Savage or Winchester

Which 338 Win Mag

  • Winchester Supergrade

    Votes: 22 75.9%
  • Savage 11/110 Storm

    Votes: 7 24.1%

  • Total voters
    29

TNDave

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Looking at obtaining the venerable 338 Win Mag as I have a 264, 300 and 458 and am wanting to fill the gap. My dilemma is I have found a Savage 10/110 Storm with 24” barrel and a Winchester Super Grade with 26” barrel, both are new and at reasonable prices in today’s market.

I love and am a sucker for the classic Winchester look and feel of blued steel and walnut, while the Savage is stainless with composite stock.

Question is, is the Winchester worth $400-$500 more in price break and taste versus performance? With all said above, I don’t need either one, just don’t have a 338 to fill the gap.
 
Do you already hunt with a savage or would this be your first? I’ve only borrowed savages, but it’s one of the few rifles I seem to always have an issue reloading for the second shot. I like Winchester model 70s.
 
I have a M70 in 338 I'd sell that I just took in trade.

I have dies, brass, and bullets.

It is a G-Series controlled round feed with a synthetic stock. I have yet to shoot it.

$850 with a mountain of bullets, about 60 plus rounds of primed sized brass shipped.
 
Dont the savage only come with a stainless steel receiver, plastic stock as a lightweight rifle ?
I would take the winchester!
 
Pros of the 70 is beauty and legacy. Cons are the weight (8.5lbs) and I dont think very highly of the safety nowadays unless they improved it the last couple years (mushy and gritty).

As to the Savage: I bought the Storm in 338 win mag around Christmas time. I have yet to shoot it and have spent about 3 months trying to lighten it. I believe it weighed around 7.7 pounds bare rifle --- and 9.25 with my scope. I just can't carry that kind of weight anymore due to a shoulder injury so its not a true knock on the rifle. I replaced all the bottom metal with Savage plastic and I am currently down to 8.75 pounds which includes a 18 ounce scope (thinking about swapping the scope for a lighter one).

Pros are the accufit accustock is a good system with a bedding block. They replaced the cheap Axis magazine with a really good magazine in the Storm. And of course the safety is conveniently at the tang.

Cons are its a black/gray stock; not pretty wood. Savages long actions are notorious for needing an extended base or 1 piece to get proper eye relief (not a big deal and I just plan on it). The bolt handle could need to be swapped out if it bloodies your knuckles on the scope (easy $60 fix and I have done that with one of my other savages). The 338 and 375 uses a heavy sporter barrel which adds weight - good and bad I suppose. You will be between 9-9.25 pounds with scope.

Imo the Savage is a hell of a rifle for the price. 9ish pounds ready to go is heavy enough to mitigate recoil and a healthy individual can carry it fairly comfortably with minimal other gear. With the winchester you are looking at least 10 pounds. Seems excessive. My vote is Savage.
 
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The price difference is really reflective of the details put into the rifles. I have a new production Winchester (made in Portugal) and the action is butter smooth. The wood stock alone is justified in the +$400 difference. Now I'll be honest: I do own two Savage rifles and hands down, they SHOOT. I consistently get 3/4 MOA or better out of both.
 
I heart my Ruger m77 Mk II in .338, it is the last rifle I would part with. I call it my "business rifle" from the time I carried it guiding. Cut the barrel to 20", opened the bolt face for CRF, kept the same extractor so you can push feed if empty and bead blasted to a dull medium gray finish.
I would feel as comfortable with this rifle as any facing any living creature on this planet.
Except crawling into an alder patch after a grizzly. Then I druther have my Marlin .45-70.
I have heard people I respect heap praise on the Savage bolt guns. But personally, I'd find a Ruger.
 
Regarding price, the Savage is much more likely to be on sale more often - every fall/Christmas its going to be a couple hundred off at big box retailers plus rebate. I dont see Super Grades on sale very often. I think it takes the $500 spread and opens that up closer to $700
 
Thanks for the replies so far. I have one Savage which is a heavy barrel model 12FV that is a tack driver in 308 but definitely not one I’d lug on a hunt. I have and have had several Rugers and really like them. Actually found a few that I considered but they went for crazy expensive prices that I’m not willing to pay for a used gun.

I personally really like Winchester 70’s aesthetics and wish I had more. I’ve heard great things about the Savage and personally have friends that love them and would rather shoot than their Winchesters.

So far Winchester is leading about 10:1 so keep it coming guys!
 
Truthfully, you are not asking us to compare apples to apples.

The Win M70 Super Grade sells for ~$1400 new, while the Savage 110 is ~$900. Let's call it about $500 of difference. The M70 is a 50% upcharge from the 110, I certainly hope there is a big difference between the two beyond the price. And of course there is. CRF/PF, wood/synthetic...the list goes on and on but those are the big ones.

These rifles are not in the same class and will not vote because of it. It's not even close to a fair comparison.
 
I don't know? I've always wanted a .25-06. I found a number of boxes of ammo for $20/box and have reloading dies from a former neighbor. I've recently been looking at both the Savage Axis and Mossberg Patriot. The Mossberg has a fluted barrel and bolt and both have very smooth actions. I don't want to spend bunch for a pronghorn/varmint/fun gun.
 
Truthfully, you are not asking us to compare apples to apples.

The Win M70 Super Grade sells for ~$1400 new, while the Savage 110 is ~$900. Let's call it about $500 of difference. The M70 is a 50% upcharge from the 110, I certainly hope there is a big difference between the two beyond the price. And of course there is. CRF/PF, wood/synthetic...the list goes on and on but those are the big ones.

These rifles are not in the same class and will not vote because of it. It's not even close to a fair comparison.
+1.
 
Very different guns and your decision but I will list a few points I hope may help.

USA Made - The Savage is made in the USA. The Winchester is made in Portugal. After recently seeing Winchester firearms made in Turkey, I see nothing about Winchester that is related to legacy other than name.

Accuracy - Those Savages are known to have consistent excellent accuracy. I see no such reports on the WInchesters.

Looks - Winchester is a visually striking classic wood and blued steel rifle. The Savage is just a practical more weather resistant composite and stainless steel rifle.

Score?
If you want great classic looks and a historical previously American name engraved on it, get the Winchester.
If you want an American made rifle that is much more likely to shoot more accurately and hold up to the weather better, get the Savage.
 
Not to stray off topic, but with your current lineup you might find a 375 hh/ruger more versatile if you hunt DG. It still fits between your 300 and 458
I have a 375 Ruger and Custom 35 Whelen and love them both. Based on my original post I’m looking at a Winchester and Savage 338 WM and I fully agree with @BeeMaa and @CoElkHunter that the two don’t really compare as apples to apples. I guess what I’m trying to justify/decide is difference between a $900 and $1,300 purchase.

I’d say if I go with the Winchester, I’ll be carrying 2 of them in a couple of years on my retirement Safari!
 
I have both Winchester and Savage. Both shoot great but the Win 70 is so much smoother and fits me much better. There is just that special something about Winchesters, regardless of where they are made or assembled that sets them apart from all others.
 

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