Got a new Parker Hale rifle - how old is it? What model is it?

[sgt.rock]

I haven't owned this gun long enough to make any real comparisons in order to sway your decision away from the Savage. I have a .300 win mag Savage in model 116 fcss. Just the long action version of the one you stated. I can tell you ONE thing about the Savage that has me not liking it at all, THE STOCK ON IT SUCKS!!!!!! Its way too flexible at the fore end and this can change the bullets point of impact if you touch the barrel. I bought it thinking I could just change out the stock with a good laminate or better synthetic BUT STOP THE PRESSES!!!!!!!!!!!! NO ONE makes a stock for this savage, and I mean NO ONE. IF you wanted to have it replaced , you would have to put the same crappy one on it from savage. The only stocks that you can get are for the internal box mag guns and some drop plate. I would save yourself the 300 bucks and get the parker hale. Then use the savings to get a good scope and you have a keeper. I understand that the mauser actions can be a little sticky, and loose at the end of the bolt pull. This stickyness could be attributed to the magazine or uncleanliness. I dissassembled mine completely and sprayed the hell out of it with brake cleaner. It dissolved all the dirt (and since it was never cleaned since new ) there was a lot of it. The bolt is smoother now. Brake cleaner evaporates quickly too, so no left over gas like WD40. Anyhow, for any real diagnostics on the sticky bolt, I will leave that to the more knowledgable guys on this forum. They helped me out immensely. This gun is a tack driver for me so far. (It shoots better than I do)