I just downloaded the Savage catalog and found the Max 1. Definitely a contender. Both rifles are repeaters, have camo stocks and, of course, accu-everything. I know that Cabela's features the carbine, but I have concerns about .308 accuracy being affected by the 20" barrel with the carbine model. I think 22" might have been a better match, but I would presume that Savage feels the 20" barrel provides enough accuracy for game larger than prairie dogs....at least at shorter ranges. The rifle will not be used for ranges longer than 300 yards (most coyotes I have shot are in the 100-yard ranges....or even less). I know that the .308 possesses inherent accuracy, plus I like short actions whenever possible, and the carbine might offer slightly better handling, and it would certainly make my back happier.
Cabela's might be pricier, but I plan to purchase the rifle where it is available, and don't want to pay for shipping, FFL stuff, etc., which would certainly add over $100 to the original price. There are no Cabela stores in California, and the nearest ones are in Nevada and Phoenix. Since I plan to travel to Arizona soon for coyotes, I thought it might be easier to pick up a rifle there, provided that they have one in stock, and save the hassle of getting the rifle shipped. Of course, I would have to sight in the rifle and use box ammo, but no big deal here. If the rifle shot decently with store-bought cartridges, I would go that route. As far as I am concerned, it is impractical to purchase more dies, bullets, cases, etc., just to reload fifty cases or so, even though I might squeeze an extra quarter of an inch out of the groups. At these shorter ranges, MOA is fine with me.
I would shop for a better price!
