- Location
- Victoria, B.C
Hey guys,
Just wanted to share my experience and consolidate my findings on the purchase of an aftermarket Boyd's stock for my Savage Arms 11/111 International Trophy Hunter XP chambered in 30-06. When I bought it, this rifle came with the Accutrigger, a Weaver 3-9 x 40 scope, and was housed in a synthetic stock.
I don't particularly like the synthetic stock and decided to purchase a 'Boyd's Thumbhole Featherweight Stock'. The stock is laminate wood, 'nutmeg' in colour, and I tacked on a 1" limbsaver butt pad. This cost me $165 USD ($210 CAD) total including shipping.
Those ordering a new stock for this rifle must be aware that this rifle is 'long action' with a 'bottom bolt release'.
You will note a message on the Boyd's website under your particular Savage XP stock's webpage: MUST READ: If you have a XP model with a synthetic stock, you will need to purchase the bottom metal component system through Savage or any aftermarket component supplier.
This is because the polymer tab magazines are not compatible with the Boyd's stock. It requires an all-metal magazine...which then requires a metal bottom assembly.
I'm thinking to myself...what the heck does this even mean!? I have the Trophy Hunter XP International, purchased in Canada. Does the purchasing of the 'bottom metal' apply to me too? It turns out 'International' tacked after the name of the rifle just means it's sold outside of the United States (derp of course). After calling Savage Arms Canada, only to be directed to Savage Arms USA, I was informed that indeed my 'international' variant does require the bottom metal and also a metal magazine bottom cap. You don't have to replace the whole magazine, but just the bottom cap where the magazine clicks into the bottom assembly. The Savage Arms USA customer service agent was very helpful and knew exactly what I needed when I told him my intention was to mount a Boyd's stock.
Here you see the bottom metal frame needed (1st) and the front bolt release in front of the trigger guard (2nd)
Here is the magazine with the new metal bottom cap (1st) and that magazine loaded into the new metal bottom assembly (2nd). "Click".
The extra parts required to mount this specific Boyd's stock for the 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP are: a metal bottom frame assembly and a metal magazine bottom cap. To keep everything consistent I ordered a replacement metal trigger guard assembly as well to replace the plastic one. Ordering these parts from Savage Arms USA cost $148 USD ($190 CAD) total including shipping.
So was it foolish to buy a 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP International combo and then spend another $400 bucks just to give it a wooden stock?...when I could've just bought a nicer rifle for the extra money right off the shelf? Probably...but hindsight is 20/20 and I didn't have $1000 to spend at the time of the purchase of my FIRST hunting rifle. This is why I'm writing this, in the hopes that somebody will make an educated decision moving forward.
Some sportsmen suggest that when you mount a new stock, to glass and/or pillar bed your rifle to attain the best accuracy possible. I am not familiar with doing these techniques myself but will decide if bedding is necessary after mounting the stock and shooting the rifle out of the box. If I can maintain consistent and acceptable groupings, I will likely not bed it.
Photos courtesy of J.R. Knight at Land and Groove (https://landngroove.wordpress.com/category/reviews/) he details the install of the new metal components and his review of his Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP helped me immensely in figuring this all out.
Just wanted to share my experience and consolidate my findings on the purchase of an aftermarket Boyd's stock for my Savage Arms 11/111 International Trophy Hunter XP chambered in 30-06. When I bought it, this rifle came with the Accutrigger, a Weaver 3-9 x 40 scope, and was housed in a synthetic stock.
I don't particularly like the synthetic stock and decided to purchase a 'Boyd's Thumbhole Featherweight Stock'. The stock is laminate wood, 'nutmeg' in colour, and I tacked on a 1" limbsaver butt pad. This cost me $165 USD ($210 CAD) total including shipping.
Those ordering a new stock for this rifle must be aware that this rifle is 'long action' with a 'bottom bolt release'.
You will note a message on the Boyd's website under your particular Savage XP stock's webpage: MUST READ: If you have a XP model with a synthetic stock, you will need to purchase the bottom metal component system through Savage or any aftermarket component supplier.
This is because the polymer tab magazines are not compatible with the Boyd's stock. It requires an all-metal magazine...which then requires a metal bottom assembly.
I'm thinking to myself...what the heck does this even mean!? I have the Trophy Hunter XP International, purchased in Canada. Does the purchasing of the 'bottom metal' apply to me too? It turns out 'International' tacked after the name of the rifle just means it's sold outside of the United States (derp of course). After calling Savage Arms Canada, only to be directed to Savage Arms USA, I was informed that indeed my 'international' variant does require the bottom metal and also a metal magazine bottom cap. You don't have to replace the whole magazine, but just the bottom cap where the magazine clicks into the bottom assembly. The Savage Arms USA customer service agent was very helpful and knew exactly what I needed when I told him my intention was to mount a Boyd's stock.
Here you see the bottom metal frame needed (1st) and the front bolt release in front of the trigger guard (2nd)
Here is the magazine with the new metal bottom cap (1st) and that magazine loaded into the new metal bottom assembly (2nd). "Click".
The extra parts required to mount this specific Boyd's stock for the 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP are: a metal bottom frame assembly and a metal magazine bottom cap. To keep everything consistent I ordered a replacement metal trigger guard assembly as well to replace the plastic one. Ordering these parts from Savage Arms USA cost $148 USD ($190 CAD) total including shipping.
So was it foolish to buy a 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP International combo and then spend another $400 bucks just to give it a wooden stock?...when I could've just bought a nicer rifle for the extra money right off the shelf? Probably...but hindsight is 20/20 and I didn't have $1000 to spend at the time of the purchase of my FIRST hunting rifle. This is why I'm writing this, in the hopes that somebody will make an educated decision moving forward.
Some sportsmen suggest that when you mount a new stock, to glass and/or pillar bed your rifle to attain the best accuracy possible. I am not familiar with doing these techniques myself but will decide if bedding is necessary after mounting the stock and shooting the rifle out of the box. If I can maintain consistent and acceptable groupings, I will likely not bed it.
Photos courtesy of J.R. Knight at Land and Groove (https://landngroove.wordpress.com/category/reviews/) he details the install of the new metal components and his review of his Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP helped me immensely in figuring this all out.
Last edited:
