As someone else in this subforum said, this area was tailor made for me. I have a heck of a time deciding on a new setup at times. I get into analysis mode and try to research everything I can. As often as not though right after I make a decision (without having asked questions) I find some gotcha with what I chose. This time I am hoping to avoid that. I have owned two Savage Axis in .308; an Axis XP and an Axis-SR. Both guns shot well and were a super value, but just did not capture me. That said I am a fan of the 10/11 action after having handled them a few times in various stores.

Like many, I am trying to find that "one" gun as my bolt action setup. I know it will lead to a second, but a guy can dream!! I want something that will be enjoyable on bench as that will see the most use but also not so heavy or bench-rest oriented that I cannot hunt with it a few days a year. I am not a fan of modern season hunting here in WA, but it is what my son does so I go out with him on occasion and need a hiking friendly rifle.

I Have been an AR/Semi guy since I started into firearms 4 years ago, and have been using my 6.5grendel for deer hunting to this point. It also has been my 1st real subMOA gun and is quite enjoyable to shoot and only weighs 9#6oz. I have not yet had the chance to shoot beyond 200yrds, but my range does 600yrd a few times a year and I have found some places now that I can go anytime and enjoy longer distances. But while I love the AR platform, I find with how we hunt and laws here it can be problematic having to chamber and unchamber a round every time we get to the vehicle or a new spot to hunt. AR's just can be rough on rounds if you have to chamber and unchamber frequently, and with how loud they are to chamber a round you pretty much have to always chamber a round at your vehicle and carry ready to go with the safety on.

Sooooo.. I want to get a bolt gun for double duty. I have considered MVP, Ruger American as well, but just like the Savage action better.

Have:
  • 360 once fired .308 brass.
  • set of reloading dies
  • hundreds of .30cal bullets, 150-220grn.
  • .30 cal 10" suppressor
  • 308 muzzle brake
  • PA 4-14x40 FFP Mildot scope with 308 BDC

Needs:

  • approx 20" med/heavy threaded barrel for balance of velocity/reach, easy carry, and brake/can usage.
  • Ability to change out stock without major limitation or significant extra cost due to particular model, wood stock or maybe chassis down the road.
  • DBM/magazine of some kind - simpler to unload completely for organized ranges and hunting situations.
  • Accutrigger
  • $700 or less street price, closer to 500 the better.


I was looking at the 11 scout and 11 Hog Hunter, is there another one I have missed that is threaded from the factory and not a bench oriented rig or over $700 street price? I really have no need of the iron sites included on either rifle, nice to have but doubt I would ever use them.

  • I had been pretty much dialed in to the Savage 11 Hog Hunter due to price and longer barrel, but it has blind mag which means chambering all those rounds each time I get to vehicle. I have seen a few things that make it look like it can limit stock choices as well, so I am glad I have not jumped to it yet.
  • The scout is more $, has the rear mounted peep and scout scope setup which is not best for longer range shooting and would require more $ to convert to normal eye relief setup. It does have a nice big magazine.
  • 10fcp-sr - hearing lots of rumblings and complaints about it on here, but while it is not equal to it's predecessor is it still a good rifle? Better barrel than the two above?
  • Any other non threaded model in the price window or better yet $100 lower range that I could have threaded locally?


What do I need to watch out for with all the different sub actions? In the hr or so I have spent trying to skim here I have noticed mention of the bolt release location and different mag bottom setups and am not sure how to know which model has which setup.