Cylvre

After wanting to hunt for several years, and being a gun enthusiast for even more, I finally got to actually go out and hunt this past season with my Uncle and a couple of cousins. Now I'm situated south of the MN Rifle/Shotgun line so when hunting in my area and on my grandfathers land I'm only able to use shotguns and pistols as far as firearms go, but hunting 'up north' is a different issue all together.

Anticipating a future hunting trip, either 'up north' or anywhere else where I'd be able to shoot rifle, I began searching around looking for an ideal rifle to buy. Also one to practice and become proficent with, more than the hour or two that I got on the range with my shotgun after not shooting for four or more years (Not that I ever got a shot anyway , always next year).

Having been a gun enthusiast I knew the big names: Winchester, Remington, Ruger, to name a few. So I searched (Google ), and while I was searching a name that I wasen't very familar with kept popping up: Savage Arms. I found alot of very positive things about Savage rifles (Possible sub-MOA groups, great actions and triggers), and a few negative things (poor stocks mainly). So I ordered a catalog, continued to look, and ordered a few other catalogs. In the end I came back to Savage.

So really what I'm wondering is if anyone here has had experience with Savage Arms rifles. Shot one, known someone who bought or shot one, I really want to hear about it if you have owned one personally. Even moreso if you've gotten to try one of the newer models with the Accu-trigger. I really want to know anything that the Tilted Collective knows about these guns.

I'm looking to get a rifle that if it is the only rifle I ever own (which I hope won't be true, but theoretically speaking) will be a solid, accurate, lasting gun for a wide range of hunting situations. If you've got other advice about a rifle other than a Savage that would fit that criteria I want to hear that too.

Thanks in advance for your help!

~Chris

desal75

I have three Savages right now and have had more in the past. My best freind also has two of them and cost wasn't an issue to him because of his high salary. They are high quality, accurate guns for not much money. They may not look as sexy or as nice as some of the bigger names but that shouldn't matter too much. i can wholeheartedly recommend them.

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Cylvre

Exellent! Is there any particular model that you would recommend for an all-around hunting gun? Also, do any of yours have the new Accu-trigger, and if so does it really live up to all the hype?

Half Life

I had a model fp110 in 25/06 cal.It was very accurate and fun to shoot.
It was the tactical model{heavy barrel} so it was a little unbalanced. I plan to get another Savage in a 30/06 cal. The one with the lamanated stock looks cool.

Cylvre

I checked my catalog and it looks like the only option for a 30-06 in the laminate is the 12 Series Varminter 12BVSS. That's one beast of a rifle, 10.25 pounds, one of their 10 heaviest. Only ones heavier are their varminter and LE/tactical models with the Choate-style stocks on them. If you were looking and the black/grey laminate that only comes in .22's and .17HMR. Just some info.

Boo

I have only owned 1 Savage Rifle. It was a 7MM MAG. If you plan to shoot more than a few rounds a year or target (varmit) shoot, pick a higher end rifle. I was disappointed in the accuracy and feel of the rifle after just a few hundred rounds. I took it to a gunsmith and he said that the action had already been worked on, he could not help it and to buy a better gun. For long shots or a high use rifle go to a better model.

I was TOTALLY impressed with my Remington 788. Thousands of hand loads (some only 5% below max) later it shoots like a dream. 4" groups at 400 yards while freestanding.

If you are shooting deer or large game at a reasonable distance you should be OK. I will not own another Savage.

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Cylvre

Thanks for the advice! I'll certainly take a second and third look at the Rem 788 as an option.

ARTelevision

Savage Arms

When it’s time to go hunting for big game, I pick up my Savage 340, 30-30 LR. Made in 1954, it’s the most accurate gun I’ve used. That means I also prefer it for target practice – if I want to shoot something more powerful than a .22. 50 years ago, Savage was a big name with a solid reputation for no-frills construction and high accuracy. You won’t go wrong with an old Savage rifle.

If you’re interested in current Savage models, note some of the history of the company and its products in the description below. It is from the current issue of Field and Stream magazine. The Savage Model 110 is at the #21 spot in the magazine’s “50 Best Guns Ever” list.

(quote)

Savage Model 110

Debuting in 1958 – the same year as the Weatherby Mark V – the Savage Model 110 was the polar opposite of the Weatherby. A cheap bolt-action rifle put together out of inexpensive parts, it had a rotten trigger, and its barrel was screwed to the receiver by a slotted collar that added to the gun’s ugliness. But the 110 functioned and it didn’t cost much, and it shot very, very accurately. And nearly 40 years later, this unassuming rifle would save Savage Arms from oblivion.

In the mid-1990s, when Savage had fallen on hard times, and was about to close its doors, the company’s new president, Ron Coburn, asked which gun they could still produce. The answer was the Model 110. And so it was all Savage made for a while, but the company put all it had left into that one gun. Gradually, shooters caught on that the homely rifle would outshoot just about anything out there, and the company prospered. Savage 110s (and its variants, the Models 111 and 116) will still win no prizes for beauty, but they are probably the most accurate factory rifles on the market.

(end quote)

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Cylvre

I saw a copy of that sitting around when I was out getting my tires changed the other day and flipped through to see if Savage had a spot in there top 50. I was pleased to see that they did. I may have to go out and actually buy myself a copy and use that as a reference.

Thanks!!

BoomTruck

I have a Savage 112 FVSS in .300 Win. Mag. It shoots great, and the only problems I have ever had were due to the previous owner doing something stupid to the internal magazine. (It had a habit of spitting all of the rounds out when you worked the bolt).

I only wish it had their new Accu-trigger on it, those things are nice.

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daswig

I'd suggest the Serbu BFG-50. It's perfect for hunting damned near all kinds of game, from elephant to chipmunks. Of course, if you hunt chipmunks with it, there will not be much left, but hey, who eats or sends chipmunks to the taxidermist anyway?

Always use enough gun.

BTW, I've had a variety of OLD Savage guns. They all still worked fine. They never did appreciate in value, though...

Exodus

I own a Savage Model 10FP-LE1 in .308. It has the heavy barrel which I love. At 300 yards I can put 4 rounds in a 3 inch group. Im sure the rifle is capable of shooting a tighter group, but Im not the best shot around ;-). So yeah... I would buy this rifle again in a heartbeat.

cj2112

If you are going to buy a Savage, any Savage, you need to understand two things. First that it's not a high end gun, it's a decent, inexpensive, well functioning shooter. It will NEVER be a collectors rifle. It's not a great gun, but it's not a piece of shit either. Second, if you buy new, you are NEVER gonna be able to sell it for anything close to what you paid, whether or not you have shot it. So you may as well buy used. If I were buying a hunting rifle, I would buy one w/ a synthetic stock and a stainless barre. You will thank me for this when you are at camp in nasty weather and every body else is tearing their guns down and oiling them because they're afraid they'll rust.
If I were going to buy a Savage for hunting THIS is the one I would look at, probably in 30-06

ARTelevision

cj2112, good words and advice.
A lot of it applies to many firearms.
Thanks for your perspective.

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