Boyd's Heritage Stock + Athlon Ares Scope Upgrade (BUDGET Savage 30-06 rifle) 

Got a rifle that after 3-4 shots wasn't fun to continue. Took a chance on a WITT MACHINE clamp on brake and shot an entire box. Made a believer out of me.

$1,250 isn't a budget optic. You could have gone with the Arken EPL 4 for $399.99 losing 1x lower power and 2x at the upper end. The Athlon might have a higher clarity, but not much for the extra money.

Nice video! Good idea with the Boyd’s stock, however, I feel like you went in the opposite direction calling this a budget upgrade when you put a $1000 scope on. It would’ve made more sense to go with something in the $500-600 range. Just my 2 cents. Take care.

Every rifle I own gets boyds except my antiques. Love em, especially the At-One.

Looks good! Glad to see you finally making something that’s not some long range rifle. It’s fun to watch videos of little things people could do at home. Like putting a dab of epoxy on the recoil lug in that stock.

The tang on the Savage action is a good spot to reference leveling the action. The top of the tang is the same level as the raceway, so no wondering about misaligned bases or any of that while leveling things.

I put the exact stock on a RA 7mm-08. Sweet upgrade!

I like light rifles in 06 I have my mountain rifle under 8 lbs I don't hunt with any belted mags. Here in WV. There is not really much use for them most places I hunt anything over 225 or 250 would be wish in one hand and whatever you want in the other it just doesn't happen unless you are on a gass line or a big power line my favorite rifle now is a 25 WSSM I HAD A 257 ROB. Stolen and that's the closest factory rifle to the dimensions I like it's the Browning I think stalker small light and shoots like a laser no farther than I will be shooting . I really enjoy your show 👍

Lol. I just did the same thing with a Savage 116 in 7 Rem mag. I, however, was trying to keep it light for elk hunting in the mountains. I installed Houge over molded stock, Vortex Viper 6.5 x 20, and installed a Trigger Basix trigger. ( My gun was a pre accu trigger model.) Shoots great, but I really liked the Boyd's stock you used. Thanks for the video.

I agree with the boyds being a budget friendly stock, but the scope is $1200. That is not budget.

I was thinking about putting the Ares ETR on my .270 and 30.36, after watching this video I'm definitely going to.

Funny when I watch people shooting a sporter 30-06 and they often comment about the stout recoil. When I was working up loads for my custom 340 Weatherby, rem 700 action,HS precision fibreglass stock, about 9.5 pounds, 250 grain bullets at about 2950 fps, a friend asked me to sight in his 30-06 and he complained about the recoil? When I sighted in the 06 I was surprised how mild and pleasant it was to shoot lol! It’s all about perspective? After a couple hundred rounds with the 340 the 06 felt like a varmint rifle. Not kidding!

I have a Savage 116. In 270. It has the drop magazine. Love the video

its such a sleek looking rifle and then there's the bulky rings and the chunky 34mm scope , for a hunting rifle would rather have the silver scope 3x9 and keep the wider field of view and keep the above center line weight down instead of the heavier "tactical" exposed turrets unless your packing out for mountain range deer hunting at 700yds or so

Love the upgrade. I have done the same for many of my rifles except I bed them. I really like the Ares scope.

Years ago I did something similar with a big box retailer Remington 700 ADL package gun. Although, I used a H&S Precision stock and an old Leupold LPS Premier scope. It’s a good hunting rig.

I recently bought the Boyds At-One Thumbhole stock for my Ruger M77 and I like it a lot. Next time I think I'm going to get their Spike Camp thumbhole stock.

That rifle really pops with the stainless, it looks fantastic. I have a Stevens 200 (Savage 10 pretty much) that came with a synthetic stock. Years ago I put a Boyds pepper laminate just like that on it. Turned a great shooting rifle into a great looking as well as shooting rifle. Thumped a lot of coyotes with it. Only problem I see are Boyds prices creeping up. I put a Boyds walnut prairie hunter on my Savage axis in 223, I opted for some checkering. When all was said and done I was left with a really good looking 650 dollar Savage Axis. Not sure I would go that route again, probably just spring for a different rifle.

Same laminated Boyd stock on my Weatherby Vanguard 300 winmag. Love it.

I have a Savage and a Remington 770, I bought the Boydes at-one Pepper for the 770 but I am regretting that because I like the Prairie Hunter in CIRCASSIAN XX WALNUT RIFLE BLANK better. I will probable get it for the Savage both in 30-06. I like the classic look.

That 10ish pound range is probably a good compromise for most people between shootablity and packability in a 30-06ish recoil cartridge. Looks good too.

Did almost identical build with my Savage Axis heavy barrel 308. I put in a timney trigger. Boyds varmint stock. Arken optic.. Brother arken optics is where it's at!!! They are going to win the government contract

Out of all of my guns I hunt with my Browning 30-06 a bolt every year.

Great video for ideas to turn a basic rifle into a personalized rig DIY. Stainless and laminate is always nice. The budget portion not so much, aside from the stock, but I guess budget is relative.

Too much scope for the price point. I think maybe a more appropriate option for real world deer hunting would be the Burris Signature HD 3-15x44mm at 15.5 oz. Or, the Bushnell Forge 2.5-15×50 Scope. In the midwestern woods and farm land I hunt, 50-300 yards is the norm. I would say with 90% of shots in the 80-150 yard range. As such, I much prefer second focal plane to keep the reticle large enough to see at the very close distances. I realize you are west, so preferences would probably be different. But the over $1,000 Athalon Ares UHD sure seems over-kill for an $800 Savage in .30-06. If I was setting up a Fierce, Christiansen Arms, Seekins, or Bergara Premier line, or something in that category in 7mm Rem mag, 6.5/7mm/ or 300 PRC, then I would feel the Athalon Ares UHD is more appropriate. Just my 2 cents worth. FYI. I did literally the exact upgrade from you video. I have a Tikka T3 in .338 Federal. I swapped out the black plastic stock with a Boyds thumb hole stock. It is beautiful to look at and shoots so much more comfortable than previously setup.

I have two Savage Rifles -- they are both excellent shooters.

I have a Savage with the Accu-stock which shoots amazing. I might bed it in a Boyds, they certainly look nicer. I’ll never go back to a non-adjustable cheek piece though.

I miss Curt and his videos on the Savage builds. I'm definitely a Savage fan boy! Those of us who like to build our own rifles and don't have the place or room for a precision lathe or milling machine can order the parts and build our own rifles.

Way better looking with the laminate versus the polymer stock. Adding an extra pound and a half is not bad with the stock and higher power scope.

I put that same stock on my mossburg 100 atr. It made a big difference in accuracy and looks!

Been think about doing the very same thing to my son's 6.5 c savage with that same stock.

we need a high end 30-06 build

Excellent video. I like how you lay everything out in an organized fashion and then go through each one in detail, one by one. That style helps me to memorize what products you're talking about!

Boyd’s recoil pads blow chunks! Put a Limb Saver on there! It’s a night and day difference!

I wish Savage still made these. I have a 111 in .30-06, and for $400 it did everything I need it to and looked pretty nice for a budget gun to boot.

Boyd’s stocks are really great. I got one for a Howa mini barreled action and it shoots perfectly.

Thanks for the video of budget gun build.

Throwing it out there machine in a muzzle break you may enjoy shooting it now that it will have less recoil. Still a good upgrade and not overpriced to keep it in someone's budget

I put a Boyd's pepper stock with laser engraved texturing, pillar bedding, etc on a RA Predator barreled action. Turned out nice but Boyd's stocks are getting expensive enough that it's close to not being worth it. But their modern laser engraved texturing feels awesome compared to their plain laminated stock.

Too much money invested on aftermarket parts, without the barrel, having been threaded for a break or suppressor I would’ve liked to have seen aluminum pillars, and a good bedding job, that would’ve hopefully increased accuracy more

Boyds makes very nice products.

100% better.... love that stock color

Very gorgeous the grey stock and stainless steel barrel🎉

I have always liked the look of Boyds stock winder if they can fix my Persuit.

I have that stock in my 7mm08 also I am very happy with it!

I am doing a very similar build on a Ruger M77 Mark II in 30-06. I would love to see you do a pillar bedding video for that platform.

I just did the same to my Savage 110 243. Then pillar & Glass bedded the stock.

I have a savage 110 in 30-06 with black plastic stock and bushnell elite 3-9. I've thought about putting a boyd's on it cuz it's ugly honestly. But with a little work free-floating and working on the trigger, I can shoot a few different handloads at 3/4 inch at 100 yards. Which is good for me with a 400 dollar gun. Love the vid!

"I can't leave anything alone" Same.

Nice Stock upgrade. The rifle looks great. I have a Remington LH(Left Hand) SPS in 30-06 that I purchased new several years ago. It is unfired. Crazy! I think I was disheartened when I removed the barreled action from the stock and realized how things have changed in what you get for your money these days. I already knew the stock was junk. Just dealing with it mad me sad. Maybe I just need to remember what I bought it for. A thrasher. But, my SPS's barreled action still has potential because it does have a 24 inch barrel and a BDL configuration. This Boyd's stock is the stock I have been wanting to upgrade to. It is reasonably priced and will add some weight and be a solid platform to bed to. But, I didn't really hear much detail about what the author thought about it. I really wanted a Bell and Carlson Weatherby patterned fiberglass model, but they don't make it in left hand and McMillan's are just too pricey for this gun. This Boyd's stock has that Weatherby-like raised cheek piece that is angled down to the comb that I think makes a huge difference in obtaining a great cheek weld and reducing perceived recoil. The weight helps and being more rigid will lend to a pillar full length bedding. I am really curious to know some real answers about what bedding methods really work the best under what circumstances. I have my opinions and experiences, but not sure of everything. All we really have to go on is varied opinions and some shared experiences by some really great sources and some questionable sources of information from both experienced and inexperienced people along with our own experiences and opinions. Over the years, I have read up, studied and watched many videos about this and also bedded several barreled actions. I once read where it is generally good practice to free float from a #4 contour up. Since then, I do not believe it was said right. This statement was from a very well respected gunsmith I will not name. He wasn't really wrong, but I am saying it can be right or wrong. I believe it can depend on some other aspects. Well, I think he did say "generally". I think he said that because he deals with match grade barrels and it is true for those more often. But, the jury is still out for me about some issues. I have two rifles to bed and I will do things a bit different with these. There is definitely some well accepted and proven elements in design and bedding practices. Pillar bedding is on top of that list in my opinion. I have used it and nothing else feels as solid as that when torquing down action screws. Remember the XP-100? I bought a new one in the 90's for $369 as a foundation to build a custom rear grip on. It was in 223 with a 14 inch barrel, center grip, single shot with that strange plastic stock. It used a pillar bedding scheme where the pillars floated in the stock and were engaged into round recesses in the action. CHEEZY! But, it shot fairly well. When I rebuilt this gun, I used the same scheme with steel pillars, but included them, the front of the receiver and tang only in my bedding. The barrel is free floated all the way to the lug. This custom 221 fireball is a dream to shoot and is sub 1/2 MOA with some loads. But, I would bed it differently if I was to do it again. I believe pillars take care of only part of the total solution. What about full length action bedding vs. tang and recoil lug area only. And what about full free floating the barrel up to the action vs. full length barrel bedding or just the shank area of the barrel(partial free float)? I have experienced results that counter what I thought was well accepted practices and I do think it involves exceptions and also opposing methods that can both work. Don't forget about that pressure point scheme at the for-end that puts a rig in a bind. This has been used since when??? All I know is a long time. I know it can work well to improve accuracy, but isn't this exactly why we bed rifles- to rid the rifle of any binding, stress or pressure points? Sounds contradictory doesn't it? Well, it is in a sense. But, these are examples of elements that accomplish certain desirable effects that gain accuracy by preventing inaccuracy for one reason or another and are not necessarily related in what they do to promote accuracy. But, back to my ultimate question- when should you use what method or elements? What about incorporating all of them at the same time? Is that even possible or necessary? What about the one method that is the simplest and easiest way to achieve close to the most bang for anybody's buck? I think a good gunsmith should always consider what kind of rifle he or she is dealing with. Does it have a factory barrel or is it match grade? What contour? Is it too long for its contour? What kind of stock are we bedding to? The one method that might come to mind is full length bedding while excluding the middle section of the action. The question of weather to include the middle portion of the action or not is determined by what? Forget about a full length glue in. Glue-in is the best of all but one that wont fly for most people, unless you are a bench rest competitor. That is why they have used it. We want to stay conventional and versatile here. On my SPS, I will break the barrel in my way and develop a good load with the original stock to obtain a base line to compare to. I will bolt in my new Boyd's stock and test for accuracy. If it is good enough for me, I will do nothing. If I choose to bed, I will pillar bed with a full length bedding all the way from tang to for-end tip. I will test it. If necessary, I will relieve to a partial free float arrangement and retest. By this time, I will be satisfied I know what I need to know. Hopefully, it will have been transformed somewhere along the way.

You should thread the barrel and put a break on and do it’s own hand loads, it’s own modern/long range spin on an old cartridge

I personally will not buy another Boyd's stock . The one I had cracked , though not as pretty. I prefer bell&Carlson's stock with a aluminum chassis .

Nice! No complaints. (I don't need a bipod, but for those who do.... looks good.

Really cool. All savages shoot great

I have a 25-06 in process, walnut thumb hole stock, howa barrel action and going to thread and fit silencer. Zerotech 3-9x40 scope. Can’t wait! This video made me so excited! Thanks Gavin!

Looks very nice, you should pillar bed it and see what it will do off the bench with a worked up load.

Honestly the biggest improvement might be that Athlon scope. Bought one for $500 and it equals if not surpasses my $1000+ scopes I have.

Just ordered the same Boyds stock but laser engraved for my Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan.

I like it. Just add a titanium silencer.

Outstanding! Love the looks of the Boyds stock on that Savage rifle. Quite an upgrade over stock... And... That's all the rifle that's needed for any North American big game. :)

I have a stainless Axis II .308 with the adjustable trigger. I also installed a Boyd's Heritage Pepper stock on it. Sadly, scopes to match the stainless rifle are hard to come by these days. I ended up installing a scope from a little-known company called Osprey. The rifle is purely a range toy for fair weather use only, so cosmetics are nearly as important as function for my needs. All in all, a good-looking package that performs well for me.

Looks good! I prefer a browning BAR for a hunting rifle. They seem to point well and have less kick plus all of mine shoot 1 MOA or better with the right ammo.

“I can’t leave anything alone,” really? Haden’t noticed. 🤣😂

You should do your sporter rifle muzzle threading on this.

Great stock upgrade..love it

The stock definitely changed the look. Thanks for the info and video.

Nice upgrades looks better to with the stainless steel 😊

One of us! Nothing like watching a RU-vid video to learn how to disassemble a rifle, lol

Nice package. Except I would have left the Simmons on there. Nothing wrong with it for deer hunting.

I would have liked to have seen a scope only accuracy test before and after stock replacement without bedding.

It’s an Off hand hunting rifle but you add a big 34mm tube 3-18x50 with turrets and a Christmas tree. What? Must be a western thing. I agree with getting that Simmons out of there but a 1” 3-9x40 with a duplex and small caps would be better suited for offhand. That laminate stock is sweet, always good to add a montecarlo or Weatherby style stock to any scoped hunting rifle.

I'd recommend pillar bedding or glass bedding. Put one on a 300 win mag. 13 rounds later. My stock has split from the recoil lug all the way thru the pistol grip

You really improved the look and handling over the original rifle. I'm thinking of buying the heritage stock for my Savage 25 in 17 hornet with forend tip and fleur-de-lis checkering. I will probably go with yellow and black because of the caliber.

So a budget rifle with $1,000 scope?

That’s a nice looking rifle Gavin.! Should be a great hunting set up and not weigh you down in the hills.

Right on Gavin!

Not sure if you're allowed to shoot a 30-06 without Guy present! Nice upgrades although I would have chosen a lighter scope like the Burris Signature or Nighforce SHV. Hope to see an in depth video when you do some load development. The 30-06 is no slouch at longer ranges either.

Rifle looks great

A superb rifle.

Can’t say I am a huge fan of laminate stocks, least of which the grey ones, but whatever floats your boat.

The Savage and Boyd's stock are fine . I could even stiffen up the ugly plastic stock and make it work. I would prefer a low mounted 2×7 or 2.5x8 Leupold scope. I never did like the stove pipe boozuka tube scopes. Quick handling and field of view is important to me for a medium game hunting rifle.

It looks nice. ..barrel match to stock.. I'd have liked to see the groups from factory stick vs groups from Boyds stock vs groups with boyds bedded . Also curious bout boyds thumbhole stocks for better comfort and trigger control ..

Looks great and it's definitely an improvement.

Great looking semi budget build, too bad it doesn’t have a threaded muzzle.

Nice looking. Only 9.41 lbs too. Good shooting

I have seen a lot of scope mounting vidieos, I rarely , like almost never, seen a final ck by aiming offhand in a shooting position at a line developed by a plum bob. How can you not and consider it true. The only true reference is gravity.

I like the upgrade. I want to do my mossberg 4x4 with a boyds

That stock really does dress this gun up! I have a couple of guns I am wanting to replace the “Tupperware” stock with. Looks like this will be a winner!

Nice stock. But personally I was shooting 30-06 for 15 years work related and I got sick of the recoil. Training wise anyways. Feels like it's wrong caliber to me LOL

Nice improvement Gavin!

I love Boyd stock have beaded love them they have alot of stock for sale

Nice job!

Nice hunting rifle.........................................

Alway thought the ring nuts faced the non ejection side?

I have the same rifle. Definitely interested in what upgrades or changes you make. I'm looking at the Bell and Carlson stock

I just ordered a Heritage for my Marlin XL7. I assume that is the pepper stock. I went with Forrest. Yours looks nice with the stainless. I wanted a DBM, but Boyd's said it was a no go.

The Heritage is usually what I go for with my builds or if I'm replacing a factory stock. I've used XX Maple, the nutmeg, and coyote

Nice, but some threads on the end of the barrel would make it better.

I’ve got an older 116 in 30/06. It has the synthetic stock but it has the side button magazine release. It also has the factory on/off muzzle brake. I’d love to get an Agility stock for it

EXCELLENT video! Thanks for the post!