Savage 111 Trophy Hunter XP in 6.5 x 284

[Chuckin' TV]

First of all I want to say that it is awesome that there's a 500$ factory rifle package deal offering the 6.5 x 284 Norma chambering. Normally you can only find this round in a custom or expensive rifle. However, I'm having a hard time finding anyone with a review on the 111 XP in this particular caliber. There's some reviews on the LRH and the Savage 12 (the higher end Savages) but none on the basic XP. Does anyone have one of these? And what are your experiences with it?

I will have one here soon and will be posting some videos on it. But it will be a few months before I get everything. I want to review it as the basic package and then put some custom touches on it and review it again.

 

[horsemen61]

Cool I'm interested

 

[Ccctennis]

My 6.5-284

I found a savage 111 in 6.5-284. It doesn't say xp or axis or long range hunter on it so I'm not sure what one I got. It came with a weaver 3-9 scope and accutrigger. It looks much nicer than the axis or xp stocks so I'm clueless on it. It was 479.99 but I got it for 429 since they don't have ammo for it. Maybe it's the lrh or trophy xp. Not sure

 

[Chuckin' TV]

@Ccctennis

It sounds like you have an older XP package. The one I'm getting comes with a Nikon 3x9 BDC but its brand new. I don't think the package deals used to have Nikons. If it's a LRH it'll have a 26" threaded barrel with an adjustable cheek rest. The trophy is more basic with a 24" barrel. Anyways, what kind of accuracy are you getting? What distances?

 

[blue32]

I recently finished a four part review on my 11 TH XP in .260 Rem., here. Its in blog format so you'll have to scroll to the bottom and work your way up.

Its not all roses but I couldn't find a package that gave me so much in a caliber I truly wanted. Nice score on that 6.5-284. Look forward to the review.

 

[Chuckin' TV]

I was really considering a 260 or 6.5 Creedmoor, but the 6.5 284 Norma is even more uncommon in factory rifles. Plus it has a bit more power than the two. I figured a lower end Savage would make a great project gun especially in this caliber. I'm certain it will shoot MOA with minimum effort by itself as most Savages do. With a new stock, hand loads, and a bit more scope I think it will be a tack driver.

I all ready have 123gr Amaxes and reloading dies and a few appropriate powders. Got to grab some brass soon.

 

[Chuckin' TV]

@blue32

That was a good review. Well written too. Thanks for sharing. You are pretty much doing what I am setting out to do. I'm looking at a Boyd's laminate stock for mine and a Vortex Viper HS-T for my upgrades. It will be next month before I actually get the gun and start putting it together. Got to wait until after Christmas before I start throwing money around.

 

[Chuckin' TV]

Well I finally got my 6.5x284 put together with all the aftermarket stuff I wanted, so here is my full review on the gun. I only shot the rifle as it was out of the box a total of 18 rounds. I held about a 1.5" group at 100 yards with hand loads I tossed together. A lot of the change in point of impact was due to me, I'll admit. It was getting dark and it was about 20 degrees out. I was happy overall with the 500$ package and the Nikon 3-9 provided is definitely a decent scope.

Anyway the upgrades I have now are: a Boyd's Pro Varmint stock with some custom features, a Weaver 20MOA base, and a Nikon Monarch 3 4-16x50. All of this completely transformed the rifle. I had to buy the bottom metals from Savage to upgrade to the Boyd's stock. That ran me 140$ on top of 170$ for the stock with custom options. So just be aware that you'll pay more to upgrade a 11/111 XP. It was well worth it though; the metals improve the overall quality and functionality of the magazine. Before the mag's plastic components were sloppy and hard to use. I also lightened the Accutrigger a bit while I had everything apart.

After I put it all together I ran the same hand load I used before. 123gr Amax, 52gr RE22, Lapua case, and Win Primers (OAL 2.97"). I also loaded 10 with Federal Mag primers just to see if they made any difference. The Win primed load produced roughly an inch group. The Mag primed load produced about a half inch group. I am really happy with these results considering I haven't played with the ammo that much. Plus I'm still getting use to the rifle.

I have close to 1500$ into this gun overall which isn't bad considering that most guns in the 6.5x284 are much more expensive with out a scope provided. I wanted my money to go towards the ammo and a good scope instead of it all going into a custom rifle. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Inebriated]

I have a 111 XP in .30-06. It shoots well, and has killed several deer. Savage is generally my go-to for bolt guns.

Like you, I put a Boyd's stock on it, and it does make a world of difference. Adds weight, but I don't particularly mind it when hunting, and I certainly don't mind it or the added rigidity when shooting targets.

 

[utvolsfan77]

Chuckin' TV, that is a nice looking rifle. I don't have that caliber but I do own several Savage rifles and like them other than the cheap factory stocks (none of mine are the Accustock models).

Folks the "XP" suffix of any Savage firearm simply means that it is a package deal - rifle and scope combination. You can find that mentioned on their website, many dealers, and on several other forums.