Savage 16 (and stainless) accuracy vs the other models

[777funk]

Curious of a few things:
1. Stainless Savages and accuracy vs standard steel
2. 16 vs other models (say 10, 11, 12, and the 110, 111). I don't care about pretty so much and am not interested in paying for anything but function out of a deer rifle / target gun.

I'm considering a trade of a $350 - $400 gun for an older 16. It seems like the 10, 11, 110, 111 sells used for $450 tops around here and about $100 less if you watch. I have no idea what the 16's sell for used or how sought after they are so I'm curious on a price check.

3. This one is in 270 WSM. I did some quick reading and found reports of one guy not being able to work a good load up for his Savage 16 WSM. I don't know if this is a common problem or just one guy's experience. I'd honestly prefer .308 since it's more common and easier to get brass for. I'll be using it for deer and usually 500 yds or less. But groups on papaer are important or I wouldn't be looking a Savage. Half the fun of shooting is getting good groups.

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[BrentM]

I have 3 Savages and have been around quite a few others. I have not seen one yet that did not shoot lights out. Defining lights out is .5 MOA and less for me. I personally don't consider a rifle accurate until this level is achieved and it should be with hand loads IMO.

So, my model 116 in 6.5-284 has a SS 24" varmint countour with flutes. With my hand loads I have achieved .25 MOA. I normally shoot 200 yards for a zero and this rifle has shot many .25MOA groups. I decided to try a 100 yard zero, for easy re-zeroing and checks, and it was shooting groups of ragged 1 hole to holes touching and cutting each other. That is good enough for me and stock rifle. For LR work I try and find rocks that fit 1 MOA in my scope. I know this is not precision shooting but I have measured impacts on rocks several times and I am doing my job the rifle seems to easily shoot .5MOA out to 1300 yards. Beyond that I have not done so well. Most of the group past that have been 1 to 1.5 moa. I am guessing that is all me.

My friend has a new model 12 LRP, I think it is model 12, in a 260 Remington. That rifle is heavy as hell, but it shoots very well. It is 1moa with factory rounds and easily .5 or less with hand loads.

I just don't think you can really go wrong with the savages. They are not pretty and smooth like the Sako, Tikka, and Rems but they shoot.

 

[777funk]

Any advantages or disadvantages with the Stainless? Sounds like you've had good results from the stainless.

 

[BrentM]

Well, I am no expert but I can not see a disadvantage with the SS. For a hunting rifle this is the only way to go and most all of the high end hunting rifles are stainless. It is just an easy metal to maintain. However, if you service a blued metal it will be fine too. It really depends on the time you spend servicing the rifle. I prefer stainless and I have both metals in various rifles. Accuracy wise I am not a bench shooter so if I can get .5 or less I am happy and I will choose the SS for the fact I don't have to mess with servicing it every time I go out.

 

[777funk]

My only complaint with the trade is the cartridge and that it's an older model. I'm not too sure about 270 WSM and also reloading for it. I read one bad story about not being able to get a good load for the 270wsm in a model 16 Savage, I realize that's only one story so credibility may be questioned any time something's based on one case, but it sounded like it was from an experienced reloader. I'd like to hear a little more.

 

[BrentM]

Well, I see experienced folks on here asking questions all the time about things they have overlooked etc. I thought I was experienced as well but I have been schooled several times this past year by having to think differently about my approach. My point is that I was being a stubborn old bastage about things I thought I knew. I was wrong.

I don't think the 270WSM has anything to do with the accuracy. It could have been the rifle, could have the reloader, could have been?? but I really do not believe there is some fundamental flaw with the accuracy of the 270 WSM. In fact, I would venture to guess that is one heck of cartridge.

You might just ask the forum about the 270 WSM experiences, my guess, you will get a lot of positive feedback.

 

[777funk]

Well, I see experienced folks on here asking questions all the time about things they have overlooked etc. I thought I was experienced as well but I have been schooled several times this past year by having to think differently about my approach. My point is that I was being a stubborn old bastage about things I thought I knew. I was wrong.

I don't think the 270WSM has anything to do with the accuracy. It could have been the rifle, could have the reloader, could have been?? but I really do not believe there is some fundamental flaw with the accuracy of the 270 WSM. In fact, I would venture to guess that is one heck of cartridge.

You might just ask the forum about the 270 WSM experiences, my guess, you will get a lot of positive feedback.

Lol on the stubborn old bastage comment and great idea on asking specifically about 270WSM.

 

[HighCountryMulies]

I own 2 savages, a older model 10 243 win that will shoot any thing i have put through it sub moa, It was my first hunting riffle and honestly i would never part with it. It will shoot 105 a maxes and realoader 19 .25 moa all day long out to 500 yards its bone stock no work except i adjusted the accutrigger down as far as i could get it to go. My other savage im not so sure about i also ( same as BrentM ) have the cabelas special 116 heavy fluted 6.5 284 and so far i cant get it to shoot worth a dam. i have been using known accurate loads of retumbo and 140 bergers and i cant get 3 shot groups without fliers, I have been to the range 7 times in the last two weeks trying everything i can find on here without sucess and i am honestly starting to think its the gun. As far as the 270 wsm goes a member on here BigNGreen has had great sucess shooting a savage based 270 wsm look at some of his posts for info. Both of my hunting partners have them and we have taken some nice mule deer and elk with them 2 of the 3 are mod 70 wins and the other is a browning a bolt all 3 shoot great.

 

[westcliffe01]

A little smear of grease on the bolt and lugs and no concerns. it is never recommended to run stainless dry. The "High Tech" custom guns use a dry lubricant that is blasted on and is essentially permanent. Teflon is another potential solution. But I just use a lick of grease. In cold weather oil may be OK, but I don't like it in summer, too messy.