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The whole midway/savage switch barrel deal for those almost butt-ugly savage 110 type rifles. Is it worth it? I have been looking into this as a low-budget solution to the financial problem that would be the result of buying too many guns in too many calibers too soon. Comments, good advice, even bad advice that some here can rag on <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Doren

Well, the greatest problem with your question is that you make the assumption that there is such a thing as "...too many guns in too many calibers...".

There just ain't no such problem ...

I don't think that you can either have to many rifles or calibers but I do have to agree that the Savage is one butt ugly rifle but they sure seem to shoot well.

Hey guys, thanks, but I already know that someday I will need a rifle in every friggin caliber on the planet. In fact, I've been affected by the fever already, and decided that my very first true, deersy stuff rifle will be a .243 or .260 or 7-08 (Thanks Big Stick...), the next rifle (for smallishy stuff) will be a .223, and the next will be a .17 hummer (to really knock the stuffing out of squirrels and such, and then I was thinking I'll just have to get something that will handle a moose nicely. Oh yeah, I and want a Winchester model 12 in 16 gauge someday. And the list goes on.

However, since I did not adequately explain myself the first time...
At this point in my life as a highschooler, I have about hmmm... zero major outdoor hunting/shooting mentors in my life and all of 2 guns, which include a .22 and a 12 gauge. Also at this point, I am looking for a rifle with a budget of about 400 dollars at the very max, and need something that will last me through college, that will also shoot anything up to an elk if I need it to, and varmints if I need it to. So, rather than just buy a whole different rifle for each task, as I can't very well afford, I thought that this may very well be my best option. Keeping in mind of course the factor of butt-ugliness <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

And so, I need all the help I can get.

(This post written exceedingly rapidly, please don't mind my english or think I'm tryin to flame you all.)

Doren

If your looking for a versatile budget rifle can I suggest a .308. Boring I know but many rifles to choose from and lots of ammo from Mil for practice/plinking to premium deer and elk loads. Same goes for an 06 of course and as a tyro I suggest you don't get too hung up on accuracy.We would all like all our rifles to shoot .5MOA but it's not necessary. Also, spend money on a decent fixed power scope rather than a low quality variable.Good hunting, kuduman.

I'm gonna have to agree about those Savage rifles being butt ugly! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I'm glad I sold mine. That rifle still has me scratching my head to this day.

Well, if you are really looking for "switch and swap", and ugly is a serious positive, then take a look at the Thompson Encores...they are ugly, they have more barrels available than the Savage, and they are cheaper...

Plus they have the advantage of being able to be used as crab weights or anchors when you start buying single caliber firearms...

little pike,

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There is recent thread here regarding the ugliest rifle. There are many that are worse than a Savage 110, thats all I am going to say about that.

As far as the midway A&B barrels are concerned. I too have considered this. The Savage 110 headspaces on the barrel nut. From what I have been told, you should buy a headspace guage (possibly a "no-go" headspace guage), and you may need an action vise as well in addition to the barrel itself. Assuming, of course, that you already have the 110 action.

It may be simpler to buy the barrel and have your gunsmith install and headspace it.

There are many that have used the A&B barrels that were pleased, and some that do not like them at all. Some will tell you that they are junk, but haven't used them themselves. I have not used one of them either, but I am not ready to tell you whether they are good or bad. I simply do not have an opinion on the quality of an A&B barrel.

If you are willing to spend the money, you will probaly like the result.

Good luck and good shooting.

Mark.

I would cruise the gun stores looking at the used guns. You should be able to find a Remingtion 700, Winchester M70 or a Savage in one of the standard big game calibers (270,7mm,308,30-06,300 win) for a good price.

Another way to go is to buy an H&R single shot rifle in one of the standard centerfire calibers. This should run about $200 for a new gun.

I have had a lot of luck buying used leupolds at gun stores. My best deal was a 4 power for $50 !

I don't know that I like the switch barrel idea. I suspect you would be better off with just one, flexable combination to get the feel of it and to determine just what your needs are. Seems to me that the only round that has good factory ammo available for dual purpose use is the .243. They work very well for both with the right ammo.
Depends on the varmits. Big varmits, like coyotes, are often taken with big game rounds to allow off season practice. Then I prefer the .308. You can't beat the cheap surplus ammo for it. And practice is what most of us do, not game shooting.
I'd head for the nearest Wal-Mart and check out their selections of rifles, but not their rifle/scope combinations. Then I'd look for a cheap scope, like a used Leupold or a steel tube Weaver. Then get some good, solid mounts.
Rifle shooting is a whole world in it's self. You would need a place to shoot, and some good coaching. A first class trigger helps alot. E

Little Pike,

It seems quite the opposite ... like you are trying to flame someone! These guys are funnnin' with ya, some of them do have rifles in every FRIGGIN' caliber. Lighten up and loose the 'tude.

Avagadro...

No 'tude goin on here <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> ...sorry if it sounded that way though. Like i said, I wrote that post real fast... Oh, and no, I wasn't trying to flame anyone. I know that many here have rifles in just about every "friggin" caliber.
Sounds fun! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Riciardelli...
I didn't mean to portray ugliness in a positive way <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />. It's not a great thing. But as long as I can get a rifle that shoots really nice groups it won't be such a factor.

Thanks for the warning about the rifle/scope combos at wally world, E. I have heard some bad things about the scopes they put on those. What does a coyote look like after you shoot it with a .308, anyways?

Anyways, I am planning on buzzing over to walmart to look check out their prices on the savages sometime soon, but exams really are a pain in the, well, never mind... The closest, best local gunstore (Not gunsmith) I know of just stopped selling rifles. I can't figure out why, but it might have something to do with the fact that they lease space from a tanning salon. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Makes absolutely no sense to me.
I just talked to my grandfather last night (The one who gave me the Winchester 12), and he said that my great-uncle might be willing to sell his Remington 760 .270. I shot it a couple times (about 40) last year, and the percieved recoil from that thing is just crazy. So, I don't know about that. At any rate, thanks for the advice that all here have given me yet again.

See you later,
Doren

LP,

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While not fond of the barrel nut, I don't think its UGLY. Our local wally's has a new Savage for $374 for a .25-06. I don't really know what is involved with changing the barrels on one of these, but if it involves a trip to the gunsmith everytime you want a differnet caliber to shoot to check the headspace, sounds like it wouldn't take real long until you had enough money to buy another rifle.

Get the a rifle you like that can be used for many different purposes (light bullets for light stuff and heavy bullets for the bigger things in life). A .270 Win sounds like a good one to me, they are plentiful at the local wally's. A .243 would be tough to beat too, but its usefulness stops at the whitetails (I'm sure some may have used them on larger animals successfully ... but really). the 7-08 is from all accounts I have read a really sweet choice, I'm having one built now, but I think you will have to visit a gun shop for that ... never seen one in a wally's ... but Wally's does order rifles ... Might want to try that route. I'm not exactly a proponet of wally's instead of a good gun shop ... but when the funds are tight I can understand, the only thing I buy from wally's are my 10/22's ... no one else can touch their prices there.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Go buy a good boltgun from one of the three: Rem, Ruger or Win. Used or new, whatever your wallet can take. Just make sure you pick one in 30/06. If you have any change leftover, purchase some modest handloading equip(used stuff - bargains galore) and work up some decent handloads. Practice shooting your 30/06 and you are there. End of story, MtnHtr

Check out your local pawn shops. I have several rifles but the most accurate and lowest priced hunting rifle I have is a Savage 110 in .270 Win. which I bought in a pawnshop for $235.00. In my area almost all of the pawn shops have Savage 110s. Most have a decent scope on them. Even though they are not as pretty as Winchesters/Rugers/Remingtons they will hold their own with any brand as far as accuracy is concerned. I replaced the stock on mine with a pepper laminate from Boyd's and it really looks nice. I don't mind the barrel nut at all. Another reason they are so accurate is that the bolt head is pinned on and has enough lateral play in it to do the same thing as having the lugs lapped. They are usually one super accurate rifle. Buy the way, if the pawn shop owner asks $275.00 tell him you will give no more than $225.00. He probably has $100.00 in it and will usually take any reasonable offer. Thanks...

Well all, I stopped at wallyworld today and talked to one of the guys in the sporting goods department. He was somewhat nosy about why I wanted a 7-08, murmured under his breath something about a 7mm mag or a .338 mag <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> but anyways...

They would have to order the savage for me, and the final price for one of their SS/synthetic models ended up at about $500... seemed high. Even their other "normal" wood/blued models are too much at the moment, at least from wally's, with the exception of a .243 that was marked $374. Hmmm...
Mtn Hunter, I will keep the 30-06 in mind, but having never had a centerfire rifle before, I would opt for a .308 because of the, albeit small, difference in recoil. I also asked about the Ruger mk 2, $500 as well. They don't stock much stuff.

I am planning on checking out all the local pawnshops, as well as the Galyans and perhaps another gunshop or two, in the area this tuesday.

Thanks for everyone's help.
Doren

WOW ... that's an expensive wally-world!!

I have found several pawn shops down here with used savages around $300 or less. A 7 RM wouldn't be a bad choice, and for a one rifle battery I think would be a great choice ... better than either the .270 or 30-06. Not that there is anything wrong with either of those catridges ... cause there ain't! Just a personal preference.

Good Luck at the local pawn shops ... Don't be afraid to haggle at those places.