I'm a bit late to the party but I bought one of the early 11-111 LR Hunters (had to . have one for what I'm not sure but I do anway).... chambered in 338 Lapua Magnum. Mine has the fixed brake, I'm glad it does as the brake is very effective at reducing felt recoil (and irritating bystanders).
The felt recoil on mine with hot handloads and 300 grain Bergers is about like an unbraked 308 or just fine.
My early stick came with the clunky carriage bolt / barney knob adjustable Karsten cheek and you are right, the ends of the carriage bolts will make short work of any soft rifle case, I just cut miine down so the are just below flush when the cheek is tight and rounded off the threaded ends, no biggie. My early Karsten is slotted so to regain adjustment after cleaning, I took a paint pen and marked reference marks on the cheek and stock....you are right on, it has to be removed to clean the bore.
Mine has always shot lights out right frfom the get-go, sub moa at 200 consistently with handloads (I load everything).......and it's stupid heavy with a big 6.5 x 24 x 50 Vortex Viper PST on the stock EGW 20 MOA cant rail in Talley rings, of course.
I'd never (at my age) consider an 'out west' hunt with it unless I had a gun bearer, it's that heavy and it's cumbersome with the long barrel and brake making it even longer but....
It's fun to shoot and it's a Savage and I like all Savages, have a bunch.
Still don't know why I bought it, bit I did and it's not going anywhere soon. It's a hoot to shoot, much like my S&W 44 long barrelled Magnum revolver. Neither is for everyone but for some, both are great.
Good write up btw. I enjoyed the read,
