Savage Model 12 Palma vs. Savage Model 12 F/TR

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AndrewNS

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So I am looking at getting a new long range rilfe chambered in .308WIN. I want a rifle that is accurate out to distance (600 yards +) right out of the box that I don't need to upgrade.

My use for the rifle will be mostly bench shooting, punching paper.

The 2 rifles listed are the ones that I am trying to choose from, please don't suggest others.

Which would you go with, and why?
 
The Model 12 Palma shoots .308 Winchester Palma, not regular .308... It sounds like that cartridge might just be higher tolerances, and small rifle primers instead of large ones, but it's worth noting.
The twist rate is 1:13 instead of 1:12 as well.
Other than that, I think only the stocks are different.

Anyone else know more about the cartridge?
 
scott_karana said:
The Model 12 Palma shoots .308 Winchester Palma, not regular .308... It sounds like that cartridge might just be higher tolerances, and small rifle
Click to expand...

No. Both rifles are chambered in .308 Winchester.

"Palma" is the name of the world championships of long range rifle shooting.

(Lapua makes a special kind of brass for .308 Winchester, with a small primer pocket, which they call ".308 Palma" brass. However other than the small rifle primer, it is just another high quality piece of brass for a .308 Winchester).


The "Model 12 Palma" has a stock meant for shooting with a shooting jacket and a sling, off your elbows, with iron sights:
- the forend has a rail (to hold a handstop)
- there is an adjustable cheekpiece.

These added adjustment features (of the stock) increase the cost of the rifle. If you need them, they are worth paying for, otherwise they don't hurt anything but you don't really need them.

The "Model 12 F/TR" is a largely similar rifle, but its stock design is more oriented toward shooting with a bipod or rest, plus a rear bag.

Either rifle would do a good job of what you ask. Get whichever is cheapest, or most easily available, or catches your fancy.
 
rnbra-shooter said:
No. Both rifles are chambered in .308 Winchester.

"Palma" is the name of the world championships of long range rifle shooting.

(Lapua makes a special kind of brass for .308 Winchester, with a small primer pocket, which they call ".308 Palma" brass. However other than the small rifle primer, it is just another high quality piece of brass for a .308 Winchester).
Click to expand...
Thanks for clearing up the cartridge! :)
All I was able to find was Lapua's press release, and I wasn't sure if the small primers would cause any issues.
 
I have the model 12 F/TR and is is very accurate out of the box with 175SMK's, or at least mine is. I added a Karsten cheek piece for a better cheek weld but that's it. Really nice entry level platforms for the money.
 
Palma is used as a marketing tool. The barrel and chambers are identical. in fact, the only difference is the stock and the ability to add a front open sight.

if you fit, the FTR will work and has served many shooters in this game. But if you don't, the palma is a vastly superior stock for adjustability and the option I would choose if money was no object. I am very surprised that Savage lists the palma as lighter then the FTR. My guess is that is in error.

Regardless, if the goal is to eventually to compete in F class, the barrel and trigger will likely hit the parts bin. Depending on your long term goals, the FTR stock will get changed or modified.

These are very nice entry factory rifles that can do very nicely BUT they are not using the best the sport has to offer.

for the money, you can build something that will outshoot these and offer more utility for the future. BUT again, depends on what you want and the steps willing to achieve.

Personally of the 5 target rifles listed by Savage on their site now, I would choose the 12 Bench rest as the stock layout is vastly superior to the FTR and will serve you well going forward into F class competition. It is also better then the Palma if bench shooting and pedestal rests will be used.

Jerry
 
Your input on the matter is greatly appreciated Jerry, I will take your comments into serious consideration when making the final decision.
 
On the Savage site it does list the 12 Palma as a 13 twist barrel...I wonder if that is a misprint?
 
13 twist will handle the 185gr BT so you are not limited to the 155/156gr. I bet you could stabilize a 200gr hybrid or 190gr VLD so the options are much wider then suggested.

They stabilized just fine in my Shilen 12 twist

If the 12 twist is desired, even better reason to choose the bench rest.

Jerry
 
I'm actually leaning more toward the benches now. The Palma has an incredible stock, but it is a lot more money for that stock - more money that can be spent on a better scope.
 
Whichever you pick you should come try it out to 800M next season, lots of great shooters, challenging wind conditions and a lot of fun. I'm hoping to do another rifle for F-TR next year and take that a bit more seriously if time allows.
As you know there isn't much for serious benchrest shooting around here, hopefully something that can be improved in time as well.
 
SND said:
Whichever you pick you should come try it out to 800M next season, lots of great shooters, challenging wind conditions and a lot of fun. I'm hoping to do another rifle for F-TR next year and take that a bit more seriously if time allows.
As you know there isn't much for serious benchrest shooting around here, hopefully something that can be improved in time as well.
Click to expand...

I would be extremely interested in that. I would even like to try my .223 out to 800. The farthest I have been able to shoot it has been 300 so far.
 
SND said:
Whichever you pick you should come try it out to 800M next season, lots of great shooters, challenging wind conditions and a lot of fun. I'm hoping to do another rifle for F-TR next year and take that a bit more seriously if time allows.
As you know there isn't much for serious benchrest shooting around here, hopefully something that can be improved in time as well.
Click to expand...
Guys what range has 800m I would like to get into longer range shooting and did not even know there was one in N.S.
Thanks for the info, Cheers Bob
 
Mystic Precision said:
13 twist will handle the 185gr BT so you are not limited to the 155/156gr. I bet you could stabilize a 200gr hybrid or 190gr VLD so the options are much wider then suggested
Click to expand...

Never meant to suggest it was limited to only 155s, but of the options available the 1:13 is the more limiting. Sounds like the OP is on the right track looking at the 12 Bench Rest anyway.

Scott
 
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