long range rifle
 

What is the difference in rifles like the Savage long range and regular rifles? Are they worth the extra money?

Savages prices are actually pretty straight-forward. Some companies play games on 'features vs. price', but in general, the higher price the Savage, the more features or better options it has.

The Long Range Hunter, for example, is a "specialty series" 11/111. The 'Hunter Series' and 'package series' 11's and 111's don't have the same options as the "specialty series" Long Range Hunters. Specifically, they don't have the matte blue finish, don't have the accu-stock (which is a LOT better stock than the standard Tupperware), they don't have the muzzle break nor the adjustable comb and recoil pad on the stock. In the case of the 338 LRH, it's an entirely different action footprint.

Is it a LOT more accurate? Eh, not really, as long as you can work with the flexible synthetic stock on the lower end 11 or 111. Is it a better quality fit and finish? That'd debatable. Most of the LRH's I've seen have been better fit than the 11 Trophy Hunters, and the matte blued finish does appear to be higher quality than the lower models as well. The muzzle break would be worth $150-250 to get it installed, the stock is worth $250 compared to ~$80 on the standard.

In lower cost rifles, I lean towards laminate wood stocks over synthetics because I can trust that it will stay stiff and won't flex when pre-loaded on a bipod or sandbags and screw up my accuracy, and I can free-float and bed the action myself to be equivalently accurate on that end. That's not to say that the stock itself is worth the difference, but it's definitely worth something.

There IS a bit of a premium on the LRH because of the cartridges it's chambered in. The LRH gets its pick of generally lower volume and higher desirability cartridges for long range shooting. That lower volume means the average shooter isn't interested in a 6.5-284 or 300wm, which is why the lower cost "every man's rifle" standard 111 is chambered in 30-06. So the "cartridge offering premium" plays a little into it as well.

Whether the price is a problem for you, or whether the "upgrades" are worth anything to you is ultimately up to you. Both will be more accurate than a hunting rifle would ever need, just depends whether you need more than a hunting rifle, and what your pocket book will tolerate. I've never heard of anyone that bought an LRH that didn't feel like the rifle lived up to its pricetag.

you wanna hit stuff at 1000 yards, or just shoot at it, yep there is a difference.
RR

Some of the higher end Savage LRH rifles will hit just about anything at 1000.

The LRH in 6.5x284 has had my eye since it came out but I just can't do the Accutrigger, I hate it. :rant:

I am glad that I am not alone in that same opinion!

ditto!
RR