Help me out here. I have not followed Savage at all. My bro' in law had a .223 and it shot well but felt clunky. I have not considered on since then and that was more than 15 years ago.

Well times change, and I now have a son who is wanting a rifle. I'm torn between getting him what I think would be a keeper, and what he's heard about.
He's been shooting my Bob, which is a M77 tang safety RL in a shortened stock. He likes it and thinks it's cool he can use it for varmints as well as big game. This year is going to be his first time with a tag in his pocket.

What I was thinking was a Ruger MkII in UL and of course .257 Roberts.

He's been talking Savage, and I can't figure out the model numbering system. It looks like the Bob isn't an option in the Savage. I thought about a compact .223 first, then he'll have a bit of time to grow and I can put him into a full length big game rifle.

So what are my options?
Does Savage make a Syn / SS ?
or Syn / Blue?
Youth models?

I was going cross-eyed. Nate

Nate, Google Savage Arms and look at the web site. There are at least two youth blue/plastic CF models, short action and long, with an adjustable muzzle brake (on/off) to reduce recoil at the range. No .257 Bob, but you can get a short action .243 or a long action .25-06. There may be youth models in the package (scope included) rifles too, not sure offhand.

The key is, the letter Y in the model no. means youth.

I think the Savage is the very best gun for a young shooter. That Accutrigger is the safest thing going. You can drop a Savage out of the tree stand on its butt with the safety off, and it won't fire unless the trigger is pulled, regardless of how light the trigger is set. Savage puts that trigger on all its bolt rifles now, .308, .22 L.R., black powder, whatever.

Savages are tremendous value for the money; their accuracy is second to none.

Nate, Check out www.savageshooters.com they had a model number translation sheet on the front page.

Well I guess I'm just lacking patience. The were 7 "series" and 44 different rifles in just three series. The Hunter series had everything starting with 1's. 11F,111F, 11FL, 111FL then you have to open each one to see what they offer. It takes a lot of time, and when you're not overly impressed it's a hard pill to swallow.

I guess I'll have to try it when I can have a beer or three after some BBQ. I'll maybe be a little more patient then.

Fjold, I pulled up Sav Shooters and looked around a bit. It could become a black hole on the internet, there's a lot there.

Thanks Guys, Nate

Nate, the model numbers can be confusing,but they are all the same basic actions, just have different options of stock, finish, barrel attached. Also, 2 digits are short action, 3 digits are long actions. And to confuse you even more, the Stevens line is a Savage without the accu-trigger, but all the accuracy. You might look into those as well. For somewhere around 300 or so, you've got a keeper shooter for a bargain price.

Download the catalog here: http://www.savagearms.com/images/pdf/catalogs/SavageCatalog2007.pdf

Pages 63-67 have a chart that lists by model number all the calibers, features, etc. available.

It may not suit, but the 4 Stevens I got would make great starters. They are better than some of the stuff I hunted with in the 50s and 60s.You may have to shorten the stock and fiddle with the trigger but that's about it. All four of mine were MOA out of the box. The .223 for example did a 3 shot < 1 1/2" group at 400 yds. this week. That's the best it ever shot and that was with a hot dirty barrel. roger

Thanks guys.
I just bought a kid sized 870 express mag in 20ga last week end, and need to order a NEF 20ga break.(it's what he wants!?)

My next order to fill for the boyz will be rifles.

I may want a new toy for myself as I've put off the temptations for a while. I'm considering an AR again. Last time I got into the AR building mode I wound up with a new house. I guess I need to be carefull. Nate