Bird Dog II
Member
I finally got the new Savage Edge shooting really well. It took 4 trips to the range, some trigger work, quite a bit of load development, several cleanings, and not the best experience with scope bases and rings.
Conclusions:
I am certain now, that in most cases, these inexpensive Savage rifles require quite a bit of shooting to break the barrel in. My Stevens 200 was the same. Both starting shooting well after 60 to 80 rounds and 4 good cleanings.
The stock on this gun is not as rigid as the Stevens 200. I really had to rest it back near the action/magazine to get good groups. If you rest it on the forend, it seems to put upward pressure on the barrel and screws your groups up.
The Edge trigger can safely be made very crisp at around 3.5 lbs by someone who is experienced doing trigger work. Still, the old Savage 110 series trigger that the Stevens 200 has is easier to adjust.
The only thing I really wasn't happy with for the price ($270), is that scope bases would not align using the factory drilled holes. I had to shim the rear base and use windage adjustable rings to get the rings aligned properly. Prior to getting the height right with the shim, (despite lapping the rings) I think I was putting torque on the scope which resulted in bad adjustments.
So in no way was my Edge an "out of the box" shooter. It took some work which was both fun and frustrating. I learned some new things as well. All's well that ends well though. After getting 3 to 4 inch groups at 100 yds the previous 3 times out with 140 gr Core Locts loaded to around 2700 with W 760, today I switched loads and tried the shimmed rear base, the rings precisely aligned and re-lapped, and a different scope.
The 100 yd results were a 1 inch three-shot group, followed by a 3/4" three-shot group, followed by two final shots that made one jagged hole 1.5 inches highs at 100 yds. I decided to call it quits right there. The load, a 150 grain Partition pushed by 47.0 gr of H4350, should get the job done on anything I need to shoot. It's a hunting gun after all.
Based on my experience, someone who wants to buy a gun, put a good scope on it, shoot tight groups right off the bat and go hunting will likely be disappointed. The trigger is too stiff and the stock not stiff enough. However, the action and barrel is what you would expect from Savage though - very very accurate once broken in. For those of you wanting Savage barrel swap project, it is a good base option. The hooded receiver and magazine are nicer than the Stevens 200 (my scope basing issues not withstanding). However the trigger and stock on the Stevens is a bit better IMO. For $270, I just shot 3 MOA groups with 150 gr Partitions - I'm happy. I will likley get a stiffer stock for is someday.
__________________
Conclusions:
I am certain now, that in most cases, these inexpensive Savage rifles require quite a bit of shooting to break the barrel in. My Stevens 200 was the same. Both starting shooting well after 60 to 80 rounds and 4 good cleanings.
The stock on this gun is not as rigid as the Stevens 200. I really had to rest it back near the action/magazine to get good groups. If you rest it on the forend, it seems to put upward pressure on the barrel and screws your groups up.
The Edge trigger can safely be made very crisp at around 3.5 lbs by someone who is experienced doing trigger work. Still, the old Savage 110 series trigger that the Stevens 200 has is easier to adjust.
The only thing I really wasn't happy with for the price ($270), is that scope bases would not align using the factory drilled holes. I had to shim the rear base and use windage adjustable rings to get the rings aligned properly. Prior to getting the height right with the shim, (despite lapping the rings) I think I was putting torque on the scope which resulted in bad adjustments.
So in no way was my Edge an "out of the box" shooter. It took some work which was both fun and frustrating. I learned some new things as well. All's well that ends well though. After getting 3 to 4 inch groups at 100 yds the previous 3 times out with 140 gr Core Locts loaded to around 2700 with W 760, today I switched loads and tried the shimmed rear base, the rings precisely aligned and re-lapped, and a different scope.
The 100 yd results were a 1 inch three-shot group, followed by a 3/4" three-shot group, followed by two final shots that made one jagged hole 1.5 inches highs at 100 yds. I decided to call it quits right there. The load, a 150 grain Partition pushed by 47.0 gr of H4350, should get the job done on anything I need to shoot. It's a hunting gun after all.
Based on my experience, someone who wants to buy a gun, put a good scope on it, shoot tight groups right off the bat and go hunting will likely be disappointed. The trigger is too stiff and the stock not stiff enough. However, the action and barrel is what you would expect from Savage though - very very accurate once broken in. For those of you wanting Savage barrel swap project, it is a good base option. The hooded receiver and magazine are nicer than the Stevens 200 (my scope basing issues not withstanding). However the trigger and stock on the Stevens is a bit better IMO. For $270, I just shot 3 MOA groups with 150 gr Partitions - I'm happy. I will likley get a stiffer stock for is someday.
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