True reviews of savage in 338 LM

rimfire458

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Looking at all 3 models of savage and trying really hard to get some feedback as to the performance, or lack thereof
 
I've got the HS Precision Savage 338LM...I can't say anything negative about it. I've shot groups in the .2's at 100 yds...pretty much all my groups are under 1 inch at the same distance. I'm just an average shooter...somedays are better than others.
The only trouble I've had is the base coming loose twice but since using lock-tite the second time all seems to be ok.
 
To be honest I'm not falling down impressed with the accuracy of any of the LM reports I'm getting, Savage, HS, mac, PG, You name em. I'm hardly being blown away
 
To be honest I'm not falling down impressed with the accuracy of any of the LM reports I'm getting, Savage, HS, mac, PG, You name em. I'm hardly being blown away

The beauty of the .338 LM is the ability to buck wind consistently. I've had a few now - AI, Savage and PGW. The AI was nice, avg about 1/2 - 3/4moa, the savage 110BA is a good rifle for it's money 3/4moa, but clunky, overly heavy. The PGW is the best of the bunch ~5/8 to 1/2 moa, relatively light, handles nicely in all positions. Which is saying a lot, as offhand, kneeling are kind of difficult with the AI or Savage. The PGW is easier to use with a tripod as well.

i've also found with the 338LM, you really don't appreciate the accuracy at close range. It's at the longer distances where an appreciation for the wind bucking capabilities of this cartridge lies - or at least for me.
 
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What are you trying to do with the rifle? Benchrest/target only? Big game hunting? Other?

I have a 110BA and really like it. It's a heavy beast, so never going to be walking around the woods with it (it's almost 4FT long and weighs 15+ pounds). On the bench it's pretty accurate with a good load and when I do my part.
 
What are you trying to do with the rifle? Benchrest/target only? Big game hunting? Other?

I have a 110BA and really like it. It's a heavy beast, so never going to be walking around the woods with it (it's almost 4FT long and weighs 15+ pounds). On the bench it's pretty accurate with a good load and when I do my part.

Hey neighbour
Where do You shoot?
 
Two and a half years ago I wrote this review:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...82-Short-review-of-Savage-110-BA-in-338-Lapua

I still have this rifle an I average about 3/4 MOA with occasional group exceeding 1 MOA and very rarely a group will approach 1/ 2 MOA. I consider it a great 'value buy' in this calibre. Cost of ammo ( of course I reload ) is a factor. I settled on NF NXS 5.5-22x50 for glass.

Hope this helps.
 
I also had the FCP HS Precision in 338. Paid $1300 for it and it was an honest .75 MOA rifle MAX. Only problem was that cases got stuck in the chamber sometimes. More than likely it was my reloads as it never happened with factory Lapua.
 
I have the HS Precision 338 LM as well. At the end of last shooting season I was getting 1.5 " groups at 300 yds. Lots of room for improvement. Yes, I know at this distance the 338 is not performing at its best. The new season is fast approaching and the big boomer will be silenced no more.
Lapua brass, Retumbo powder and 300 gr Scenars.
 
I also had the FCP HS Precision in 338. Paid $1300 for it and it was an honest .75 MOA rifle MAX. Only problem was that cases got stuck in the chamber sometimes. More than likely it was my reloads as it never happened with factory Lapua.

swissinn, I've heard about that problem and it all seem to involve Hornady Brass..I've loaded Lapua brass with 94grs of H-1000 and 250 Scenars jammed, has slight ejector marks showing up but no extraction problems. This is the load that gave me my best groups.
 
I have the HS Precision 338 LM as well. At the end of last shooting season I was getting 1.5 " groups at 300 yds. Lots of room for improvement. Yes, I know at this distance the 338 is not performing at its best. The new season is fast approaching and the big boomer will be silenced no more.
Lapua brass, Retumbo powder and 300 gr Scenars.

How much retumbo? Just before last hunting season I loaded 300 gr accubonds with 89.5 gr of retumbo, but haven't tested it to much yet. Mostly just sighted it in at 100 and then at 600yards (I think it was 12 MOA up at 600)...worked great on a 6x6 Elk at slightly over 500 yards... at 600 I was getting around 5 inch groups with no tinkering on a dead calm day off a bi-pod.
I have a Sightron SIII 8-32x56 LRMOA on it that I bought from another CNG member, I was having focus issues with the scope at extended range last fall on high mag settings and a very stiff side focus knob. Sent it in for warranty this winter and WOW, what a difference...can't wait for spring to give it another try! :)
 
As it stands now I'm between HS Precision Savage 338LM and Armalite's AR30 in 338LM. I wonder which would stand higher on accuracy alone? Armalite adverts 7-8" @1000. I don't know what the sav will do. I do know I could carry the sav if I wanted to, but I'll go extra weight if the accuracy is wildly better
 
rimfire458...I think its more an issue of what the individual shooter can do. Whats the price difference between the two rifles.
 
sav is 1600, armalite is around 3600

Rimfire, I would pick up the Savage 110 FCP and order a Shilen prefit barrel right of the get go. You can have the good rifle with a match barrel for about $2000. Less a few hundred if you sell the factory barrel.

In my opinion 338LM is to expensive to shoot out of the factory Savage barrel.
 
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