Which Savage rifle?

[breakingcontact]

I am looking for a general purpose rifle. I'm not new to guns, but for practical purposes, I am new to bolt action rifles.

-I have a local range where I "can" shoot up to 1000 yards. Not that I plan to regularly, but the option is there and I would like something capable of accuracy at least at 500 yards.
-Additionally, I'm not an active hunter, but would like to go sometime.
-I'm not overly price sensitive, but can't go beyond $600 or so.

I am looking at the following rifles:

Savage Axis (available locally for $280)

-I know this rifle is bottom of the barrel for Savage. If it's reliable and built to be durable, I am interested in it.

Savage 110/111 (available locally with scope for $500)

-I don't recall the scope it comes with, this is from Academy Sports.
-Overall I like the feel much better than that of the Axis although I don't care for the longer barrel.

Savage Scout (available through gunbroker for $500-$600)

-I really like the idea of scout rifles, but admit I don't know if they are practical in actual use.
-I do like the iron sights for backup. Can a scope be mounted traditionally on this rifle?

Savage 10FP (available through gunbroker for $700+)

-I had one of these years ago, I enjoyed it, but didn't have a long range to shoot at.
-I like the heavy barrel, but these seem to be the most costly of all the options

Savage 11 VT (available locally through Dick's Sporting Goods for $550)

-This is the one I'm most interested in.
-It comes with a Bushnell 4-12 x 40mm scope (I believe)
-Is this rifle going to be an issue though as it's a unique model to Dick's. I don't want to run into any issues with parts not being available or interchangeable if this is an odd model.

Thanks for whatever advice you can give. Basically, I'm not against any of the rifles and understand most of their strengths and drawbacks. I am of course attracted to the Axis for the price, but if I can get a much better rifle, for just a few hundred more, I'd like to go that route.

 

[adelbridge]

Savage 110/111 (available locally with scope for $500)

I think these are coming with Nikon ProStaff scopes

The Dick's exclusive usually has a cheaper ( but maybe more durable) finish. All the internal parts are the same.
FYI Bushnell might night score you any style points with the ladies but they are putting out good scopes for the money.

 

[gpb]

Be careful if you go the Axis route. I don't think any replacement stocks are available for them. Savage seems to have used an odd action screw spacing on them. You need to think about the stock you ultimately want to use and determine what it will fit.

I recently started a project to convert a Savage family rifle to 30 Remington. For my project I chose a Stevens 200 since replacement stocks that I liked were available from Boyds. The Stevens 200 are relatively inexpensive and since I just needed the action I went with it.

 

[Cee Zee]

The Axis series isn't upgradeable like the 110 series rifles. I would go with the 111 Hunter with the Nikon ProStaff scope. It's a good rifle and scope at a good price and should be about as much rifle as you can expect to get for the money. And you can upgrade it later on if you want. You can make it into an extremely nice rifle if that's your thing. If you have no interest in upgrading it's still a good deal. I almost bought one myself a while back but I bought a CZ rimfire instead.

Savage is known for giving people a lot of rifle for their money. Even the Axis is a decent rifle for the price. It's just an entry level rifle that can't be upgraded much. I'd get a Stevens 200 before I would get an Axis if it was my choice. But I'd probably go for the 111 I mentioned. And you would be able to get out to 500 yards if you wanted. It won't match what a target or varmint rifle will do but it will do well.

 

[breakingcontact]

Rifle on bottom of image...Currently available at Dick's (I know, it's Dick's) for $445. Seems like a great deal.

My view on Dick's is, that if we all boycott them, they stop selling guns entirely, then there is one less place to buy. Yes, I prefer and do often buy/shop at my LGS, but even the owner there tells me to go to department stores on certain guns that he can't come close to price on.

 

[788Ham]

Savage '99, .300 Savage cartridge, good rifle.

 

[vujade]

Every Savage I've shot (from the $280 Axis/Edge to some 4 digit priced models) were shooters. Just different levels of performance. I'd stay away from the Edge/Axis (see below). It depends on what you want to do with it. (if you just were going to hunt with it, a few shots a season, the Axis/Edge would be a great deal. If you were trying for groups, I'd get something better. Do you want tiny groups at long distance? the Scout may not satisfy you unless you're a great iron sight shooter. I'll add that most every STOCK Savage I've shot had cheap stocks.)

To give you some feedback (this is for 308 caliber) (100 yards on sandbags unless stated otherwise)

My Dad has the Axis/Edge. (the scope cost more than the rifle (so it's not the scope). With factory ammo (PPU "match" 168 grains), 3 shot groups are 1.5 to 2 inches. Handloading will produce 3 shot groups right below an inch. 5 shot groups tend to produce some stringing as the barrel heated up. (this was in the summer so even waiting 30-45 seconds per shot wasn't very helpful). Also, the magazine has some cheap plastic on it that broke; it works sometimes but not reliably.

I've got the 10FP on a medalist with a 10x SFWA. Factory ammo (PPU Match will give me 1.5 inches. Federal Gold/Hornady Tap will be .75 or so inches). Handloads will give me sub .500 inches every time with 5 shot groups. Most will be 1/3 moa and it's not uncommon (when the wind is silent) to go even less than a quarter moa). I love that rifle. I tried it at 300 yards with nothing but a sling in prone and my groups were about 2 inches.

Here is a sample target; and this wasn't a fluke, just happen to have this on my desktop:




I also tried a range-mate's savage. I forgot the model but the stock cost more than my 10fp (paid under $500 for it a few years ago). It had a Nightforce scope on it. I didn't group it, but using his reloads - I was shooting corners off stamps at 100 yards. I kid you not, I could pick what area of the little postage stamp I wanted to hit. (my scope would barely see it, I could hit it but not as precise. His scope had such a fine crosshair, I could divide the stamp in sections with it.)