Author Topic: 30-06,handi vs savage 110 (Read 1465 times)

piero · « **on:** April 27, 2012, 06:05:10 PM »

Was thinking about a 30-06 over a .308 for the more abundant brass in my area. My local pawn shop has two used 110s for sale in good shape for $299 and my go-to shop has syn. handies for about $260-$270. The 110s both have scopes, the manufacturer (spelling?) of which I am unsure, the handie is clean. I am used to heavy rifles as I grew up behind an M1 Garand. With these choices I am SOL on looks for sure so that is not a factor. And as always, accuracy is a must. So, what do y'all think is the better buy? I plan on using it fer deer, paper, anything else that breathes, and someday many years from now, to scare the living You-Know-What out of my future daughter's BFs-to-be!

r29l20 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2012, 06:21:31 PM »

Only you can deside witch one you like better. But since your on a H&R forum, get the Handi.

You can get a new Handi for those prices. Depending on the scopes, the Savages are priced about right for used, depending on the model.

RPRNY · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2012, 06:33:05 PM »

Get both, compare, keep the keeper and sell the other.

trotterlg · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2012, 06:58:03 PM »

Either of the Savages will kick butt on any handi out there. H&R's are fun but the Savage is a very serious gun which will most likely shoot rings around any factory Handi. Larry

piero · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2012, 07:17:49 PM »

Some very interesting responses from the midnight crowd! To be honest, I think in my situation its more of a "what fits me" type of thing rather than a quality thing. I know that they are both good guns and both my savage 64 and my handi in .223 fit me like a glove, where my friend's Remington 700 fits me like a brick. So my question is now what diff in weight is in syn vs wood? and what scope do y'all reccomend for a handi in "thuddy-ought-six"? Keep in mind that I am "Wash-The-Paper-Plates-Poor" and my guns tend to fare about as well as a three-year-old's new kitten (they have a hard life). I think my .223 has taken five falls in the year i've had 'er.

piero · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2012, 07:19:41 PM »

Haaay!, My emoticons didn't work!

piero · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2012, 07:20:36 PM »

Fixed it!

PowPow · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2012, 11:49:56 PM »

I had both of those at one time.
The Savage was way more accurate than the Handi, but that may have been my particular two guns.
My Savage was a lot longer and kind of clunky for how I hunted; climber and small shooting houses.
For quick shots, the hammer on the handi was easier to find than the safety on the bolt gun.
My recommendation is that if you anticipate long deliberate shots get the Savage, but if you expect shorter quicker shots get the handi.

kennyd · « **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2012, 03:48:43 AM »

If you are wanting to carry it in thick woods, get the handi. A short gun is "handy" to carry. The synthetic stock is a bit lighter and makes it feel barrel heavy, (steady for me). The Savage is one of the best low priced bolts there is. If you read the FAQ's you will find that most of the time we on this board have to work to get the handi's to shoot, the Savage is known for being a 1 or 2 minute rifle out of the box. Are the scopes the usual 3-9? The handi will have an extractor, the bolt wil eject. For the handi, you will have to buy rings, (Wallyworld), and a scope. One thing, is that pawns have things someone didn't value enough to keep; a new rifle will have your own break in and you will know how much dirt was ever shot through the barrel.

rdlange · « **Reply #9 on:** April 28, 2012, 04:29:53 AM »

I traded my LH 110 for a Handi. The bolt lift can be very stiff, the trigger maybe not be so good, and the guns can take alot of $$/work to get them shooting good.

But there is a real 110 following (cult), LH out of the box, and plenty of info on line on how to get them better. Fairly easy barrel swap option also.

Still, the Handi is... well, 'handier', and I am not sorry I traded. I can also work on them easier and cheaper.

Only had one Savage... have more than one Handi. JMHO...

Lonegun1894 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 28, 2012, 04:49:53 AM »

I really like Handi's, but my Savage is much easier to get accurate and has always been more accurate before I worked up loads for both also. Like has been said, the Savage will be slightly slower for deliberate shots, but is quite a bit more accurate. With the exception of my BC .45-70, I consider Handi's to be 200yd rifles, MY Savage, I know will stay on a 6" plate out to 500yds or further depending on wind. But I also cant shoot it nearly as fast for up close in the woods-type work, so pick the one that works better for your purposes. They're both great guns. Is one a better deal than the other considering your local prices? If so, I say get the better or less common deal now, and pick up the other if/when finances allow.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** April 28, 2012, 05:27:18 AM »

Quote from: piero on April 27, 2012, 07:17:49 PM

So my question is now what diff in weight is in syn vs wood? and what scope do y'all reccomend for a handi in "thuddy-ought-six"?

Stock weights and scope recommendations can be found in the FAQs.

Tim

r29l20 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2012, 06:34:19 AM »

I'm confused, everyone keeps saying other brand gun are more accurate the the Handi's, but then they say that the H&R slug guns are the most accurate. What's the truth ? I've had Savages that shot 1 hole groups all day long, now I bought a .223 heavy bbl Handi, am I expecting to much from this gun to do the same ?

RPRNY · « **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2012, 07:36:39 AM »

Quote from: r29l20 on April 28, 2012, 06:34:19 AM

I'm confused, everyone keeps saying other brand gun are more accurate the the Handi's, but then they say that the H&R slug guns are the most accurate. What's the truth ? I've had Savages that shot 1 hole groups all day long, now I bought a .223 heavy bbl Handi, am I expecting to much from this gun to do the same ?

Are we talking apples or oranges? In this particular case, the 30-06, I don't think the Handi is a tack driver (I own one in 30-06). The Handi 30-30 is widely regarded as an MOA shooter out of the box. The 357 reamed to Max has far exceeded many owners' expectations. The 45-70 BC is highly accurate as were the now discontinued BC 38-55. There are, I believe, some calibers that Handis don't do well in without some work. 45 Colt chambers are as overly generous in the Handi as in most other firearms. I understand 270 Win tend to have throat issues. And then, accurizing a Handi can mean as little as putting an O-ring under the barrel stud or adjusting seating depth on hand loads, whereas the work needed to free float a barrel on a much more expensive bolt gun can be much more costly/time consuming. As far as I know, the .223 heavy barrel is also widely regarded as excellent.

But you mention H&R slug guns? Are you talking the Ultra Slug Hunter? Because the USH 20 ga is, rightly so, widely held to be the closest in performance to a centerfire rifle that you will ever get out of a slug gun. But what that has to do with Handi performance in centerfire rifles, I do not know.

Sourdough · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2012, 09:01:54 AM »

Back to the original post. You are looking at a 30-06 over the .308. Both cartridges are good accurate rounds. Both can be handloaded using the same bullets. But, the .308 is always just a bit slower, and can't push the same bullets with the same velocity or energy as the 06. The 30-06 is always just one step above the .308.

My first rifle after I left home was a Parker Haile 3600, in .308. That was in 1971, I carried that rifle till 1985. I killed lots of differant game, close and far with it. Still have ity in my vault, and will someday give it to my oldest son. In 1985 I bought my first 30-06, haven't shot the .308 since. Like being able to use the heavier bullets, with decent velocity.

Now as for the Savage 110 V the Handi. I have both in 30-06. My go to gun is the Handi, but my second is the Savage. It's not a question of accuracy, both shoot just as good. I can bust a milk jug at 700 yards with both. I can reload and shoot a second shot just as fast with one as the other. It's just a matter of preferance, and I've owned and carried the Handi a lot longer than I have owned the Savage. Both guns need trigger work, both guns need tweeking to get them where you like them. To me they are comperable. BUT, and this is a big BUT. The Handi you are looking at will in most likelyhood be an extractor, not an ejector. Scratch that reloading bit. No way a new Handi can even compete with a Savage 110 on getting off a second shot. Having to reach down and pull that empty, then drop in a new round just takes too long. So the bolt action is going to be faster on a second shot. Unless you are hunting dangerous game that should not be a concern, I hunt dangerous game so that is a biggie to me.

Otherwise, it is which ever one you feel more comfortable with. One good test I always performe when looking at a gun. Close your eyes and shoulder the gun. Then open your eyes, you should be looking right down the top of the barrel, or through the scope. Do this three or four times, and be honest with yourself. If you do not shoulder the gun properly, where you are looking down the barrel or through the scope, without adjusting each and every time. Pass on that gun and continue looking.

gendoc · « **Reply #15 on:** April 28, 2012, 10:08:01 AM »

Quote from: Sourdough on April 28, 2012, 09:01:54 AM

Back to the original post. You are looking at a 30-06 over the .308. Both cartridges are good accurate rounds. Both can be handloaded using the same bullets. But, the .308 is always just a bit slower, and can't push the same bullets with the same velocity or energy as the 06. The 30-06 is always just one step above the .308.

My first rifle after I left home was a Parker Haile 3600, in .308. That was in 1971, I carried that rifle till 1985. I killed lots of differant game, close and far with it. Still have ity in my vault, and will someday give it to my oldest son. In 1985 I bought my first 30-06, haven't shot the .308 since. Like being able to use the heavier bullets, with decent velocity.

Now as for the Savage 110 V the Handi. I have both in 30-06. My go to gun is the Handi, but my second is the Savage. It's not a question of accuracy, both shoot just as good. I can bust a milk jug at 700 yards with both. I can reload and shoot a second shot just as fast with one as the other. It's just a matter of preferance, and I've owned and carried the Handi a lot longer than I have owned the Savage. Both guns need trigger work, both guns need tweeking to get them where you like them. To me they are comperable. BUT, and this is a big BUT. The Handi you are looking at will in most likelyhood be an extractor, not an ejector. Scratch that reloading bit. No way a new Handi can even compete with a Savage 110 on getting off a second shot. Having to reach down and pull that empty, then drop in a new round just takes too long. So the bolt action is going to be faster on a second shot. Unless you are hunting dangerous game that should not be a concern, I hunt dangerous game so that is a biggie to me.

Otherwise, it is which ever one you feel more comfortable with. One good test I always performe when looking at a gun. Close your eyes and shoulder the gun. Then open your eyes, you should be looking right down the top of the barrel, or through the scope. Do this three or four times, and be honest with yourself. If you do not shoulder the gun properly, where you are looking down the barrel or through the scope, without adjusting each and every time. Pass on that gun and continue looking.

this people, is spoken from real hard-core experiance !!!!
notta wannabe

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 28, 2012, 10:39:45 AM »

I totally agree with gendoc and sourdough!

piero · « **Reply #17 on:** April 28, 2012, 01:08:31 PM »

All very good replys! Just a few things that ain't clear (on my part, sorry) When I said accuracy is a must, I meant each as an individual and not relative to each other. Down here in Troy,AL, most shots are no more than 150yards and the bulk of that is about 50yds.However, me turning 18 in a month, my mom is gonna kick me out soon. 0_o I plan on moving to NC as soon as I get my welding degree and begin collecting guns and exotic pets. Anyway, I plan on doing a little elk hunting and I trust myself to about 300yds on a target that size.

As far as tweeking to get the handies to shoot strait, What kind of mods an I looking at for say 1MOA? (Too lazy to look at FAQ) When I got mine I was shooting the primers out of shot shells at 50yds 2 for 3 w/ rem. fmj. And that was before it was broke in. So far I have done nothing but loosen the forend.

sourdough, I'm not seeing anything I posted about reloading time. But FYI I have done my research and I know for a fact I am way faster with a bolt than my handi! As for needing work, you can say that again! She is a little rough around the edges though the trigger is very crisp and breaks at about 4lbs, witch is just fine for me. It is the heavyest of them all though.(Marlin336, savage 64, pardner 12).

you know what? Something just dawned on me. The Savages, though used, come with a scope(don't know power) and the handies are clean. The handies, being only $30 cheaper than the Savages,may end up costing me more than the Savage! That's it then, i'll check the scopes, fit(s?), and bores of the Savages and see if they are worth it(I have not looked at them yet, only seen them from across the counter.) What ever I end up with, i'll be sure to do a range report! Looks like it's time to head to midway for components!

PowPow · « **Reply #18 on:** April 28, 2012, 01:38:11 PM »

Check out Midsouth for reloading supplies
Seem to be less $, and shipments to Birmingham arrive the next day, even though they go through the Montgomery Ups hub.
might be the same to Troy.

gendoc · « **Reply #19 on:** April 28, 2012, 01:48:39 PM »

dang pow.. u an ol'piero ar too dang far northa me.... yall come down heahto tha south most parta baldwin county, an we'll hava real gud time...yeah !!.........

r29l20 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 28, 2012, 02:32:08 PM »

But you mention H&R slug guns? Are you talking the Ultra Slug Hunter? Because the USH 20 ga is, rightly so, widely held to be the closest in performance to a centerfire rifle that you will ever get out of a slug gun. But what that has to do with Handi performance in centerfire rifles, I do not know.

It's the same design. Just wondered why, it's the most accurate in a shot gun and not in a centerfire.

piero · « **Reply #21 on:** April 28, 2012, 05:45:54 PM »

gendoc, I know it! Iv'e only been here two years, useta live in Orlando, the part we locals call "Crime Hills" AKA Pine Hills, 'bout 10 miles from International Drive, or if you prefere, about a 6 hour drive! An' boy do we got some genius criminals down there! One guy 'bout three years ago tried robbin' a gas station with a palm frond! He musta fergot that every clerk in a small business in FL is packin' an' they know how to use em'!

gcrank1 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 29, 2012, 04:14:07 AM »

I know you didnt ask about lead bullet shooting, but, FWIW, in The Cast Bullet Assoc. the Savage 110 platform has been highly regarded in 30-06 for some years. IF I was looking for a bolt gun it would be my choice, and the newer models have their Accu-Trigger (works well), so check those used models for it (it is a quick visual). As a 'working gun' I would probably go the 110, and look for a Handi in 357, 44 Mag, 38-55, 444, or last, but should be first 45-70. The 'classic' straightish case calibers are a natural in a Handi Rifle.

piero · « **Reply #23 on:** May 07, 2012, 11:50:14 AM »

Well, went back to the pawn shop and looked at the savages. It wasn't pretty. The first one was an older one with blind mag and I think pre-accutrigger. It was in decent shape but the stock was very loose, from what, I don't know. The stock was cheap plastic but was solid, and it wore a fake leather recoil pad and a cheap simmons 3-9 scope. Overall it was in good shape for a deer gun, though it was ugly as sin, but that stock made me think twice. Next time I go in i'll bring my allen keys.

The other was in worse shape with some rust and the muzzle of the barrel looked like someone took a piece of sand paper to it as the first (or last) 1.5" of barrel was free of blueing and the very end of the barrel was sorta sloped toward the crown. It wore the same ugly stock and seemed to be just as old if not older than the first. The bolt worked just as smooth as the other, in spite of it being quite beat up. It had a thin recoil pad that was quite hard and a cheap 3-9 scope, I think it was a Tasco, with a duplex reticle.

Both of these rifles pointed good and were well ballanced. They both had strong, sharp, DIRTY rifling. Although the stocks were cheap, they were sturdy and fit me like a glove, though they may soon be replaced by either Booyds or factory replacements. I can live with either scope until I get some better glass, Probably a center point because I have fallen in love with the one on my handi.

So, do either one of these sound like they are worth $300? If so, which one? Is it a better deal than $270 for a 30-06 handi in syn stocks?

Any stuff I should by like shell holders or slings or more spacifically, what kind?

Thanks, ya'll.