thoughts on Savage 11/111 trophy hunter xp?

I

idek

New member
I don't currently own a centerfire rifle (I don't count my .357 lever-action). I'm considering buying a bolt action, and I'm leaning toward something in 6.5 caliber (even though .243, .270, or 7mm-08 could serve the same purposes and are more common). I would reload mostly, and purposes could include deer, pronghorn, and predator hunting (I've also heard that 155-160 grain bullets work well for elk at moderate distances).

Another consideration is that I'm left-handed. In my online searches for left-handed rifles in 6.5 caliber, the Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP in Remington .260 kept coming up. It comes packaged with a Nikon 3-9x40 BDC scope (which seems nicer than a lot of scopes that are packaged with inexpensive rifles). This set sells for about $500, and Savage has a $75 rebate going on right now.

Seems like a good deal, but I thought I'd ask for opinions.

*also, the listed weight is 7.25 pound. Does that weight include the scope?
 
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Im a big fan of savage rifles the savage 11/111 is a good rifle. The new ones have the accutrigger which will adjust down to a light pull weight and has a nice clean break. The rifle is capable of sub-mow groups out the box. A stock upgrade should be soon purchased as it is the cheapest part of the rifle in my opinion, followed by bedding the action. The nikon should be ok for hunting purposes, as the optics aren't the best but for target shooting you should upgrade to a better scope,base,and rings.

For deer/pronghorn/elk i would consider 30-06's, .270 win,
for deer/pronghorn a .243 would be my choice. followed by a 7mm-08
 
I bought one chambered in .223 and i gotta say it really is a great shooter with most ammo. I upgraded the mounting gear with leupolds and mounted a high power Mueller scope and it serves me well as a target and predator gun. I thought the black stock was boring so i painted it tan and put black webbing on top. it came out awesome and is very resilient plus adds some grip when the gun gets wet. I have 3 savages, 2 of them have accutriggers, when adjusted to their lowest setting they are decent factory triggers but not as good as my 700s. Either way it will serve you well.
 
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I am a big 6.5mm fan, I own several good rifles but for deer hunting the 6.5x55 is my go to gun, and the Savages come in 260 and 6.5 Creedmoore which are just short action ballistic twins to my Sweed.
Savage rifles are great, have owned several of them and all of them were/are shooters. My two I currently have are a 30-06 which prints reliable 1/2" groups with RL19 and 150gr TTSX at 3050fps (my hog gun) and the other is my 270 WSM which shoots cloverleafs with boring regularity using 150gr SGKs over a max load of RL22 shoots factory 130gr Ballistic tips really well too. Savages to have their weak points such as their flimsy synthetic stock or the uber soft recoil pad that keeps tearing but all in all I love them.
Yes 7.25lbs would be including the scope, stock weight for a short action synthetic is 6.5lbs if I remember correctly, very light gun a good match for a light kicking cartridge like the 260 or 6.5 Creedmoore.
The only other bit of advise I would give you before buying a Savage is look at a Tikka first, little better refinement, MUCH smoother action (best in the business!) and less bullet picky then the Savage barrels IMHO, my Tikka is the best shooter in my gun safe without question and they don't cost much more then a 111.
 
Savage 16 Weather Warrior LH in 260

I can't tell you how pleased I am with this rifle. Has Accutrigger and Accustock. The first two loads shot .611" with 120 Speers and .363" with 100gr Nosler Partitions. Amazing thing about Savage is I called the factory and requested this model/caliber and they produced it for $80 upcharge. I've owned/own Remingtons, Winchester, Browning, Weatherby rifles over the years and I've NEVER gotten this kind of accuracy with this amount of effort. BUY SAVAGE!
 
I've got a model 11 in .260 and 7-08. I replaced the Nikon scope that come on them with a Nikon buckmaster 4.5-14x40. The .260 is quickly becoming my favorite. Low recoil, easy to load, and I have no problem holding .75" groups, better on some days. I don't think you will be disappointed.
 
I have one of the older left hand Savage 260 pre accutrigger.I've shot Mule deer Whitetails and caribou with it.Its just as Accurate as my Tikka 7mm08 maybe not as smooth or well finished but works fine.I have more than a few calibers for deer sized game I find myself using the .260 the most.IMHO its a better deer caliber than the .243 little bigger and heavier bullet.And I've used the .243
 
I have 9 Savage Rifles now ( traded all my remmys win's) for savage. I have a Model 111 Trophy Hunter in a 22-250. Sorry to say it is the only Savage I have that will not shoot Sub MOA. I have tried for 2 years now and MOA is as best as it does. It will be the only rifle I will trade in ( For another Savage of Course)
 
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