This is a newly purchased gun. It is brand new and my first time ever shooting a .308. Finding a .308 with iron sights is difficult. Not many choices out there. I’d looked at some, but none struck my fancy till I saw the Hog Hunter. I did not hesitate to buy one. I will be putting a scope on it, but recoil along with the arthritis in my neck and shoulder tells me a muzzle break should come first. I want to see how a muzzle break will work before I buy a scope. If the extra noise from the report with a muzzle break is still too much to cure me of flinching, then putting a scope on this gun may not work for me. The only problem I had was that sometimes the bolt would not come back far enough to pick up the next round in the magazine. My flinching was clearly visible then, and was Olympic in size. The ammo I used in this video was all from Freedom Munitions and was remanufactured ammo. 147 grain FMJ and 168 grain A-Max rounds were used in this video. I won’t be trying for groups or buying some match ammo until I have a muzzle brake and a scope on it.
UPDATE: The first thing I did with this gun was to put a Bell & Carlson Varmint/Medalist stock on it. Shortly afterwards, I put a Nikon M 308 4-16 scope on it. The extra weight of the scope and stock took the gun from 7 ½ pounds to 12 pounds and it soaked up a lot of the recoil. Enough so that I will Not be putting a muzzle brake on this rifle. To see what the gun looks like now, see my “I Want the Huber Concepts Square Brake” video. Also, I now reload for this rifle.
Note to readers: Please click the share buttons above or below. Forward this article to your email lists. Crosspost on your blog site, social media, internet forums. etc.
Thank you for your very transparent and even-tempered review. It was a pleasure watching you introduce us and yourself to your nice new rifle. I have a hardwood Axis XP in .308 (includes a basic Weaver Kaspa 3-9×40 scope), no Accutrigger and in long action to reduce manufacturing costs. I have not fired it, yet, so I am relieved to know not to be disgusted if I experience any ftf’s with my ‘economy’ gun. Be Blessed and stay safe. Grace and Peace 😊
Damn good shot, you and hickok45 are about equal with shot placement.
Very good overview and very helpful too.
I'm thinking of getting one of these too. It's a trade off of light weight easy to carry rifle vs more recoil. Did you get a brake? Did it help?
Hornady lite reduced recoil loads will reduce recoil to .243 levels.
Rub Vaseline into any joints that have arthritis. You will notice a huge difference in no time. Do it twice a day if possible. After a week it'll be a thing of the past.
Just got mine in the mail. only one problem, no iron sights!? Sent it back and getting a refund.
I got this gun last year. Turns out it’s shooting 1 inch groups at 200 yards with factory federal trophy bonded tip as long as I do my part. One of those guns that I’m never going to sell. Ever.
That’s with a detachable Lupold VX 2 3-9 x40
I'll bet everyone flinches the first time they shoot an unknown, larger bore rifle. Double that for preexisting pain conditions. It takes time to learn your firearms, but only seconds to criticize. Any responsible American gun owner using their right to keep and bear arms is a good thing.
Let's all just bitch and complain about his shot anticipation…..meanwhile how many videos have you guys put out? Thats what I thought. Shut your pie holes until such time as your armchair quarterbacking is needed.
Good video brother. Appreciate it.
new video??
Excellent Review! Congratulations from Brazil. 😉
Go to website beartooth bullets
And discover barrel lapping,,,
I am interested in this firearm. I only purchase weapons with iron sights. I have seen some other reviews where shells get stuck on the right-hand side when loading and it's a pain to remove. I like the compact design and the stock seems to be lightweight. What do you think after using it for some time?
Just found you channel sir an like it thus far but im speaking ti tye choir when i say dont anticipate that shot, but how ever i do.envy you id loveee to have this rifle seems like a great tool from what i have read an videos iv seen.
I like the iron sights on it. Can it be tapped for a high or side scope?
You can add weight to the cheap plastic stock using caulking and BBs, to help with the recoil !!!
You can get a 10 round magazine from Dark eagle,
And get rid of the synthetic stock.
Savage has some really sorry synthetic stocks,
Try Boyd's stocks.
I recommend a At-One stock, for the money they are pretty good.
With that synthetic stock your not going to do real well.
After you get a stock from boyd's you need to bed it.
If you own a Savage Hog Hunter in .308? Trust me, try Remington 150 grain Core-lokt bullets.
Dang that was quite the fireball lol
Looks like my ruger ranch 308. Tidewater Va
7.25 lbs. I wonder how the recoil is like if it's 10lbs?
I need one. I don't like scopes I try to stay old-school
holy flinch
try a rear peep and a muzzle brake if u need it, mine shot cloverleafs off the bench with 180 grain win pp and irons. When I put a brake on the groups opened up, the rear peep really helped tho for my old eyes. A little practice too with a new gun helps. Cheers!!
I would look for a .308 Hog Hunter in LH bolt. I spend a good amount of time at the rifle range shooting my own reloads. I find the more I shoot and practice my accuracy gets better. You have to spend time at the range. Also, I wish the Hog Hunter had a detachable magazine.
The 2018's now have detachable magazines and a better stock!
Very nice too see that you been waiting like 10 seconds after a failure.
Not bad shooting for a new rifle. You need some shooting time is all. As far as a muzzle break on a 308,,, you might just need to stick to a 22 cricket 😂
How has this rifle treated you since this video? I'm looking to buy one. Thanks.
Poor feeding right off the bat, no thanks. I don't know if he is a good shooter, but the accuracy isn't great. The Weatherby vanguard with synthetic stock had similar issues early on. Flexible plastic touching the barrel and having was not rigid enough for the action.
good video, is the rifle malfunctioning? or are you just not cycling it properly? Thanks
I have 4 savages, from 150$ to 800$, all are very accurate & all their mags suck. @ 50 yards I get 1 inch grouping with rimfire, with axis is under 1 MOA @100 yeards… Accuracy is as good as all the rifles which are double the price !
that thing will blow you leg off
The sights are adjustable.
This guy seems cool. I like it.
I've settled on this one due to the iron sights. plus I've always had good luck with Savage. good review. the sights seem reminiscent of remington viper sights. easy aquisiition and accurate.
At what range was it sighted in?
Wipe the bolt down with Ballistol or Rem oil man looks real dry.
Anticipating and jerking the shot.
Love your reviews. Honest, stand-up stuff. Thank you.
Very good honest review. I have been wanting one of these in .223 for a while now.
I done the same thing with my Savage 111 in 300 win mag. I had the moose in my scope and did not draw the bolt back far enough. I never chambered a round because my friend was walking ahead of me, I never trust any safety.. Nice rifle you have there, good video.