Finally Savageless

[BigDMT]

No more Savage rifles in my house...

I have a lot of respect for Savage rifles because they are very accurate and easy/cheap to customize. I had 3 custom Savage rifles in the past and just recently traded off the last one, a 20 VarTarg, for a nice Zeiss HD5 5-25 scope.

No offense to Savage fans, but I feel like I have finally graduated from "beginner's custom rifles" with the riddance of my last Savage rifle Now all my custom rifles are on Remington 700, 722, Ruger M77, and Thompson Center actions. I consider them my "intermediate custom rifles" because I know that a true "full custom" is built on a custom action.

I have shot full custom rifles with the Stiller Viper and Defiance actions, and they are VERY nice, but I just can't find the reasoning to buy a custom action for a build. My applications for rifles just don't demand it yet. One day I'm sure I'll finally give in and treat myself. Until then...

 

[Phil3]

I don't own a Savage, but am curious as to what you discovered about them that you did not like. And what did the Remington offer that the Savage lacked. I know Savage rifles can be very accurate, but always wondered about build quality.

Phil

 

[Nomad47]

Jeez Big, why do I have this nagging feeling that you're taking a step backward?!?!

I guess you don't like to be able to order pre-fit barrels and install them yourself.

 

[BoydAllen]

One of the great things about hobbies is that we get to decide how we want to pursue them. I have a slightly tricked out Savage, a Winchester, Remingtons, a rifle built on an old Shilen DGA, and one on a Viper, and a few others. They all have different "jobs" and do them well. One thing that I would point out is that several barrel makers offer prechambered barrels for Remingtons, that have barrel nuts, and do not require a lathe for fitting. Another way to get to the same place (Remington trigger, and stock options) is to buy one of the new Shilen actions, that are threaded, and have bolt faces compatible with Savage drop in barrels. Also in a couple of weeks I will have a Bighorn action that is threaded like a small shank Savage, takes Remington pattern triggers, and stocks, and has a bolt head that can be changed like a Savage. It also has a built in recoil lug. I am looking forward to putting it through the ringer as part of a test rifle that I am assembling.

 

[AKShooter]

BoydAllen, would like to hear more about that action, Was this a special order? Don't see anything on the website.

As for savages, I loved them, would and still do recommend them to certain folks. I too moved away, favoring a couple custom builds.

Funny, half the reason I got out is it was just too darn easy to change calibers! I had three different barrels, for one, so that's 3 lots of brass, dies, etc. I got to thinking one day for all I have in this I can sell it and fund a custom, so that's what I did. I just love the rem triggers, jewel in particular, and fit and function of a custom action

For the OP, I'd rank the savage second to the remingtons, ruger third,,,never handled a TC centerfire, this of course is just my opinion.

Truth be know, I wish I would have kept one, I have a desire to play with a couple calibers, but can't afford a new rifle every time I'd like to try something new,,,,,,again, exactly why the bighorn action noted above sounds appealing

 

[fdshuster]

The trigger limitations that accompany a Savage are the main reason I'm now down to one Savage receiver & it will be going as soon as the present barrel is shot-out.

If a receiver cannot be fitted with a Jewell trigger, I'm not interested in it.

All my primary rifles with Remington 700, Bat & Panda receivers are setup as switch-barrels, so the Savage barrel nut system is no advantage for me.

Just my opinion, not slamming Savage rifles. They do have their advantages.

 

[jonbearman]

Savage rifle's are not beginner rifle's they are just different.We all know the trigger sear leaves little to be desired. However if you add a better trigger it is manageable.The custom's are the way to go for serious benchrest competition.But a whole class has been built around the savage's for the most part,along with the ease of upgrade's and maybe someday someone will design a trigger/sear and bolt upgrade to get rid of the weakness that they have.The constant slamming of savage's is annoying to me ,I have savage's to just have fun with along with remmys,panda's,etc etc etc.The custom's are just that,custom.The remmys ,savage's winchester's etc are all on par with the hunting world and will get the job done.It is about status somewhat as well.I love my remmys,but I can also appreciate my savage's as well.The most accurate rebarreled factory gun I have is a savage,it is a true shooter.I like doing my own machining,however most folks don't have a metal lathe in their basement,this is where the savage comes in and solves the problem of getting your rifle done in short order to be able to get out and shoot.When it comes to custom rifle's it is worth the wait to have a barrel machined for a true custom with awesome accuracy.However their are some who don't have the time to wait 6 months to 2 years to finish customizing a gun for competition or just plain fun.I guess what I am trying to say is I am sick of savage being slammed on these page's with great regularity.I love firearms like I love classic cars,truth be known I love them all and none are beginner rifle's,just different.If you love firearms than savage's are just like the rest.With the advent of everyone wanting to customize their personal rifle's it has increased the work load on many smith's and custom parts manufacturer's and introducing many shooter's to a new way to have fun and share that knowledge with others hence forum's popping up to deal with the fun of doing it yourself.I will sum up with the thread about the fella loading 65 grains of 2400 powder and pulling the trigger and leaving the broken gun with no major injury.This is a testament of the strength of the design and you have to appreciate that if nothing else.

 

[BoydAllen]

Ak,
If you are interested in a Bighorn action with Savage threads, I would give AJ a call, at the contact number on the web site.
Boyd

 

[jonbearman]

Or you could buy the new shilen which is set up for savage threaded barrels.

 

[waterfwlr]

Oh great, another savage bashing thread. Just what the forum needs.

I did find it humorous that you think your are moving up with your Ruger and Thompson actions though. Thanks for that.

 

[BigDMT]

Oh great, another savage bashing thread. Just what the forum needs.

I did find it humorous that you think your are moving up with your Ruger and Thompson actions though. Thanks for that.

just personal preference. When Savage can figure out a half way decent trigger and maybe streamline all those ugly looks, I may reconsider.

The durability and reliability of the Ruger is second to none and machining on the TC bolt actions makes Savage look like their actions were hacked out with an ice pick.

I'm not saying Savage makes a "bad" action or an inaccurate rifle. Just don't like the child like "toy" feel they have to them. But again, that's just my personal preference.

 

[chuckbuster243]

Oh great, another savage bashing thread. Just what the forum needs.

I did find it humorous that you think your are moving up with your Ruger and Thompson actions though. Thanks for that.

+1

Allot of people I think bash us Savage guys because they get beat so often with them. That being said its your money and your time do with it as you wish. Its all about being happy with what you have and what you can afford. Matt

 

[Erik Cortina]

I'm starting to realize that Savage fans are like Liberals. The minute anyone says they don't like Savage, they automatically accuse him of bashing Savage.

My first rifle was a Savage, and I agree that they are beginner rifles at best. Their fit and finish is not that great, trigger system is one of the worst in the market, and they have so many variations of their actions that Savage can't even keep up with them. Maybe one day they will get I right, but until then, I will stick to Remington 700's and Customs because they got it right from the get go.

Also, where are all these Savages beating customs at? I have yet to see them in the winners circle in top level competition, but yet, I keep hearing about it. ???

Savages can shoot, but they are not the best.

 

[Va Jim]

Also, where are all these Savages beating customs at? I have yet to see them in the winners circle in top level competition, but yet, I keep hearing about it. ???

Savages can shoot, but they are not the best.
[/quote]

Eric
Im right here.
Va Jim

 

[Erik Cortina]

LOL, crap, I forgot about F-T/R! I stand corrected! Thanks Jim.

 

[Va Jim]

LOL, crap, I forgot about F-T/R! I stand corrected! Thanks Jim.

But I all fairness my new rig is a Borden.
Va Jim

 

[Dgd6mm]

:-X!!!!!!

 

[ttfreestyle]

My first rifle was a Savage, We shoot them because I can put them together at my house and I have three shooters in my household and I cant afford three customs. As of now we cant outshoot the Savages we have so we are very happy with them. My daughters 6br has shot a clean mid range match for the day (450 22x), If she was shooting a custom she may have shot better who knows but that's not bad as it stands for a lowly Savage ya know. Maybe someday ill STEP UP to a custom, but for now shooting as a family means more to me than having a custom rig and I cant afford three customs so we will happily shoot Savages,,, together as a family..

 

[NateHaler]

Savage rifle's are not beginner rifle's they are just different.We all know the trigger sear leaves little to be desired.

Point of correction: The trigger leaves a LOT to be desired. 8)

 

[waterfwlr]

I'm starting to realize that Savage fans are like Liberals. The minute anyone says they don't like Savage, they automatically accuse him of bashing Savage.

Dam, you can talk about my guns, my wife, even my dog. But a liberal? That hurts!