Savages & why I love 'em!

[Handsome Rob]

So, I was in the market for a cheap coyote gun when this used Axis popped up. Crappy rattle-can stock, stock trigger (30lb of grit...) & factory Bushnell.

Mind you, it was $200 so I'm not complaining & it came with 400 round of 50gn hollowpoints.

Picked it up this morning & immediately decided it was too long &, well....normal.

12 o'clock & I get a 1hr lunch break so I figured "*%#$ it".

Pulled the stock, removed the mounts & scope, whipped off the barrel, ran to a friend with a lathe, used said lathe to chop it to 16¼", turned a nice 11° crown, ran home, removed the trigger, replaced the stock spring, installed an over travel screw, polished the trigger & sear (3lb pull, zero overtravel. Didn't have time to fix the pre-travel. I'll live with it!), reinstalled it, screwed on the barrel, headspaced it, tightened everything up, scope on, stock on, loaded the mag & zeroed the thing (1½" high at 100yds, ¾"group) & STILL had time for a cheese sammich! 

Do THAT with your Remchester!

[Handsome Rob]

Imma whip a couple of inches off that butt next. 14" LOP is too much for me!

[Randall53]

  My hat's off to ya robtatto! I don't own one, but everything I've read on them says they shoot great.

[Handsome Rob]

This is number 5 in my safe. I 'think' number 13 total in the last few years.
Don't they have, like, meetings for things like this?

Sent from a mountain somewhere, using telepathy.

[hipower]

7 minutes ago, robtattoo said:

This is number 5 in my safe. I 'think' number 13 total in the last few years.
Don't they have, like, meetings for things like this?

Sent from a mountain somewhere, using telepathy.
 

Probably, but I think guys like us are too far gone to be helped. lol

[Dolomite_supafly]

You can look back and see I am a HUGE fanboy of Savages. It is amazing what you can do compared to a Remington. Caliber swaps in under 20 minutes without the need to go to a gunsmith.

[TN Song Dog]

Count me in on the meetings, got 4 right now and an eye out for #5. Now I've not smithed on any of mine, but that's because they don't need it. All 4 were around half inch from the start. First 3 shots from my 10PC were basically touching at 100yd. I'm honestly afraid to buy anything other than Savage... don't want to be disappointed. Next on my list is to find one on the cheap to "play" with. Other than that, a weather warrior in .243 would fill a gap I perceive to have in my lineup. I've steered away from the axis, but I see a lot of good feedback on them.

[Handsome Rob]

Don't be scared of the Axis, please! Yes, the trigger sucks. Like, out loud. But, it can be made awesome in less than 5 minutes at a cost of 'maybe? 10 cents. The stock isn't as bad as you'd think.....ish.

Sent from a mountain somewhere, using telepathy.

[Ronald_55]

Did I miss what caliber that one you just got is?

[Handsome Rob]

Possibly.....
It's a .223

Sent from a mountain somewhere, using telepathy.

[TN Song Dog]

I'd really like to find a really good deal on a model 11/111 pre-accutrigger (or post if the price is right) and then order a Criterion and Boyds tactical. Rob, I might have to work out something with you or get instruction on trigger work if I find a pre-accutrigger. Not sure on caliber... 6mm 8 twist or 6.5mm variant maybe? First things first, I need a donor rifle.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Get a current production over the older flat back receivers. Nothing wrong with the old ones but the newer ones have more support and Savage will fix them. Savage will not repair older flat back Savages. 

 

[Handsome Rob]

11 hours ago, TN Song Dog said:

I'd really like to find a really good deal on a model 11/111 pre-accutrigger (or post if the price is right) and then order a Criterion and Boyds tactical. Rob, I might have to work out something with you or get instruction on trigger work if I find a pre-accutrigger. Not sure on caliber... 6mm 8 twist or 6.5mm variant maybe? First things first, I need a donor rifle.

What are you wanting it for?

If you're looking for a long range target rig keep an eye on GOC for any long action 110, 111 etc. You can add a single shot follower to the mag & reliably single feed any long or short cartridge. A donor gun in .30-06 is favorite, just because it has the most versatile bolt-head size, but even that can be switched out in a couple of minutes.

Gimme a heads up if & when you get fixed up & I'll happily help with the trigger. Also, I have details of a really, REALLY good barrel guy for around 50% the cost of a Criterion.

[TN Song Dog]

Not sure if I want to build a target rifle or a sporter weight multi use rig. I'm in no rush to start it, but mostly interested in putting together a rifle myself and on the cheap that will make my buddies jealous of how good it shoots! Thanks for offers on barrel and trigger. I'll definately reach out when I get going, and good call on GOC and long action.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Another reason to avoid the odler guns if you build is any parts you swap, like the bolt head, may not fit. I built a flat back a few years back and I spent a lot of time machining the new parts to fit the older gun. The firing pin would not fit the channel in the bolt head. Several other parts also needed work to fit. If you have an older Savage and want to swap bolt heads it probably will not be a drop in.

[TN Song Dog]

Another reason to avoid the odler guns if you build is any parts you swap, like the bolt head, may not fit. I built a flat back a few years back and I spent a lot of time machining the new parts to fit the older gun. The firing pin would not fit the channel in the bolt head. Several other parts also needed work to fit. If you have an older Savage and want to swap bolt heads it probably will not be a drop in.

Thanks Dolo!

[sybo]

As a Savage fan myself, I still think for the coin and out of the box, you simply cannot beat the accuracy out of them. A WHOLE lot less money and work than what you can get from a Remmy! A real underrated performer!

[ARO Matt]

And they just released an AR15 at SHOT...just to add to the mix.

[TN Song Dog]

I love Savage and wish them luck with the AR.... but... seems like a strange move for them.

[Randall53]

I wish I'd bought a Savage instead of the Remington 783. It shoots good, but it's about 8 lbs loaded. I see the Savage comes in around 6.5 or so. That's quite a difference to a 64 year old worn out man like me. 

[TN Song Dog]

Reviving an older thread, but I gotta give a shout out for another fine shooting savage. I aquired a model 10 .308 with sporter barrel and flimsy stock. Not expecting much, I tighted up the action screws and went to the range. 168gr hornady ammo produced clover leafs. I still haven't found one that I'm willing to disassemble and tinker with because they just shoot so good...