Stick to first .223 rifle choice - or settle for second choice.....help me decide.

Vladivar

Vladivar

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Hey guys,

Looking for some opinions here. I have decided that I would like to try F-TR shooting and have been doing some research on which rifle to pick. I have actually made a decision on the rifle I would like to go for: It's the Savage 12 F/TR in .223.

The problem I have is that there doesn't appear to be any Canadian source for this rifle. I have seen it on Cabelas web site, but only in .308.

My question is this - because the F/TR is so hard to find, am I doing myself a huge disservice if I change my choice to the Savage 12 LRPV in .223. This still looks to be a good long range choice and there is not much difference in price but it looks to be easier to actually get hold of one.

So....hold out for the F/TR and just keep looking - or go for the second (but more available) choice.
 
Frankly, it won't matter. More importantly invest in good reloading components, excellent glass and a quality bipod and get out and practice. You will likely wish to change a barrel after one or two seasons anyway :)
 
F/TR rifle

Two fellow shooters bought the Palma Savage in .308 win 30" barrels, with adjustable cheek rests and front rails last summer, they must of tried 10 or more know loads that shoot in the .308win best groups they could get wa 3/4" at 100.

They both took there rifles to VX Systems in Ottawa removed the barrels and installed a 30" Hv palma True-flite1/13 twist in .308win chambered for the 155gr.The gun now shoots sub 1/2".
The other one bought a 223 bolt face from Jerry at Mystic and he got a Tru=Flite 1/7 twist 30" Palma from Peter at Hirsch
had VX System ( Ian Robertson) chamber with special JGS PVD reamer for the 80 & 90 gr Bergers..
Both guns the nut was removed and barrels where threaded in and head spaced, this 223 shoots .250"
100y.
The stocks on these Savages are very nice have everything you need for Fclass shooting. and very comfortable to shoot.and I was impressed with the accu-trigger.

Another fellow bought a Savage with 1/7 twist 30" barrel and his shoots the 80gr Bergers very good at Eganville shoot at 400 m, he shot a 5 shot group 1.350".
manitou
 
If your anything like me you wont be as happy with your second choice, stick it out there should be some around somewhere
 
Life is too short. Grab a donor and build what you want. costs will not be too much different and the gun will be competitive right away. Factory rifles are a guess as to what barrel quality you will get.

I have seen many great shooting Savage HB's and some that were just varmint grade.

let me know...

Jerry
 
I bought a Savage F/TR from Epps last spring. You could call them and ask if they are getting any in this season.

When I looked it was April I think and they had got 2 in and one was sold already.

If you get a different Savage .223 just make sure its got the 1 in 7 twist so you can shoot heavy bullets.


good luck


Alex
 
For someone starting off in F-TR, I'd recommend 308 rather than 223. The larger caliber is more forgiving for reloading and has better longer distance performance than the smaller with stock barrels/chambers. Once you've gotten over the initial learning curve, that might be the better time to try shooting the 223, unless you have other concerns, such as health or size that would make the 223 recoil a better option.
 
Vladivar said:
Thanks for all the tips. What would be a good source for the action if I decided to go custom?
Click to expand...

I was in a similar position early last year. I had finally settled on a savage model, at a bit over 6months into the wait and still no idea if/when it would come I decided to cancel it and go custom. Only regret was not doing it sooner and missing last season.
I got my components from Hirsch Precision, Peter has quite a few actions, barrels and everything else in stock to choose from, and always more cool stuff on the way, and a few other brands not on the website so its worth contacting him directly.
Custom is a bit more $ upfront but you also get more, when comparing consider adding the cost of a new match barrel, new trigger, bedding and so on to a factory rifle in the comparison, for something competitive.
 
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