Savage 111 LR

aprubio

Inactive
Considering picking up a Savage 111 Long Range Hunter in either 25-06 or 7mm Rem. Hunting whitetail and hogs in open fields with shots up to / around 300 yds. Anyone own one? Opinions on the rifle itself or choice of ammo?

Thanks
 
Well, not a whole lot of rapid shooting going to happen unless you need to unload on a herd of swine.

I'd go with the 7mm Rem Mag myself because I've reloaded for it and already own the dies.

But other than that, with appropriate bullets you'll be just fine. Plenty of people hunt hogs with 223's, so the 25-06 will be more than enough.

All my Savages have been in 308. The numbering system doesn't matter (it really just specifies long or short action, etc).

Jimro
 
Either will do the job just as well as the other, on the killing end.

I would ask myself why I'd want the additional recoil and blast of a magnum when the ranges are such that virtually any cartridge would do the job.

Recoil energy (ft/lbs) is about 70% higher and recoil velocity is about 30% higher with the Mag. All you get, shooting deer or hogs at 300 yards, is more recoil. The energy difference (about 600 ft/lbs at the muzzle) is unnecessary for the indicated conditions.

The mag uses a lot more powder too, if you're a reloader that adds up. (65gr versus 50, give or take).
 
Thanks Brian - the recoil is a big consideration. I have a Browning .300 BAR that is absolutely deadly, but the recoil and BOOM are tiring. Add the increased ammo prices and I'm getting ready to try something a little more lightweight and easier on the shoulder, ears, and wallet. I've looked at the ballistics for both the 7mm and 25-06 and don't see much of a difference in terms of trajectory or knock-down power for deer. On the practical side, I have shot my dad's 7mm before but zero experience with a 25-06.
 
...don't see much of a difference in terms of trajectory or knock-down power for deer.

You'd be right about that and even though there might be some difference in the numbers on paper, there's no difference in the dead animal in the real world.

At 300 yards, you're either using practiced hold-over or you're clicking the scope. Either way, you have to know what you're doing and there's no practical difference between those cartridges in the difficulty of doing either.

There are so many awesome cartridges for the job you're doing that it's hard to say "Use this..." or "Use that..." It's all personal preference. There is one fact though, most folks shoot better with less recoil and less muzzle blast.

Whatever you use, you mention "hard on the ears", I'm not saying you don't already, but please use hearing protection no matter what. Modern electronic muffs are cheap and effective.
 
Personally,I'd go with the 6.5 Creedmoor in the LRH model.
I love my 25/06,but since I built a 6.5 Creedmoor,the 06 doesn't get shot much. The Creedmoor is just getting started good at 300 yards.
 
I too think I'd take a strong look at the 6.5 Creedmoor. I really want one badly, and I think it's the way to go.

That said, out of 25-06 or 7mm Mag, I'd go with the 25-06 in a heartbeat. A friend has a 25-06 and I really like it. I killed a deer with it this past year and it performed great. He has killed numerous deer with it the last few years as well with no issues. It's a nice shooting gun with little recoil.
 
25-06 here. That is just one flat smooth shooting caliber. It is on my list of rifles to buy for sure. 7MM is a over kill in lots of areas. Great caliber ,but not needed for what your talking about. Plus add the cost savings of 25-06 and it's a no brainer
 
For what it is worth, I have found that a heavy 175gr pill launched at a moderate velocity from the 7mm Rem Mag no more punishing than a 308 load.

Handloading is awesome that way. I know there are those who absolutely insist that it is stupid to download a magnum (just get a 7x57 they'll say) but I think anyone who wants maximum performance when it isn't needed has their own set of issues.

WC872 is less than 10 bucks a pound, so unless I use twice as much powder, it is still cheaper than anything costing 20 bucks a pound. Hint, 872 is perfect for heavy bullets in the 25-06 too.

I wouldn't turn my nose up at either caliber. I guess if I were just getting started in reloading I'd choose the 25-06 since I could use 30-06 brass to reload on the cheap.

Jimro
 
Since recoil is a consideration, the 25-06 is the the way to go. Very flat trajectory with good energy downrange. It is a step up from the 243 and the recoil is mild. Ammo is still easy to come by and to reload. The 30-06 is the parent cartridge so if you wish you can use 06 brass just by running it through your resizing die. A good bullet selection is available to the reloader for almost any game he wishes to go after. Those that have the 25-06 love them and those that sold them almost always regret it.
 
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