Savage Benchrest

Stewie333

Stewie333

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Is the Savage Model 12 Benchrest worth the $1200 price tag? Is it guaranteed to sub MOA with handloads. I'm getting a headache trying to sort through all the precision information out there and the conflicting opinions. I shoot MAX @ 100-300 yds and don't have a huge budget.

Sorry if this has been asked before, I could not find the answer I was looking for

Thanks
 
Stewie333 said:
Is the Savage Model 12 Benchrest worth the $1200 price tag? Is it guaranteed to sub MOA with handloads. I'm getting a headache trying to sort through all the precision information out there and the conflicting opinions. I shoot MAX @ 100-300 yds and don't have a huge budget.

Sorry if this has been asked before, I could not find the answer I was looking for

Thanks
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Depending on your definition of "precision", a Savage 12FV or Precision Carbine or 10FP in .223 or .308 should give you sub-MOA performance out to 300yds with ease, for far less than $1200. The only issue is that the stock could use some beefing up, they are a bit flimsy as they come.

Mark
 
How much precison do you need?

Most factory rifles are capable of producing sub-MOA results with hand loads, and even in the case of the excellent Savage F-CLass and BR models, there is no guarantee you will get sub MOA. There are good and bad in everything. The BR and F-Class models are great rifles, but they were designed with competitive shooting in mind. They have single-shot actions, heavy, long barrels, and stocks that are built for the positions in which they are generally shot.

For gosh sakes, buy what YOU want and be wary of placing too much weight in free advice from people that have absolutely no investment in your purchase or your success.

I happen to side with Ganderite on this one. I'd spend less on the gun if possible, and more on the scope.
 
Odds are with some TLC (properly bedded) and proper handloads, the Savage will shoot sub MOA. How SUB MOA? only one way to find out. Most every Savage rifle I have used shot sub MOA at 200yds with the occasional one even down in the 2's and 3's.

Best way to know you will get accuracy is with a quality aftermarket match barrel.

I have several rifle builds that are based on the Stevens or Savage action. Visit my website for links in the Rifle Tech section. The goal was to get superb performance for little money spent and that has been achieved.

For me, if I can find or build a stock I want, I would just assemble a Savage using 'better' parts. Most of my builds are inline with what the factory rifles cost AND I know my rifles will shoot.

Quality used is another great solution if you can confirm barrels are not too far worn.

Jerry
 
The Savage piqued my interest because it was heavy and available in 6mmBR. Recoil and noise is very much an issue for me. I am also realistic in my shooting expectations. Connaught is 20 minutes away, but I have no interest in shooting out to 900 meters. I had a CIL 950T in .308 but found shooting 50+ rounds tiresome. Not really interested in competitive shooting. I am interested in accuracy.
 
You might want to consider a 12FVSS in 223 which is what I selected for my "accuracy on a budget" gun. With a little low cost work I have a 100m-300m sub-MOA gun that I can shoot all day long (recoil wise) and reloading costs are also fairly cheap, well compared to other calibers. In a while (maybe this winter) I'll barrel swap for a 1 in 7" and see how the accuracy goes from there.

Steve
 
I think those are great reasons to buy a 12 Benchrest in 6mmBr. You must shoot at Stittesville if your that close to Connaught but stick to 300 yards? There is a lad there shoots a model 12 benchrest. He is on this forum so he might chime in hopefully.

If you see me shooting my 308 BVSS at Stittesville ask me and you can try that. If its comfortable you could buy a BVSS and use the $400 savings to buy a shilen barrel in 6mmbr. I know thats not what your asking but thought I'd mention it.
 
If you are thinking of a 6BR (Great choice by the way) the Savage F-Class and the LRPV are generally very good. There is a chap at my club shooting a factor Savage 6BR and he is every bit as accurate as most customs...

Not sure how to answer the noise question, my 204 ruger is noisier than everyting else I own, and I beleive that relates to its very high velocity.
 
Stewie333 said:
The Savage piqued my interest because it was heavy and available in 6mmBR. Recoil and noise is very much an issue for me. I am also realistic in my shooting expectations. Connaught is 20 minutes away, but I have no interest in shooting out to 900 meters. I had a CIL 950T in .308 but found shooting 50+ rounds tiresome. Not really interested in competitive shooting. I am interested in accuracy.
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Take Warren's advice and consider a less expensive rifle and put on a quality match barrel. Cost is the same, accuracy will be better.

Then again, you are not indicating what accuracy means to you.

If you are only going to 300m, then something like a 6BR with a 12 or 13 twist will get pretty boring driving them into one hole/tight groups. Faster twist and heavier bullet if going further.

If SR accuracy is your goal, then the cartridges and set up that dominate SR Benchrest will put a big smile on your face.

PPC, BR are the ones to watch.

If cost is an issue, a factory 9 twist 223 can do some excellent work with 70 to 75gr VLD's. Noise will be less too. A match barrel 223 is going to be within spitting distance as far as accuracy goes compared to the 6BR

Jerry
 
OK, thanks for the input. I will reconsider the Savage for a more entry level model of Savage or Rem with the intention of a re-barrel. I suppose a short action 22-250 will give me the proper bolt face and magazine for a fit up to 6mm.

Cheers

Cam
 
Savages can be made to shoot remarkably well especially with a new barrel. Lots of options out there and some remarkably affordable. Good luck with it.

Cheers
 
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I'm certainly not trying to push the BVSS, believe it or not :D, but I came across this article regarding a UK shooter. I found it interesting but would have liked more detail.

Upgrading a factory Savage BVSS for F/TR Class Competition.

http://precisionrifle.webs.com/featuredrifle.htm

BTW, check out his store mentioned in the article. They sell all kinds of guns and Savage parts too. In the UK, who'd of thunk it. :)
 
You would install the barrel like any shoulder headspace project ie Rem.

Nice to see another SAVAGE in the Winners circle. With a button rifled barrel of no real pedigree too :)

Seems like Bisley is very good to the marque.

Jerry
 
Once one gets past the fact that it is a Savage, it probably is worth the 1200 dollars. The stock is good and the rest of the rifle is OK. Buy a cheaper Savage and re-barrel and you still have to do something about the stock. Also, the re-barrel may or may not be all that cheap. If you had re-barreled your 950T to 6 BR, you would be there. Regards, Bill
 
savage223 said:
You might want to consider a 12FVSS in 223 which is what I selected for my "accuracy on a budget" gun. With a little low cost work I have a 100m-300m sub-MOA gun that I can shoot all day long (recoil wise) and reloading costs are also fairly cheap, well compared to other calibers. In a while (maybe this winter) I'll barrel swap for a 1 in 7" and see how the accuracy goes from there.

Steve
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Im waiting for a Savage 12 VLP DBM 1:7" twist I have on backorder with Ellwood Epps. It'll be another ~8 weeks but I'll try to post something about the factory 7 twist barrel when I get it.


I was also looking for at the 12FV/FVSS and even the FCV for quite some time but found a really good deal with Elwoods so I went with that instead.
 
Im kicking my a$$ that I sold the 950T. I wasn't fully aware of my options back then. I have been to your web site Jerry, and am likely going to go with a semi-custom. Just trying to figure out the best method for a donor action. Having priced out components the build will cost more than the Savage Benchrest but at least I will be confident it will be a shooter. It doesn't hurt that Robertson Composites is a 30 minute drive away for stock options. This method will also allow me to be picky. There is a lot to be said about pride of ownership.
 
savage 12 in Stittsville

warrenb said:
I think those are great reasons to buy a 12 Benchrest in 6mmBr. You must shoot at Stittesville if your that close to Connaught but stick to 300 yards? There is a lad there shoots a model 12 benchrest. He is on this forum so he might chime in hopefully.

If you see me shooting my 308 BVSS at Stittesville ask me and you can try that. If its comfortable you could buy a BVSS and use the $400 savings to buy a shilen barrel in 6mmbr. I know thats not what your asking but thought I'd mention it.
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You might be talking about me. Hopefully I'm not too late.

Yes, you are welcome to try my Savage 12 benchrest anytime. I usually show up Saturdays and shoot most of the day. You cant miss it since I have never seen another one at the range.

My name is Bruno.
 
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