Savage 111 won't hold zero

Replace your rings and bases, I have owned three Savage package guns and they all had the same problem the factory hardware is garbage. Reaper one piece rings/base are the perfect fix, my Savage 30-06 holds 1/2" groups all day long and my 270 shoots one ragged hole.
 
I've had some similar problems with Savage rifles in the past. The rifles shot great after I "tweaked" two things. First, check the screws in the base. They may be just a tad too long. If they are, the base won't tighten up. You may have to grind them down a very little bit. Second, check to see if the base on the front is sitting solely on the receiver. If the base is touching the barrel nut at all, it will create an interference fit on the base. In many cases, the Savage barrel nut is minutely higher than the receiver and "pushes" the base up in the front. If this is the case, bevel the front edge of the base so the base cannot contact the nut. Been there, done that, and it worked to correct the problem. I'm positive that if this doesn't correct the problem then you need a new scope. Also, ditch the cheap rings and get a set of Warnes, Burris, or something of similar quality. Good luck.
 
Update: I don't know why I never noticed this before, but on 3x, you can faintly see a faint mirror image of the lower line with the BDC circles on it. Anyone familiar with the Nikon scope that come with this rifle know what I'm taking about. I am sending the scope back to Nikon.
 
I have a Mod 11 Hunter package in 308.
I had a few issues at first.
I would not say it would not hold a zero. Just shot open groups.
My scope mount came loose. Fixed

I tourqued the action screws. ( they were loose) This tightened up my groups allot.

Also the factory tightens the barrel nut to an extreem level. I removed the barrel, Replaced the barrel nut. ( ruined the original smooth nut).
Reinstalled, and rehead spaced the barrel. Tightened to the perscribed 30 pounds of tourque.

Shoots much better now.
 
I am not sure if this particular Savage stock has pillar bedding or not. If it does, I am willing to bet that is your problem. Savages Pillar bedded stocks are notorious for the pillars breaking loose from the stocks. If the pillar is the same height or slightly shorter than the stock, its not a big deal. It is quite common for Savages pillars to be app 1/32" taller than the stock. When the slightly long ones break loose, you have a scattergun. I just bought a $650 savage for $375 because it shot 3" at 100 and the owner was ticked off at his new rifle. A few minutes with a file, $1.00 worth of expoxy, and I have a 3/8 minute rifle.
 
The Savage website does not say that the stock is pilar bedded. It has a synthetic stock. This is the Savage 111 Trophy Hunter XP in .308
 
I do not really recall ever reading Savage saying in writing that any of Savages pillar bedded rifles outside their bench rest line were "pillar bedded." The last one I fixed did not claim in the specs to be pillar bedded. All I can suggest is take it apart and see. If it is, take a punch and lightly tap the pillars both ways just to see if they move. If one moves, which I bet it will, your problem can be easily cured. Savages stock material strength pretty much necessitates pillar bedding.
I am not going to knock Savage, I guess if I counted I own about 35 of their rifles. Having said that, I am no fan of their customer service. With Thompson Center, I send them anything to fix because they are a dream to work with. With Savage, unless its catastrophic, I just fix it myself.
 
I do not have one taken apart and I am don't want to break one down to get a photo, but I will try to explain it well. Remove the action from the stock. Where the action screws pass through the stock, there should be some thin metal pillars. They are basically hollow metal tubes. Make sure both of them are glued to the stock and that one is not sliding up and down.
 
Same setup-same prob: solved

I have the exact same Savage outfit. I replaced the scope and rings with a VX-1 and the gun is now a tack driver. The next challenge will be getting Nikon to replace their lousy scope!
 
I am sending it back to Savage. The "free floated" barrel is in contact with the barrel. It's almost like the stock is twisted or tweaked. I feel like I should have gotten a rifle that performs better than this out of the box and I feel like savage should do something to make me as their customer happy.
 
The Savage website does not say that the stock is pilar bedded. It has a synthetic stock. This is the Savage 111 Trophy Hunter XP in .308
Click to expand...

Pillar bedded. And it's a 11, not a 111. I have one in 7mm-08. Trust me, replace the bases and rings ASAP.
 
Measure them with a set of calipers. They're not okay. Trust me. ;)

That's okay if you're using a set of 'clamping' rings. Don't plan to use Zee-rings with them. :)
 
I dont really know what you would be trying to measure. I have set up a lot of rifles over the years with Weaver aluminum bases. They work fine assuming you are not trying to mount a 30mm tube 50 mm objective on a brake gun or a heavy recoiling rifle. A mounting system does not have to be rock solid to mount a 3-9X40 on a .270 Win. (or similar application) So long as you use a ring that will not cut the base, you should be fine. Steel rings can shred an aluminum base, but it is quite obvious when that is happening. In general, I have always treated the "package deal" rifles as avoiders. T.C. threw me for a loop and caused me to break my rule when they sold a Meopro on a Venture and mounted it with Talley. If Savage has the Sub MOA guarantee on the rifle, I would send it back. If not, they may or may not make you happy. Won't hurt to try.
 
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