Savage 111 Long Range Hunter

Crashman

Crashman

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Would the Savage Long Range Hunter in 6.5X284 make a reasonable starter gun for someone wanting to try precision shooting? I have read lots here, especially Mysticplayer's posts and on his website, so I know you can build some pretty awe inspiring stuff, but I do not have a ton of time to dedicate to building a rifle...as I own a small business, have a wife that keeps me busy, have two boys that keep me busier, and three pointing dogs that need training and hunting!

My purposes and goals will be to just shoot for now, learn the basics of shooting and reloading for precision work. I have access to two different local ranges that can get me to 300 meters, plus some private land where I can stretch out to 1000 meters and beyond. I may eventually get interested in some form of competition, but for now I will just attend a few matches and learn from what I see and hear.

Any advice would be great!
 
Savage competition F rifles. 6BR with an 8 twist is ideal if your future plan is F open. Stock and action/trigger are decent so you can replace the barrel in the future and be competitive. Takes only a few minutes to swap barrels.

Any heavy barrel 12 series in 223 with either a 9 or 7 twist if you plan is to shoot in F TR. I like the BVSS and VLP family. The laminated stocks are very well made and rigid. Not a fan of the FTR stock.

the palma and benchrest style are nice but for that much money, you can build what you want and get better performance.

the LE variant with the HS stock in 308 is another option. I am not a fan of this cartridge but it works and there is ready info. I like the stock and it fits me well. for F class, the McM stock is not my idea of fun.

Any rifle you get, bed it. bolt timing is not a bad idea either as the factory operation is lacking.

Load up some ammo and go have fun.

the 6.5X284 will not last all that long. Great cartridge but for shorter distances, the 6BR or 223 will teach you wall you want for less money, recoil, wear and tear, AND likely easier for you to shoot more accurately.

by the way, you don't build a Savage - just assemble the various parts. Except for the bedding and bolt timing, the barrel and trigger swap can all be done in about 30minutes.

The real wait is getting the barrel and stock. From there, it is quick and easy.

Jerry
 
mysticplayer said:
Savage competition F rifles. 6BR with an 8 twist is ideal if your future plan is F open. Stock and action/trigger are decent so you can replace the barrel in the future and be competitive. Takes only a few minutes to swap barrels.

Any heavy barrel 12 series in 223 with either a 9 or 7 twist if you plan is to shoot in F TR. I like the BVSS and VLP family. The laminated stocks are very well made and rigid. Not a fan of the FTR stock.

the palma and benchrest style are nice but for that much money, you can build what you want and get better performance.

the LE variant with the HS stock in 308 is another option. I am not a fan of this cartridge but it works and there is ready info. I like the stock and it fits me well. for F class, the McM stock is not my idea of fun.

Any rifle you get, bed it. bolt timing is not a bad idea either as the factory operation is lacking.

Load up some ammo and go have fun.

the 6.5X284 will not last all that long. Great cartridge but for shorter distances, the 6BR or 223 will teach you wall you want for less money, recoil, wear and tear, AND likely easier for you to shoot more accurately.

by the way, you don't build a Savage - just assemble the various parts. Except for the bedding and bolt timing, the barrel and trigger swap can all be done in about 30minutes.

The real wait is getting the barrel and stock. From there, it is quick and easy.

Jerry
Click to expand...

Okay so I had a look at the Savage website and I think I like the looks (like that matters!) of the 12 VLP, next question is....what rate of twist do I want? I know it is all relative to the bullet weights I want to shoot, and in reality it will likely be a year or two before I am really ready to head out beyond 500-600 meters. So what twist and bullet weights are ideal for this application?

Any thoughts there?
 
9 will do all you want and likely easier to find.

My personal VLP has a 9 twist (rifle will be sold after Oct) and it shoots 75gr Amax very very well.

Was used by a new shooter at the Farky in a gale. He shot well out to 500m suggesting it was more shooter getting ahead of the wind then the rifle not putting the bullets where he wanted it to be.

This rifle will hold the V Bull at 500m so plenty accurate for a factory rifle.

Jerry
 
Hi
I have Savage 111 Long range hunter in .308 with muzelbreak, I bought it as a complimentary rifle to my Savage F/TR, for practice, and my opinion is that it will shoot quite ok with cold barrel, but because it is not a heavy barrel gun it will heat up after 5 -7 shoots and either you wait or live with bigger groups very hard to develop the load since one can only take 5 shoot string and then You have to wait, so it goes back to cabinet as a hunting rifle or for sale I have not decided yet.
All I can advise is if you thinking of long range or competition get a heavy barrel rifle, caliber well that depends if just shooting you want most likely .223 is fine but for that long shoots over 600 yards .308 or bigger, would be better
then again with heavier .223 bullets (90gr) this might all change -you need 7 twist for that
Hope this helps
Paul.W
 
Crashman said:
My purposes and goals will be to just shoot for now, learn the basics of shooting and reloading for precision work.

Any advice would be great!
Click to expand...

I'd start doing as much of both as soon as you can. I've been trying to do the same for close to 2 years now. I still have plenty of range days where I feel as useful as teets on a bull.
 
FYI: If you are looking for a Savage 12 VLP in 1:7" twist, it looks like you need to special order it. Ive been looking around recently and I think that Ellwood Epps can order it in for $871, but it would take 10-12 weeks to get here.


Alternitivley, Ive been looking at buying a 12 FV because it has the same stats as the more expensive 12 series (for the most part), just isnt stainless or wood lam stock.

Let me know what you end up buying.


Jerry, I just might end up buying yours if I cant find anything in the mean time =) Certantly would make for a one stop shop. Let me know if you really wanna get rid of it!
 
HD, I will be selling it. I already have a firm offer.

The 12FV is a really nice base model. Modify the stock and you have a great rifle. They all pretty much shoot the same and CM or SS doesn't change anything.

If you need help with the bedding and bolt timing, let me know

Jerry
 
Sadface to the existing offer, that would have been too perfect!


My PAL is taking its time to get in... but all good things come in time. My buddy just recieved a new firearm today and it was like xmas came 3 months early. Untill then...
 
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