I found a savage 110 fcp with a vortex viper pst 6-24 with a bi-pod for 2399 new and i know its probably more then i need in minnesota but i have planning on some antelope hunts and i want to do an elk hunt. So what i want to know is that a good price and is this going to be more than i want and can i load it down for deer here. I have a 300 win mag and know this thing is a lot more then that. Really just need to be talked out of buying it lol or think i am getting it.
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338 lapua
- Thread starter serpent71
- Start date
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Have you done any research on that rifle? If you have then you are aware of their iffy success with their rifles chambered in 338 Lapua. Tons and tons of threads/discussions out there talking about heavy bolt lift, stuck cases, and poor accuracy. And I speak from experience. I had the 110BA. I had all three problems. Best group was like 1.5"@100 yards. And I couldn't get 5 rounds downrange without having to at the least hammer on the bolt handle to extract the case.
Just warning you. Some of them happen to shoot, so you might get lucky.
Just warning you. Some of them happen to shoot, so you might get lucky.
SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
I think the issues have more to do with inadequate reloading procedures as well as substandard brass than anything else, case in point, Hornady marketed some 338 brass that wasn't up to the case pressure attained in the 338 caliber and lots of that is still out there.....
If you research the 338 (and discount the Savage entirely) you'll soon find out that it takes a specialized case (why Lapua spent so long in development of the wildcat).
Get yourself a Steyr or a Sako TRG if you have the wallet.
It only takes a couple whiners and everyone assumes it's the fault of a Savage. Thats how the Internet works and thats too bad.
I have a Savage chambered 338. It's heavy, akward (a benchrest shooter, certainly not a pack rifle) but mine is an accurate shooter and I've never 'hammered on anything to extract', but then I don't use substandard brass (only Lapua) and I practice carefully controlled reloading and annealing principles.
My suggestion is don't buy it. One, it's not a Minnesota deer rifle, two it's heavy and three, it takes disciplined reloading or high quality factory loads (read Lapua/Lapua) to effectuate accuracy and longevity.
I think the chrisma of the 338 (longest confirmed sniper kill and all the hoopla on the web) outweighs the actual usefulness of the rifle and caliber. Like the 50BMG in a Barrett platform, the 338 is not for just anyone, in fact, it's for a select few that actually have the knowledge and pre-requisites to utilize it.
That eliminates 90% of the pro firearm population.
Somehow, I believe you are in that 90 percentile.
If you research the 338 (and discount the Savage entirely) you'll soon find out that it takes a specialized case (why Lapua spent so long in development of the wildcat).
Get yourself a Steyr or a Sako TRG if you have the wallet.
It only takes a couple whiners and everyone assumes it's the fault of a Savage. Thats how the Internet works and thats too bad.
I have a Savage chambered 338. It's heavy, akward (a benchrest shooter, certainly not a pack rifle) but mine is an accurate shooter and I've never 'hammered on anything to extract', but then I don't use substandard brass (only Lapua) and I practice carefully controlled reloading and annealing principles.
My suggestion is don't buy it. One, it's not a Minnesota deer rifle, two it's heavy and three, it takes disciplined reloading or high quality factory loads (read Lapua/Lapua) to effectuate accuracy and longevity.
I think the chrisma of the 338 (longest confirmed sniper kill and all the hoopla on the web) outweighs the actual usefulness of the rifle and caliber. Like the 50BMG in a Barrett platform, the 338 is not for just anyone, in fact, it's for a select few that actually have the knowledge and pre-requisites to utilize it.
That eliminates 90% of the pro firearm population.
Somehow, I believe you are in that 90 percentile.
I have 3 --savage 110 fcp 338 lapua rifles...I have had 0 problems with them and they are all deadly accurate...The 110 ba had some issues but as you were told already the hornady brass was usually the problem..My take is buy it because the rifle alone is close to $ 1,800.00 less tax...Use lapua or norma brass and you will have no problems..Just another view from a guy who has 3 of them and if I had a problem I would tell you ...Like everything else there are always lemons and some people get a bad one.
SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
...and to reinterate again, Extreme, IMO, just my opinion, not based on anything factual but more of an instinctive feeling, sloppy reloading habits have a lot to do with issues, real or imagined and to a lesser extent the quest to load at maximum levels in less than quality brass.
The case underwent a protracted development period by Lapua prior to it's release, one reason to stick with Lapua. I think people saw the Hornady derrivative as a less expensive means of obtaining cases and that didn't play out to well. Consequently, there is a lot of bad press out there.
The one I own is a very accurate rifle with no issues (other than to remember to fully rack the bolt each time) that seem to appear on various forums.
Having said that, it's still not for everyone. You have to be willing to invest the time in the reloading phase or purchase Lapua pre-loaded ammunition.
The case underwent a protracted development period by Lapua prior to it's release, one reason to stick with Lapua. I think people saw the Hornady derrivative as a less expensive means of obtaining cases and that didn't play out to well. Consequently, there is a lot of bad press out there.
The one I own is a very accurate rifle with no issues (other than to remember to fully rack the bolt each time) that seem to appear on various forums.
Having said that, it's still not for everyone. You have to be willing to invest the time in the reloading phase or purchase Lapua pre-loaded ammunition.
I agree with what you are saying and I just added what I know about this rifle and cal..Like everything else in this game ,,you must invest time and money to make it work...So I agree with you ,but I also know that 1 bad apple can riun a bushel
Thanks guys for the info and i do reload and i am willing to work at the right recipe just not sure i'll get enough use out of it. I am looking to get into a cal for longer range. My 300 win mag is just a t/c pro hunter and my buddy have all got 6.5 x 284 so looking for something to shoot with them. I'll keep looking on here and maybe find something
SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
You bet. The Internet is a great place for information, both good and bad and with the advent of the Internet, it's so easy to ostrasize something or a business and it's almost impossible to repair the damage wihether it's fact or fiction.
Now, I'll open a can-o-worms with this statement.... I do not use bushing dies for my 338 Lapua reloading. been using Redding F/L die and RCBS Gold Medal bullet seater since day one. The only reason I use the RCBS seater (and I use the same seater on all my calibers by exchanging the seater plug and cone is I like front loading my pills.
Now, I'll open a can-o-worms with this statement.... I do not use bushing dies for my 338 Lapua reloading. been using Redding F/L die and RCBS Gold Medal bullet seater since day one. The only reason I use the RCBS seater (and I use the same seater on all my calibers by exchanging the seater plug and cone is I like front loading my pills.
SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
Sort of like the comment a regular poster put on another thread concerning pills.
"You have all the fancy bullets to choose from but in the end, more game animals have been taken over the years with ordinary FMJ's like Sierras"
I'm always looking for the 'holy grail' of projectiles but more SMK's and SGK's travewrse my tubes than anything else other than perhapse Hornady's.
I've found from personal use that contrary to the opinions of a lot of 338 lapua owners, that 250's work better than 300's.
"You have all the fancy bullets to choose from but in the end, more game animals have been taken over the years with ordinary FMJ's like Sierras"
I'm always looking for the 'holy grail' of projectiles but more SMK's and SGK's travewrse my tubes than anything else other than perhapse Hornady's.
I've found from personal use that contrary to the opinions of a lot of 338 lapua owners, that 250's work better than 300's.
We agree again..250 gr.SMK are my number one choice for my 338 lapuas over the 300 gr. Any elk that I ever shot did not like them..I also use a lot of barnes bullets ,,they are great bone breakers.
azsugarbear
Well-Known Member
I'm currently in the middle of a 338 Lapua improved build. While exciting for me - it is not really necessary. There are lots of other calibers out there that will do what you want for a lot less coin (and recoil).
Where the 338 Lapua (and other big 338's) really begin to shine is from 1,200 yards on out. This is where the smaller calibers begin to drop fast. However. most of us never get much of an opportunity to shoot - or even practice - from 1,200 on out to a mile. Having said that....if you got the itch, then ya gotta scratch. Right?
As far as price goes: I've seen several 110 BA's in 338 go for around $1,800 to $1,900. The 110 fcp in 338 should sell for around $1,200 or so. The 111 Long Hunter for about $1,000.
Here's what a quick search turned up in my area:
Savage 110BA .338 lapua / Springfield 1911A1 - phoenix guns for sale: firearms, handguns, rifles - backpage.com
Savage .338 Lapua Magnum - phoenix guns for sale: firearms, handguns, rifles - backpage.com
Where the 338 Lapua (and other big 338's) really begin to shine is from 1,200 yards on out. This is where the smaller calibers begin to drop fast. However. most of us never get much of an opportunity to shoot - or even practice - from 1,200 on out to a mile. Having said that....if you got the itch, then ya gotta scratch. Right?
As far as price goes: I've seen several 110 BA's in 338 go for around $1,800 to $1,900. The 110 fcp in 338 should sell for around $1,200 or so. The 111 Long Hunter for about $1,000.
Here's what a quick search turned up in my area:
Savage 110BA .338 lapua / Springfield 1911A1 - phoenix guns for sale: firearms, handguns, rifles - backpage.com
Savage .338 Lapua Magnum - phoenix guns for sale: firearms, handguns, rifles - backpage.com
I bought all 3 of my 110 fcp 338 lapuas from cabelas and I paid $1600.00 +
so if you can get it for $1200.00 buy it ,that's a real deal The 110ba is $2199.99 now
