A Pretty Savage?

[Zachary]

So I have read in a recent hunting magazine article that Savage has come out with a pretty rifle.  From the photos, it looks to have a nicer piece of wood and a nicer blue finish.

I know that there are a lot of people out there that believe that Savage's are ugly, especially because of the "nut" that attaches the barrel to the receiver.  As most of our members and guests know, I really don't care about the looks of a rifle.  Rather, my greatest interests are a gun's accuracy and quality (meaning fit and finish, etc.).  There is little doubt that the Savage qualifies as an accurate rifle (generally speaking, of course.)  Virtually all of the Savage rifles that I have shot have been shooters - meaning 1MOA or better.  Then again, virtually all of my bolt-action-rifles, from Remington to Winchester to Tikka to Sako to Kimber to Browning - have also been 1MOA guns.  Maybe I am just lucky?

The biggest thing that I don't like about Savages, however, is their quality.  IMHO, although Savages are good shooters, they are junk in the quality department, especially when you work the bolt.  To me, the action seems to be sloppy as compared to, say, a Tikka, which almost seems custom built.

Now, as for the looks, let me ask this question to NON-Savage owners.  I say Non-Savage owners because they are die hard fans (kinda like Remington owners, Tikka owners,  etc.).  So, for those of you who do not currently own any Savages:

1.  Do you consider the new Savage to be "pretty?"
2.  Would you consider purchasing one?

Let me start:

1.  Not really, but then again, I really don't care about looks.
2.  Not really, but then again, if I ever did, it wouldn't be because of the new looks.

Your thoughts?

Zachary

[Coyote Hunter]

While searching for a .308 Win the last few weeks I have handled quite a few rifles - from all kinds of manufacturers and in all kinds of condition.

The Savage 14 cuaght my eye on more than one occasion - its a good looking rifle.  I didn't care for the plastic magazine follower and I didn't check to see if the trigger guard was metal or plastic.

Would I consider buying one?  You bet!  In fact, had I not found a used Remington BDL in near perfect  condition for $330, a Savage 14 might wel have been my choice.

I've only owned one Savage, a .22-250 that would drop 5 shots into a 100-yard group that you could cover with a dime.  Gook looking rifles are nice, good shooters are even nicer.

[QuailKiller]

I was planning on buying a Savage 114 in 30-06 in 2004, but in 2005 they put a detachable magazine on it, and I thought that was really stupid.  I see now they are making a model with a hinged floorplate, also.  That would probably be a good gun.  I just got a heck of a deal on a Ruger M77 in 30-06 though, so I don't think I will buy the Savage.

[kiwi98j]

Quality is an interesting subject - especially when it comes to commercial grade bolt action rifles.  I tend to appreciate "quality" not so much as in the way the rifle looks or feels, rather in the "quality" and depth of the design in meeting it's intended function.  So you can see why I appreciate the Savage centerfire bolt action design.  

My sense of "prettiness" objects to the barrel nut as something that looks to be an afterthought and shouldn't be there but as I look "under the skin", I see that the barrel nut is the most secure means to lock and align the barrel to the receiver while allowing for critical adjustments and providing for an indexed recoil lug.  On the surface, the pinned bolt head looks to be just a cheap method of holding the cartridge case in place as the round is chambered but with a closer look, the floating bolt head design allows for true self centering of the cartridge in the chamber and for complete locking lug contact without the need to disassemble and precision machine the receiver after the action has been barreled.  My tactile sense of feel would like the bolt raceways to be machined rather than broached but precision machining of the raceways does not add one whit to the function of the rifle.  The same is true of that ugly cocking pin sticking out of the bolt body - I just don't see another practical method to achieve the industry's fastest lock time that is a large component of Savage accuracy without resorting to exotic pin and spring striker materials and, as a bonus, allows for firing pin protrusion adjustment with simple hand tools.  

I think quality is best defined as making the best with what you have and in this regard Savage is a quality piece.  
Lipstick and rouge and a nice smooth surface makes you feel good but tells you little about how it's going to perform when the time comes.

[the jigger]

when i was looking for a wife my granddad said "pretty don't make the pot boil". i have two savage rifles; a fp110 in 25/06 and a switch barrel model 10 in 308 and 250/3000. all 3 shoot sub-minute. the fp110 shoots .750 and better at 200yds. i won't argue looks or fit and finish;however, whitetails, coyotes,crows,and groundhogs have never taken a real close look at my rifles. any time we get into these discussions it reminds me of why there are fords & chevys and chocolate & vanilla. just ever what you like!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mjbgalt]

i had an ugly one and the pot still didn't boil.

then, i guess there's other stuff to look for huh.

-Matt

[killdeer]

Zachary,  when shopping for a new centerfire I look at Rem, Ruger, Tikka, CZ, Sako, and Win but am most likely to purchase a Rem if the configuration is right. I don't even consider the offerings from Savage, Browning, Howa, Kimber,and Weatherby, some for no particular reason other than I just don't feel the need to own one. I would like to try a Steyr pro hunter camo in 30 06 though.

[Maryland Hunter]

I'll consider myself a non-Savage owner, as the Stevens 200 that I ordered has not arrived yet.
I think that the Savages and Stevens that I looked at were good looking guns, at least for my taste. I recall when I first saw a thumbholed-stocked Knight, I thought it was the ugliest thing around. Once I held one, and realized how nice they felt, the looks became more and more tolerable, until now, I really like the looks of the thumbhole stock.
Would I buy one? Sure, as soon as mine comes in! I was looking for an inexpensive, all weather gun, that I wasn't afraid to take into the brush and briars. For me, the Stevens/Savage fit that bill.

MH

[lilabner]

Sorry about violating your request that only non Savage owners respond. I promise not to argue the specific points you have made  but only to ask the question, "what is the purpose of a rifle?" My belief is that it is basically a tool for the delivery of bullets on either game or paper targets. As a tool, I expect it to function properly, reliably and safely and to deliver the bullet accurately to the consumer - either a game animal or a target. In my view, a rifle that needs a trigger job, a bedding job or new stock, or a recrown in order to function well is not a good tool. I appreciate the esthetics of a beautiful firearm as much as the next shooter but beauty (in a firearm or in the opposite sex)  can often draw one's attention away from what I consider the more important issue of function. I also believe that people buy certain brands because of the cachet those brands have: Winchester, the gun that won the west, Remington, America's oldest firearms maker etc. etc. I have no problem with that if it makes the owner happy, and it makes many owners happy, but it does tend to cloud the issue of what a rifle is supposed to do in terms of function.

[Ramrod]

Lately I have seen some Savage rifles that are starting to approach the looks of a real rifle, but you would have a hard time trying to give me one, especially if I might be seen in public with it. I have several "thousand dollar guns", and have owned some real ratty looking sporterized Mausers. I still have a DWM 1908 that hunt with regularly, and I think it is 10 times the hunting rifle a Savage ever thought of being. No, it is not as accurate, but at least I don't mind being seen carrying it, and I would bet my life on it's reliability.

[poncaguy]

I like my 2 Steven 200's just fine, if I wanted them to look better, I would replace the stocks, but they are shooters and hunters. I have a 260 Rugere 77 that is very "pretty", but I find when I go hunting, I never use it because I worry about it getting beat up.............My Winchester Super Shadow isn't pretty either, but again, a real shooter and hunter........prefer function over beauty....

[Lead Poison]

I've never owned a Savage rifle, however, I've just ordered a new Weather Warrior 16FCSS in 7mm-08 for my oldest son's Christmas present. Call me crazy, but I personally LIKE the looks of Savage rifles.

My son wanted a stainless/synthetic rifle with a detachable magazine for his first deer rifle, so I went with the Savage. I know he'll appreciate the Accutrigger on the rifle as well.

BTW, I bought my youngest son a Ruger M-77 MK/II stainless/synthetic also chambered in 7mm-08.

[Zachary]

Sorry about violating your request that only non Savage owners respond.

Oh no, Lilabner, don't be sorry.  I don't intend to prevent Savage owners from responding.  I was just especially curious to know what Non-Savage owners thought about the new "good looking" Savage.

Zachary

[srwshooter]

I HAVE 3 AND THEY LOOK JUST AS GOOD AS THE REMINGTONS AND WINCHESTERS THAT HAVE BEEN BUILT THE LAST FEW YEARS TO MATCH THE SAVAGE PRICE, ONLY THING IS THE SAVAGE'S SHOOT BETTER.








REMEMBER LEFT HANDED PEOPLE ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THERE RIGHT MIND!

[jamie]

I have owned Savages before but do not own one at the moment.  I have always had good luck getting a rifle to shoot but with every Savage I picked up they just seemed to go where they are supposed to with out even really trying.  I've carried a Savage to the range and sat down many times beside a fella that had "thousand dollar" rigs and yep, they even chuckled now and then.  It's funny how 10 3 shot groups that measure less than .5" will take all the smirks of their faces.  

Are Savages pretty?  No, nowhere near my Rem 700 VLS.  Do they shoot?  Absolutely!  Would I buy another?  Definitely, because everytime I pulled the trigger on that Savage I knew exactly where the bullet was going to go and it never surprised me.  And that to me makes one heck of a hunting rifle.

[PEPAW]

Jamie, that is why I am going to have a Stevens 200 in .270 when I have time to hit the local gunstore.   Of course, I am a hunter, not a gun collector.     In time I plan on buying a "nice" wood stock, but will be hard to replace a stock on a gun that shoots as straight as those are supposed to.   For $259!

pepaw

[Broken-arrow]

I don't currently own a Savage centerfire, but for about ten years a 110 .270 was the only deer rifle I owned and as Jamie said, every time I pulled that trigger I knew exactly where that bullet was going. I didn't buy it to look at, or to impress others,I bought it to hunt with. It was'nt a pretty rifle but it printed pretty little groups on paper and filled my freezer pretty full many times.  All brands of firearms have their dedicated followers. Remington, Ruger, Savage, heck even NEF has their own little fan club  :roll:  But the name does'nt make the product  .Example, About 5 years ago I bought a Smith & Wesson Swat commemorative tactical knife for $40. Later I saw the exact same knife without the S&W name at a truckstop for $6. Cheap chinese junk with what I used to think was a respectable American company whoring their name out to make a profit. Anyhow, now that i got that off my chest, my point is IMO all makers put out a lemon every now and then. A bigger name or higher price tag does'nt necessarily mean a better product.

[Coyote Hunter]

Lately I have seen some Savage rifles that are starting to approach the looks of a real rifle, but you would have a hard time trying to give me one, especially if I might be seen in public with it. I have several "thousand dollar guns", and have owned some real ratty looking sporterized Mausers. I still have a DWM 1908 that hunt with regularly, and I think it is 10 times the hunting rifle a Savage ever thought of being. No, it is not as accurate, but at least I don't mind being seen carrying it, and I would bet my life on it's reliability.

Seems to me your opinion is heavily based on what you think others might think.  To each their own, but I think you’re doing yourself a disservice by placing superficial looks over function.  Savage rifles, while not matching the looks of a Remington CDL or many “thousand dollar” guns, to pick a couple examples, are well known for their reliability and accuracy.  When I squeeze the trigger the most important thing is not how the rifle looks but where the bullet goes.

My old Savage 110E in .22-250 was, as Daughter #2 said, “ugly”.  OK, it had a “walnut finished” stock, a plastic trigger guard, a missing front sight, a low-polish finish and a number of other “features” that I didn’t care for.  But when I dropped 4 or 5 shots on a 100-yard target and could cover the group with a dime, none of that mattered.  And it didn’t matter a whit what others thought.  (Many times others were actually envious, but they also put a higher value on how a rifle shoots than how it looks.)

kiwi98j summed it up pretty well.  I’d like to add that I much prefer modern steels over anything available in 1908.  Yes, the Mauser is an excellent design and I’ve spent a fair amount of time looking for one of modern manufacture.  (Haven’t found one that made me willing to part with my money yet, new or used.)  

At the end of the day many of the newer Savage rifles, particularly the 12 and 14 models, are pretty good looking, shoot great, are very reliable and are still reasonably priced.  That’s a pretty compelling combination for most folks.  But most folks don’t mind “being seen” with such a rifle.

[Ramrod]

Seems to me your opinion is heavily based on what you think others might think.

 :-D  :-D  :-D
Coyote Hunter, anyone who has read a few of my posts knows I couldn't care less what others think. I just say whay I think. I take a little pride in my rifles. So what?
Zachary asks if the "prettier" Savages would get us non-Savage owners to buy one. My response is No! I still think they are ugly and cheaply made. Others will have their own reasons. You and a few others like them, good for you.

[Maryland Hunter]

Coyote Hunter,

Well said. I have a 7.62X54R MN that I'm currently working on, that shot a 7/8" group a few weeks ago. It's by far the ugliest gun in the house, but the most accurate. That's all that matters to me.

MH

[victorcharlie]

but you would have a hard time trying to give me one, especially if I might be seen in public with it.

 
Absolutely no way a fellow could find any vanity in the above remark.....I just don't understand why anyone would think that your vain.........about the Savage anyway.......I've got a Savage package gun, a walmart special in .270 win, and when it's raining or nasty out it's always the one I take.  Shoots like a laser........ugly as a blue tick hound.........cheap as a wooden nickel......but I'm probably going to be buying more of them........as Remington, Winchester, Browning and Ruger among others are to concerned about lawyers and law suits and not concerned enough about what the consumer wants.......which is an out of the box rifle that's accurate and has a good trigger.......at a good price......
 
That makes the Savage like an ugly gal dressed up for the prom........looks pretty good..........as long as you keep the lights low and don't look to close........and man can she dance!

[UtahMike]

About a year ago I started looking for another rifle for some long range varmint hunting.  I wanted a rifle that I could tinker with without it costing an arm and leg.  In other words I wanted to customize it without benefit of a gunsmith.  I had never given Savage a thought until reading a few articles about there Accu-Trigger.  I too let the "nut" bother me for awhile, but it turned out the "beauty" was in the eye....  I've not had so much fun in a long time.  The ability to change calibers on a whim, after-market bolt handles, triggers, stocks, bolt heads, bolts, etc.  All are able to be changed out with the aid of a gunsmith.  Not only that but after the weapon was broken in, I was able to shoot the best group of my life, .16".  To me thats beauty.  Im looking for my next Savage now.....

[kenscot]

As butt ugly as a rifle can come! I am concidering one because they do make a lefty 338win mag

[Ramrod]

That makes the Savage like an ugly gal dressed up for the prom........looks pretty good..........as long as you keep the lights low and don't look to close........and man can she dance!

Maybe I'm just getting old and jaded, but I won't..well err.. let's say...even kiss an ugly girl in a dark room anymore. You can do what you want. I wont see it.

[Coyote Hunter]

That makes the Savage like an ugly gal dressed up for the prom........looks pretty good..........as long as you keep the lights low and don't look to close........and man can she dance!

Maybe I'm just getting old and jaded, but I won't..well err.. let's say...even kiss an ugly girl in a dark room anymore. You can do what you want. I wont see it.

Let's see...

You "have owned some real ratty looking sporterized Mausers" but won't own a Savage because you think they're ugly.  

You claim you "couldn't care less what others think" but you don't want a Savage "especially if I might be seen in public with it".

Uh huh.

[cal sibley]

Occasionally Savage will surprise you.  Certainly the current Savage 14 or 114(long action) is relatively attractive.  Back through the '70s Savage made a version of their 110 rifle, the 110P and 110PL (left handed) in standard centerfire chamberings that was a beauty, every bit the equal of the Remington BDL and Browning Medallion.  I don't know why they discontinued the model, but they did.  Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[bajabill]

I wont be getting one of the walnut stocked savages any time soon - not in lefty  :cry:

[Dave in WV]

I don't think you'll catch me buying a Savage. I'd get a Stevens 200. There's nothing wrong with the old 110 trigger. I'm a CRF guy but if going to buy a push feed the Stevens is where I'd start. Yeah the bolt wobbles a bit, it has a blind mag, it's not pretty, the "ugly barrel nut", and the worst sin is it's made by Savage. So I'd get a rifle out of the box as accurate if not more so than the high dollar or even many custom rifles. I like a good looking firearm too. I won't carry a collector or show piece in the woods so I like a functional rifle I don't mind using.

[HuntingGuy]

I don't know if I could go as far as buy a Savage in a deer hunting calibre, but I would definitely consider it in a smaller game cartridge such as the .22 LR.  I have seen guys with the Savage 22's and have shot them myself, and they shoot just as good as the next 22 out there.

[George Foster]

You know everyone complains about the barrel nut on a Savage and I can't understand it.  This is an excellent idea as far as I can see and I feel "Handsome is as Handsome does".  I do believe if I remember correctly one of the "Vaunted" quality rifles on this forum has plastic parts in it, I don't really feel that is "Top Quality".  I own one Savage and feel it is a good quality rifle and very accurate, of course I feel the same way about my 788s which others probably consider ugly and poor quality rifles also.