LoessHillsArcher
PMA Member
Ya we took a look at them at the Classic and a black nylon stock with a stainless steel barrel is 800 and I can't remember what it was for camo but I thought that was enough for that gun, still an amazing gun!!! That new breach plug is sweet, talk about a time saver!!
JNRBRONC
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I have to admit it appears at times that I am a spokesman for Savage. To be critical of the gun, it does seem to be heavy. I guess they felt the need to make the barrels extra stout to withstand smokeless punishment, can't fault them for that. Then, everyone complains about the cheap plastic stocks that Savage puts on them at the factory. If I were to buy now, with what I know, I would go with the laminate stock, stainless barrel.
I don't think the Savage has a lock on accuracy or speed. Lot's of folks are loading three 777 or pyrodex pellets and getting tons of speed. I've read of great 100 yard groups out of TC and Knights. What more does the average guy really need? I'm not looking at 200 yard shots. So really, what it all boiled down to for me was the hassle of not having to clean the gun as much and the ability to have a range session of 20+ shots without having to clean because a person couldn't push the bullet down a fouled barrel. I shot a landowner doe early muzzle season last year and then finally cleaned the gun after my landowner late antlerless only deer mid January. Are you going to do that with non-smokeless? Okay, maybe I'm lazy.
My hat is off to TC for offering a thumbhole stock. I wish Savage wasn't so rigid. I've been tempted to order a custom thumbhole stock but always come back to the realization that my mz is simply a hunting tool, and for me the stock would be more cosmetic than adding much functionallity. So now I'm practical (and lazy).
I don't think the Savage has a lock on accuracy or speed. Lot's of folks are loading three 777 or pyrodex pellets and getting tons of speed. I've read of great 100 yard groups out of TC and Knights. What more does the average guy really need? I'm not looking at 200 yard shots. So really, what it all boiled down to for me was the hassle of not having to clean the gun as much and the ability to have a range session of 20+ shots without having to clean because a person couldn't push the bullet down a fouled barrel. I shot a landowner doe early muzzle season last year and then finally cleaned the gun after my landowner late antlerless only deer mid January. Are you going to do that with non-smokeless? Okay, maybe I'm lazy.
My hat is off to TC for offering a thumbhole stock. I wish Savage wasn't so rigid. I've been tempted to order a custom thumbhole stock but always come back to the realization that my mz is simply a hunting tool, and for me the stock would be more cosmetic than adding much functionallity. So now I'm practical (and lazy).
I dont feel like I really HAVE to clean the TC every shot, but I think that kind of consistency is important with non-smokeless. After all, the first shot in the field will be with a clean gun. I does get hard to load after about 3 shots if I dont clean. I do wish TC had a smokeless version, I am not a traditionalist anyway. The thumbhole stock on that Pro Hunter felt really nice, and they have added some other goodies, but maybe not an extra $250 worth.
So your lazy and I'm cheap.
So your lazy and I'm cheap.