Savage Model 111

[Andy G]

Hi Guys

This is the first good gun discussion site Ive found since TFL closed so I thought Id ask a question.

Today I went window shopping for a new deer rifle. I had my choices norrowed down to either a Rem 700 ADL or a Win 70.
Although both felt really good I liked the Remmy a little better, but I decided to go with the Winchester because it came with a scope for about the same price.

Well wouldnt you know it,they didnt have a 30.06 in stock. I was about to leave empty handed when I decided to take a look at the Savage 111.
Now I have to admit that the only thing I knew about Savages is that they've been making guns forever. Anyway I was impressed with it. It felt as good as the remmy and maybe a hair better than the Winchester. The bolt action wasnt as smooth as the other 2,but its not bad at all.

The price,with a scope was $299 and for that I couldnt pass it up.

So guys,tell me,are these savage rifles reliable? Any common problems?
I know its a little late to be asking but Id like to get some opinions.

Thanks
Andy

 

[Detritus]

personally i think you walked out with the best deal in the shop.

tha savage rifles are ugly, a slight bit rough feeling compared to the others. as or more accurate on average (there are wonder guns and lemons in every maker) than the remingtons i've seen. and about as realiable as the Win and Remmy.

i've had two so far (traded the first with a buddy to get the second, same model different caliber, then had to sell the second one last year), never had a problem with them that wasn't traceable to operator error, or in one case a design flaw that has been corrected adn would not apply to a gun in 30-06.

since you said it came with a scope, i am assuming that it is a "package gun" if so, i'd ditch the POS scope as soon as i could adn put a scope more worthy of the accuracy this gun can produce (savages are the only guns i'm willing to fit with a scope that costs more than the rifle).

well anyway enough of my early morning ramblings...

have fun with it i'm sure you'll love it.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Darn good price I'd say.

Oh and welcome to The High Road.

 

[Sisco]

I bought one of the 111 packages in 25.06 a few years ago, ranks up there in the top ten deals I ever made.
With my handloads I get consistant 1/2" groups at 100 yards. While the Tasco scope it came with is not a top-of-the-line unit by far it has held up well through lots of paper punching, two deer seasons and a West Texas hog hunt.

 

[Andy G]

Hey thanks a lot guys! Im feel pretty good about my new rifle now.

Yes this was a package deal. It came with a factory mounted Simmons 3x9x40 scope. I wont get a chance to shoot it until next weekend but I think its going to be a great gun for what I need.

Andy

 

[Doc]

i have that very same gun.
i love it and it shoots well,
well under 'minute of deer' at 200 yds

i did remove the package scope (a give it to a friend)
and replace it with a Leupold vari x III 3-9x

i'd do it again.

 

[Sisco]

And if you decide you don't like basic black, you can always paint it!

 

[W.Va.Glassman]

I'v got 5 of them in the safe,good guns.One of my hunting buds. bought a 243 package this past spring went to the range with him to spot,first shot at 25 yards 3in. low and too the right told him to shoot again,shot no hole told him to shoot again no hole,what gives?we check target 1 enlarged hole,told him to keep this one.At 100yards after we adjusted scope it kept laying them in.I shot the laSt shell dead center.Now I'm trying to get him to trade me.

 

[Lucky Jim]

Savage

I have a couple of the Savage rifles in .308 with the heavy barrel. I really like them and have had no problems with them. I have a friend that has one of the heavy barrel rifles and he did have a problem with the extractor. He was firing cast bullets at a silhoutte match and after firing a round he opened the bolt but the empty case did not extract. We took a look at the rifle and found that the extractor had moved out of position. It is held in place by a spring and a small ball bearing. The spring going into the bolt first followed by the ball and then the extractor is slide over the ball which holds it in place. We found the spring and the ball and put it all back together and it worked perfectly for the rest of the match. Mine are very accurate and reliable so I can't complain. I have heard some complain about the barrel nut being ugly and the plastic stocks being flimsy but besides that they would be hard to beat for the price. The new Accu-Trigger is great, at least for me. Happy shooting.

 

[Sisco]

Some complain about the trigger pull being heavy, the trigger is adjustable. Mine breaks right a 3lbs.
http://www.varminthunters.com/tech/savage110trigger.html

 

[Andy G]

Thanks again guys for all the good words.

Sisco,thats a great link. Thanks a lot!

Andy