Savage 12FV- Budget long range bench rifle?

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andrew223

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Hey guys,
just wondering if anyone has any input regarding the savage 12FV chambered in .308, i am looking into getting into some long range bench shooting but i don't have $1000+ to spend on a Rem 5r or a Tikka right now. I have heard good things about the 12FV except the stock, and i hear that i can upgrade it down the road with different barrels ect.
Any input would be much appreciated.
-Andrew
 
By all accounts it's a good value. Plan on getting a riser/pad for the buttstock though to get a proper cheek weld. Down the road you could replace the barrel and replace the stock with one from Boyd's or drop it into a chassis.
 
andrew223 said:
Hey guys,
just wondering if anyone has any input regarding the savage 12FV chambered in .308, i am looking into getting into some long range bench shooting but i don't have $1000+ to spend on a Rem 5r or a Tikka right now. I have heard good things about the 12FV except the stock, and i hear that i can upgrade it down the road with different barrels ect.
Any input would be much appreciated.
-Andrew
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Has to be the lowest price long range rifle on the market. Yes down the road you can easily change the barrel and stock. Boyds stock would be good choice for 1st mod. You may never change the barrel, it will never burn out in .308. Stock is a must change. The only issue with the barrel may come with heating up and wandering. A heavy SS barrel would fix that.
 
I have the Savage model 12 FV in 223. The only issues so far are weak extraction and ejection and the blind mag is a pain. Other wise I couldn't be happier.
Windy
 
windy said:
I have the Savage model 12 FV in 223. The only issues so far are weak extraction and ejection and the blind mag is a pain. Other wise I couldn't be happier.
Windy
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For single shots (ie F-class and bench shooting), if the extraction is a problem, get into the habit of clipping the new round into the magazine before closing the bolt. Best to use the designed feed path each time so the extractor and ejector can work properly. As you get further into the game, you may find the magazine cut makes the receiver tube too supple, at that point you'll also be ready for another rifle.
 
I have also heard good things about the savage axis 2, but i feel the the heavier barrel on the 12FV is the way to go, if only it had an external box magazine..
 
Savage makes accurate guns. Pretty they are not. But I have never owned or used one that did not perform.

the 2 piece floating bolt models are my preference M12 actions. They shoot rings around rigs costing a lot more... add a prefit barrel and you can really tune these for maximum performance.
 
they are a decent option in the beginning, plus there is enough aftermarket out there if there is something you want to change you should be able to find it easy enough. The extraction issue is a common complaint which if you check out Savage shooters there's a million ways to deal with it. Most of them have to do with installing a larger extra detent (ball bearing).
 
The Savage 12FV is a very good value - with the 26 inch barrel you get all the velocity possible - I say go for it. You can spend extra funds on good glass - ammo is relatively inexpensive compared to some - if you get bitten by the long distance shooting bug (we all do) you likely just rebarrel you 12FV and continue on - or put it in a chasis. The possibilities are endless - have fun
 
Stock is OK, the forend is fairly stiff, the butt however is hollow which really makes the rifle feel nose heavy. I filled mine with lead wheel weights and caulking, very heavy and solid now lol. It's got quite a heavy barrel.
Same footprint as any other top bolt release Savage 10/12 so you can get OEM DBM metal and Savage 10 round mags down the road, B&C or HS stocks etc.
Chassis seem to be all the rage, but I'm the odd man out with that, I don't like them for bench or prone shooting at all.
 
Awesome info guys, I appreciate it! Looks like I’ll be buying the 12FV, I’ll have to start looking into some decent glass in the $500-600 dollar range.
 
andrew223 said:
Awesome info guys, I appreciate it! Looks like I’ll be buying the 12FV, I’ll have to start looking into some decent glass in the $500-600 dollar range.
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lots of really good buys on the EE right now. couple of DMR Bushnells, some Sightron, some Leupold... Just a suggestion, but spend a little more on someones HQuality glass when they upgrade... 5-600 range is a little sparse for good glass :)
 
Planning to get pickup a 12fv in 308 one day, shoot 2000-3000 rounds through it, and re-barrel it in 6.5 Creedmore. The barrel swap seems pretty painless, but does anyone know where's a good place to purchase aftermarket pre-fit barrels?

Thanks in advance.
 
awesomealvin said:
Planning to get pickup a 12fv in 308 one day, shoot 2000-3000 rounds through it, and re-barrel it in 6.5 Creedmore. The barrel swap seems pretty painless, but does anyone know where's a good place to purchase aftermarket pre-fit barrels?

Thanks in advance.
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Why not just buy the 6.5cm version from the start?
 
Hitzy said:
Why not just buy the 6.5cm version from the start?
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Price of Brass and Bullets mainly. Planning on buying 500 round bulk boxes of 308 to practice then reload the spent brass. Affordable bulk 6.5 CM still not available from what I can find online, hopefully price would go down in the next couple years.

Also don't want to burn out a 6.5 CM barrel before I'm good enough to take advantage of the 6.5 CM's ballistics. Barrel life of a 6.5 CM only around 1500-2000 rounds compared to 5000+ for 308 from my research.
 
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