What do you think of Savage's Classic line?

[armed85]

When I think of a Savage rifle I think of their hunter line with cheap plastic stocks and a utilitarian finish. I've never thought of Savage rifles as being eye appealing, but it seems that's about to change.

I've been taking an increasingly harder look at the 14/114 American Classic rifle. It has polished blued finish, American Walnut stock with straight comb and wrap around checkering, and a detachable magazine.

According to the 2008 Savage catalog they "introduced a jeweled bolt." The gun stores in my local area don't have the newer jeweled bolt Classic rifles and the older Classic rifles have a plastic trigger guard. I have heard, but haven't been able to confirm, that the newer Classic rifles with jeweled bolts have metal trigger guards. Anyone have any information on this?

The combination of attractive polished blued finish, attractive walnut stock, attractive jeweled bolt, good trigger, and a good barrel is very, well, attractive

I think Savage is heading in a good direction and giving it's customers that they're asking for. At $600 the 14/114 American Classic is less expensive than the Remington 700 CDL or BDL.

 

[Ash]

They demonstrate that Savage can indeed make a pretty rifle. I like the way they look, as well as the low price for what you get.

Ash

 

[skinewmexico]

I love Savages. But all my pretty rifles are in the back of the safe, and never get used. You can buy a steel trigger guard for $20, I can't believe people make such a big deal out of that. Funny how most other things are going to high tech plastics, except old school guns. Now that I've been rude, I will say that the classic looks as good as anything, if that's your thing, and shoots better.

 

[armed85]

Not so much interest, evidently

 

[1911 guy]

I'd be interested if I was in the market for another centerfire. Two thirds of my centerfire rifles are Savage or Stevens.

I think Savage has the accuracy thing down cold, now they're moving toward something a bit nicer looking without losing the accurate reputation. This can only be a good thing.

 

[RugerOldArmy]

I've got the 114 in .270 Win. I like it a lot. It shoots several loads well including 90 Gr Sierra Varminters (@3500 fps), 110 Gr V-Max, and really like 130 Nosler Ballistic tips and Sierra GameKings. Interestingly enough, I've not found a good load for the 135 SMK with it. All in all though, it puts my old .270 Rem 700 BDL to shame pretty much halving the groups.

My only complaint is the 22" barrel length. It's fine enough for hunting, but sells the .270 Win short in the velocity department. I did get a 25" Shilen that gets me to (and a little above) the 3140fps/130 Gr bullet level that Jack O'Connor so often wrote about. The stock barrel shot very well, I just had to have one that made the .270 Win the "Light 7mm-Mag".

The rifle is very light, handy, fits well, shoots well. I've got the one-piece DeadNutz mount and a Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24x Mildot scope on it. Nice combo for huntin.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Anything Savage

 

[jjbduke2004]

I like my Savages (MkII-FVT and 12FVXP). I plan on getting a 114 American Classic in .30-'06 within the next few weeks. I already bought a Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42 for it as well as two spare magazines. Why do I have accessories for a rifle I don't own? Because my rod and gun club FFL dealer won't sell more than one gun a week (doesn't want to deal with additional ATF/NJSP paperwork) so I put my accessories order in with my first handgun purchase.

 

[Ash]

Real helpful, there, Glocker. Any particular reason the 114 makes you regurgitate? You know, real world experience? Perhaps you have held one and have found certain features you don't care for? Or is it simply a case of brand loyalty, and Savage is not the brand?

Ash

 

[YodaVader]

I would like to check some out firsthand , sounds like a good deal on a walnut sporter. Although I have always bought varmint/tactical heavy barrel bolt actions it would be nice to have a good looking sporter too!

 

[bfox71]

A few thoughts on the Classic

I really love Savage Arms and think the Savage Classic line is hands down the best value for your money—period. I’ve done a ton of research and would recommend any of the newer versions in particular. Not only have they jeweled the bolt and started producing a metal trigger guard as discussed previously, but they also relocated the bolt release from up top by the bolt to the trigger guard which streamlines its appearance. The high luster blued barrel is second only to the Weatherby Delux blue job (according to Chuck Hawks) which is 2-3x the price.

Personally, I’m torn between getting a Classic 114 (.30-06) and customizing a Weather Warrior with a walnut Accurate Innovations stock (http://www.accurateinnovations.com/index.html). The only things I have to complain about with the Classics are the plastic grip and forend caps. The latter in particular is something you can’t readily replace, and this shortfall (at least to my thinking) is the only reason I am hesitating. The only way customizing a Savage 116 is worth it, however, is if you have another $500-$600 to spend. If you do, go for it. If you don’t, buy any of the Savage Classics, as is, and never look back. The plastic parts help keep costs down, still look good, and are not worth replacing on their own for $500.

However, if you can afford another $500-$600, you can make the rifle of your dreams for still almost half the price of say, a Weatherby Delux Mark V. By going with an Accurate Innovations stock, you can thwart the plastic forend and grip caps for beautiful black ebony ones. Not only is it aesthetically more pleasing, but ebony is a much harder wood than walnut (or even rosewood). In fact, I think you can even order a steel grip cap for ultimate protection for this crucial area. In addition, you can get an even nicer AA or AAA walnut grain hand-rubbed with oil. In addition to this, AI has state of the art manufacturing techinques to make their stocks more accurate than other walnut ones.

Short of messing with all that, however, you can’t go wrong with any of the Savage Classics as is. They're accurate, have the best trigger on the market, and look beautiful.

 

[Cu-Melter]

Today's Savage has changed my outlook.
"The Definition of Accuracy"....

I won't argue that one bit.

 

[SSN Vet]

I fondle a Savage 114 Amerciacn Classic that is on the shelf at the Kittery Trading Post every time I go in for powder or primers.

My next rifle (which will be my first bolt action) will be a 114 in .30-06.

(now that I've satiated the EBR jones for the present time, I can get back to my love afair with Walnut and Blue steal.)