Savage 111

[Clarktar]

Ok, I won a Savage 111 Trophy Hunter XP chambered in 30-06 with a scope at a raffle. It is a right handed gun (I'm left handed) and my wife had been expressing interest in shooting and hunting so I gifted it to her. We went to the range today and she shot 20 rounds. We eventually got on the paper and she put the final 3 shot group within a 2inch circle in the center of the target (100 yards). It was her first time shooting a rifle, and she was excited.

So, now I am wondering if it is possible or worth it, to do some modifications to the gun.

Maybe a barrel and muzzle break? Perhaps a better butt pad (decellerator?).

Has anyone else modified this model before? Is it worth it? Not looking for a long range rig, but anything under 500 yards is fair game once she builds up here skill and confidence.

I am thinking some modifications would be great birthday present for her or xmas present.

Thanks Guys!

 

[6mm Remington]

If she is handling it well so far, I would skip the break just because of the severe noise. A better butt pad is a must. It makes a huge difference if the Savage factory one is pretty firm. Get a good quality pad. Savages usually shoot pretty darn good so I would not just put a new barrel on it right away. You might be pretty darn surprised at how well they shoot.

Good luck and looks like you have her hooked. Nice job and a great companion to go with you now!!

 

[Clarktar]

Thanks, Yea, maybe I can just have the stock dipped and barrel cerokoted. Then have the action bedded....

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Pachmayr makes a nice affordable replacement recoil pad for the 111. I have one on my 30-06 and .243.

 

[spdcrazy]

i love my savage in 300. im with the rest of the ppl here. shoot it a bit. it should perform well and with the accutrigger (assuming its a newer model) you can adjust the trigger pull! My father mentioned he had savage build him a 300 back 30+ years ago and the gunsmith that was helping him said the biggest and most important thing was savages "heavy duty" bolt. the 300 my father bought me for my 18th bday (8 years ago) had this bolt factory. not sure if its an upgrade like it was when he built his or if its standard option now. but for the bigger caliber i guess its alot better? maybe someone else has some more info for ya.

congrat on winning the boom stick and glad she is liking it!

 

[Shrek]

The Savage should shoot straight out of the box. I'd do a prefit pad and make sure the barrel is floated. I think the 111 comes pillar bedded and without changing to a better stock you will have issues with any other bedding holding. Dipping and coating it would polish it up nicely. Savages are generally short on the finish and long on accuracy. Turning the accutrigger down as low as possible will help her a lot. If it doesn't have an accutrigger then a drop in rifle basix trigger.

 

[T43]

My wife has started shooting my Savage '06. I went to a shorter stock and loaded some light plinking rounds for practice. It was a sub MOA gun with factory ammo out of the box so the mods I made were for fit and comfort. She is doing really well with it.

 

[Clarktar]

Great info. I think I will only make some minor modifications. A need recoil pad. The scope mount and rings are not that great. Maybe I can get a weaver rail and some rings?

It would be nice to get the stock dipped and barrel coated. If I got the stock dipped would the rifle need to be "re-bedded"?

 

[Clarktar]

Looks like I can get a prefit pachmayar decelerator pad. I think she would like the stock to be dipped in Kryptek Nomad, with the barrel magpul flat dark earth. Now just need to find better base and rings.. then I will call it good for this rig.

 

[spdcrazy]

sounds like your on a roll. I almost went with a rail, actually bought one from amazon but it was for a right handed action not left, so i went with DNZ. i'm pretty happy. they are a two piece design (even have a one piece option as well), so ring and base combined. had to change from factory due to the vortex scope being shorter. figured less bolts and such means less room to wiggle loose. so far i'm very happy.

 

[husky390]

I wouldn't touch the barrel. If, you reload, I'd start playing with loads and bullet depth. All of my Savage's have liked the bullets seated longer than C.O.A.L. If it doesn't have the accu-trigger, I'd drop a Timney in it asap. If it does, I'd still consider dropping in a Timney. I love those triggers. If you want to spend the money, I'd toss the stock and put it in an HS Precision or Manners. Most of the Savage stocks are junk and I have had only one Savage rifle that came with pillar beds. With my .300 winmag I've noticed my groups get tighter the dirtier the barrel is, to a point. Congrats and happy shooting.

 

[tstowater]

Rebarrel to 6.5-06AI. Kind of depends on what she will be hunting. All depends on what you want to spend.

 

[Clarktar]

Thanks guys. I will likely not rebarrel. Might as well let her shoot this barrel until it needs to be replaced. Thanks for the heads up on the DNZ mounts. I will take a look at those.

 

[Rucker61]

The Savage Shooters site is always full of good information, and if you decide to rebarrel, there are always take-off barrels for $75 or so in their classifieds.