Rifle & Scope Packages

NorthernPF

NorthernPF

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Ramore, Ontario
Hey Guys!

I'm looking at getting a rifle/scope package. Caliber I want is 300WSM and so far I've found the Weatherby Vanguard which also comes with a case and the Savage package that comes with the Accutrigger.

What are your thoughts on these two?

Thanks is advance!
 
My dad has a savage package gun in 7mm rem and it is a decent gun, a little lite weight for my taste but accurate and the tasco scope it came with has lasted 3 seasons now with out trouble.
 
Both are good rifles.

One may fit you a bit better than the other, try to handle an example of each to find out as it will probably be worth choosing that one.

The scopes are not the best quality, but don't worry about that. They will be of some use to start out with, and eventually you can choose a replacement. The rifles will last a lifetime.
 
Have not ever heard anyone rave about a package. Usually the scope is marginal at best. Optics are important so cheap glass doesnt work for me at all. I spend enough on glass to feel the pain and generally appreciate the quality later on. Aside from that good glass will last. Would you rather someone picked your scope for you?? I have had several cheap scopes fail and never one of my better ones. You only have one scope on a hunt. Do it right and do it once.
 
Lots of guys get good service out of the scopes on package rifles. If I wasn't already spoiled I would consider such a package to get me out and hunting and then, when the time was right, I would buy a better scope. Maybe you would never need it, but I believe that quality optics are something you really should have.
 
when i got back into hunting, after coming to Canada, my first gun was a Savage package. I had limits on what I could afford, mortgage and all.

For quite some time that was my one and only gun. I hunted with it a lot.
Aftre a few years I had more money and replaced the crappy Simons scope with a Zeiss Conquest.

That very cheap Savage 30-06 is still one of my main hunting rifles and has killed many critters. The scope was bad, but for three years I killed deer with it and the package has never let me down, which is more than I can say for some much more expensive guns I own now.

So based on my experience a Savage 111 package is a great gun, even if you can pay more. If you can afford it a better scope is definitely a plus for hunting. Even much more expensive guns don't shoot better than the Savage though.
 
Thanks for the opinions guys!
Now I know that I can change the glass but once I do that the rifle will still be the same so what are your thoughts on the rifles themselves?
 
Both are good rifles.

One may fit you a bit better than the other, try to handle an example of each to find out as it will probably be worth choosing that one.

... The rifles will last a lifetime.
 
I would buy the Vangaurd before the Savage, the scopes suck on both but would probabaly work in a pinch. There are some affordable scope options that are quite serviceable, not great but decent, the bushnell 3200 series and the Burris fullfield 11 are decent scopes in the $200 range on the EE here.
 
So imagine its a cold November morning. You left your warm truck before dawn and walked to the spot you've scouted out. Just as shooting light approaches, there it is. The BIG one. Its 160 yards away, and doesn't know you're there. You get set and line your crosshairs on him, but your scope is all fogged up. Hoping its just external fog you try to wipe it off. But nope, its inside the lens. There's no way you can take the shot with this fogged up scope. Now you have 2 options. Hope you can sneak up on him and maybe you could see him up close, or put the scope in your jacket and hopefully make the fog go away. As you're fiddling with option 2, the big brute gets wary, and takes off.
Moral: choose good equipment to start with.

Buy your Savage if you want, but don't get the package. Buy just the gun. Then buy a decent scope. That doesn't have to mean a $500 scope. A Redfield Revolution or something will do you fine. Those package scopes are super cheap $50 scopes. You owe yourself better.
My 2 cents.
 
I have shot 6 or 7 different Savage package rifles and as the others have said the scopes are serviceable but in need of an upgrade. The Vanguard is also a good rifle, pick the one that fits best. The scopes on the package rifles are a bit of a crap shoot, some are decent the next one maybe crap.
 
The young buck hanging around here bought the Savage package in 30-06.
The scope x-hairs fell out of perspective at the range. About a half box of ammo,
maybe a little less. The rifle grouped nicely when the scope was correct.
See if the dealer will grant you fifty bucks credit on a better scope or pull in and mount
it on a rimfire.
Do yourself a favor on this scope.
Junk is junk and Murphy likes to follow some. How is your luck?
 
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The rifles in the package rifles series are very good.

Personally, I'd change out the scope for a Bushnell Elite, Redfield Revolution or Leupold VX-II.

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NAA.
 
I bought my son a Vanguard package in 243. The scope was pitiful (Bushnell Banner) but rifle was terrific. I bought one too, but upgrade the scope to a Burris fullfield. Got credited in the store for $50 for it.

That would be the way I would go....buy the rifle and add a decent scope. It really will save on a bit of grief.
 
The scopes are usually pretty junk in the packages. Looks like a bunch of people have already mentioned it. The rings/bases can be junk too. I'd buy the rifle and a good mounting solution, then mount up a quality scope (a good shop will offer to do that outright). Savage and Weatherby both have great options in that range. Savage will be lighter. Weatherby fit isn't for everyone.

I know a lot of folks get by on the package deals but I think long term you'd be much happier with something pieced together with better quality glass.
 
What about the Sako A7 gun package that is bundled with Burris rings and mount along with a Burris Fullfield II 3x9x40? Seems really affordable really for the quality of the package...
 
Just finish mounting a rig for a family member, bought a 111 fxcp a ( Cedar Valley good place and good price 425.00 for the combo ) took off the bases, add a 20 MOA Weaver picinatty rail and installed a Redfield Revolution 4X12X40 mounted with Rifleman rings, tomorrow i am heading to the range with 300 mag Superformance to finalyse the details and i am pretty sure i will get a big roast of moose this fall... JP.
 
I bought my son the savage package in 308 when he passed his PAL. Yes there are better scopes and firearms out there, but for a first firearm and scope it is really nice. I remember my first firearm and scope, for the money now and then, you are better off now. When you get the swing of things you can upgrade the scope, firearm, or both, and still have something that will get you by.
 
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