Savage or Browning..help me decide

canadaman30

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After much back and forth I've decides to go with a 300wm instead of a 388wm, due to the price and availability of ammo. Being a lefty has fewer options in a bolt gun. I've narrowed it down to either a Browning A-Bolt Medallion, or a Savage American Classic. Which one???
 
Personally I like the Browning A-bolt series more, but neither one is a bad choice. Lots of guys hate the mag system on the A-bolts but I don't mind it. I think the browning takes it in the looks/finish department, the savage may be a more robust design with better accuracy potential. Get the one that feels best.
 
I've been hearing good things about the Browning X-Bolt, and based on what I've read I'd look hard at one of these over the A-Bolt.

However, sure ain't nothing wrong with Savage, either. Gaining a helluva reputation for accuracy.
 
Fellow lefty here. The main advantage I liked when I had an A-Bolt Medallion in 7mmRem was that 26" barrel, non-BOSS. The Savage has a "real" detachable mag but the Browning has the short lift bolt and an easier safety to munipulate.

Today I would buy the Browning and not look back as my go-to big game rifle.
 
Browning rifles have never been equated with accuracy. You talk Savage and all any one talks about is accuracy. I prefer a rifle with a track record of accuracy vs. looks and and an expensive price tag.

Cheers!!
 
Browning rifles have never been equated with accuracy. You talk Savage and all any one talks about is accuracy. I prefer a rifle with a track record of accuracy vs. looks and and an expensive price tag.

Cheers!!

The brownings shoot just fine. They may not be the most accurate rifles out there but 1.5" in the field is just as good as 7/8" off a bench. And the new X-bolts seem to have a reputation for going sub MOA with premium ammo or handloads.
 
The Browning Medallion has a nicer finish and I own both a Browning in 243 WSSM and a Savage 300WSM. In my experience the Browning Medalion with factory ammo is very accurate.

The Savage is acceptabley accurate but one day the bolt came apart in two pieces. Fortunately, I was able to put it backtogether myself, but have been uncomfortable about this little problem becoming a bigger problem during a crucial moment. Also, The reason I originally bought the Savage was because it was the only one in stock at the time that was in stock, in the caliber of choice. And yes it was cheaper, but I don't think I'll buy another one.

And a brief comment about accuracy. It seems like when an gun company advertises: "The most accurate rifle out of the box". To me is just a catchy advertisement hook. It works, and everybody repeats the catchy little phrase and believe it as if it were carved in stone. Their guns do the job, as most do, and the price is hard to walk away from. But if one has a little more cash, get the best gun one can afford. As good a scope as one can afford, a boreshighter, a good cleaning kit, and a load that the rifle shoots well. There is some good factory stuff out there, so one may not need to re-load to find decent accuracy.

With the purchase of factory Left hand rifles in mind, I'd give the nod first to the Browning, Second to Tikka, and third to Savage.

Browning came out with a nice Right handed Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Special Edition in 325 WSM. The feature I like on it is the raised cheek rest. This alone IMHO helps to keep the shooters head nicely lined up with the scope. If you contact Browning they may make one in Left hand for you. It's worth a try. ANd if they do, let me Know because I'd like to get one too.

The 325 WSM has it's place for Elk, Moose, and Buffalo. Smaller animals like mule and whitetail deer can be taken with other calibers.
 
My problem with the A-Bolt is that the stock is way too small for larger cartridges with any recoil over that of a 30/06.

I use this pics whenever there is a question about A-Bolts. The bottom pad came of an A-Bolt in 375Magnum, middle regular Remington, and the top went on a custom 375Magnum I did up. The Browning pad was made of concrete.

Consider this carefully before buying one in a 300mag.

Limbsaver006.jpg
 
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