Going to buy Savage 110, need some help!!!!

[B. Miville]

Hey folks,

Some time between Christmas and Tax return time I think I am going to pick a Savage 110.  I have a T/C Encore and a Winchester 94 already, so this time I decided to try a new flavor of action and go bolt action.  A new production Winchester (by FN), is waaaay to expensive, a Remington getting nearly so, and the higher end Weatherby's a mere dream.  But the Savage 110 seems to keep a good reputation and respectable pricing.  I had a friend who owned a 110 in .270 and though he hardly got to shoot it much before selling it he seemed to enjoy it too.  All this adds up to a rifle I am sure I will be happy with.  Now I just need your help to decide exactly what I want in my new rifle, and what model number I want (I have browsed the Savage web page and must say.....it is awful confusing and I got "Model number overload".)

Ok so lets get to it.  I prefer wood and bluing.  But I am also practical and see Synthetic and blue or Synthetic and Stainless as good virtues, especially considering this is a WORKING gun, not a safe queen.  So what do you guys think....is the factory wood pretty durable and can it take a reasonable beating and still look decent, or should I just go with synthetic?

Magazine now.  Do you guys like the box or hinged floor plate.  Does the box magazine version cost more than hinged floorplate, and if so about how much more?  And are all the rifle models either box or hinged, or is there also a blind box, unhinged model?  I got confused reading the Savage online catalog.  If at all possible I want at least the hinged floor plate or box.

The caliber I want will be the trusty .30-06.  I do know at least that the action length model number will be 3 digits long as the 2 digit is the shorter action.

I believe I want to choose from the "Hunter series" (that seems to be a no brainer  ).

I think thats it for right now.  Ok, so armed with the above info, what do you recomend and what model number should I be looking at?

Brian

[jmayton]

First, all the actions are the same except for length...well except for the 25 and the 40...and the target models.  Anyway, i have a 110 package.  Blued.  Wood Stock.  I like it.  I have a friend that has the same rifle, but with the sythetic stock.  I like mine better.  So does he.  The Savage synthetics are cheap looking and feeling.  As for box or hinged floorplate, mine is blind box which is fine because of the 3 position safety (unload by cyling the action).  i looked at one of the clip models and it looked cheap but I have no experience with the hinged floorplate.  So, blue, wood, with a box magazine you need a 111G.  Mine has gotten a bit dinged up over time and the bluing around the muzzle is a bit worn, but all that gives it character and shows that it's not as you say a safe queen.  The classic series is the high-gloss high quality finish rifle, the rest are great working guns.  Get what you want, they're all durable, reliable, and accurate.

[kevthebassman]

I have the 116 FSS, a long action in stainless/synthetic with blind magazine, in 30-06.  It's a good, hardworking, accurate rifle.  My only gripe is that the recoil of the '06 in the light package of the Savage is, in my opinion, a bit uncomfortable.  A rang session that goes beyond 10 rounds without some sort of recoil pad is just no fun.

I like the Savage, but if I had it to do over again knowing what I know now, I think I would go for a CZ.  About the same price range, and I feel that the CZ is the superior rifle, in accuracy, quality, and shootability.

[Swampman]

The only Savage I'd consider is the Model 114 American Classic.  Please buy an American made rifle no matter what you end up getting.  Personally I prefer Remingtons.

You can't beat the .30-06.

[AiredaleTerrier]

+1 for an American made rifle!

[SDS-GEN]

I have 3 all have synthetic stocks, one is blued (my go-to coyote gun) and the others are stainless.  All three now have new stocks from Bell & Carlson, as someone else stated the factory synthetic stocks are cheap, they work fine, but they are kinda crappy.  Incidently my Savage 112 is the most accurate gun I have ever owned.

[pa hog]

Stop by here good info,and lots of good reading: http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php

[mountainview]

Hard to go wrong with any of them. Head to the local gunstore and hold several in your hands and then pick out the model that tickles your fancy and feel the best for you. Then it is time to start finding the load(s) it likes. I've gotten several of the packages, some new some used, w/ wood and syn stocks (10, 11, and 110) along with a 12FV and all work well and still look good. The synthetics will hold up to more "abuse" but the look of wood (espcially nice walnut) is hard to beat. I've never had a problem with the blind mags, while box or floorplates would be a nice convenience for me, I'm on a budget and more interested in getting the round down range to the desired POI. My Savages have delivered for me on both accounts.

Good luck and have fun getting and shooting your new rifle.

[teddy12b]

My father in law has a 116 30-06 weather warrior with a hinged floorplate.  For a working gun I can't imagine anything that would hold up better or shoot straighter.  That rifle is outstanding, and there are used ones out there for great savings.

[slim rem 7]

 30 06 110. wallys gottum right now for under four..
that includes a fair scope..id rather you bought from
 an gun shop to be honest ,,but the wallys gun is about as close to custom accuracy as you gonna get..tempted to buy another ,,just in case .. with mine another thing i like is the accuracy doesn t change with an hot barrel..i owned several good makes that did change point of contact if the barrel was hot..danged annoying..if you get the gun im talking after sighting it in ..try one box of fusion 165 at a hundred..

[Lazermule]

I have a Savage 110 in 7mm Rem Mag.  I bought it new in 1990 for $279 and added a 2-10x Weaver scope on it.  I have filled my freezer over the years with 40-50 deer using that gun.  Showing its age, but still shoots MOA at 100 yds.  It is actually referred to as "Old Dinner Bell" in deer camp, because when you hear it, it's time to eat...

Great rifle, I'd never part with it...

Lazer

[dpastordan]

I owned a Stevens 110E, .30-06, for about 20 years.  It came with a 4X scope - no brand on it.  I swapped it out with a 3x9 Weaver.  It was a walnut stained birch stock with a blind magazine.  It was basic.  It would shoot 1.5" groups with 3 shots consistently - 4 and 5 would start to string.  No complaints.  I sold it.  I now have a Savage 111 in .30-06 I picked up used for $250.  I put a 4x Weaver scope on it.  It is in a synthetic stock and with a blind magazine.  I zeroed it in with 165 grains - shoots a bit tighter than my older '06.  Kicks about the same.  There are a lot of good used Savages out there.  Check out Gunbroker.com.  I've also had a .270 and 7mm Remington Mag in Savage 110's.  Good rifles. 

[plumberroy]

I have 2 left handed savages a pre accutrigger blued/syn. 338 win mag and a stainless/syn  accu trigger  22-250 heavy barreled varmit 
The 338 easily does moa groups . the 22-250 shoots 1/2"-3/4" groups with loads it doesn't like, with loads it likes, you need a micrometer to measure the groups

[slim rem 7]

  somebody said cz was more accurate, than the savage 110..
 id have to see that.. ive got the cz 452.. accurate as all get out.. but more so than my savage ..not..i have a friend who can one hole 3 shots with 165 fusion ,using my cheap outa the box 110 w what ever that scope is on the wallys package.. this at a hundred..
 ive come dang close a couple o times my self..
 it s right  now so seldom take it to the range .. no reason..
 one thing the cz an savage have in common .. a hot barrel doesnt affect eithers accuracy.. thats big for me..

[trotterlg]

I have one that started life as a .243 Walmart package rifle, then was a .22-250 and is now a 17 Remington.  It is the most consistant rifle I have ever seen, it will put as many shots as you like under an inch at 100 yards starting from a cold clean barrel.  Mine is nothing special at all, wood stock now, 4-12 Swift scope and a Green Mountian barrel, but the way they are built just seems to make them accurate shooters.  Larry

[RemingtonMagnum]

I guess the Savage 110 has lost favor. My 110E in 30-06 is a pride and joy  to shoot. They are one of the best buys out there on any market today. They look good and shoot fantastic but sell exceptionally reasonable.

Don Jackson Remington Magnum/Ultramag

[JeffG]

I just bought the 114 American Classic in 7mm Remington mag.  I haven't shot it yet, but for the price I am very pleased with the gun.  The checkering wrapped around the forend is out of a long ago memory, when gunmakers did this nice of a job.  I think you will be pleased.  One of the over riding reasons I bought this gun say, as opposed to a Remington or Tika, is that my varmint gun is a 223 Savage, and I really like the trigger set up... among a whole lot of other features.

[3006bluffhunter]

You may want to consider iron sight which is avalible in certain models! I have amodel 110 7mmrem mag blind mag! Its not a pretty gun but boy does it shoot! Then i treated myself to a model 111 gL wood 30-06 iron sights on it but will probably scope it soon! safe queen for now! Then my model 111 30-06 black synthetic with a detachable clip now thats a very nice gun to tote around the woods all day! 8.5lbs with nikon buchmaster scope! The all wood models are alittle heavy for all day hunting! But any I have even the wood model are a treat to shoot! Any thing savage will treat you right! Good luck Dale

[Lazermule]

You may want to consider iron sight which is avalible in certain models! I have amodel 110 7mmrem mag blind mag! Its not a pretty gun but boy does it shoot! Then i treated myself to a model 111 gL wood 30-06 iron sights on it but will probably scope it soon! safe queen for now! Then my model 111 30-06 black synthetic with a detachable clip now thats a very nice gun to tote around the woods all day! 8.5lbs with nikon buchmaster scope! The all wood models are alittle heavy for all day hunting! But any I have even the wood model are a treat to shoot! Any thing savage will treat you right! Good luck Dale

Yeah, I have absolutely no complaints on my Savage 7 mag.  It is a great cheap gun that shoots as tight as some of the customs I have.  Probably the best gun out there for the money...

LAZER

[glockman55]

I have the Mod. 116, synthetic stock, stainless, muzzle brake 7mm, mag weather warrior. I bought a Boyd's laminate stock for it and like that better than the plastic. But it is heavier. I just pick up another Savage mod. 111, .270, Syn. Blued, for a lighter rifle to carry on those long walks some hunts require. I haven't shot the .270 yet, I'm in the process of changing the scope, mounts, rings..The 30-06 has always been a good cal. Maybe you should go shoulder a couple of different Rifles before you buy. The synthetic is a thin stock and some don't care for them.  Good Luck

The bottom one is my 7 mag.

[Lazermule]

I have the Mod. 116, synthetic stock, stainless, muzzle brake 7mm, mag weather warrior. I bought a Boyd's laminate stock for it and like that better than the plastic. But it is heavier. I just pick up another Savage mod. 111, .270, Syn. Blued, for a lighter rifle to carry on those long walks some hunts require. I haven't shot the .270 yet, I'm in the process of changing the scope, mounts, rings..The 30-06 has always been a good cal. Maybe you should go shoulder a couple of different Rifles before you buy. The synthetic is a thin stock and some don't care for them.  Good Luck

The bottom one is my 7 mag.

I can't tell from the picture, but does your 116 have the Accutrigger?  Nice gun..

LAZER

[glockman55]

I have the Mod. 116, synthetic stock, stainless, muzzle brake 7mm, mag weather warrior. I bought a Boyd's laminate stock for it and like that better than the plastic. But it is heavier. I just pick up another Savage mod. 111, .270, Syn. Blued, for a lighter rifle to carry on those long walks some hunts require. I haven't shot the .270 yet, I'm in the process of changing the scope, mounts, rings..The 30-06 has always been a good cal. Maybe you should go shoulder a couple of different Rifles before you buy. The synthetic is a thin stock and some don't care for them.  Good Luck

The bottom one is my 7 mag.

I can't tell from the picture, but does your 116 have the Accutrigger?  Nice gun..

LAZER

No acctrigger, I put an after market in it, Rifle Basix set at 2 1/4 lbs.