Savage new Superlite 110 with Proof Carbon barrel, 6lbs factory
- Thread starter DMS1
- Start date
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
That beasty reminds me of me shotgun with a screw in choke tube on 'er... Pass.
Because they are junk.
No I'm kidding, they aren't bad and can shoot very accurately, but we like to tease here, and they are a bit of a red headed step child.
They were ahead of the pack with the barrel nut on a modern bolt action, the 783's design appears to be very much a copy. My only real grief with them is the 90 degree bolt rotation - that puts your thumb into the scope, and I find the bolt wants to bind more than slide in the action, don't love that tang safety either, cost me a big bull elk that half arsed thing once.
Would love to see them evolve into a three lug bolt, redesign the bolt handle to slide better, and upgrade they're safety. To me they're really not far off the mark, but will probably all ways stay that way.
I do love the modularity of components, bolt handles, barrels and recoil lugs, even floating bolt head, Id guess this is why they are more popular on the bench than in the field.
if you use the rifle long enough to learn the safety positions, there are no issues in the field, and a bit of use learning the safety, you'll find the bolt smooths out as well... the 90 degree bolt throw into the scope is the only remaining issue that you listed, and can be solved by changing out the bolt handle with a hex bit screwdriver... choose whatever rifle model you like, but be realistic with your advice. It is clear that you didn't give your trial very much time.
Would you try to make it work with an ugly girl?
Look at the Kimber pics in the cooper vs Kimber thread. They make my heart beat faster. When I look at a savage, I don't get that. My stomach heaves a little...
Ya not a fan of the 90Deg bolt lift in any rifle. Love the tang safety personally. I don't own any savage rifles currently but if the right deal presented itself in a lefty I wouldn't hesitate to try one out.
So.. I actually had a variety of bolt handles water jet cut out of 6061, made them a pinch longer and notched the stock better to keep it further inwards, the longer handle gave a bit more clearance to the scope, and was better for another small flaw, bolt lift.
Having said that, I'd say I put some time and effort into it. And your conclusion is flawed from your own biases.
The thing about the bolt getting better is BS as well. I ran that thing with lapping compound until I had blisters on my palm. Then I built a contraption to fit on an adapter which would fit on a reciprocating saw that would attach to the bolt handle. At recip saw speed with lapping compound it still didn't smooth things up hardly any. Still clearly didn't put enough effort? It was a stainless model 16 WSM action.
Also did the bolt lift bearing mod...
I probably could have got over the first issues, but having that safety not fully disengage and miss out on a huge trophy elk was the last straw.
I run a Steyr model M now, I've posted about my liking to it in other threads, it is superior in every way as far as I'm concerned for a hunting rifle... Well, I actually did like the savage set trigger. But the set trigger on the model M I like better as well.
So, the other comment about being realistic about my advice.. Haha. Well, you'll appreciate a nice truck if you drive a beater first I guess. And the savage may be a solid old work horse. But refined it is not, if you love yours, perfect, don't let me sway you away.
