Mossberg 4x4 VS Savage 111FCXP3

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mwatt

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I have finally decided to stay away from a semis and started looking into bolt action. I know both of these are entry level rifles but I have read some pretty great reviews on them, specifically the Savage. While I know Mossberg has been known for their shotguns has anyone had experience with their rifles? From what I have heard the 4x4 uses the same action as the 100ATR which seems to be a good entry level gun. I know some of you may not like the look of the 4x4 but I am more concerned with its functionality and accuracy compared to the Savage. Both of these guns come in a package, the Mossberg comes with their own branded scope (which I believe is a Tasco), while the Savage comes with a Simmons. I am not looking at these because they are a package deal I am looking at them because of the value of the rifle, I will be adding a much better scope in the near future. This particular Savage does not come with an Accutrigger which does not bother me because I have never used one. How does the Accutrigger compare to the stock trigger without adjustment?

Now I know some of you are going to say why don't you buy a Stevens 200 if you aren't going to get a Savage without Accutrigger. Well I didn't really like the Stevens at all while I was handling it, that's about the only reason.


Mossberg 4x4 - .30-06 - Laminate Monte Carlo Stock - Marinecote Barrel

https://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=71&section=1187&section2=1283&section3=1465&ID=3961

Savage 111FCXP3 - .30-06 - Synthetic Stock - Blued Barrel

https://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=71&section=1187&section2=1283&section3=1465&ID=4973

Thanks again for all your help guys,

Matt
 
Hi,
Having handled both rifles I can offer some observations:
The Savage is a proven platform and is reputed to be relatively accurate; The Mossberg feels cheap with too much plastic and a very sloppy bolt. The scopes on both rifles will struggle to handle the recoil of a .30-06 and will need to be replaced in short order.
Take a look at the new Marlin XL7. For less than $450 you get a rifle with a trigger similar to the Accutrigger, the same barrel attachment as the Savage and a much better looking rifle than the Mossberg. Add around $200 for a scope able to handle the recoil and you have a package which will put meat in the freezer for many years.
Tack
 
I agree with Tack on this one. I think the XL7 is a far superior value rifle to the Mossberg. I am also a huge fan of the Savages, but I have to say the triggers on those lower priced combos feels like garbage to me. Maybe I'm a bit spoiled but there seems to be an awful lot of creep and almost inconsistent let off with them. Particularly seeing how you plan to go to a better scope in the near future, which is going to put you at around the 800 mark all said and done, rather then go with brand new value, have you seriously looked at a good quality, well looked after second hand rifle? I feel they generally offer a tremendous value advantage, and as long as the rifle is properly looked after, it's not as though they wear out with the average shooter. If a owner isn't putting a thousand plus rounds down the tube a year but rather 20 or 30, most rilfes will last a lifetime. And the best part for you, is you are already a member of the website with what would probably be the best clearinghouse for second hand goods in the country CGN. For instance off here I have recently been able to equip myself with a Tikka S/S .300wm from here and a Burris Fullfield II 4.5-14 x 42 off eBay for 1100 all in. While you are looking for more moderate pricing then that, it's just an example of what you can find if you are patient and watch the boards religiously, and that my friend is a tack driving hunting machine I doubt can easily be outperformed by 3000 rigs. Just keep you eyes out, you may very well find exactly what you are looking for on these boards, NIB or LNIB for 20 or 25% less then retail.
 
I bought a savage in 30-06, honestly while it's accurate and cheap I dont feel they're a good rifle. Buy a rifle from trade ex, or EE and you'll have much better bang for your buck. I sold my savage and picked up a husqvarna 1600 and the fit, finish, quality, bolt smoothness, and trigger cannot be compared. Plus they're about the same price range. Live and learn.
 
I feel I can weigh in on this one a little. I've just been looking at rifles myself and was up against a Remington 770, Savage 111, and Mossberg 4x4 in a .270. A couple of years ago I bought a 4x4 in 300 Win Mag with the Marinecote finish and laminated wood stock. Great rifle and grouped great out of the box. I had to resight the scope after the factory bore-sighting but thats all (wasn't level). Nothing I've taken with it has gotten up again...
Knowing that and looking for a .270 win, I considered the 4x4 again. The 770 was off my list pretty quick with the cast bolt and rough feel of the bolt when operating it. The savage 111, nice rifle and good optics for a package combo. My old man has an old 110 in 30-06 and I wouldn't want to have to carry out the moose that has come down with that one. He's had it for at least 20 years and has had nothing better since.

So, in my opinion, if you go with wither the 4x4 or the savage, you have a great rifle for the price. I just think the 4x4 looks a little better is all. My new one is in the mail right now...
 
Another happy 4x4 owner here, mine is the walnut stock in .270. My rifle groups a hair over 1" with crappy igman ammo, I like the look and feel of it, I find it a very comfortable gun to shoot. The savage is also a quite nice gun, but I personally can't stand any of savage's synthetic stocks. They just feel terrible to me. If you're planning on changing the scope anyways, you're probably better off just buying the rifle on its own, no package deal.

If you're not dead set on 30-06, I seem to recall frontier having a sale on the 4x4 laminated in 25-06 for $399 pretty recently.
 
I just recently purchased a Savage 111 package 300 win mag. The 4x4 is not a bad gun for the money, I just preferred the way the bolt felt on the Savage. I really like the recoil pad on the Savage and the stock isn't too bad. Also the Simmons scope is clear enough and works well for it's intended use; shorter range hunting/shooting.

I'm surprised no one has posted the link to the ATR train wreck thread yet, it seems to show up in every Mossberg thread. I talked to the smith at the store, and he said the actions are different between the 4x4 and ATR. I would be leary buying the ATR, but the 4x4 apparently doesn't have the same issues as the ATR and I would feel safe buying it. I've had Mossberg rifles (no ATRs though) and never had any troubles with them.
 
Get the Savage. It's a great rifle for the money. I tried to bed mine and all bedding compound squeezed out meaning the stock is in full contact with the barrel. What other rifle comes like this out of the box?
Accuracy-wise I get about 1" 4 shot groups center to center at 100m, from the bench with one sandbag. Unless someone is shooting magnum with a muzzle-brake next to me. Then all bets are off :)
 
Info on the Mossberg bolt issues.

w ww.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3590112

I prefere Savage as well.
 
I got Savage 111FCXP3 in 30-06 but replaced Simmons scope it came with with Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40 BDC and it's a very decent rifle.
 
Yeti said:
Info on the Mossberg bolt issues.

w ww.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3590112

I prefere Savage as well.
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I can't find any info where this is an issue with the 4x4. I've had no issues with the 300 Win Mag that I currently own and I've put lots of rounds downrange with that one. I have seen / read articles on the ATR's with this problem but nothing else. For the money, I don't think you can beat the 4x4.
 
I can't find any info where this is an issue with the 4x4. I've had no issues with the 300 Win Mag that I currently own and I've put lots of rounds downrange with that one. I have seen / read articles on the ATR's with this problem but nothing else. For the money, I don't think you can beat the 4x4.
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I completely agree, my 4x4 has been a fantastic rifle. I've never heard anyone who owned one say a bad thing about them. Just internet "experts" badmouthing them with no experience.
 
baggsj said:
Frontier doesn't have the .270 anymore...It'll be at my house on Friday...

I'll agree the stock is a little odd but hunting deer out of a blind mostly - I don't think they'll mind...
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You bought all 4 of them...? :p

As far as the Mossberg vs. Savage, I own 3 Savages, and I love every one of them. Accutrigger on all of them, works fantastic.

Don't own any Mossbergs, so I don't know how they compare, but I do know the Savages are accurate right out of the box, just like everybody else claims.
 
baggsj said:
I can't find any info where this is an issue with the 4x4. I've had no issues with the 300 Win Mag that I currently own and I've put lots of rounds downrange with that one. I have seen / read articles on the ATR's with this problem but nothing else. For the money, I don't think you can beat the 4x4.
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Exactly, there seems to be a lot of info on ATR failures, but nothing on the 4x4 specifically and yet the 4x4 gets lumped into the ATR failure category. As I was informed by the smith at the store, the ATR and 4x4 have different bolts and do not share the same problems.

Although I chose the Savage over the Mossberg, I do feel the 4x4 is a fine rifle for the money.
 
i would have to say the savage is a beter deal i have a few the rimfires are great and i have a stevens 200 in 223 and im getting one hole groupes at 100 and 200 and the stevens is the old modle 10 action which most of savages actions are bassed off of it getting to be 55 years old and is proven they are not jheep they are inexpensive and im keeping up with my friends tikka tack in 223 and a rem 700 xcr in 308 just with spending 550$ for rifle scope and mounting i also have a 12 FVSS in 308 that im taking to 800m with 8-10 inch groupes so i cant complain
 
iroc22 said:
Exactly, there seems to be a lot of info on ATR failures, but nothing on the 4x4 specifically and yet the 4x4 gets lumped into the ATR failure category. As I was informed by the smith at the store, the ATR and 4x4 have different bolts and do not share the same problems.........
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That's not what Mossberg, or any of the writers reviewing the 4X4 say.

Ted
 
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