Shooting style and taste can vary from each person, so there are often contradicting opinions about particular products.
It would be best not to jump to conclusions until you have a clear understanding of the gun yourself.
In the bolt-action centerfire rifle category, the Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP is well received by many customers.
Coming in at an affordable price tag, this rifle is one of the BEST choices available for a deer hunt and other game hunting.
In case you want to consider this rifle for your next hunting trip, take a look at my detailed Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP review.
Contents
Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP Review: Overview
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Specifications:
- Caliber: Numerous (18 choices available: 204 Ruger, 223 Remington, 308 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield, …)
- Stock: Synthetic stock
- Barrel: Carbon Steel
- Finish: Matte
- Sight: Nikon 3-9x40mm riflescope factory mounted
- Trigger: Accu Trigger
- Magazine: Detachable box magazine
- Capacity: 2, 3, and 4 (Depends on the Savage model)
- Handedness: Left and right. (Depends on the Savage model)
- Rate of Twist: 8, 9, 9.25, 9.5, 10, and 12 (Depends on the Savage model)
- Weight: 7.25, 7.5, 8, and 8.25 lbs (Depends on the Savage model)
- Barrel Length: 22 and 24 inches (Depends on the Savage model)
- Total Length: 41.5, 42.5, 43.5, and 44.5 inches (Depends on the Savage model)
Based on the specifications, I hope it’s clear that the Savage Arms 11 Trophy Hunter XP can easily meet different needs and requirements.
No matter what the intended game is, there is always a Trophy Hunter XP model for it.
This budget hunting rifle is delivered to you in a ready-to-go configuration with the bore-sighted Nikon scope attached to it.
While the bolt is shipped in separate packaging, you should be able to attach it fairly simply.
The Savage 11/111 is ready for use the moment you take it out of the box!
Besides the package gun and its components, it also comes with earplugs, an owner manual, a folded target, and an NSSF safety pamphlet.
You’ll also find an Allen wrench tool and an AccuTrigger tool to adjust the scope ring along with the trigger pull.
Accuracy
Before you attempt to put some rounds through the contour barrel, I recommend you zero the scope first.
The Nikon optic is indeed pre-sighted, but the rifle’s precision will also depend on the ammo type as well.
To achieve pinpoint accuracy, you have to invest some time and effort to zero the scope properly.
Most of the time, I found the Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP to be really accurate. It also groups at 100 yards!
In a no-wind setting, the average shooter can obtain 1.5 – 2.5-inch groupings at that distance.
You might also want to check my article about How Bolt Action Rifles Work to have a better understanding of how to operate this rifle.
Magazine
The Trophy Hunter XP employs a simple yet effective box magazine with a variable capacity from 2 to 4 rounds depending on the model caliber.
It locks itself into place and reliably feeds round after round to the chamber of the rifle.
To unload the carriages, you only have to manipulate the bolt release lever on the front side of the magazine.
Hence, you don’t need to cycle the bolt in quick succession to unload the gun.
The magazine operation is quite easy to handle! You won’t find anything flying out of the magazine when you hit the bolt release lever.
Trigger
The idea behind the AccuTrigger system is to produce a custom fit trigger pull without creep or over-travel.
In the default setting, the trigger pull of the Savage M11/111 Trophy Hunter is exactly at 3 pounds with no detectable issues.
Using the included tool, you can conveniently set the trigger pull anywhere between 2 and 6 pounds.
Step-by-step instructions and photos are included in the owner’s manual, so those would be best for reference.
I’d advise reading through everything before you proceed with the trigger pull adjustment.
It’s important to note that this is a delicate process.
If you’re not very confident in your skills and patience with handling such adjustments, I’d advise having a gunsmith perform the adjustment for you.
Safety
In terms of safety, the Trophy Hunter XP uses a 3 position design: bolt and trigger lock, lock, and fire.
At the rearward position, you can neither move the trigger nor operate the bolt.
Move the safety slide to the middle position, and the bolt will be operable, but the trigger remains locked.
Push the slide all the way to the forward position to make the rifle completely functional.
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the safety features before handling this bolt action rifle.