Some advise on a Savage 110

[Redbone15367]

Hi all, I'm new here and just wanted some thoughts on my Savage 110.
Let me just start by saying that I'm going to be reloading very soon, so my loads will just for this gun. I do have a new Remington 700 7mm rm that my kids like to use when we hunt, and it will be built up later.
My Savage is a 7mm rm as well. I bought it a couple of years ago, and lets just say it was in bad shape. It did shoot decent for a while, but now the scope is no good and will need to replaced. The barrel is in worn and will be replaced as well. I know that there are better guns to build up, but I am a diy'er if at all possible. I want to build this one to do 4-600 yrds confidently. I will built the Remington to be a great shooter but not now.
With all that said what I would like to find out is, what would be a good scope at a decent price, would like a 3 or 4x12 40mm or bigger. Also what would be a good barrel to buy for this gun? I've found one for $200, but don't know what else is out there. I would if nothing else salvage this Savage for at least a brush gun.
My main hunting area is 50foot on a bluff with about 1000 yards to my left about 150 to 300yrds in width, then about 300yrds by 175yrds. I don't want to get to carried away with the Savage, but i will with the Remington later on. Thanks for all the help.......

 

[Redbone15367]

Any help would be nice, if I'm off base on this Savage than please let me know. I do feel that this gun could be good for me, just not sure how far it can be taken, or if it's worth it?

 

[johnnyk]

Redbone,
A good scope in the areas you're looking (power & price) is the Nikon BuckMaster series. They usually run a little over $300 but are good for what you need. They make a 4.5-14X40 with side parallax adjustment that is a pretty nice scope. A friend that I did load development for has/had one on his Stevens 200 in .22-250. What little I used/looked through it, it appeared to be clear glass and tracked well.
They also make a 6-18X40. I have one of these mounted on a Savage 112 in .300WinMag. It has held up to the recoil, tracks well and is repeatable. Mine is not so great for hunting as I have the fine crosshairs with target dot. Knowing what I know now, I'd opt for the duplex crosshairs.
Midway (Shop Shooting Supplies | Reloading | Gunsmithing | Hunting gear — MidwayUSA) carries them or you can view them at Nikon's website (Nikon Optics | Binoculars, Rifle Scopes, Sport Optics & More). You may be able to find one here in the classifieds or on ebay a little cheaper.
Not sure where you're getting the barrel for $200, but if it's from a reputable barrel maker and not shot out then that appears to be a good deal. Sharp Shooter Supply (Sharp Shooter Supply - The Savage Specialists) carries all sorts of components for the Savage enthusiast. Check it out.
With the right tools you can change that barrel out yourself and save a few bucks. Good luck. JohnnyK.

 

[geargrinder]

I'd contact Jim Briggs of Northand Shooters Supply for a barrel.

He is a vendor on Savage Shooters.

He carries Shilen and CBI barrels. They cost more than $200 but well worth it.

You can also get prefits from Mcgowan Outlet, Rock, Pacnor, and Sinarms.

Sinarms will make you a prefit from any blank you want.

 

[jpbaker]

As far as the savage action, nothing wrong with it. I have two that I have built up. I have used shilen barrels with those, one shoots 1/4 MOA (.223), and the othere 1/2 MOA (308). The .308 is still getting broken in.

Shilen barrels are a decent value. My next barrel will be a brux. You can get these prethreaded.

Scope.
Take a look are the vortex scopes, someone already mentioned nikon buckmaster, but you may want to take a look at their newer line the Prostaff 5.

For the record though I have both vortex viper and buckmaster scopes, and like them both.

TKS
JPB

 

[Redbone15367]

Thanks for the advice and info on the barrel. E. arthur Brown was where I found the barrel, but like I said before I wasn't sure if there where others out there, or quality as well. I did just get back from Bass Pro in Springfield, and I looked at the Nikon prostaff 5? I think that was it, I also looked at the Zeiss, and leapold vx 1, 2, 3. I really liked the vx2, great eye relief, was able to track good with it, and it wasn't much over the Nikon. I'm going to check out the barrels you mentiond.
If anyone knows any thing about the E. Arthur Brown barrels please let me know. Is there a preffered twist, things like that, please feel free to give me your opinion.

 

[jpd676]

I'd contact Jim Briggs of Northand Shooters Supply for a barrel.

He is a vendor on Savage Shooters.

He carries Shilen and CBI barrels. They cost more than $200 but well worth it.

You can also get prefits from Mcgowan Outlet, Rock, Pacnor, and Sinarms.

Sinarms will make you a prefit from any blank you want.

This is the best advice you will get anywhere. Jim Briggs is the man when it comes to Savage. I helped a friend put one together (Jim stepped us through it on the phone) and it shoots 1/2 moa with reloads. This one was a .260 with a 26" CBI barrel.

 

[Redbone15367]

Thanks for the help. Up till recently I didn't know my Savage could be anthing other than what it was. This will be a fun learning experience for me.lightbulb

 

[geargrinder]

This is the best advice you will get anywhere. Jim Briggs is the man when it comes to Savage. I helped a friend put one together (Jim stepped us through it on the phone) and it shoots 1/2 moa with reloads. This one was a .260 with a 26" CBI barrel.

Thanks. Nice of you to say.

Coincidentally, I had a package full of CBI stuff show up from Jim today.

To the OP- Your Savage can be almost anything you want it to be. I have an action that started life as a 308, I turned it into a 32" barreled fire breathing 338 Edge. I've also turned a stagger feed 7mm mag into a centerfeed 223.

Savage is a great platform for anyone who likes to tinker with their own stuff.

 

[Redbone15367]

Thanks Geargrinder,
I have been doing a lot reading on the gun with the help from here, and I have learnd a lot as well. I think it will be a good gun for me to start with. I will get the Leapold vx2- 4/12x40mm. to start, I just need to figure out what length to get it in. It will be a match grade, but don't know what twist either. This site is very helpful, and thanks to all for all the input. Going on to barrels, does any one have any input on the pros and cons of length of a barrel, or the twist? Thanks again.....

 

[Nimrod]

Unless I missed it you didn't say what caliber you were going to re-barrel to. With a specific caliber and bullet in mind you can then decide on length and twist for the barrel. I don't know exactly where you are located but I have all the tools to swap barrels and would be happy to walk you through your first barrel change.

Bob

 

[Redbone15367]

I'm wanting to keep it a 7mm mag. That seems to be a really good round, deer normally drop fast. Sorry about the lapse on reply's, I drive trucks and don't always have time to go online. I'm thinking about 168gr berger. Thanks.

 

[Nimrod]

For the 7 Mag I would get a 9 twist with at least 26" of barrel and shoot the 160 grain Accubond or the 162 Amax if I could find them. I don't care for the Bergers although I know they have a big fan base here. The new long range Accubond might be a good one too.

Bob

 

[Redbone15367]

Thanks Bob, I need to do some research to figure out what all the pros and cons are. One of the sites mentioned before for barrels has different options for twist #of rifling, and length.