Savage Euro Classic

[M.E.Eldridge]

Does anyone here have any experience with the Savage European Classic rifle in 30-06.I sold off a few of my rifles that I don't use anymore and I have enough cash to grap one at the local shop. It seems good to me.I've been wondering though, would a light load in the 30-06 be able to kill varmints like coyotes at about 100-200 yards without extreme pelt damage?

Link:http://www.savagearms.com/114EuroClassic.htm

 

[Z_Infidel]

Holy smokes! A new American-made bolt action rifle with iron sights. The Euro's stock looks like it's made for use with the irons as well. That's awful tempting...

I'm sure someone else can offer a better answer, but I suspect a .30-06 will pass through a coyote without much if any expansion, even with soft point ammo. Still, the damage could be significant.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

It almost looks like they fixed that piece-of-crap Savage action----wish I could see a better picture to know for sure.



Nope---downloaded the catalog-----same junk they always offer----so this was a big yawner----have no interest in crap rifles.


Oh ya---the .30-06 will blast big holes in the little dogs----don't plan on saving any pelts if you use it on them.

 

[Dr.Rob]

If you use an fmj the pelt damage is not much, similar with a bonded soft point.

Savage makes accurate rifles.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

For me---accuracy isn't the only factor in being a "quality" rifle----I can never get past that sorry action to ever own a Savage.

This Classic is just an effort to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Until they address that crap action---any Savage offered with just be a dressed up pig.

 

[Dr.Rob]

exactly what about that action is 'crap'?

Do illuminate this for us... comparable to other pusher actions on the market... from Remington, Winchester, Ruger etc.

For example I'm not fond of the endshake/play on Ruger bolt guns when fully retracted... it doesn't affect accuracy but it makes rapid shooting more difficult.

 

[M.E.Eldridge]

I have no intention of keeping the pelts. Just blow away some varmints at 150-200 yards.

Plus, since the '06 turns 100 this year, I figure I should get a rifle chambered for it.

I too am very interested in what you consider to be the crap in the Savage action. I've handled and shot their pakage deal gun in .270 Win and found it satisfactory.

 

[rockstar.esq]

Omaha I have to say I'm with Dr. Rob on this. Thus far the only consistent complaints regarding Savage rifles is their use of the barrel nut and synthetic stocks. From my experience the rifles work great with far more accuracy than thier price would suggest. Add to that the accu-trigger which flies in the face of Laywer triggered Remchester's and I have to say that in many ways Savage is trying harder to produce a respectable rifle at a reasonable price.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Savages are justly famous for their out-of-the-box accuracy. When coupled with the new accu-trigger, they are about the best shooters going.

Until now, Savage aimed at the low end of the market. Their rifles didn't have the fit and finish of the high-end Remingtons and Winchesters. They are now up-grading the fit and finish and producing some rifles that look as good as they shoot.

The .30-06 is a fine rifle for coyotes -- the very first Winchester Model 70 (serial number 1) in .30-06 was purchased and used for coyotes. It filled that role for over 50 years.

I'd handload with a light bullet, say 125 to 150 grains at 3,000 fps + for coyotes. Use FMJs if you want the pelt, softnoses if you don't care.

Now, if you plan to fire a lot of shots in one day, the .30-06 can be fatiguing -- but I doubt you'll see that many coyotes in one day. If you were hunting prairie dogs and planned on shooting hundreds of rounds a day, I'd say go with a more gentle cartridge.

On the other hand, if you think you might like to hunt deer, antelope, elk, and so on - the .30-06 is perfect for that. So you have a very versatile rifle there.

 

[M.E.Eldridge]

I also plan on hunting bear(black probably) sometime during my life, as well as mule deer and some kind of big cat. The way I see, a 30-06 can easily kill these critters at moderate distances with a well placed shot or two.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I also plan on hunting bear(black probably) sometime during my life, as well as mule deer and some kind of big cat. The way I see, a 30-06 can easily kill these critters at moderate distances with a well placed shot or two.

The .30-06 can kill any of these critters, farther away than the average rifleman can hold, with a single shot.

As Townsend Whelen was wont to say, for hunting anything in North America, "The .30-06 is never a mistake."

 

[cmidkiff]

I too am interested in the 'crap' action statement... Not to be contrary, but I don't understand why you would think so.

I've got an older model 10 in 22-250, it's more accurate than I am, for sure. I put a $30 'gun show special' scope on it, one of these days I'm going to get a decent scope and see what it's capable of.

I don't mind the action at all, I like it better than some of the other bolt guns I've shot.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I too am interested in the 'crap' action statement... Not to be contrary, but I don't understand why you would think so.

I've got an older model 10 in 22-250, it's more accurate than I am, for sure. I put a $30 'gun show special' scope on it, one of these days I'm going to get a decent scope and see what it's capable of.

I don't mind the action at all, I like it better than some of the other bolt guns I've shot.

Savage still bears the stigma of its low-end-of-the-market strategy. For example, while everyone agrees Savages are probably the most accurate out-of-the-box rifles, did you ever see a featured "custom rifle" article where the basic rifle was a Savage bolt action? Given it's inherent accuracy, it would seem like a natural to polish, tweak and restock.

Perception, sadly, is often everything in the firearms world.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I've been hunting with a Savage as my primary for 20 years or so... (if memory serves) my first was a '70s series 110B that still pokes 3/4 inch 3 and 4 shot groups at 100 yards off the bench and my Stainless 116FSAK that will drill 1/2 inch groups if you are up to the task.

With the exception of a controlled round feed like a Springfield or Mauser, pushers are very much the same to me.

There is a late model 70 Winchester in my safe that belongs to my cousin (he bought a package deal rifle--very much like a Savage can be bought @ Wal-Mart and side by side I think every Savage I've looked at outshines THAT particular model 70.)

One of the complaints I have about modern rifles in general is the lack of iron sights on most offerings. I've been in the woods with a broken scope only to regret taking the sights off my 110B.