Savage (Stevens) Favorite

[PhrankKastle]

A recent thread about favorite .22 got me to thinking about the Stevens Favorite that I started on and I found that Savage offers them new.

Does anyone have any firsthand experience with the new Savage versions? Was going to get an H&R single shot 22 to start my daughter on but if the Favorites are any good I'd rather have one of them I guess just for the memories.

 

[tju1973]

The Stevens Favorite is a nice rifle. A former coworker (and present friend) bought one for his oldest son (he is 6 now), and I shot it some time back--

I opted to get my kids a Crickett (cheaper) that I wouldn't feel bad about dinging--

My kids though now have "graduated" to my MKII Savage (non accu) and love it-- still won't let them shoot with the scope yet-- the jump from the Crickett to the MKII was minor due to both being bolt action, but the size is proving to bedaunting to my daughters...

To answer your question though, if you are going to only shoot .22s, then get a Favorite. If you want it to "grow" get an H&R/NEF-- you can get other barrels fitted to them and move into bird (.410/20ga) or deer (.243/.223) I think fairly easily...

 

[Uncle Mike]

ooooo yea.... Got one, love it. But do not assume that the new model Savage Stevens 'Favorite' .22 is of the yesteryear level of aesthetics.

However they are somewhat pleasing to the eye.
Accuracy has not impressed me what so ever, but in the rifles defense, I only used one type and manufacture of ammunition in it during that particular range session.

As for a beginner firearm, why not. However they are somewhat unbalanced though, and the open type sights are rudimentary at best.

Savage, along with several other firearm manufacturers produce excellent 'beginner' rifles that may do better for you if this is your main concern.

If you want to own a neat, cool, yesterday style rifle that is as much fun to shoot as it is to look at, then the 30G Stevens 'Favorite' is for you!

-

 

[PhrankKastle]

Thanks for the feedback, I was looking at it from nostalgia for me and my daughter loves her Ruger Bearcat and the falling block action of my Ruger #1 so I figured the Stevens would be something we'd both enjoy.

I started rifle shooting on my Grandfathers Stevens that he got in the 20's and it was a great little rifle, I was hoping the new production would be true to its ancestors.

 

[alemonkey]

I have one, they're not nearly as nicely finished as the originals, but they shoot great. Put on a tang sight and you'll be amazed at the accuracy. Marble's makes one that's a little pricey but it works very well. The only thing I really don't like is that the barrel is pretty short and light which makes offhand shooting harder. If I was going to do it over again I'd consider buying an original Favorite and having it rebarreled with a heavy Green Mountain barrel. If you want something that will shoot great right out of the box with very little investment you can't go wrong with it, though.

We have a monthly BPCR match at our club, and after it's over we get the .22's out to play. I was tagging the 200 yard gong pretty consistently last time.

 

[Pokyman]

It definately is not of the quality of the original. Gentleman that I shoot with wanted a singleshot to as with 50yd. off hand target rifle. From the factory it would not shoot well enough to compete with other singleshots. He had me rebarrel it with a quality barrel. Trigger was poor when compared to original 22's.
If you are just looking for a plinker it will probably be ok. You can get old single shot bolt action 22 for about the same money that will shoot circles around the new one.