fine. I just got mine last October and only have 80 rounds through it but so far I love it. It wont be my last Savage thats for sure.

 

[Ratamahatta]

I don't own the higher end rifles, but I bought my first rifle when I started hunting in 1990... a savage 30-06 bolt action rifle, which was bought as a package. At the time it was the 110 package with synthetic stock, with scope rings, bases. Its been on a bunch of hunts, has been reliable, is somewhat lighter than other rifles I own, and its my primary rifle still. I should mention that I did take it to a gunsmith to get the trigger improved after the first year or two of ownership.



Last Christmas, I bought my son a savage 111 synthetic stock package, and it comes with the accutrigger. Long story short, I feel the savage was a great bang for the buck in 1990, and an even better bang for the buck in 2015 with the accutrigger. Its not a high end shiny rifle with the highest performance scope, BUT its an affordable option for sure that WILL get the job done. Do I still want a kimber mountain acsent rifle...of course....LOL. but my trusty savage continues to perform year after year. If it gets a new scratch in the stock...so what, no big deal.

Same here, I have a 96 version of the 110 and it still performs.

 

[rileybassman]

I have a 116... perfectly great gun! I would recommend replacing the scope rings - or at least lok tite them. Other then that, they are great guns. I added a B&C stock and a Nikon Monarch to mine.

 

[CO_west]

How would you guys rate them compared to the weatherby vanguard line of rifles?

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I would rate a Savage up there with anything in its price range. Personally, I would buy the Savage before the Weatherby. Don't think I have ever heard of anyone having accuracy issues with a Savage.

 

[rileybassman]

How would you guys rate them compared to the weatherby vanguard line of rifles?

I have savage 116, dad has vanguard 2 stainless... very similar rifles. With my aftermarket stock, I like the savage better. The Weatherby has a better factory stock. Weatherby (at least in the 06) has a 24" tube vs Savage's 22". Haven't shot the weatherby as much, but from what I can tell both are very accurate with multiple factory loads.

Both have great triggers... both are two stage - the Weatherby is a single piece and the savage is the accutrigger with a blade. BOth 3 position safety, both have bolt lock. Comes down to feel/preference in my opinion. With a little load development, I am getting 2830 FPS and sub .5" three shout groups with barnes 168 ttsx with the savage... haven't shot for groups with the weatherby, but seemed fairly easy to keep at around an inch with factory.

Try and hold em both and pick Savage is US made and their CS is excellent FWIW. The Savage 116 Weather Warrior compares slightly better as it has a better stock, and bottom metal. I replaced my stock and bought the bottom metal from savage, so in essence have a weather warrior now.

It is a win-win choice IMO - I am a savage fan after seeing what this rifle, my sisters, my wife's, and my cousin's savages all do.

 

[rayporter]

if you go to a 600 yd match with a factory class the savages rule the class, totally. they rule at 1000 yd too.

so accuracy wise you cant argue with results. looks are another thing entirely.

 

[CO_west]

Sounds good. The stock on the Vanguard is nice, at least in my opinion. Of course you can replace a savage stock no problem. The weight of the vanguards is a little much, though - if it weren't for that I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

 

[rileybassman]

Sounds good. The stock on the Vanguard is nice, at least in my opinion. Of course you can replace a savage stock no problem. The weight of the vanguards is a little much, though - if it weren't for that I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

Vanguard is a little heavy... I will give it that

 

[PNWGATOR]

I ended up with a Savage in a three gun deal and I was ho hum on it...until I took it to the range. It's a 30.06 and it shoots bugholes at 100 yds with 168gr Barnes TTSX factory ammo. I couldn't ask for more accuracy in any rifle regardless of price.

 

[rileybassman]

I ended up with a Savage in a three gun deal and I was ho hum on it...until I took it to the range. It's a 30.06 and it shoots bugholes at 100 yds with 168gr Barnes TTSX factory ammo. I couldn't ask for more accuracy in any rifle regardless of price.

Yea both my savage 06s love Barnes 168s.

 

[lcxctf2000]

I have an 11 in .308. I went with the non-package gun because it has the Accustock and I wanted to put better glass on it than what came with the package when I bought mine.

The XP as it sits now is huntable and accurate at purchase. It's actually lighter than the standard 11 due to using plastic bottom metal and magazine cap.

If I were to do it again, I'd buy the XP package and pull the scope and rings and put nice glass on it. Do it right and you won't be in it for much more than what a standard 11 costs. If you really need a bipod or uber stiff stock for some reason grab a B&C or one of the lightweight options from McMillan or Manners or the like.

Definitely check out Savage Shooters forum to learn more about all that you can do with a Savage.

 

[brushape]

Factory savage 110 30-06 with minor trigger tuning does this consistently with several handloads

 

[husky390]

Absolutely nothing wrong with a Savage. Especially with a Timney trigger.

 

[hodgeman]

I got my son one in 7-08. Not a bad rifle at all- especially considering it came ready to hunt for $499.

You can get a better scope and rings than comes on the package guns, but there's nothing wrong with the Nikon for most stuff. My son has shot several critters with his.

 

[rbljack]

I agree with others about the vanguard. in addition to the two savages I have for myself and the boy, I bought the wife a 270 weatherby vanguard in synthetic stock. It was on a clearance deal at walmart years back and I couldn't pass it up for 250 bucks! Problem I discovered when I got it home was this....they are heavy. I haven't put them on a scale to compare, but its easy to feel the difference. After our mule deer hunt this year, and walking around with the wife, switching weapons back and forth, it was QUITE apparent that her 270 was heavier than my 30-06.

 

[rayporter]

somewhere in there is a good one liner. grins