Which would be a better DGR, Winchester Classic Safari in .375 H&H or the Savage 116 Safari Express in .375 H&H? All opinions are welcomed and appreciated.
Recoilpad

Win, Savage has a pin that holds the bolt face to the bolt, week point in my opinion.

Gringo-That pin is no weakness.The Winchester may be better looking, and have the tradition behind it, but the savage is stronger, and from the factory,usually morE accurate.
The savage lugs are bigger and stronger.
That pin takes no load from the thrust of the shell firing.
The bolt head takes the thrust.I want all to realize what that design means to accuracy--THE LUGS ARE IN BETTER CONTACT WITH SEATS, DUE TO A LITTLE ROOM FOR BOLT HEAD TO
FLEX TO SEAT GOOD, THUS THE BETTER ACCURACY OUT OF THE BOX,
ON MOST SAVAGES!!!!!!!!Ed.

No Question......Winchester.


Ask on the African forum how many Savages PH's have used in Africa.......DJ

BETTER CONTACT WITH SEATS, DUE TO A LITTLE ROOM FOR BOLT HEAD TO
FLEX TO SEAT GOOD, THUS THE BETTER ACCURACY OUT OF THE BOX,
ON MOST SAVAGES!!!!!!!!Ed.

Still don't make it a better DGR

Savages are very accurate, I've owned them and I've seen the pin break on 300 and 338's, and not just on the ones I had, but others. I'm of the opinion the pinned bolt head is for ease of mauf. They are very accurate out of the box for the money, but DGR they aint.

I recently came across a Savage in 375H&H new at a reasonable price. When we tried to feed some factory ammo thru the action it would not feed properly from the mag to the action!

IMO if you cannot afford a Dakota, buy a CZ 550 or a Sako. I know the Sako is push feed but a push feed action that works is better any day than a Crf that does not work.

I am in the process of customising a model 70 that came out of the box. The action/barrel is okay hopefully, but the rest of the rifle is a piece of crap. Don,t think the Savage is any better.

Mainstream U.S. rifle manufactures have lost the plot.

I have 4 savage rifles and know hunt with others who have them to. They are very accurate out of the box.



I would not have one for a big game rifle and not a DGR for sure.



When we go P dogging we take along spare parts because I have had more parts break or get lost on the savages then any other the 30 plus rifles I own. They also have feeding trouble it is hard to get some of them to feed a whole mag with out jamming. The parts are easy to replace. But then losing a hr or so out of pdogging isn't going to get me killed. Or cost me a trophy.

The Model 70 set the standard for a factory-produced bolt action dangerous game rifle nearly seventy years ago, and with some minor adjustment and modification, the current Model 70 is still one of the very best choices available, and is widely-used wherever dangerous game is hunted in the world.

Its been an African and Alaskan standard since before World War II. With its big, stiff, flat-bottomed receiver; controlled-feed Mauser-type action; simple, rugged, durable trigger; coned-breech, which enhances feeding significantly; direct-acting, striker-blocking safety; plus the ability to get the bolt apart without tools or gimick proceedures, the Model 70 is tailor-made for hunting under the world's most rugged wilderness conditions, or in the face of any sort of dangerous game.

AD

recoilpad

My opinion is that mauser 98 are the ideal bolt action for harsh conditions.

I would recommend a CZ 550 that been tuned. Judge G got a really nice one.

Winchester is just a perfect solution to non-excisting problem. Winchester made today is nothing special. The extractor is not made of spring steel and will bend. The ones I tried will feed when they feel like it.

Cheers
/ JOHAN

I don't know enough about the Savage's reliability, or handling to rate it against the M-70. However, the M-70 is all I could want in a bolt-action DGR (although I haven't owned a Dakota or an Echols ).

George

Thanks all for your opinions. As soon as I posted this question, I was outbid on a Win. 70 Classic Safari in .375 H&H and I won the Savage 116SE in .375 H&H. I think the bidding majority feels that the Winchester is a better DGR than the Savage. The Winchester had several bidders; I was the only one that bid on the Savage. Once I receive the rifle, I will let you all know what I think about it. Thanks again.

I thought the 116SE was available in .458 Win.Mag. only.

George

By the way,

Why do Winchester put the safety on the wrong side of the action for a right hander. It is clumsy to use with your right hand on should be on the left of the action??

GeorgeS,
According to Savage, it is currently available in the .300 Win Mag, 300 Ultra Mag, 338 Win Mag, 375 H&H, and .458 Win Mag. At one time it was also offered in .425 Express.
Recoilpad

Some people have a hard time throwing a baseball too.

Chuck

I didn't see anything other than the .458 under the 116SE. They must have dropped all those other chamberings for 2004.

George

GeorgeS
My info was 2003. You are right. I checked the 2004 info and they listed only the .458 Win Mag. I guess I have an obsolete rifle.

Well, when you sell it, advertise as 'rare' or 'no longer available'.

George