Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

[Furious Rotaton]

I'm much more of a reader than a poster on forums. However, after lengthy searches yielding little, to no results for some in depth reviews and opinions of the Savage 110 ba in .308, I've decided to ask for some help.

A close friend of mine has just sold his rem. 700 varmint in .308 and is looking to upgrade. He's looking to spend $1,500, but is not opposed to going around 2k.

My friend has had his eyes on the Savage 110 ba in .308, but neither he or I have been able to find any stores that have one in stock, nor have we been able to find more than one or two decent reviews about this rifle.

I'm now reaching out to the snipers hide community for some help. If there is anyone that has, has had, or even just shot a Savage 110 ba in .308, please give me your opinion. I'm looking for in depth reviews of both positive and negative aspects of this rifle.

The rifle must be chambered in .308 and will primarily be used on a bench at a range to shoot mostly 200-600 yards, but occasionally out to 800-1000 yards. The rifle will be taken into the desert and forest and will be shot in prone position, but this will not be as often as at the range on a bench. The rifle must be sub-moa out of the box as he is not interested right now in doing any custom work. The rifle will be used with a Harris bipod and a vortex (I I think Diamondback) 6-20x50 scope.

My friend is not completely set on the 110 ba, so if anyone has any other opinions on a rifle that will fit the needs described, those would also be appreciated.

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[Helmet]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

I don't mean to nitpick, but I think that it would be called a Savage 10 BA in 308. 110 is long action. The 300WM & 338LM are the 110 versions. It would be a shame to put a Diamondback on that. They don't make a Diamondback in 6-20x50 though. I think it's a Viper. Still, that sure is a much nicer rifle than the scope he's putting on it. Just my opinion, but he would get better groups buying a more reasonable rifle and getting a better scope/rings/base. I have a Savage HS Precision that's a tack driver, but it's got Seekins rings and base and a nicer scope. The HS Precision Savage shoots real good out of the box and cost alot less(mine was $919). If your friend can afford to buy that rifle then more power to him, but it's only going to shoot as good as whatever scope/rings/base combination he can afford to put on it too.That thing really should have a high end tactical scope on it imho. Real easy to spend $2,000 on one of those.

 

[PRDRIVER]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

Yep. Skip the BA and go with one of the following and buy a higher end optic.

1. Savage .308 w/ the HS precision stock
2. Remington 700 5R Milspec
3. Tikka Tactical or a Tikka Scout (if you can find a Scout in stock anywhere)

If you friend was willing to spend $2K on a rifle he would be much better served by spending a few hundred more and buying a Sako TRG 22.

 

[Helmet]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

I agree. I hope to someday be able to afford a TRG 22. But then I'd have to get a Premier, Hensoldt, Mars, S&B or something else really expensive to put on it. Sometimes I really hate not being rich.

 

[A.Redd]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

OP,

I have the savage 10ba. Its a great rifle for target shooting and I personally love the weight of the rifle. There is very little recoil which is real nice after a long day shooting. I can consistently get 1/2 inch groups using federal premium hpbt 175 grain. The 168 grain shoots well also. I haven't tried any hand loads or other manufactures yet, I do plan on reloading in the not so distance future. I also plan on buying a box or 2 of Hornady A-Max. My only gripe on the rifle is the locking trigger. Its easy to slam the bolt down and lock the trigger. I've noticed some hate on the rifle on the forums. From what i can tell I think its more cock envy. If you want a rifle thats a finished product this is a great route to go. I was lucky and able to purchase mine at a gun show for 1450 including the bi-pod

. I think w/ the right load I should be able to get groups below .5 on a consistent basis but only time will tell. It has a built in 20 moa base which is nice. I went w/ the weaver tactical also. I havent shot w/ the higher end scopes but i've looked through the Razor HD and US Optics at the gun range. I think Weaver is a nice compromise, but to each their own. This rifle also tends to get a lot of attention at the range... At the right price this is a great addition to any gun collection. Here is a link to a great review if you havent read it yet. BA Review

 

[Furious Rotaton]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

My mistake, it is 10ba and the scope is the Vortex Viper, not Diamondback.

I've talked to my friend about getting the Sako TRG-22, which is what I shoot, but he really wants to stay closer to the $1,500-$2,000 range. He also is very happy with his Vortex scope, so I don't believe he will be upgrading that anytime soon. I could be wrong, but as for now he is only interested in upgrading to a nicer rifle.

I'm still hoping to hear from some 10ba owners, or at least some who have had some significant time behind one.

If you have one or have shot one, but don't feel like posting a full review just to satisfy my request, a one sentence positive, negative, or both reply will suffice.

He will also primarily be shooting factory ammo. I may occasionally load him some custom rounds to test the full potential of the rifle or to do a ladder test, but factory loads will be the primary ammo.

 

[jsthntn247]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

If his bank roll is 1500-2000 bucks, he should build a gun off a Stevens or Savage action instead of buying one. MCM or Manners stock, criterion pre-fit barrel, Sav-2 or SSS comp trigger and he would be in sho nuff business. He would even have a couple hundred left over to put towards optics.

 

[RotARy15]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

Want to have a 10 BA that is cooler and better than a 10 BA?

Get almost any model 10 and ask Kyle at XLR Industries if he would be kind enough to let you buy an XLR Evolution Chassis.

You're welcome.

Wanted to add, I have fired a 10 BA. It is pretty much just a model 10 with an over priced chassis system.

I've built a better 10 BA. Savage 10 FCP-K, put a 10 BA bolt handle on it, and wrap it in an XLR chassis. Ta da! Now you have a model 10 <span style="text-decoration: underline">B</span>ad<span style="text-decoration: underline">A</span>ss.

 

[jpspeeddemon]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

A tikka sporter should be considered:
http://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3-sporter.aspx

better action and should be more accurate as these are just about the most accurate factory rifles today. Stock is designed like the TRG.

Either that or a 5R.
Spend money on quality base and rings as well.

 

[Furious Rotaton]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

The replies I have gotten have been what I assumed to receive. Not much about the Savage 10ba, but rather the comments have been about piecing together a rifle. My friend is not too interested in doing this, although he may start to consider this, but I doubt it.

From what I am hearing, most people are saying that the 10ba is not worth the $1,800 price tag. If this is the case and the best alternative for the $1,500-$2,000 price range for a rifle (excluding optics, rings, bipod, etc.) is to build your own, then what would you build for under $2,000 without it needing a gunsmith?

My friend already has a base, rings and scope he is happy with. However, just for fun, what base, rings and scope would you put on this rifle to fit the application of range shooting out to about 500 yards?

 

[Helmet]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

Unfortunately I don't think that many people have one to tell you about it. Have you read...

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2254301

 

[Furious Rotaton]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

I haven't read that one. I thought I found all the reviews of the 110/10 ba on this site. Thanks for posting that.

 

[Helmet]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

Your welcome. Try searching it with this to find other old posts.

http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=010955838166721108978:qcbx5qqy10o&hl=en

 

[Rogue111]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

I’ve had my 10 BA for about 6 months now and I love it. It’s damn accurate, consistent, & felt recoil is next to nothing with the weight of the rifle combined with the muzzle brake. As said in previous posts you can put together a great rig with various parts but without experience, I can understand it can be somewhat daunting (and $ can add up quick to do it right). The reason I bought one was through reviewing posts, rifle reviews, & having the features you cant find in most rifles “out of the box” at a reasonable price. Others here have great ideas, knowledge, & perspectives; but otherwise you will not be disappointed in picking up the 10 BA.

PM sent

Tim

 

[mrslippery]

Re: Savage 110 ba .308 opinions please!

I've owned my 10BA for 1.5 years, it's proven to be a outstanding production rifle. I've shot it to 700 yards+, which puts it at it's mechanical limits(lack of a+MOA base). Performance has been outstanding, but I don't know if i would recommend someone buying one, with other Savage options at lower prices. I would talk about groups sizes, but mine always draws some attention at my local F-class match. My personal best is a 197 8X with the BA, they shoot very well. No regrets from this owner, Slip.