As I alluded to earlier, there are new versions of the 11/111 which are totally different from the previous versions. The new Trophy Hunter version comes with a stock that's meant to look like an accustock but isn't. It does have the accustock bolt release system though and the plastic trigger guard which holds it in place broke on my sample.
It doesn't have the traditional magazines for the 11/111 but rather it uses the magazines from the Savage Axis! Plastic release!
The barrel nut is different, etc.
I would avoid these models.
I have one and they are not what they are cracked up to be.
The finish on the bolt face is horrendously bad.
During feeding, the action sticks on my sample for no apparent reason after the cartridge is already in the chamber 80% of the way. It requires a good shove to close completely. Some other savage rifles that I've owned/handled including a 111 FCXP didn't have this problem. This speaks to their consistency and QC.
The extractor is not as strong as, say, the M16 style in a Howa action et al or a Mauser design. It flings the cases limply from the chamber and there have been units that have shipped from the factory as defective.
Also, the bases were not to spec and made mounting zee rings IMPOSSIBLE. I verified this with calipers. So, I had to remove them but they used a thread locker at the factory and the heads of the soft screws were not strong enough to remove the glued-in screws. I had to tap deeply into the screws to remove them!
The scope base holes which are drilled into the receiver were not in line with the bore or even each other on the sample that I had so lapping was required.
The rings are no good either, they were not made well and the scope was not in line with the bore.
Once I replaced the bases and rings, lapped and leveled, things were better. The stock rings are too high, too.
Be careful to examine the rifle carefully before you take it home. My sample has both of the turret caps cross threaded and basically destroyed by the gorilla who bore sighted the scope at the factory. It was nowhere near level.
Also, you'll almost need to purchase a short action version. The Savage long action is longer than any other manufacturer's Magnum Length action. It's ridiculous. This is because Savage cuts corners with the alignment of their chambers and bores and the quality of their fit with the receiver. So, they need a floating bolt head etc which ads to the length. A Sako or Tikka it ain't as they use precision and quality of manufacture to get their accuracy. This is much the same way that the trigger isn't a fine tuned piece that breaks clean at a low weight. They can be that way, yes. Sometimes they trip when the bolt is closed hard on some samples. It's a mass produced mixed bag with no real QC. That is the purpose behind the accu-trigger's center blade. It allows Savage to set the trigger to a weight that may or may not be safe (in any other rifle) and rely on the safety blade to prevent any accidents.
So, if you do plan to buy a 11/111 trophy hunter you'll need:
-bases
-rings
-the ability to tap those screw heads
-a scope level kit
-A replacement metal trigger guard and bolt release from savage
-a backup magazine as the plastic one is C-H-E-A-P and will probably break at the worst time.
Or you could just buy something like a Vanguard Series 2 with the low Talley Vanguard rings and be really happy.
If you are stuck on a 111 I would try to get a hold of an FCNS or even an older 111 FCXP if you can find one. I had an FCXP which hadn't had the brown residue from the bluing process completely tumbled off at the factory. How embarrassing for them. It shot well though and had bottom metal rather than plastic and a metal magazine. Clearly superior to the current 'trophy hunter' version.
Here's what it looks like after I applied all the fixes and replaced the scope after sending the other away for warranty work. Note the Savage Axis magazine.
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