A friend of mine at work wants to sell me one in .338 win. mag.. Has Leupold quick release base and rings. Factory adj. trigger. A Tasco world class plus scope 3x-9x40. Rifle is in mint cond.. Thought I'd ask you experts, what it's worth?

How old is the gun? Why is he selling it? I'd shoot it several times before I bought it and ask him why he's selling it... Not saying that there is something wrong with the gun, but maybe he's selling it for some usage reason which may end up being the same reason why you'd want to sell it. Also, a .338 is a big bullet, what will you be hunting with it? Do you need that much knock down power? Are those bullets easy to get in your area? That gun is pretty short and light, with a big bullet like that the sucker is going to kick, do you want a gun with that much recoil? Just a few questions to think about before you commit..

Savage makes a good gun but is normally a cheaper gun than what you'll pay for a good browning or winchester.. With that being said the Safari 116SE's are a pretty nice gun for the money.. You can get one brand spankin new for around 800 $$ depending on where you're buying it from. I don't think .338 is a standard size for that gun, so maybe that'll make the price a little higher... The Tasco scopes are great scopes but also are not the most expensive ones out there.. I'd say the whole gun/scope/mounts brand new would cost around $1000-$1100. So base your price according to that..

Savage has really been putting some thought into this safari series and have put out a damn nice gun. It's light and they've put some new concepts into play with this gun. I think they're trying to break out of their current mold of offering the lowest cost gun and making a good quality rifle.

I have a Savage FSK116 in 30-06 with a Leupold 3x9 on Leupold mounts and rings. I'm happy with it. Had an old master gunsmith do some work on my piece. I had to shoot 500 rounds before he would work on it. Took a few weekends at the range for me.The guy at my work is more into military rifles. He wants $650. I figure he got it for a steal and wants to turn it for a few $$$ profit.The rifle is about 2 years old. I haven't shot it yet. I have 2 guys at work that do reloading. Have a co-worker that goes Elk and Moose hunting at his familys ranch out west. He's always inviting me. CS thanks for your reply.

No problem, if he only wants 650 for it and it's in good condition that is a steal. I hope it serves you well and you pop a big moose or elk with it. It being light, it'll help out if you're stalking or walking long distances. I did a hunt up in Pennsylvania last year and they do "Drives" so it means lots of walking and pushing deer and a light gun is important.. I'm sure that .338 will reach out and touch something on those shots out west. Good luck with the hunt if you get to go, I'm jealous!

Great rifle to take to Africa or to target Moose.
Good price also.

Looks like I have to pass on the rifle. I'm a lefty. Told him, I was a lefty and he forgot. The rifle is for a right hander. Can my 30-06 work for moose and elk? I think it'll push up to a 220 gr. bullet in Nosler partition. Most game hunting books quote, my 06 will take out elk and moose. I use custom loaded130 gr. Nolser Ballastic tips for whitetail in Mich.. Mainly neck and head shots on does. Neck or heart and lung shots on bucks. I see the same damage as 150-160 gr. round nose lead in 30-06 that my brother-in-law uses. We do our own butchering at the farm. He has a few friends that he lets hunt. I can bring 1 guest. So, I get to see 30-30,308,270,243,30-06, and a British Enfield (cal.?) damage to bone, heart and lungs. Also, various types bullets and grains. I've learned alot from doing my own butchering about how important shot placement is. Just like in spearing.

Looks like I have to pass on the rifle. I'm a lefty. Told him, I was a lefty and he forgot. The rifle is for a right hander. Can my 30-06 work for moose and elk? I think it'll push up to a 220 gr. bullet in Nosler partition. Most game hunting books quote, my 06 will take out elk and moose. I use custom loaded130 gr. Nolser Ballastic tips for whitetail in Mich.. Mainly neck and head shots on does. Neck or heart and lung shots on bucks. I see the same damage as 150-160 gr. round nose lead in 30-06 that my brother-in-law uses. We do our own butchering at the farm. He has a few friends that he lets hunt. I can bring 1 guest. So, I get to see 30-30,308,270,243,30-06, and a British Enfield (cal.?) damage to bone, heart and lungs. Also, various types bullets and grains. I've learned alot from doing my own butchering about how important shot placement is. Just like in spearing.

Your 30-06 will work fine.. Use a heavier grain bullet and shoot for the vitals just as you're talking about... If you use those core loct bullets from Remington they expand upon hitting and make a big hole, which might be useful. A lot of folks use .300 magnums and .308's for hunting big game and .30-06 has pretty much the same lead size, the difference is minimal. I'd shoot no less than 180 grain bullets and you'll be good to go. Especially if you're taking LONG shots the .30-06 might work out better for you in the end anyways.. If someone can take an elk with a bow, your gun will plow them over.. You might have to track them a little ways but they'll leave a good blood trail for ya.. Hell, hit them in the neck or the heart like you aim for and they're toast, probably will drop on the spot.

IMO once you're above a .270 caliber, hunting American Game, it's more about shot placement than bullet size (unless you're lion or bear hunting which you'd want a hell of a bullet to kill them instantly so they won't fight.. or you're a military sniper making 1000 yd shots with a 50 cal).. I used to think that the .30-06 was more powerful than a .270 and in fact it has more knockdown power up to 150 yds.. After that the .270 has more knockdown power farther than 150 yds even with a smaller grain bullet.. If you're making long shots sometimes the ballistics on a smaller caliber weapon will inflict the most damage.. I'll have to take a look at a ballistics mag for the bullets and see how the 30-06 matches up to .338 over 150 yds and I'll get back with you on it!

CS, thanks for all the info. The thing about heart and lung shots. You don't always get a immediate blood trail. A little puff of fur on the ground. Sometimes, it's been 100' or better to find a few drops. Then, a good blood trail for 20'-30'. Next, a dead deer. Finally, start gutting and here comes the river of hot blood. Bled 90 percent inside. Tracking for me is a bigger rush than droping one on the spot. Hard to track in the rain, no snow and only a droplet here and there. But, when you almost walk on top of that buck laying dead. That's a RUSH!!!! I'll check a few ballastic and big game hunting books at home too. I think my brother in law took a .458 for polar bear hunting in Alaska. I had on a t-shirt and light wind breaker at the range and shot it 3 times. Then, put it down. I picked up his 30-06 with 150 gr. bullets and felt like shooting a .22cal.. Lions,rhino,cape buffalo,etc.. I'd be using a 500 nitro express that shoots bullets the size of hot dogs!!!!!!!
Then, hoping I didn't dislocate my shoulder. How far is Jasper from St. Pete.?

A .458 is a hell of a load, I've never shot one but I can imagine it'd put a whoopin on your shoulder though!

It's about 3 1/2 hours from St. Pete.. I agree with ya on the big bullet for predator hunting, I'd make sure that sucker is laying on the ground with one shot.. There was a video of a lion hunt in Africa that almost went terribly wrong, I'll find it and post it!

It's the same difference between shooting a .300 magnum and then picking up a .270, it puts things into perspective for you.. lol.. On the other hand, my cousin has a little Remington Model 7 .308 that'll knock you on your @$$ (not literally but it kicks like a mule) but doesn't necessarily have more knockdown than my Dad's .30-06 which barely kicks. Those light guns with a high grain load kick like a mule! Try shooting one of those $90 single shot 20 or 12 gauge guns at Wal-Mart, those things pack a punch! I used to refuse to shoot my cousin's little 20 gauge, when I was young, because it'd hurt me worse than shooting a rifle or even a pump 10 gauge.

I'd definately shoot a .270 or a 30-06 if I went hunting out West and not worry about it... I'd keep a .44 or .50 cal pistol if I were in Grizzly country though, just for emergencies!

Here we go, here's when you're wishing you had the .50 Cal...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFd8WEGUfjk

Tasco scopes are not known as a good quality scope, I doubt it will last long on a .338 Winchester Magnum.

Safari rifles typically do not have scopes on them and if they do, they are usually a low powered scope, like 2 or 3 power (the higher the power, the less field of view you will have).


The 3x9 is a bad idea on a safari rifle where you may have to take a running shot at a dangerous animal, but most people that buy safari rifles, will never hunt with them anyway.

Tasco scopes are not known as a good quality scope, I doubt it will last long on a .338 Winchester Magnum.

Safari rifles typically do not have scopes on them and if they do, they are usually a low powered scope, like 2 or 3 power (the higher the power, the less field of view you will have).


The 3x9 is a bad idea on a safari rifle where you may have to take a running shot at a dangerous animal, but most people that buy safari rifles, will never hunt with them anyway.

Bret, I don't think he was planning on using it safari hunting. That was just the rifle model. I believe he said something about moose/elk.

Cherokee, I have a Winchester Model 70 in the 7mm WSM and that round will knock your shoulder off. The 7mm is a lot smaller than the 30-06. I can't wait to get out and use it, just haven't had the time. When my friend comes down for the Thanksgiving break we'll take it out coyote hunting.

Cherokee, I have a Winchester Model 70 in the 7mm WSM and that round will knock your shoulder off. The 7mm is a lot smaller than the 30-06. I can't wait to get out and use it, just haven't had the time. When my friend comes down for the Thanksgiving break we'll take it out coyote hunting.

LoL, there are some guns known for doing that. Particularly the shorter and lighter models like, or similar to, the Remington Model 7. They sound like canons and kick like one too, well, every one I've shot has.. I have a Mossberg that shoots 3 1/2 inch magnum shells and doesn't really kick at all.. Then one time we were doing some hog hunting in the swamps and I wanted to shoot some slugs out of the gun... Needless to say the slugs will put you on your ass, while buckshot or bird shot hardly kicks.. It's weird!

30-06 will work fine for moose. I shot mine with 06 at 150yds in the lungs and it froze him till the third shot to the neck put him down. My dad shot his @ over 300 yds(before rangefinders) with 180 fail safes and the second shot put him down.

"and a British Enfield (cal.?) "

.303 I've one that I use for deer hunting. WWII sniper model with the flip up sites. Shoots great and I don't have to worry about it getting banged up. :D

LoL, there are some guns known for doing that. Particularly the shorter and lighter models like, or similar to, the Remington Model 7. They sound like canons and kick like one too, well, every one I've shot has.. I have a Mossberg that shoots 3 1/2 inch magnum shells and doesn't really kick at all.. Then one time we were doing some hog hunting in the swamps and I wanted to shoot some slugs out of the gun... Needless to say the slugs will put you on your ass, while buckshot or bird shot hardly kicks.. It's weird!

From my experience, any .12 gauge slug kicks like a mule. We'll go out and burn a few rounds just for fun every now and then.