Savage Questions

[Harry Snippe]

Thinking about buying a 11FCNS Savage in 308 . Is there anything I should be looking for ? I bought a package deal a few years back in 300 Rem short Mag and traded it since the bolt lift was too heavy . Otherwise I liked the rifle . 

Then too I am looking at a demo  . An 116FHSAK in o6
Which would you think would be the best buy? The money is about the same .

[Retsof]

Harry,

Since you asked, I'll answer but this is my opinion only and you'll probably get different answers. I don't know anything about the Savage 11FCNS, as I've not owned nor know anyone who does. However, I bought my Son-in-Law a Savage 116FCSAK (with removable clip) in 270 Winchester. This rifle has been scary accurate (within 1" @ 100 yards for a 3-shot group) for 6 out of the 7 factory loads I've shot. The only load it did not shoot well was the Hornady 130 gr IB Lt. Mag., though it would still harvest deer within 150 yards or so. Some people (no, make that most people from what I've read) do not like muzzle brakes. Neither I nor my Son-in-Law mind this feature, since we hunt from treestands and wear electronic ear muffs, which I wear when using my rifle which does not have a muzzle brake. Finally, this rifle feeds rounds from the clip almost effortlessly and the bolt is very smooth to operate. I also like the accutrigger, which I think is one of the reasons for this Savage's accuracy. Though there are those who don't like this feature (for their own good reasons I'm sure), I do very much like it. IMO all of the aforementioned features contribute to making this rifle a joy to shoot. Having said all of this, I will tell you that Savage is not the low-priced bargain it used to be. From what I've seen of the latest asking prices for Savage bolt actions with the accutrigger, they are certainly not the cheapest option around. Whether they are over priced is purely a personal decision.

You mentioned that the bolt lift was hard on the previous Savage you owned. I noticed that on my Son-in-Law's Savage the bolt was harder to lift than on my other bolt action. I attributed this to the short length of the bolt handle. So, I bought a tactical bolt handle (for about $25 if I remember correctly from Sharp Shooter Supply) to replace the standard Savage bolt handle. The tactical bolt handle is longer and the end has a larger knob to grab.  It took about 5 minutes to do and it has made a world of difference.

The Savage bolt actions are known for being quite accurate right out of the box. So, no matter what version you get of the 2 you mentioned, you stand an excellent chance of getting an accurate and dependable rifle. Interestingly enough, I do not own a Savage bolt action rifle simply because I already own other rifles, which are entirely adequate for the shooting/hunting that I do but I understand and appreciate what Savage offers. If the need ever arises to buy another bolt action rifle, I will look hard at the Savage. The final decision is yours to make but that's ok, since half the fun is in the choosing.

Good luck.

[Retsof]

One other thing I thought about after re-reading your post. The 2 choices you mention involve a short-action (308) and a long-action (30-06). I don't know about the short action but I did run into an issue with my Son-in-Law's 270 (also a long action). This may not apply to you but I figured I'd mention it. My Son-in-Law is short in height and arm reach. He tried the rifle with his hunting clothes on to ensure the rifle fit him. It didn't. I had to have 1" cut off the stock before the rifle (with a long eye relief scope) fit him properly. Also, I could not find a 2-piece scope mount that allowed sufficient flexibility in mounting the scope, so I ended up getting a 1-piece tactical base with multiple slots. Even then, the rear scope ring had to utilize the rearmost base slot for the scope to work. Once again, this was due to my Son-in-Law's stature and you may not face this issue. However, like I said, I just to make you aware of this. I don't know if this would have been an issue with a short action Savage.

[Harry Snippe]

Retsof
Thanks for your time . Think the oversized bolt might be some thing to look into as it seems they cock as you lift the bolt , so the leverage would help .
The rifle would be offered to my wife as her second offering .It is I that need to do the foot work .
I use a tikka and a winchester myself
Happy

[Retsof]

Glad to be of some assistance. BTW you have great taste when it comes to rifles. One last comment involves the removal of the standard Savage bolt handle. You'll need an Allen wrench (at least I did for my Savage but I can't remember the exact size) to remove the large nut at the end of the bolt. The initial removal of this nut involved some force. So, I put the bolt into a vise and put a synthetic rubber-like material around the bolt so it wouldn't get marred.

[Harry Snippe]

Well still window shoppin' as of yet . Then I will get the boss involved .

You have helped quite a bit , and I like the feel of the rifles personly though I am happy with my own

[slim rem 7]

 i ll second the 06 choice but get her an limb saver if its not the new ones.. they come with the limb saver onum nowdays.. good luck. slim

[Harry Snippe]

Still have in mind the308 Hunter and '06 Warrior

If I were to get the 06 which apparently is this years demmo , I would think it has the latest pad . The gun is avertised as weighing 6.!/2 -6 3/4 lbs, so reciol with a scope and sling it would recoil not much worse than my 7 Lb winchester
I have last years catalog from a wholesaler which shows the gun having the bigger bolt bolt . this one apparently does not . I would go for the bigger bolt if it should make it easier to open and cock. Is there then a Part Number  for the 116FHSAK.Does this fit other models too ?

[Retsof]

Harry,

You can call "Savage Shooter's Supply - The Savage Specialists" on the number listed on their web site (419-695-3179). They specifically mention to call this number to ensure you are ordering the right part for your particular Savage.

On the issue of the recoil pad on the 30-06, IMO this really isn't that big of a deal, since the 116FHSAK has a muzzle brake (ie, you may already know this but the "K" in the model number indicates an adjustable "on/off" muzzle brake). Based on my shooting my SIL's 270 Savage also with a muzzle brake, it takes much of the kick out of recoil, though I know that everyone feels recoil differently. Just for the record, neither me nor my SIL much like alot of recoil and the Savage muzzle brake works fine for us. Of course a 270 does not kick as much as a 30-06 or so I've been told.

[Harry Snippe]

Well I will be picking up the 308 11FCNS . It has the new accurastock and the detachable clip.
The young lad wants to hunt now abit so he says , so I am not going to start him with either my 338 F nor the Winchester 300 Mag , since he has never handled much more than a 30/30.
So there will be a quick scope and sighting, in as the moose season is just next week .

[Retsof]

Let us know how the rifle works out, especially any impressions you have about the accustock, which is relatively new.

[slim rem 7]

moose.. umm .. i don t know the .308,,i do know the 06 shoots a 180 grn real well. .
 but like i say its probably just a matter of shot placement with that 308 savage..good luck

[Harry Snippe]

Yes the moose drop to the '06 180 gr. bullet like "the hammer of thor" . Add a bit of distance and some assurance , I normally use the winchester 300 WM with a good bullet .( thats for the 300 plus long range shot )

BUT !!!  a lot of moose have fallen for years and years to the "ol 300 Savage , so why worry using the big bother to it the 308 Winchester , that has a bit more powder and speed .The mighty 303 British was used many years here in Canada too, when after the war's you could buy a rifle" slighty" used from Sears for under 15 bucks .
Your not going to drop them one shot to the rear ham @ 50 feet , where a 50 Cal might be in order , but with everything a good placed shot on moose do not need a magium something to down . Oh the gun shops want to sell you a 338 WM on the light side and up for the job in case you see a bear too , but who needs a 416 for a 50 something jeffery  really ?
If you watch TSN TV , Jim Shockey downs an Big Northern moose with his 50 Cal TC with out a problem .
If the ol' 6.5x55 can get the job done overseas then too I am not under gunned inside a hundred yards with a 308 W .
Then too as back up I still have the 338 F with the 210/ 215 bullet . in case I see a black bear too!!

[Harry Snippe]

Oh! the question of the AccuStock . Look down on the form on stocks . I think Savage now have the recieves all bedded down , so there will be no movement in the stocks , getting you  away  from those flyers Etc. I never shoot to heat the gun up too much , always letting it cool between loadings , and when hunting after the second shot your just hoping , like wise with the second . The first well placed shot always tells the story.
We will see how this works over time , as my other gun a Tikka with a very flex able stock in 338 F ( Not a target gun ) will put them in  .05 " if I do my part . (And I am far from being a great shot)
I think I might really like this new Savage .
 One Negative -
 Do not really like the cocking feature on the first bolt lift !!
If this does not wear in I might order a bigger bolt handle , since you need to drop the rifle off your shoulder to load another round . I practise Practise , should I need that fast second shot !!
Over all I like the way this gun comes up , and it is a bit forward heavy , so if you also shoot a revolver , you know you can hold her steady and place that shot.

[slim rem 7]

if you hitting .05 you hitting same hole ,,an not very ragged at that.. an you are a good shot .. no doubt..
 what did i missunderstand..except that you got the exception savage... all my savage bolts hold the accuracy
 through a hot barrel but i must admit they are 06.. mabe the 308 might be a bit different .. i don t own one..slim

[Harry Snippe]

Well I finally got to the range with the 11 Savage in 08 . I still need to adjust the trigger down , just need to get an inch torque wrench first to get the Accustock adjusted to the reciever properly .The trigger might be set at about four pounds I figure , otherwise it is crisp and feel no over travel .

I had no problems even on a windy day to keep the shots under an inch with the best groups At about a half an inch . So over all pleased with the rifle . Like a revolver with a lug under the barrel , this rifle seems to be weight forward and this seems to benifit holding it steady in the standing position .With the scope you do not notice this feature as much , but it is there .
Now it's to the bush as a bear seems to be coming for the apples and I in for some bear .