I am considering picking up a Savage 110 Ultralight with the proof barrel in .280AI. Anyone have any experience with this particular rifle? Primary use will be as a deer/elk rifle. I plan to shoot heavier rounds like 160-175 grain pills.
Thinking about a new rifle
- Thread starter owtlaw
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Many would say that Savage actions are the vw vans of actions. The proof barrel is a 911 engine. Put the two together and you get a fast POS. Savages are known to shoot, but are not the smoothest. If I was going to go with a factory action, I’d go with a tikka and add the barrel of your choice.
So no actual knowledge but things you heard/ read.
"Anyone have any experience with this particular rifle?"
I see how your answer fits the OP's question.
"Anyone have any experience with this particular rifle?"
I see how your answer fits the OP's question.
He's not wrong though.
I'd never spend Proof barrel money on a Savage.
Yes...I've had a Savage in the past.
I don't know why people are telling you not to spend money on a quality barrel but I own a savage with proof in 280 and it shoots great with the berger 180 plus peterson just came out with brass for 280. To be fair though I would recommend you buy a Big Horn Origin action instead of savage unless you already have the savage - it is a much better action and you will save a little money because proof already makes prefits for it
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So, this is not quite THAT particular rifle but if this information helps you, great, if not, apologies for spamming your thread.
A good friend has the Savage 10 in .308 with a factory heavy fluted barrel, he uses it for target shooting and hunting. Except for the barrel, I believe most of the components of these rifles are the same or similar. I’ve shot my friend’s rifle out to 600 yards and it was more than capable of holding MOA at that range. My buddy has taken a pronghorn at 350 yards with that rifle. Assuming the Proof barrel is better quality than my friend’s factory barrel, and the 280 AI is going to shoot much flatter than the .308, I would think you could expect that level of accuracy if not better out of the 110 Ultralight. That rifle should be more than capable of taking elk and deer at reasonable ranges.
My friend’s only complaint about the rifle is the magazine system as it can be a bit finicky. I’m not fully up to speed on the Savage support market but if this was an issue for you, I’m sure there’s an aftermarket solution. I’d prefer the rifle have a 24 inch barrel but I don’t think that would be a deal breaker for me.
Good luck with your decision, please let us know how it goes.
A good friend has the Savage 10 in .308 with a factory heavy fluted barrel, he uses it for target shooting and hunting. Except for the barrel, I believe most of the components of these rifles are the same or similar. I’ve shot my friend’s rifle out to 600 yards and it was more than capable of holding MOA at that range. My buddy has taken a pronghorn at 350 yards with that rifle. Assuming the Proof barrel is better quality than my friend’s factory barrel, and the 280 AI is going to shoot much flatter than the .308, I would think you could expect that level of accuracy if not better out of the 110 Ultralight. That rifle should be more than capable of taking elk and deer at reasonable ranges.
My friend’s only complaint about the rifle is the magazine system as it can be a bit finicky. I’m not fully up to speed on the Savage support market but if this was an issue for you, I’m sure there’s an aftermarket solution. I’d prefer the rifle have a 24 inch barrel but I don’t think that would be a deal breaker for me.
Good luck with your decision, please let us know how it goes.
+1 for starting with a tikka action/trigger.
Have shot the 110 in 6.5
plenty accurate, but not as smooth as a platform. But that is just my opinion
Have shot the 110 in 6.5
plenty accurate, but not as smooth as a platform. But that is just my opinion
You answered your own question.
We aren't saying not to buy a Proof barrel. We are saying if you are buying/building a new rifle that we wouldn't be buying a Savage to put a Proof barrel onto. Tikka or one of the less expensive custom actions (Origin, etc) is a much better investment than a Savage.
you said you would never spend proof money on a savage but the tikka is the same price. Proof prefits also cost the same as any other steel barrel by the time you gunsmith it so it's a very cost-effective option albeit except for the ridiculous wait times at proof right now (6 months). Would recommend to OP to chose a caliber you can get prefit in as they discontinued the 280 recently
I like the machining on th Lite weight Savages. The accutrigger is nice, the safety blade is a great feature for hiking. The whole "smooth" action thing is overrated for a hunting rifle. I'm biased, my savages have been great guns.
barrel. 830$
Stock. 200
Triger. 200
Action. 850
Bottom metal ??$
2080+$, and weighs more, maybe?
Vs
1280$ for a 5.8# proof barreled savage
OP, Let us know what you get and how it shoots.
barrel. 830$
Stock. 200
Triger. 200
Action. 850
Bottom metal ??$
2080+$, and weighs more, maybe?
Vs
1280$ for a 5.8# proof barreled savage
OP, Let us know what you get and how it shoots.
My price on the new savage is 1050.00 and that includes the Proof barrel.
I have not had a Proof barrel but I have several Savages for hunting I also have Remington rifles all in multiple calibers from 300 win mag down to 22-250. Out of the box the Savages shot better with multiple different factory ammo. I reload now and that's not important to me.
Yes the bolt lift on the Savage is takes a bit more. I have put the bolt lift kit on a couple and it's a good improvement.
Yes the bolt lift on the Savage is takes a bit more. I have put the bolt lift kit on a couple and it's a good improvement.
