to build or buy

i have been toying with the idea of building a new rifle. i was thinking of starting with a savage 110 action, shilien barrel either heavy sporter or varmint and a bell and carlson stock. total price would be some where around 1100 before gun smithing. i have also just found fierce firearms. and for the money and with them giving a .5 moa guarantee it seems hard to pass up. and at 2k it seems like a great price

Following!

Savage is a good out of the box rifle for the money, however i wouldn't build on a savavage action again. Start with something like a rem 700 or a tikka t3. Savages leave alot to be desired in a custom build and when it's all said and done the price difference is worth it every time.

tn243 said:

Savage is a good out of the box rifle for the money, however i wouldn't build on a savavage action again. Start with something like a rem 700 or a tikka t3. Savages leave alot to be desired in a custom build and when it's all said and done the price difference is worth it every time.

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They are strong enough but kind of "Mattel" huh

One thing I've learned from savages. Some feed real well from their mags, and some take some serious tweaking to get right. You don't need much Smith work, Savages can be done yourself, the action design lends itself to not needing stress free bedding to get to shoot, although some still do it.
I have several savages, and love messing with them, I have two, that I did nothing to, and they will keep up with customs on paper.

Build off a custom action, buy once cry once. I have built many Savages and they are great if you want to swap just a barrel or have a cheap switch barrel rifle. But the aftermarket is just not there yet. Accuracy on all my Savages are great though. gohring3006 is right, I have made $5000 gun owners cry with my $1000 Savage. Shooter and ammo does play a part of course.

I built mine , but had a donor action , Stevens 200 LA (savage 110 in all but name..no accutrigger ) and most of the parts were here (barrel 26 inch ss Heavy varmint 300 Win Mag..Ken Farrell 20 Moa Gforce rail etc)...so saved the cost of the smith as I have the tools needed, gauges and wrench barrel vice, had a Boyds target/varmint model stock...took me no time at all to put together..and basically cost me time...the later chassis stock ...that cost some money.

Starting from zero...I would go towards a quality pre built, because when you start parting out..you find that when you are done you are near at or over the cost of the prebuilt and if what you want is available today..instead of a few months wait for the smith to fit you in...

corey suir said:

i have been toying with the idea of building a new rifle. i was thinking of starting with a savage 110 action, shilien barrel either heavy sporter or varmint and a bell and carlson stock. total price would be some where around 1100 before gun smithing. i have also just found fierce firearms. and for the money and with them giving a .5 moa guarantee it seems hard to pass up. and at 2k it seems like a great price

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I just went through this dilemma about a month ago. Went with the Fierce Edge. It came with the factory target that was basically a cloverleaf. Took it home and through a scope on it. Went to the range and yes it shoots less than 1/2 MOA with factory Hornandy 6.5 PRC ELD-M. I'm even debating even bothering with coming up with reloads. So far the rifle has exceeded my expectations. Absolutely no regrets.

I love my savage builds but I like to tinker and do the work myself. I think I would go with the fierce over a gunsmith savage build. Rifle at the range shooting vs time being built.

thanks for all the info guys. guess ill just start saving my pennies to go towards a Fierce Edge. at half the price of any other "custom" rifle it will give me more money to put towards a good scope

If you don't go custom, do yourself a favor and get a 700 to build off of. Every smith knows how to build and blueprint a 700, and aftermarket accessories are nearly infinite. Not to mention, a blueprinted 700 that's been lapped and worked-over is one of the slickest and strongest factory actions out there.

Tidus56 said:

Build off a custom action, buy once cry once. I have built many Savages and they are great if you want to swap just a barrel or have a cheap switch barrel rifle. But the aftermarket is just not there yet. Accuracy on all my Savages are great though. gohring3006 is right, I have made $5000 gun owners cry with my $1000 Savage. Shooter and ammo does play a part of course.

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i have a savage 12fv in 6.5 creedmoor that i can shoot under half inch all day at 100 and my best group and 300 so far has been 3/4" they shoot amazing. im just looking for a gun that i can pass on to my kids when ever they are ready

Definitely a 700

After my savage promotion post, ha!
I did a remage 700 prefit, mainly because I'm already tooled up for barrel swaps.