Savage Weather Warrior

[Taurus 66]

I've have enough money right now to get the Savage Weather Warrior (116 FHSAK) for my first ever bolt action rifle. Well actually I have my dad's inherited Mossberg 22 LR, but it never gets used, so this doesn't count.

My questions are #1 if Savage is considered a quality firearm in contention with names like Marlin, Remington, Springfield, Winchester, etc. And #2 what caliber would you recommend for overall versatility, from vermin up to and including elk? My guess was .243 or .270.

I will have to check the rate of twist and try to match it with the proper grain weights. I just don't know yet until I'm in the shop and see it for myself.

 

[AStone]

My questions are #1 if Savage is considered a quality firearm in contention with names like Marlin, Remington, Springfield, Winchester, etc. And #2 what caliber would you recommend for overall versatility, from vermin up to and including elk? My guess was .243 or .270.

Taurus, my recommendation - after months of research - is to give strong consideration to 7mm08.

As always, it depends on what you want to do with said gun. For me - who wants a 'do everything gun' that is mostly for deer, but can take sheep, antelope, goat and even elk & caribou in a pinch, the answer came down to 7-08.

Ballistics are great. Factory load ammo is limited, but adequate for me. Reloading options are MUCH better.

Low recoil, very flat trajectory equal to or better than .270, more punch than .243.

For more on the 7mm08, with some links to other threads about it, check out this thread.

As for the Savage, opinions vary (imagine that), but by most accounts, they're solid guns. Not my top choice at the moment, but still near the top.

Hope this helps. Keep us posted about your decision.

Nem

 

[Taurus 66]

I have considered a "mil" round before, but it was STW. The 08 I know nothing about. I will research it online with the Savage website. Overall, my purchase is going to be bolt action at or less than $700 retail. If there is another company with a better quality bolt action at the same price, I'm listening.

 

[AStone]

The 08 I know nothing about. I will research it online with the Savage website. Overall, my purchase is going to be bolt action at or less than $700 retail. If there is another company with a better quality bolt action at the same price, I'm listening.

T66, do check out that 7mm08 thread on THR that I mentioned in addition to the Savage web site. There's a lot of good info there.

I'm looking hard at several rifle makers: Savage weather warrior is one, but Remington 700 Mountain LLS, Tikka T3 & Ruger M77 are also on my list. All come in near $700, but that's without scope, which for me will add another $300 since I want a Leupold VX-II.

Nem

 

[EBRDude]

I just picked up my new Savage 12BVSS in .308 today after work. WOW! This rifle is beautiful. The Accu-Trigger is crisp and light and the workmanship is excellent. I cannot wait to shoot it tomorrow after work.
I plan on getting a extra barrel in 7MM-08.

 

[Schleprok62]

Taurus66, the 7mm-08 is for all intents and purposes, a necked down variant of the .308. Shoots a bit flatter, and carries as much or more energy down range. It's arguably at the top of the list of most versitile cartridges out there.

Savage rifles are, for the money, probably the best all around value out there in a bolt action rifle. Accuracy out of the box is one thing they are know for. It's definitely not a bad choice for your first rifle...

 

[Taurus 66]

Nematocyst, I read the link. Looks like 7mm 08 is a well balanced 'multi purpose' round, nice flat trajectory, light on the shooter yet delivers on large game. There's only one drawback. I revisited the Savage site and I cannot find 7mm 08 in Weather Warrior. I found WSM and Rem Mag only.

270 Win, 30-06 Spfld, 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag are their popular calibers.

 

[AStone]

There's only one drawback. I revisited the Savage site and I cannot find 7mm 08 in Weather Warrior. I found WSM and Rem Mag only.

Hey, Taurus, you were looking at the page for 116FHSS, which are the rifles based on .30-06 with long actions.

Try this page for the short action rifles (based on .308): model 16FHSS. You'll find the 7mm08 on that page. (It took me a few tries to distinguish between the two, also.)

I think you are onto something about the 7mm08. Great caliber.

And I agree with Schleprok: Savages are clearly fine rifles for the money. Still not sure which rifle I'll wind up with, but Savage is still on my list.

(Thanks to Schleprok, so now is Browning, even though one of those would stress my budget pretty badly. )

Nem