Got my NRA rifleman magazine this past week. They tested a new Savage/Stevens rifle (list price $316). They shoot 5-5 shot groups for their accuracy report. Using factory ammo they averaged 1.12" and with some factory match loads they averaged .75". Pretty impressive for a gun in this price range. I've seen some pretty expensve guns get their test and not do nearly this well. Someday I think I have to give a savage product a try but will probably opt for one with a little better recoil pad and the accutrigger.

And do you really think the actual gun sent to the NRA Rifleman for evaluation was "randomly" picked from the assembly line?

MM

I'm not sure how they do it. It's possible they go out and buy one to avoid the implication. BUT, if companies do a hand picked model and send it to them I'd have to say from some of the accuracy I've seen on some bigger named more expensive guns.....well those guys did a real bad job.

FWIW IMO the Savage stock varmint style rifle is as accurate as anything I can build and better than most other production rifles regardless of cost.

If I wanted a very long range target rifle the decision is very easy.....Savage gets the business right now.

I believe they do buy these anonamously on the open market. If I'm not mistaken, I have seen ads in the past where they periodically sell the test guns they have accumulated.

quote:

And do you really think the actual gun sent to the NRA Rifleman for evaluation was "randomly" picked from the assembly line?

I don't know the answer to that but can say from experience every Savage owned by me or my friends has been a MOA or less rifle right out of the box.

I have owned three Savages, and all three were excellent right out of the box. When I bought my first (110 in .308), everyone I worked with at the time thought I was messed up in the head.

When they saw what that cheap rifle was capable of, they still laughed at me, but now because I was out shooting some of their more expensive semi custom guns.

Not the best rifles out there, but hard to beat for the money.

Kraky, I saw a couple a few weeks ago for around 250. They are definitely cheap and sheap looking but, if their like the other ugly rifles Savage puts out, they'll be shooters for sure. Every Savage rifle I own is a Sub MOA shooter. They make great tools in the field.

Reloader

I currently own three Savage rifles. Two are pre-accutrigger and an FP10 w/AT in 223 with the tupperware stock.

The other two are pre-AT in 338 WM and a 116 SS Safari in 375 h&h. Both pre-AT's have had trigger work and the 338 has been bedded by the previous owner in a factory plastic stock.

All three are sub-moa rifles. The 223 w/WW white box and every handload I have put through it. The 338 WM will shoot pretty much anything; very accurate w/225 Accubonds and the 210 Nos. Part. at just under 3000 fps is not only accurate, but extremely effective on game. The .375 is a bit more finicky. Haven't tried factory ammo in it but it loves IMR 4350.

Only complaint I have on the Savages is that no matter how hard I try to find it there, the safety is not on the end of the bolt where it o'tta be.

Regards,
hm

quote:

Originally posted by MuskegMan:
And do you really think the actual gun sent to the NRA Rifleman for evaluation was "randomly" picked from the assembly line?

MM

YUP! My 7mm-08 did under 3/4" at 100 yds with 2 loads with the 120 Nosler BT's and the third load with 140 Accubonds did 1.25" at 100 yds. Not bad for the first 3 loads through it huh?

My Savage 260 Rem. shot 3/4" groups all the time with remington 140 gr. factory ammo. Gun was very accurate but I hated the safety. We parted ways.

Savage makes a great gun, they typically are shooters in the moa, sub-moa range. but at the end of the day you still have a savage. they are plain and utilitarian and nobody gets real excited over them till you pull the trigger.

They shoot good, but I've heard a lot of reports about feeding problems. Anybody have one that suffers from this?

The only one I've ever owned was very accurate out of the box. I sent it to Fred Moreo (SP?) over at Sharp Shooter Supply. When it came back it was the most accurate rifle I've ever owned. I got tired of shooting the little one hole groups and sold it on GunBroker. The guy that bought it calls me about once a year just to tell me how crazy I was to ever sell this rifle.

They aren't pretty, but they do shoot.

Terry

Savages are like ugly women, they're nice in the dark, but thats about it.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanajcj:
Savages are like ugly women, they're nice in the dark, but thats about it.

I'll take an ugly woman that's good in the dark over a pretty woman that's not good for anything !!!

quote:

Originally posted by bwanajcj:
Savages are like ugly women, they're nice in the dark, but thats about it.

Bad analogy, It only takes one six pack to shoot a Savage

Terry

Sure they are not a pretty gun, but I've yet to shot a Savage Bolt action that wasn't accurate to VERY accurate.

That article stated the Stevens was basicly a Savage without the Accutrigger.

What a great kids first big game gun.

If a Savage (or Stevens)is too ugly for you - call Boyd's, Richards Microfit, Elkridge, or whoever - and get a stock blank to restock it.

It's a great winter project - and it is not tough to do.

quote:

They shoot good, but I've heard a lot of reports about feeding problems. Anybody have one that suffers from this?

Don't know how they feed, the way mine shoot, never had to work the bolt.

Regards,
hm

The other cool thing is that the stevens 200 is about the only way to build an economical bolt gun in .358 win, 35 whelen, 338.06 or 257 roberts. You can buy a barrel from midway for about $130 and do the swap yourself. If the original barrel is something desirable like 7mm08 you can sell it on ebay and recoup most of the cost of the aftermarket barrel.

You'll have a brand new bolt action in a hard to find caliber for around $300 total.

Weagle

quote:

Originally posted by weagle:
The other cool thing is that the stevens 200 is about the only way to build an economical bolt gun in .358 win, 35 whelen, 338.06 or 257 roberts. You can buy a barrel from midway for about $130 and do the swap yourself. If the original barrel is something desirable like 7mm08 you can sell it on ebay and recoup most of the cost of the aftermarket barrel.

You'll have a brand new bolt action in a hard to find caliber for around $300 total.

Weagle

my sentiments exactly!

quote:

Originally posted by hm1996:

quote:

They shoot good, but I've heard a lot of reports about feeding problems. Anybody have one that suffers from this?

Don't know how they feed, the way mine shoot, never had to work the bolt.

Regards,
hm

Exactly right.