Ok so I'm brand new to Bolt guns and really really want a Savage .308 haven't heard anything to scare me off. I haven't made my purchase yet and need some opinions. Eventually I want to be a 1000 yard shooter but I want to start off with a rifle that can get me there as opposed to upgrade the closer I get. I intend to read other threads but if someone wants to break things down Barney style please do. Rifles scopes stocks trigger bipods etc. i intend to read up on mils wind age MOA but like I said I'm as green as a gord.
Savage .308
- Thread starter Ahep77
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D.ID
Well-Known Member
I am assuming you do not reload. If you reload things are very different in cartridge selection.
would highly recommend the the savage. They are all I use anymore.
For a short action target or light duty (dear or smaller) hunting rifle :Allot of love for the 308 all over but I would recommend a 6.5 of some sorts (probably a creedmore) due to factory ammo and superior ballistics compared to a 308. Folks will say the 308 is a good learning tool because ballistically it sucks at 1000 compared to so many others. I disagree and recommend something more forgiving.
If you plan on hard targets at 1000 like Elk or bear I would suggest a magnum but depending on the shooter it may or may not be too much for a beginner and will cost more initially to learn with but less in the end, when you consider a learning rifle followed by a real long range rifle.
Generally the smaller more efficient cartridge is ideal to learn on But not usually the best 1k cartridge unless your not shooting hard targets. No matter what you chose get a GOOD scope, the forums are full of info on good scopes. The scope is the single most important part of a long range gun.
Do not get sucked into magical bull crap, Shooting at 1k is exactly like shooting at 100 once you understand the science and the compounding effects of your skills, equipment and environment.
More info could help someone help you, Things like:
What are you planning to someday do at 1k? Targets primarily or hunting primarily? Coyotes or moose? How much other rifle shooting have you done? Do you know how heavy you want this rifle to be? Do you reload? Do you plan to reload? How much can you spend on your scope and range-finder? Are you informed enough yet to realize the need to address all these in the planning stages?
would highly recommend the the savage. They are all I use anymore.
For a short action target or light duty (dear or smaller) hunting rifle :Allot of love for the 308 all over but I would recommend a 6.5 of some sorts (probably a creedmore) due to factory ammo and superior ballistics compared to a 308. Folks will say the 308 is a good learning tool because ballistically it sucks at 1000 compared to so many others. I disagree and recommend something more forgiving.
If you plan on hard targets at 1000 like Elk or bear I would suggest a magnum but depending on the shooter it may or may not be too much for a beginner and will cost more initially to learn with but less in the end, when you consider a learning rifle followed by a real long range rifle.
Generally the smaller more efficient cartridge is ideal to learn on But not usually the best 1k cartridge unless your not shooting hard targets. No matter what you chose get a GOOD scope, the forums are full of info on good scopes. The scope is the single most important part of a long range gun.
Do not get sucked into magical bull crap, Shooting at 1k is exactly like shooting at 100 once you understand the science and the compounding effects of your skills, equipment and environment.
More info could help someone help you, Things like:
What are you planning to someday do at 1k? Targets primarily or hunting primarily? Coyotes or moose? How much other rifle shooting have you done? Do you know how heavy you want this rifle to be? Do you reload? Do you plan to reload? How much can you spend on your scope and range-finder? Are you informed enough yet to realize the need to address all these in the planning stages?
I do not reload. I've spent some time reading threads and everyone here seems rather informative. I chose the .308 for the specific reason of availability. In a pinch I can fire russian surplus. I don't intend to use that if I don't have to though. I want to reach maximum effective distance with the .308 round. As I said I want a rifle that will always shoot better than me. I guess my real question is what kind of distances and grouping are people getting out of the .308 and really everyone's thoughts on the savage actions. Here is what I know. The Axis is a base model and an ambitious shooter can out grow it quickly. Then there is the 11/111? I think which is mid grade (still very well performing) not the top of the line. Then we have the 10 police model with a bull barrel. To my understanding it takes a while to master this firearm.
Red hunter
Well-Known Member
Stay with the Savage 10-16 Models don't go with the Axis. The regular Savage models have lots of aftermarket resourses for upgrades. The Axis does not as of yet. The models that have an accustock are a little more difficult to change stocks on but with some time and and releaving of material it can be done. The easier Savages to upgrade are the models with the bolt release on the top to the right of the action. There are tons of after market stocks that are drop in changes. Barrel changing can be done in 20 min with a few tools and no waiting on a gunsmith. If you start with a 308 for less than a couple hundred dollars you can change calibers of the rifle with a barrel change. The 22-250, 243, 260, 7-08, 308 and a few others use the same magazine and bolt so a barrel swap and you gave a new rifle of different caliber. Check out Savage shooters .com. Lots of info there
D.ID
Well-Known Member
If you are willing to do the police model, I would. It will have the hs precision stock that is allot better than your standard model 11 stock. Same action so after market support is no problem and the heavier barreled models are really nice to shoot compared to the lighter weight versions. The axis is really designed as poor mans throw in the truck gun. Not saying they are not accurate but there triggers are less desirable and the whole gun really was not intended to be upgraded to the extent the rest of the savages are.
I understand the interest in surplus back up ammo and am guilty of that myself but in a rifle capable of really good accuracy it really is a waist to worry about it and you would be better off with a little extra match ammo stashed instead of a lot of surplus. Ammo is just as critical as any other link in the chain. A bolt rifle with junk ammo is the worst kind of firepower. You can get more done with less if you stick to the good stuff.
I understand the interest in surplus back up ammo and am guilty of that myself but in a rifle capable of really good accuracy it really is a waist to worry about it and you would be better off with a little extra match ammo stashed instead of a lot of surplus. Ammo is just as critical as any other link in the chain. A bolt rifle with junk ammo is the worst kind of firepower. You can get more done with less if you stick to the good stuff.
jkrueger
Well-Known Member
I started out with a Savage 10 in 308 and have no regrets, very good rifle/caliber combo to get you started. My particular gun would shoot 3/4 MOA with heavy 208gr handloads and would fire Federal Gold Medal Match under 1 MOA every time.
Not being a handloader you will also need to be able to find ammo to shoot and that has been a bit of a challange lately. I would look at FGMM and black hills ammo in the 168-175gr weights and go from there.
After putting 1200 rounds down the 308 tube I swapped it out for a Lothar prefit in 260 and now that gun shoots lights out.
A good scope and Ammo are a must to get yourself way out there.
Not being a handloader you will also need to be able to find ammo to shoot and that has been a bit of a challange lately. I would look at FGMM and black hills ammo in the 168-175gr weights and go from there.
After putting 1200 rounds down the 308 tube I swapped it out for a Lothar prefit in 260 and now that gun shoots lights out.
A good scope and Ammo are a must to get yourself way out there.
Do you have a friend that reloads? If so you should talk to him about it. I use my friend's reloading equpment and they also give me advice. It has really tightened my groups, which is crucial for long distance.
solohunter
Active Member
I have a savage mod 11, (2010) Sad to say it hates factory ammo, 150-180 gn didnt work well, Being stuborn and a reloader, after MUCH experimenting I found a load it will shoot well, 168 hpbt sierra match king,s Book recommends OAL at 2.810, (crappy group) 2.880 shoots well,, .070 longer than spec,s almost max load of varget, I would have liked a gun that off the shelf ammo shot well in, the savage doesnt, seems the lands are to far into the barrel for factory ammo, would I buy another savage,,, NO !
I like a single stage trigger and reworked this one to my liking, Not somethiing i would reccomend to anyone else,,,,, I grind and polish for living.
I like a single stage trigger and reworked this one to my liking, Not somethiing i would reccomend to anyone else,,,,, I grind and polish for living.
