?? advice on selecting 300 prc rifle ??

[cellular]

I can get a slightly used Savage 10 FCP 26" HS Precision stock from a family Iknow. There kid is either scared of it, or they dont like him having it, or they all want it gone for some reason. I can get it fairly cheap, $500 -700 and transfer it out of there name. One my concerns is that people here at this site, don't seem to think much of Savages, and I don't know why. I usually don't buy used, but even if something was wrong with it, couldn't I get a premium aftermarket barrel for under 500 bucks, and probabaly have something very accurate ? Seems, Savage barrel swaps, are fairly simple, The rifle is large shank, and It wouldnt be a hunting rifle. Heavy or weight isn't a problem, mostly bench shooting, but prefer a detachable mag. Someone once told me the action screws were weakly placed on savages ( i dont know if thats true). Some advice would be appreciated on this. No sense in buying a cheap rifle (if thats the case), and drop $ and time into it, i'd be better off w/ something else under 2g. I've seen other threads like this, where people trying to keep it under 2g for a 300 prc, and Seekins, Bargar a,etc are suggested, but seldomly break down the reason why it's better than the 10/110 Savage. I'm not opposed to buying something else for under 2g, but would like to hear why or whats better about it. I tend to be behind in times, and I see alot of Chasis on these bigger calibers, so , unless they help much on accuracy over a quality traditional stock, I prefer to keep it traditionaal stock with pistol/drop down grip, and heavy barrel. I'd appreciate some suggestions/corrections on my thinking here ?

 

[Evintos]

I can get a slightly used Savage 10 FCP 26" HS Precision stock from a family Iknow. There kid is either scared of it, or they dont like him having it, or they all want it gone for some reason. I can get it fairly cheap, $500 -700 and transfer it out of there name. One my concerns is that people here at this site, don't seem to think much of Savages, and I don't know why. I usually don't buy used, but even if something was wrong with it, couldn't I get a premium aftermarket barrel for under 500 bucks, and probabaly have something very accurate ? Seems, Savage barrel swaps, are fairly simple, The rifle is large shank, and It wouldnt be a hunting rifle. Heavy or weight isn't a problem, mostly bench shooting, but prefer a detachable mag. Someone once told me the action screws were weakly placed on savages ( i dont know if thats true). Some advice would be appreciated on this. No sense in buying a cheap rifle (if thats the case), and drop $ and time into it, i'd be better off w/ something else under 2g. I've seen other threads like this, where people trying to keep it under 2g for a 300 prc, and Seekins, Bargar a,etc are suggested, but seldomly break down the reason why it's better than the 10/110 Savage. I'm not opposed to buying something else for under 2g, but would like to hear why or whats better about it. I tend to be behind in times, and I see alot of Chasis on these bigger calibers, so , unless they help much on accuracy over a quality traditional stock, I prefer to keep it traditionaal stock with pistol/drop down grip, and heavy barrel. I'd appreciate some suggestions/corrections on my thinking here ?

The Savage is a no frills, functional rifle, but the bold is the main reason why not many recommends them. For the same amount you'd spend on the Savage, you can get a custom built 700 footprint or clone action that feels less clunky and have arguably better features than the Savage, as well as have a plethora of accessories to customize to your preferences.

Chassis - rigidity, adjustability so you can fit the rifle to your body, usually drop in fit, they do make chassis in a traditional stock form factor if you prefer that type of ergonomics, examples are KRG Bravo, MDT XRS, MDT JAE-700, Manners M5 mini chassis, etc. Weight is your friend for heavy recoiling rifles and bench shooting and it's generally easier to add more weight on a modern chassis than on traditional stocks.

 

[hafejd30]

I have the same rifle in 300 WM. Shot for a while in the HS then put it into a MDT ESS. The gun is very accurate. My buddy has it now for deer shooting but it’s one savage I wouldn’t sell just because of how accurate it is in factory form

200 ELDX at 100 yards

 

[HMRamateur]

Former savage owner here. My Savage was accurate, and the action wasn't the worst I had felt, as long as I was running it empty. Once you pushed a round out of the magazine with the bolt it felt like it was pushing through gravel. If I never had any intention on upgrading, it would have been a fine rifle. I wanted better though and spending that money on a savage just didn't make sense. Once you buy a new stock/chassis and a new barrel, you might as well have bought a custom. I even did that with a tikka CTR and feel like I should have just bought a custom in the first place, so it has nothing to do with just being savage. There's just better options IF you decide that you want to upgrade it.

The good thing about upgrading as you go is you get to shoot if you don't have the funds to pay for a custom up front. So if that's the case, buy it and have fun. Or if you have no need to upgrade, you'll probably have an accurate rifle for really cheap.

 

[NHPiper]

Big fan of the origin long action. I dropped it into a heavily weighted MDT ACC chassis. It weighs about 24lbs with a 26" M24 barrel.

Load dev didn't take long with Retumbo and ADG brass. I ran charges up to 78.5 with no pressure signs, but with a velocity of 2786fps and an SD of 6 with Virgin Brass and 230gr A-Tips I am very happy. It is a 1/2 MOA gun.

PVA spun up the barrel and I installed it myself. Highly recommend their Ospreys, it is my second one.

Action was about $1K, barrel with a 2 week rush was about $800. So into a barreled action with the trigger for $2000. I hunted and snagged the chassis for $700-750 and added the weights from the PX.

All in was less than $3000. I have had a few Savages and they shot great but after running R700 or any custom action, I personally can't stand the chatter when cycling bolts. It probably doesn't impact function. But there are also way more barrel options for something like an Origin.

 

[45-90]

I purchased a brand new Rem 700 ADL 300 WM $540 total out the door on sale....
I just wanted the action for another project.
But decided to shoot it first to see what the new Rem 700 would do.
Added an aluminum chassis I got on special $375 shipped. Added a muzzle brake around $85. The machine work was free for the muzzle brake.
I have machine tools to do all the work.
Gave it its best chance to see what it could do.
3 shot 1/4" groups and 5 shots .5" were there with 200 gr SMK .715 BC.
I never broke the barrel in, and ran the piss out if it with heavy loads.
3280 fps with the 200 SMK
2964 fps with 230 gr SMK
The chassis lets one run really long cartridges in the 3.7" range with this chassis, longer in other chassis.
Something to check into with your 300 PRC.
Total cost all new cheap 300WM was $1000. And it shot good.
Much better than alot of high dollar rifles like Christensen Arms I've seen terrible groups from many of them, as an example.
But I wanted the action so the 300WM is no more.
I'd shoot the Savage in a chassis, first before doing anything else... it may fit your needs, and shoot out the barrel in a learning curve.
Like Remington, Savage has a bunch of aftermarket products.
So get a quality prefit barrel, and follow directions, its simple to make a barrel change on a Savage, with lots of "how to" videos.
Start today, and don't look back.
I am not a huge Savage fan, it's only for looks, but who cares, they are good robust tools that get the job done, and we've witnessed their success, and they can be "prettied up" a bit.
You got this,...have fun, life is good.

 

[cellular]

Evintos: thank you, yes, Savages a bit chunky, back in the 80's, they could be used as a shovel if your truck got stuck, or a beating weapon if you ran outa ammo. Good you listed stocks, that have chasis in them.

hafejD30: thanks for the story and pictures. yes, the same rifle as the black one on bottom. Diff, is barrel is fluted, 2" longer, +a brake. I got confused if the rifle in top pic is same as bottom, but a barrel swap (stainless), and thechasis you mentioned is a thousand bucks when i looked it - wow. Id keep it too, excellentaccuracy. initially i wanted a 300 win mag just like yours on bottom, then this deal arose, and sounds like 300 prc ammo prices andperformance, is right there w/ it.

HMRamatuer: thanks for sharing. If I buy it, hopefully I wouldnt need a new barrel. I think I'd be happy with the HS P recision stock, but ya never know, I could start catching up with the times, and want to get a chasis

NHPiper; Sounds like you got a nice gun, and your experiece made you know exactly what you wanted. I don't know that I'd ever reach that level. thanks for sharing

45-90: thanks for sharing your expermint w/ the bargain sale. You also mention try savage in chasis. If they are that much better, than the HS Precision, it might be better for me to buy the "a new savage precision in a chasis for $1500, its brown, its got a 24" barrel (2" shorter). I'm confused if "hafejD30", was shooting the size of a dime @ 100 yds w/ 300 win mag, in the original hs precision stock, or once he put it in the chasis and possible barrel swap. But if the orig stock was doing it, I'd think the stock was OK to keep ?

Thank you guys for the 5 nice replies, Im glad I ran the thread. Any more follow up comments or corrections on my thinking, are also welcome.

 

[hafejd30]

Evintos: thank you, yes, Savages a bit chunky, back in the 80's, they could be used as a shovel if your truck got stuck, or a beating weapon if you ran outa ammo. Good you listed stocks, that have chasis in them.

hafejD30: thanks for the story and pictures. yes, the same rifle as the black one on bottom. Diff, is barrel is fluted, 2" longer, +a brake. I got confused if the rifle in top pic is same as bottom, but a barrel swap (stainless), and thechasis you mentioned is a thousand bucks when i looked it - wow. Id keep it too, excellentaccuracy. initially i wanted a 300 win mag just like yours on bottom, then this deal arose, and sounds like 300 prc ammo prices andperformance, is right there w/ it.

HMRamatuer: thanks for sharing. If I buy it, hopefully I wouldnt need a new barrel. I think I'd be happy with the HS P recision stock, but ya never know, I could start catching up with the times, and want to get a chasis

NHPiper; Sounds like you got a nice gun, and your experiece made you know exactly what you wanted. I don't know that I'd ever reach that level. thanks for sharing

45-90: thanks for sharing your expermint w/ the bargain sale. You also mention try savage in chasis. If they are that much better, than the HS Precision, it might be better for me to buy the "a new savage precision in a chasis for $1500, its brown, its got a 24" barrel (2" shorter). I'm confused if "hafejD30", was shooting the size of a dime @ 100 yds w/ 300 win mag, in the original hs precision stock, or once he put it in the chasis and possible barrel swap. But if the orig stock was doing it, I'd think the stock was OK to keep ?

Thank you guys for the 5 nice replies, Im glad I ran the thread. Any more follow up comments or corrections on my thinking, are also welcome.

The groups above were the first outing with the rifle. All shot at the same time during load development. The charges of H4350
Powder are written next to the groups. This rifle is very forgiving as you can see which is why I kept it.

The pic of the gun in black is the same day I fired these groups

The brown mdt chassis was added later. These are two groups shot when sighting in with that chassis

 

[hafejd30]

Yours will probably not shoot this well. I’ve owned a lot of savages and this is the top of the tier for accuracy. I had the 338 Lapua in the BA version and had to replace the barrel as it through the first shot or two about 1 moa low

Savage barrels tend to shoot decent. But it can be a gamble compared to a premium aftermarket setup

 

[45-90]

Evintos: thank you, yes, Savages a bit chunky, back in the 80's, they could be used as a shovel if your truck got stuck, or a beating weapon if you ran outa ammo. Good you listed stocks, that have chasis in them.

hafejD30: thanks for the story and pictures. yes, the same rifle as the black one on bottom. Diff, is barrel is fluted, 2" longer, +a brake. I got confused if the rifle in top pic is same as bottom, but a barrel swap (stainless), and thechasis you mentioned is a thousand bucks when i looked it - wow. Id keep it too, excellentaccuracy. initially i wanted a 300 win mag just like yours on bottom, then this deal arose, and sounds like 300 prc ammo prices andperformance, is right there w/ it.

HMRamatuer: thanks for sharing. If I buy it, hopefully I wouldnt need a new barrel. I think I'd be happy with the HS P recision stock, but ya never know, I could start catching up with the times, and want to get a chasis

NHPiper; Sounds like you got a nice gun, and your experiece made you know exactly what you wanted. I don't know that I'd ever reach that level. thanks for sharing

45-90: thanks for sharing your expermint w/ the bargain sale. You also mention try savage in chasis. If they are that much better, than the HS Precision, it might be better for me to buy the "a new savage precision in a chasis for $1500, its brown, its got a 24" barrel (2" shorter). I'm confused if "hafejD30", was shooting the size of a dime @ 100 yds w/ 300 win mag, in the original hs precision stock, or once he put it in the chasis and possible barrel swap. But if the orig stock was doing it, I'd think the stock was OK to keep ?

Thank you guys for the 5 nice replies, Im glad I ran the thread. Any more follow up comments or corrections on my thinking, are also welcome.

I went for the Alum chassis over the HS Precision, because I wanted the 3.7" cartridges out of the mag in 300 Win mag for added performance, rather then blind mag.
But HS Precision will fit your needs with an aluminum bedding block....and be less costly.
Here is a good shooting $600 rifle total cost in 308 Win, New Bartlein 9 twist 22" Rem varmint contour. With inleted $62 Mag Pul bottom (metal) plastic for detachable mag.
Made from left over parts and used action that was trued.
I do all the gunsmithing, so parts are the only cost.
HS stocks will do the job, I have fired more than 20,000 rds with HS precision stocks on various 308 Win rifles.
Here is another HS precision 308...I obviously use them, with great sucess, for its application.

You can too, and can always change when your budget or desire dictates.

 

[cellular]

Thanks hafejd, 45-90, and everyone else. Yea, I kinda figured its kinda lucky or unlucky on box rifles. Thanks for the comments on the 308s. I got the savage 12FV, when they were making them for cheap in 308 and 6.5 cm. I got a Boyds pro varmint stock for one of them (probally the 308,) but havent installed it yet. Iplan on pillar and bedding it. I been reading articles about it. Funny you bring up the magazine issue for the chasis. Before I ran this thread, there is a screenname by nathan.... , where his savage had AICS mag, and he had to mill out (longate), the magell of the chasis to get it to fit. If I could get a lil more input on something, and that is would you favor a 24 or 26" barrel + brake? Both savages, I spoke of have same barrel profile (like the black 300 win mag, but are fluted). i kinda got a vague understanding about harmonics vs speed

 

[45-90]

If one goes with aluminum chassis, all you do is torque down the barreled action to the chassis, with long screws provided... thats all...done
The ACIS mags fit the chassis you installed, and MDI without the center support bar takes 2.990" cartridges.
On the 700 with the $65 Magpul bottom metal only a slight inletting was needed to make it fit...it almost fit. But I'm not familiar with the Savage on this.
The Ruger PR comes from the factory, it takes both center feed and staggered feed.
Here is that example and the mags
with a 2.890" 6.5 CM for comparison...as to what mag one uses. The last one has room to spare at 2.990" max.
And the cheap Magpul 5 rd ACIS for 308 base cartridges, center feed ACIS up to 2.990"
The more you do for yourself the more you learn...
Nothing wrong with working with a budget, but still being able to go out and shoot.
Improve things on your own as you see fit.
Pillar bedding works too, I have done so with some stocks...along with glass bedding the action.

 

[cellular]

Thanks for the pics, and explanations. Alot of what you guys know, is a level I'll probally not reach. Not that I wouldnt want to, (it sounds interesting), but alot of other things going on