Savage 116SE Safari Express

03 January 2002, 14:55

Paladin45

I was thinking about buying a new savage 116SE safari in 375 H&H and wondered if anyone had any experiences, good or bad on this model of rifle.

03 January 2002, 19:20

Pathfinder

I have one in 458 that shoots well and is overall well made (Wood stock fitted well with nice wood). But that being said I'm probably going to sell it since I like the 416 rem M70 I have much better mostly because I have several M70s and shoot them regularly. I really dislike the safety on the Savage, finding it awkward for me and the safty latch seems too small. This model is also a controlled feed but lacks the big claw of the mauser type action. If you like savages these are better than average.

03 January 2002, 19:25

Rusty Gunn

No experiences, but have had the same delima. But in the end I sent a Mauser action out to be made into a 375 whelen AI, instead.
I often wonder how much less recoil the Savage has with the brake, as compared what the 375 Whln AI will have with no brake, and whether I should have just bought the Savage.
Well, at least I have a custom made rifle, made to my specs. I'd had to "make do" with the Savage. I'm quite sure I'll enjoy my rifle, and will not look back. Good luck figuring your's out. ~~~Suluuq

03 January 2002, 19:30

Rusty Gunn

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

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

04 January 2002, 06:25

Pathfinder

To be quite honest I can tell little difference in felt recoil with the muzzlebrake open or closed. I've only fired about 40 rounds through the rifle in total and don't find it that difficult to shoot at all, although I have only fired about ten rounds in succession. Maybe someone who has more sensitivity to recoil may be able to discern greater differences than I can.

04 January 2002, 07:55

raamw

I own a 375 in a Browning Stainless Stalker and a Savage 116SE in 458, both equipped with factory muzzle brakes. Both are fine weapons which are well built but edge in quality would go to the Browning, again I am comparing a medium bore to a Big Bore needless to say the 166SE has to be "beefier" thus not in the same category as the browning. Recoil on the browning with Max loads is mild. The recoil on the Savage is obviously more due to the more powerful cartridge. What I like about the savage is the internal mag, small chance of malfunction, express sights that fold down out of the way thus minimizing the possibility of knocking them off sight in heavy brush or fall downs/drops. The brake is in contour with the barrel which does not look like a muffler. the safety is in the right place were it would not get accidentally knocked off and it is a 3 position which either locks the bolt chambered, or allows you to unload with with the safety on. The browning is a safe on or off with the bolt locked with safety on. The savage is a true control round feed, the browning is a push feed. There are only a few U S manufacturer that produce these rifles in 375 or 458, I have always been partial to Brownings but I still would have bought the Savage over the Winchester or Remington. If there are any specific questions you would like answered please feel free to send me a note

05 January 2002, 14:57

Mingbogo

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

06 January 2002, 05:02

raamw

quote:
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

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).]

06 January 2002, 09:21

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?

06 January 2002, 11:20

raamw

quote:
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?

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.

06 January 2002, 12:55

Pathfinder

raamw, yea I think you're right. I can shoot the 458 and really like my 416. Two big bores are enough for now. Think I'll save the expense and just go hunting.

06 January 2002, 15:10

Mingbogo

raamw,

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

07 January 2002, 13:37

HunterJim

I correspond with several active firearms trainers, and I know that at least 5 Savage rifles have broken at Gunsite during the basic rifle course. The pin the holds the bolt head on the bolt failed, and that incapacitates the rifle. These were .308s.

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

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

07 January 2002, 13:56

raamw

So far I have had to send back my Browning, Marlin, Ruger and Remington for repairs but not the Savage, I read alot more entries of digruntled owners of remington and winchester owners who had all kind of problems with these rifles from quality control to major problems, I have not seen one by someone who owns a savage only people who say someonelse did, this could be because 1) they don't have problems with them, 2) they don't shoot them, or 3) there are none out there. If I ever develope a problem I will be the first to say provided it happens first hand to me, not someonelse.

07 January 2002, 16:52

the444shooter

what about the CZ 550 safari magnum? CZ offers it in 375, 416 rigby, and 458 win mag...all for about $550 (that's what it's going for at a store here in town) you get the folding 100-300yd rear sights, a single set trigger (very nice pull btw) and although many people don't like the looks of them, I find that it is one of the most ergonomically pleasing rifles I've held. It's next on my purchase list.

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

08 January 2002, 04:11

raamw

I do not have any personal knowledge of this CZ, no one had one to look at and I do not know anyone personally that has one. You may want to speak to people that have one by putting a post under that topic. My only concern would be factory repair in the event something goes wrong, they may very well have a factory service center in the US. Every firearm I had to return to the factory had exceptional turn around time. The price on those CZ appears fairly reasonable, do your homework and than don't look back....good luck and let everyone know what you find out, I still don't have a 416