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Originally posted by Pathfinder:
I have one in 458 that shoots well and is overall well made (Wood stock fitted well with nice wood).

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How well does the brake work, assuming you've compared them on/off? ~~~Suluuq

I am also debating whether to buy a Savage Safari Express in 458 Win Mag. One thing that attracts me to this rifle is that it is made of stainless steel. Do you have any accuracy problem on your? How good is it capable of shooting? How is it's controlled around feed different than a typical M70 pre-64 CRF? Any more info will be appreciated.

Thanks!
Ming

quote:

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Originally posted by ming:
Hi raamw,

I am also debating whether to buy a Savage Safari Express in 458 Win Mag. One thing that attracts me to this rifle is that it is made of stainless steel. Do you have any accuracy problem on your? How good is it capable of shooting? How is it's controlled around feed different than a typical M70 pre-64 CRF? Any more info will be appreciated.

Thanks!
Ming

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I am not a gun expert nor am I familiar with the M70 . The way the action of the 116SE works in reference to stripping ammo out of its mag is as follows: The mag is internal, it is machined to push up the next cartridge in such a way that causes the base of the cartridge to immediately become engaged to the bolt face as soon as the bolt is pulled back far enough in the action. The bolt face is machined similar to a "U" wherein the open part of the "U" is face down to accept this cartridge as is pushed up causing the extractor to immediately engage the rim as the cartridge is pushed forward out of the mag and into the
chamber (not like the a remington 700 or Browning A Bolt bolt face which have a full rim which encloses the cartridge base causing the extractor to grasp the rim).
As I see this action function the cartridge is under complete control either by the magazine or the bolt and at no time is the cartridge loose.zine "lips" which control its direction
The ejector is not a plunger type as is on the Rem700, it is a spring loaded peace of metal that protrudes from the lower part of the action and rides insides a machined recess in the bolt which either allows it to protrude up or pushes it down out of the way.
You will find out that the Savage is somewhat disliked by some people on this forum and I cannot figure why, I considered the Winchester but that rifle is plagued with quality issues and If I where to have a Winchester custom made to what I would want I would have a Savage with Winchester stamped on it. I further explain, I am a believer that anything that can go wrong....will, therefor I require iron sights in the event that the scope becomes inoperable. The sights on the 116 are 3 fold down blades calibrated @ 100, 200 and 300 yds. I don't think I would use this gun past 150 but in the event they are there, they fold down flush thereby minimizing the probably of being damaged or knocked off which has happened with my Remington 700. A internal mag, very important on a DGR, you will hear horror stories about mag being accidentally dumped at the wrong time. A 3 position safety enabling the bolt to be locked or the ability to open the bolt with the safety on. The safety is in a well protected area which almost insures that it would not be accidentally knocked out of safe or into safe, plus it is right were your thumb naturally falls and within your view at all times. The gun is stainless which means I don't have to worry about leaving the gun in the rain or failing to inspect it every night or the putting strong smells that some of the solvents have to protect the finish. The accuracy is par with my other rifles which are all disappointed with my ability to shoot them any better. The stock dimensions fit me perfectly, I wouldn't have a big bore without a brake since I do not want to develop a flinch on a rifle which I do not shoot that much and it is a lot easier to prevent the flinch from developing than to break that bad habit. If I was to change anything it would be the replacement of the walnut stock with a synthetic, I know a lot of members are in love with blue steel and walnut but scratches and rust aren't my thing although they give the rifle character.

[This message has been edited by raamw (edited 01-05-2002).]

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Originally posted by Pathfinder:
raamw, you seem to know and understand your savage rifles. I have been toying with the idea of rechambering my 458wm 116SE to a 458 Lott rather than just selling it. I believe the action is plenty long enough but the magazine would probably be too short and have to be lengthened to 375 H&H size, which shouldn't be a big deal. Any thoughts or observations you or anyone else would care to share on this?

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My idea on this is simple, if you have a 458, what would a 458 lott give you, for a 100 to 200 feet per sec in addition to a considerable expense for the total conversion (equipment components and so on it may also give you a flinch which would negate any advantage the extra fps would give you. Most experts would say a man who could shoot your eye at 100 yds with a lesser cartridge is a heck of a lot deadlier than those who can't hit a 5 gallon bucket at 100 with a big bore. I get slighly over 2150 fps using 500 grn Hornady with H4895 powder on my chronograph, the recoil although not painful is at a limit that I still can handle, in a few years that may change., in which case I would have to re evaluate.
As far as the conversion, the wood would have to be openned up to compensate for the longer case and perhaps some ramp modifications, I am no gun smith but you may want to pose that question in the gunsmithing forum it appears there are quite a few knowledgable guys over there.

Thank you for the info. I think I will order one soon. My buddy has a FFL and he can get me one for around $850 including tax and other fees. This will probably be a rifle that I would like have to plink around with. I have been looking for a big bore stainless rifle for a while now and this one just caught my attention due to its stainless action and walnut stock. However, I would rather not have the brake. Fortunately, it can be turned on and off but I would remove it if possible when I get it.

I am not too concern about the recoil of the 458 Win Mag as I have been shooting the 460 WB and the "modern" 45-70. I was just wondering about its quality but it seems to be a decent product based on your description. Thanks.

Later!
Ming

Savage made good on the repairs, and says they replaced the failed part with the "magnum pin". I don't know of anyone shooting any DGR calibers in the Savage enough to determine if there are field failures of the magnum pin.

The 6-day courses at Gunsite and other locations have a lot of shooting (over 500 rounds), and a lot of things break there that are not usually experienced.

The Savage designs are for manufacturing economy, and don't know of any field testing. I know they have been invited to try some though.

jim dodd

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

[This message has been edited by the444shooter (edited 01-07-2002).]