I bought a Savage 11

[woodchukhntr]

I was shopping around for an inexpensive .223 to replace a H&R Ultra Varmint that I was dissatisfied with.  I looked at used guns, and came up with nothing.  I saw the Stevens 200 at Gander Mountain and was impressed with it.  After checking out this forum, I was even more impressed, although a Gander salesman said that they had one customer that was very dissatisfied with the trigger on his.

I went to a small local chain store and saw the the 200 was $30  less.   While looking around I saw the Model 11, with an accu-trigger for only $319.  I bought it!  I took it to the range with some ammo that I ahd on hand and was very pleased.  One group was about 3/4", and (unlike the Ultra Rifle) all groups were consistently in the same place.  I think that I may be onto something.

I also have a .222 Model 340, a .30-30 #340, a .22/20 ga. #24 camper, and a .30-30/12 ga. #24.  The .222 will probably be sold/traded this year.

[Davemuzz]

Woodchukhntr,

Glad to hear your Savage is working out well. I'm sure that accutrigger has something to do with those tight groups.

I also own a Stevens 200 in .308 and yes, the triggers are heavy (mine came in at 6.2lb) but you can do some "smithing" to these and get them to lighten up and still be safe. Of course, you could always go the replacement route.

I do own one Handi in 22 mag and I floated the forarm to get better accuracy. So, just curious about your Handi...did you ever attempt to "float" the forarm on it? Barrel harmonics seem to play havoic on these break open guns. I know I do the same thing (forarm float) on my Thompson Center's.

Dave

[LaOtto222]

I have 2 Stevens 200's. I too did not like the triggers (too heavy for me). I replaced both of them with Rifle Basix for about $80 each. They are wonderful now. Of course your model 11 was cheaper over all. Last Sunday A local Store (Dunham's sports) had Savage model 111FCXP package combos on sale for $339.99. They have a box magazine and come with a 3 X 9 scope. Thinking of getting one in 30-06. Do not know about the scope, but still not a bad deal with out the scope.

[woodchukhntr]

Davemuzz,

I tried floating the forend with an o-ring, but didn't see any change.  Supporting the gun at the front of the action was more consistant, but that is not how I would use it in the field.  I would either be supporting it with shooting sticks or a sling, or shooting offhand for the closer shots.  I was thinking about getting a 200 and possibly replacing the trigger, but the cost would have been about what a Savage 11 would have cost at the regular price.  The clearance 11 was a bargain. 


LaOtto,

I think that the 111FCXP is a great deal.  I believe that they have Simmons scopes.  I have had them and they are OK.  Not great, but OK.  The box magazine is a plus.  Of course, I have left home with a rifle, ammo, and no magazine.  Some rifles cannot function without it.

[Davemuzz]

Woodchukhntr,

If you want to give the Handi "one more try" you may want to do what I've done. I don't use any rubber of any kind when I float a forarm. Rubber is too inconsistent of a material. It is affected by heat and cold, and on my T\C's when you change a barrel, there is just no way your going to get the same screw tension that you had "the last time" unless your using a inch-lb torque wrench....and who carries one of those around in the field?

So, I float 'em with metal. I'm not a big fan of washers, but some people are. I like to use "tube metal" as I can cut it to length and form it to a barrel shape with a dremmel. Plus, I like to get some "big air" between the barrel and the forarm...you know...so I can actually see space in between there. Now, on the Handi that's a bit tougher because of how the forarm fits into the receiver, but you do have some room to work with there.

Here is a pic of my Encore forarm. I believe on my Handi the metal insert is at least 3\16" if not 1\4" thick. Now, it's a 22 mag, but it took out the vertical stringing I was getting.

Give it a try if you like. If not....sell it and don't look back!

Dave

[woodchukhntr]

Thanks, I'll consider it on my Mannlicher-stocked .22 Hornet Topper, but it might look really silly with the full-length stock.  I sold my Ultra Varmint.  I hope to get a .44 mag. Handi some day (when one shows up used for $150 or less), and will try that then.