What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

[Grand Poo Bah]

hey all.

I have decided on a Savage model 12 but I cant decide between the different models. I'm looking at the 12 f/tr 1 in 12 30" heavy barrel, VLP DBM 1 in 10 26" fluted barrel, and the bench rest 1 in 12 29" heavy barrel

I'm planning on hand loading and using it only for punching paper. the distance that we shoot at are 300,500,900, and 1200 yards. The area is open range with multiple cross winds.

I'm not sure what else you would need to know to provide some advice. Thanks

 

[hank440]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

I vote for this one VLP DBM 1 in 10 26" fluted barrel

 

[redbullitt]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

The FTR is very nice rifle, especially for your intended purpose. The target accutrigger is pretty nice as well. Stock is slick and adjustable, so it should be just about ready to go out of the box.

However, I will say that I would prefer a faster 1/10 twist and shorter barrel just for versatility.

Any idea what bullet you want to use? I ask because that may come in to play with the 1/12 twist verses the 1/10.

Have you looked at any of the model 10s? Some of those may be worth a look.

 

[Saiga76]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

The FCP-K is working nicely for me so far!

 

[pawprint]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

Savage custom shop can "mix and match" twists etc., you'll get exactly what you're looking for.

 

[FALex]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

if you're going to load for it, get the Model 12 LRP in 6.5 CM. It's a heavy beast but damn is it a shooter! That barrel is thick, indeed.

 

[Grand Poo Bah]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

I'm kind of lock into a 308. I already have all of the equipment for loading.

Also, what about fluting the barrel? doesn't it cool faster than a solid barrel.

Thoughts????

 

[hooksz86]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

i have the 12F/TR. it shoots like a dream. im using sierra MK 168 HPBT, lapua brass, 45.6 or 46.0 gr of varget and large rifle cci BR primer, and the C.O.L. is a good amount longer than the book. anyway i can take a golf ball everytime at 300yrds a 12oz water bottle at 600yrd and have had as good as 7inch group with 13 shots at 1000yrds. awsome rifle.

 

[hooksz86]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

and its not just my shooting. 4 other people have made those shots with it. so it is the load and the rifle that is very consistant. i have the mark 4 8.5-25X50 with tmr redical. if you go with any of the other target rifles by savage, im sure that they would be good also though.

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Grand Poo Bah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm kind of lock into a 308. I already have all of the equipment for loading.

Also, what about fluting the barrel? doesn't it cool faster than a solid barrel.

Thoughts???? </div></div>

As stated before what bullets are you going to be running? The 168 runs out of gas at about 800 or so but is a great bullet for 600yards. If you want to go farther than 600 which it appears as though you do to me your only option is the 1/10 which will let you run the 175smk or the 208A-max. If your set with a 308 to me the last two are your only options. As stated before go to the custom shop or call Stockade and they will build you what you want with a better barrel for roughly the same price on a better stock.

Just my opinion.

Good luck,
Merritt

 

[WVgunsmith]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: longdistance</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i have the 12F/TR. it shoots like a dream. im using sierra MK 168 HPBT, lapua brass, 45.6 or 46.0 gr of varget and large rifle cci BR primer, and the C.O.L. is a good amount longer than the book. anyway i can take a golf ball everytime at 300yrds a 12oz water bottle at 600yrd and have had as good as 7inch group with 13 shots at 1000yrds. awsome rifle.</div></div>

I'll 2nd this. I had one and it was a outstanding shooter out of the box! I wished I not sold it.

Scott

 

[FALex]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

locked into .308? My primary rifle is a Model 10fcp-k. It shoots very well, comes braked from the factory. I would like to believe the flutes help with cooling the barrel, but I have not ran any tests or taken any pictures so it probably wouldn't be believable anyway :sarcasm off: The barrel on this model and the Model 12 are so damn thick, I doubt the heat would be doing much regardless. There's only one way to tell! Good luck!

 

[Grand Poo Bah]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

Thanks for the recommendation on Stockade. Do you have the contact info?

 

[jwpark]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

Stockade : http://www.stockadegunstocks.com
Also, Jim See is another great Savage smith : http://www.centershotrifles.com

You can also go the route of buying the parts for your custom rifle yourself and have a smith (or yourself) put it together.

That's what I did for my build

Used 10FP action : $230
260 Rem Critterion barrel : $250
Manner's T-4A stock : $600
Jim See T & T and install barrel & brake : $230

 

[FALex]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

Poo Bah, there's a Savage Smith on the Eastern side of Idaho, I've heard great things about him, but have no personal experience with his work. He's found here:

<http://www.savagegunsmithing.com/>

 

[Grand Poo Bah]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

bump

Any other thoughts on the Savage 12 F/TR?

 

[jonbearman]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

Buy the cheapest one and build on it.If you buy an enhanced one you will undoubtedly sell stuff off it and waste money.

 

[jasonZ]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

I'd go 10fp or something with the faster 1-10 twist rate. You will be able to shoot heavier bullets, which buck the wind much better. If your plans are to make mods later then you could switch the barrel at that time to whatever you want. My 10fp serves me well and is very accurate! I would almost say to buy an action and then find a barrel, stock, etc for it, but I don't know your gunsmithing abilities. It's inevitable that you're going to change things, so sometimes it's just easier to build it how you want it in the first place!

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: What Savage to buy in 308?? Need some advice

I believe that the rifle that shoots .308 and easily reaches 1200yd is likely to be a cryptobiological entity.

Savage makes the F Class, which has only one flaw. It's not listed with the .260 Rem chambering. Fortunately, Savage does use the .260 reamer for some of its barrels, and I'm suspecting the custom shop can be persuaded to build one chambered as such.

I realize the 260 is best approached as a handloader's cartridge; but I also suspect the chambering I'm suggesting it replace (the 6.5-284 Norma) is pretty much living on the same boat.

Fluting may look cool and it does do some things. It just doesn't do them a heck of a lot better then skipping it.

Adding a set of .260 Rem dies to your handloading setup is not going to be any kind of a deal breaker. If anything, it's a lot more likely to be an epiphany.

Just do it.

Greg