Winchester vs. Savage

deerhunter270

Senior Member
I am going to get a new gun in 300 WSM, and have narrowed it down to these two brands. What is your personal preference? What have you used that has been more accurate and reliable? I have had neither of these brands. I have only had Ruger. Thanks Deerhunter270
 

NotaVegetarian

Senior Member
With out hesitation Winchester over Savage. I have several Winchester model 70 excellent rifles. I have one savage its OK but not in the class as the Winchester. It could be me, or my choice actually it is my choice Winchester. Now don’t get me wrong I like my Weatherby’s too. Let know what you decide.....
 

deerhunter270

Senior Member
If I get a Winchester I am thinking about getting the Winchester M70 Super Shadow.
 
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CAL

Senior Member
I have had neither of those brands either.My preference would be a Remington.In my part of the country,nobody uses Winchester or Savage.
 

dbodkin

Senior Member
I've got all three.. My opinions are:


1. Savage $ Cheap Accurate good accu-trigger if not install an after market.
2. Winchester Well Made Accurate with a little work I like their safety $$$
3. Remington Accurate I like their stock trigger Quality more $$$

any choice you made will be fine I'm sure....
 

Buzz

Senior Member
I think the standard Winchester M70 with the pre64 type extractor is a nicer rifle than a Savage, but I doubt it would be any more accurate. Savage rifles are very very accurate. FWIW, for the same price - I'd take a M70 over a Remington 700 every day of the week.

Cal - you must be in a strange part of the country if nobody uses a Winchester or Savage. ;)
 

LKennamer

Senior Member
Winchester

I like the Savage for it's price, but when it comes to big guns...go with the Winchester. My three main hunting guns are a Model 70 for deer and such, a 101 O/U for upland, and a SuperX2 for waterfowl. The only odd one is my Browning Citori for turkeys, but it was my grandfather's...it stays until I can pass it on to one of my kids!
 

Craig Knight

Senior Member
WSM Rifle

Have both types of rifles mentioned ,Savage does seem to have a great set up with the new Accu Trigger and are some of the most accurate out of the box rifles you can buy. I also love my Model 70 in 300,it is plenty accurate,mand for a factory trigger its not too bad. If I was going to buy a new rifle though Savage would get my money, and as soon as they come out with the new .325 WSMcartridge in a Weather Warrior series rifles, I'll let ya'll knowhow it shoots.
 

leoparddog

Senior Member
If you ever pick up a copy of Gun Test Magazine (kinda like a Consumer Reports Mag for guns - no advertising) they've always rated the Savage very highly. Savage (and the new Accu-trigger) receive high marks for accuracy, and trigger and most especially cost. The downside of the Savage? Its just not as pretty a rifle. They don't use high dollar walnut, and their fit and finish might be just a bit lower quality than Rem or Win.

If you're into toting a good looking rifle, get a Winchester or a Remington - they'll shoot just fine and you can spend an extra $50 getting the trigger tuned. If you are cost conscious and not into the beauty thing, get a Savage, and spend the savings on a better scope.
 

duckbill

Senior Member
It really depends on what your looking for in a rifle. Otherwise, this is a "Ford vs. Chevy" discussion. If your looking for an inexpensive workhorse accurate rifle, get the Savage with Accutrigger. If you want a good rifle with a few more options and a better look and feel, get the Winchester. It also comes down to how much you want to spend. If I was going cheap, I'd take the Savage over the Shadow. If I wanted to spend a little more, I'd get the Mod 70 Classic Featherweight(sweet rifle). Of course, if money isn't the issue, I would not limit myself to those 2 brands.
 

Larry Rooks

Senior Member
Winchester all the way. Talking to severl gunsmith, I have been told that Savage barrels will be shot out in about 6 boxes of amm and the accuracy will be gone. That is 120 rounds of ammo and the barrel life gone according to them, and from past experience, I'll take their word
 

Buzz

Senior Member
Larry Rooks said:
Winchester all the way. Talking to severl gunsmith, I have been told that Savage barrels will be shot out in about 6 boxes of amm and the accuracy will be gone. That is 120 rounds of ammo and the barrel life gone according to them, and from past experience, I'll take their word

I don't think I would trust a gunsmith that made that sort of ridiculous statement. The general consensus among smiths I've used over the years and from posts from some of the big boys on Accurate Reloading is that Savage spends a disproportional amount of money on the barrel and consequently has one of the better factory tubes. Owning about a dozen Savage rifles over the years, I can tell you that you that somebody's pulling your leg. Sure you will run into an occasional dud, but there is no way anybody would make a rifle barrel that with normal care is shot out at 120 rounds. About the only criticism I could put on Savage barrels is they take longer to break in than some other barrels.

I have a Savage 110 in .25-06 that after 1500 max velocity rounds will still shoot 1.25" groups - at 300 yards. My 111 in .250 Savage is shooting in the 0.3's at 100 yards after about 1200 rounds. The other two I currently own shoot around 5/8” groups at 100 yards with far less rounds through them.
 

Dustin Pate

Administrator
Staff member
I have a Savage 110 .243. It is without a doubt a shooter. It is the ONLY rifle that I use deer hunting. No problem at all grouping it.
 

Gone Fishin

Senior Member
Buy the lesser expensive gun and put that money you save towards a better scope. Somone else said it but it is well worth saying again.

I have also heard good things about the Howa rifles. Anyone on Woody's site use one of these.
 

beginnersluck

Senior Member
I agree with GONEFISHING. I own a Winchester 270 wsm and my brother has a savage 270. I can't tell much of a difference. I just like mine b/c it fits comfortably. Both are about the same price, same quality...just pick the one that feels best to you.
 

duckbill

Senior Member
Larry,
It takes 100 shots to break one in :confused: . Are you sure you heard them Smitty's correctly?
 

NotaVegetarian

Senior Member
Excellent choice, this shows you have good taste in firearms. You will be very pleased with this rifle. What caliber are you selecting? Are you going for one of the short magnums? I hope it is something in a .30 caliber or larger, they are some of my favorites. :bounce:
 

deerhunter270

Senior Member
NotaVegetarian said:
Excellent choice, this shows you have good taste in firearms. You will be very pleased with this rifle. What caliber are you selecting? Are you going for one of the short magnums? I hope it is something in a .30 caliber or larger, they are some of my favorites. :bounce:

I am going to get it in 300 WSM.
 
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