Thoughts on Savage Hog Hunter

[Jay Kelley]

I'm planning to retire an elderly .30-30 that was given to me by my stepfather the year he died. It has been in a rack behind the seat of a pickup for many years, has been my go-to gun for varmints, hogs and even a couple of deer hunts. I think it's time for it to sit on the mantle before anything happens.

As I consider it's replacement, it must have iron sights, be of a reasonable caliber not only for varmints, but wild hogs as well. I'm also not sure I like the idea of a detachable magazine, nor am I particularly fond of the AR Style of firearm.

I'm considering several possibilities and one I really like is the Savage 11 Hog Hunter in .308, but I don't know anyone who has one to try out. I was wondering if anyone had one and what they thought?

 

[LivingTheDream]

I looked into the hog hunter in 308 and came pretty close to ordering one. I did quite a bit of research and for the price it seemed like it was a hell of a gun. That being said, I still don't own one so I can't get you first hand feedback. Hopefully someone here owns one and can give first hand feedback.

 

[Rob404]

I own quite a few Savages in different calibers,I find them sturdy but not Fancy and extremely accurate beyond their price point

 

[35bore]

I think you would find the savage scout rifle perfect for your intended use. Fantastic little buggers.

That being said, just my thoughts here, maybe try to find used (and again ) perfect rifle for your intended use, savage 99 in 308, 30-30, etc.

 

[Rob404]

I think you would find the savage scout rifle perfect for your intended use. Fantastic little buggers.

That being said, just my thoughts here, maybe try to find used (and again ) perfect rifle for your intended use, savage 99 in 308, 30-30, etc.

Iv'e been watching the local auctions and a 99 in nice condition can run in the 5-800 range

 

[Velo Dog]

I'm planning to retire an elderly .30-30 that was given to me by my stepfather the year he died. It has been in a rack behind the seat of a pickup for many years, has been my go-to gun for varmints, hogs and even a couple of deer hunts. I think it's time for it to sit on the mantle before anything happens.

As I consider it's replacement, it must have iron sights, be of a reasonable caliber not only for varmints, but wild hogs as well. I'm also not sure I like the idea of a detachable magazine, nor am I particularly fond of the AR Style of firearm.

I'm considering several possibilities and one I really like is the Savage 11 Hog Hunter in .308, but I don't know anyone who has one to try out. I was wondering if anyone had one and what they thought?

Your description pretty much fits an M-1 Garand to the last detail.

 

[Sand Rat]

Stick with a lever 3030 and use the Hornady ammo http://www.hornady.com/store/30-30-Win-160-gr-FTX-LEVERevolution/ for what you need with open sights your second shot will be faster than a new bolt action. I swear by this round. It's dead on out to 200 yards, I still hunt some with my 3030 bolt action dad bought for me in 1970 and have taken deer @ 220 yards dead in there tracks using the mentioned ammo with the original 4x Redfield scope. Best to stick with what your used to.

 

[Jay Kelley]

Your description pretty much fits an M-1 Garand to the last detail.

Might be a little expensive, but I do like the .30-06 cartridge

 

[Jay Kelley]

Stick with a lever 3030 and use the Hornady ammo http://www.hornady.com/store/30-30-Win-160-gr-FTX-LEVERevolution/ for what you need with open sights your second shot will be faster than a new bolt action. I swear by this round. It's dead on out to 200 yards, I still hunt some with my 3030 bolt action dad bought for me in 1970 and have taken deer @ 220 yards dead in there tracks using the mentioned ammo with the original 4x Redfield scope. Best to stick with what your used to.

I'm considering that - although the LeverRevolution cartridges don't hold up well when in a tube magazine for extended periods. This gun sits in a rack behind the seat of my truck sometimes for months at a time without being even thought about. Then it may get used several times a day for several days. I've had pumps, autos, levers and bolts. Finally settled mostly on bolt guns, but I do like my lever gun - maybe another, less expensive .30-30 to replace the family heirloom...

 

[Jay Kelley]

I think you would find the savage scout rifle perfect for your intended use. Fantastic little buggers.

That being said, just my thoughts here, maybe try to find used (and again ) perfect rifle for your intended use, savage 99 in 308, 30-30, etc.

Had not even thought of that! I love the Savage 99. Might have to start checking around (and looking on gunbroker!)

 

[Sand Rat]

I'm considering that - although the LeverRevolution cartridges don't hold up well when in a tube magazine for extended periods. This gun sits in a rack behind the seat of my truck sometimes for months at a time without being even thought about. Then it may get used several times a day for several days. I've had pumps, autos, levers and bolts. Finally settled mostly on bolt guns, but I do like my lever gun - maybe another, less expensive .30-30 to replace the family heirloom...

Never thought about the polymer tips distorting, I've always shot them out of my savage made (foremost) bolt gun but would see where that would be a problem on the tube magazine.

 

[shuter]

Solid rifle. I dislike blind-magazine bolt rifles, however. Don't know why they can't put a floorplate on them. Cost cutting measure, I'm sure. The Ruger American in .308 might work in the inexpensive bolt gun category, but no iron sights. I picked one up in .223 (Ranch with 16" threaded barrel), and first 5 shots went into .68" at 100 yards. Decent, solid little rifle, especially for the price.

 

[Velo Dog]

Had not even thought of that! I love the Savage 99. Might have to start checking around (and looking on gunbroker!)

www.gunsinternational.com

 

[Rob404]

Best Hogs or Varmitt at 100yds , 44mag Ruger Carbine either in Semi-auto or lever action. small,lightweight throws a 240gr bullet at 1750 fps with my handholds

 

[tarbe]

How about a Ruger **NOT**PERMITTED** Scout in .308? Iron sights, threaded barrel for that supressor you know you want.

Does have a detachable mag (which I am ok with...been using them for nearly 40 years).

Ruger American Rifle is a good little gun for the money, too. Also has that pesky detachable mag! Just bought one after dinner tonight, in .308 for my wife. The 1 - 4x Nikon African looks just right on it!

 

[AZDAVE]

Have several savages, good rifles, everyone I have had shoots well and kinda of a no frills girl next door kind of rifle. I had a early hog hunter in 338WM like it but it went down the road to be replace by a Alaskan Brush hunter in 375 Ruger It shoots great. I also had a model 110 rebarreled into 9.3x62 (my favorite mid bore) Shot a friends **NOT**PERMITTED** ruger and it was a nice handling package, think it would be great in a 338 Federal. Hope you track down a suitable replacement for your 30/30

 

[MS Hitman]

The only Savage I have is in .17HMR, but the Savages I have shot have all been good firearms.

Have you looked at any of the Ruger Americans. Those are some well made rifles.

 

[Shootist43]

I've taken a number of nice hogs using different types of rifles and calibers. I enjoy going old fashioned i.e. a lever gun with peep sights in 35 Remington for shots out to 75 yards. When setting up for longer distances my old eyes prefer using a scoped rifle, either a bolt action or a semi-auto. I recently purchased a used Remington 742 with a cheap Brand name scope for $400.00. It is a great "Hog Gun." On my last hog hunt I wanted to get a little more trigger time with the guns I'm taking to Africa for a PG hunt. My 120 year old 6.5 X 55 Swedish Mauser and my 75 year old sporterized Remington 03-A3 in 35 Whelen performed admirably. As long as you can shoot them accurately I don't believe there are any bad "Hog Guns." I have a Savage 99 in 308, I think it would be a great rifle for hogs, but so far I've just used it on deer. Maybe next year!!

 

[colorado]

Since you like your 30-30 (as do we!), I'd recommend a BLR in 30-06 or 358 Win Mag. They seem like perfect hog medicine in basically the same form factor as your 30-30.

http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/blr/current-production.html

 

[ChrisG]

I owned a Savage hog hunter a couple years back in .338 Win Mag, which I see they are no longer chambering them in. Mechanically, they were sound and it shot fairly well but my goodness it was ugly. It also has the blind magazine, which someone else stated and it was incredibly muzzle heavy because the tupperware stock on it was mostly hollow. It had a floorplate impression molded into the bottom of the stock which I thought was kind of stupid, but I hate things that are fake and made to look like their more expesive counterparts. Craftsmanship was mechanically good but cheap. Finish was just bead blasted so they don't have to worry about inconsistensies in the metal and then it was blued. I loved the .338 Win Mag and even out of that rifle it wasn't too bad but the muzzle blast was atrocious from that little short barrel. Also, the oversized bolt handle was unnecessary, and occasionally would smash my trigger hand off the bench. probably wouldn't matter on a lighter caliber. I ended up trading it in for a nice leupold VX-III. I think I got the better end of that deal.

To me... It is a solution looking for a problem, but if you are just looking for a shooter, it will fill that niche. Best of luck!