Upgrade current rifle or replace?

[Tinybear]

This year has been my second year shooting my B22FVSS in orps.

The rifle has performed very well (managed a couple podiums even mostly luck) and prints impressive 100yard groupings to my eye averaging 1.092” 5 shot groups over 35 recorded samples on three separate occasions. Shooting SK Standard+. And Does even better with long range match.

But the stock leaves something to be desired I have done what I can with it but at the end of the day the next step is replacing it with either a Boyd’s AT-One stock or MDT Chassis. This will have the effect of bumping the rifle to open class. I’m not to concerned with winning bragging rights but staying in production would be nice (simply can’t afford to make a truly decked out open class rig).

The other option would be to replace the rifle with another rifle within production rules that has a stiffer stock from factory. Something along lines of a CZ 457 Varmint.

I do own a 457 Canadian and even did a single match this year shooting it. But with its lower end scope pencil barrel and no cheek riser it was a challenge. Off the bench this rifles usually printing 1/2” larger groups than the savage. That being said it’s easily the rifle I take to the range the most. I just enjoy it. Pleasant to shoot off bench or unsupported standing (something I truly like to practice).

The Savage was my first choice for a rifle as all my savage rifles have been tack drivers. And the fact that there made here in Ontario was a bonus. I carried on that bonus with mdt scope rail and mdt bipod keeping the Canadian thing going.

I will say I do prefer the fuction and flat bottom of the savage mags over the CZ but the savage mags are bulky on the stages where you need two mags. The CZ is a far more supported rifle too. I have plenty of mags for either and have had next to zero issues loading or functioning with either.

My last option is simply just stick with the savage as is and deal with its flexi nature till it truly is effecting my shooting.


Hard choice so figured I seek other opinions.

 

[diegocn]

I think I've shot with you at Guelph matches. There are not many Savage shooters out there.

IMO for ORSP (25/50/75/100 only) the accuracy of the rifle is secondary. The fit of the stock and balance of the rifle is way more important. This means the CZ457 varmint/pro varmint would not be that much of a step up compare to your B22.

There's Savage MK2 AT-One (what I shoot), which I believe is a distributor model (not on Savage official website but can be purchased new ). It's a pretty grey area whether this would sit in production. I have not gotten a straight answer on it, althought I declare myself in production at matches and haven't gotten objection from match director yet.

There's also CZ 457 AT-One, which *should* fall within production category.

Alternatively, you could go with a CZ 457 pro varmint, and modify the stock yourself for adjustable comb / length of pull and still have it fit within the production rule.

Ruger Rimfire Precision is, IMO, another very good rifle for production because the stock is very adjustable, and there's m-lok handguard for mounting cheap amazon arca plates. Arguably it's better than the AT-One stocks. I shot one that belongs to my friend and it still puzzles me why not many people are use it. Maybge it's because most people shooting prod only bring what they have, and step up into open later on?

 

[IvoB]

My last option is simply just stick with the savage as is and deal with its flexi nature till it truly is effecting my shooting.

As someone who has a Savage Mark II (iron sights) and an Axis I've learned to not lean too much forward to prevent any stock flex. Both shoot remarkably well in stock configuration.

 

[Buck1950]

IvoB has a point about not pressing the stock too much. I have a B22-FV and CZ 455 & 457-VMTR and all 3 shoot under 0.5 on the few 'low-wind' days I get around here. Just off front and rear bag.
Have you worked on the action a bit? I have my B22 at ca 1# pull and the CZs below that. I'm sure that helps.

 

[Rapier46]

I’ve had my savage mk2 fvsr for almost 10 years now and I’ve put probably 15k through it. I’ve considered replacing it. But I know the replacement would cost more and not be as comfortable! Love that little thing.

 

[boxhitch]

sounds like you don't like the stock due to flex?
Does it flex from recoil or from the way you hold it? Do you grip the scope for stability?
All rifles shoot better with the least amount of input possible from the driver, which can never be consistent
B22 are easier to find a balance point under the mag than a mkII witht he stick mag
Maybe find a shooting stance with less force on the rifle

 

[Tinybear]

In all honesty I don’t think the stocks hurting me anyway. It’s just more I not a fan of it. The length of pull is additionally a tad short. I did add a cheek riser to it so that’s perfect.

I have tried shooting it with various loadings on the stock on bags or bipod. I have found what seems to work for it, and do my best to maintain that. I did have to remove the barrel channel try as it prevented free floating.

If I opted for another rifle. A adjustable cheek rise would be added if. It all ready equipped.

 

[ScottMisfits]

I went from a MKII, to a CZ 457 Varmint, and now have a Bergara. I was trying to stay in the production class, but finally just gave up. I havent gone full in, but I do have the Bergara in a chassis, upgraded trigger, way better glass than production class will allow. The main thing, I can make the rifle fit me. I have never been a big fan of the traditional style hunting stock shape and the chassis gets me away from that, as well as giving me options for better fit and feel.

The rifle you have is a fairly budget rifle, that does shoot incredibly well. Going to a different stock rifle of the same shape/style will not benefit you much. But something as simple as a stock/chassis will help in a good number of ways. Just be careful with the rabbit hole. You could throw $10,000 and you still have a Savage. Better ways to direct your money.

 

[Mysticprecision]

Please confirm with your match director but a year or so back, the ORPS rules allowed for the FACTORY stock to be modified without restrictions. So could add material to stiffen, add weight, change LOP and comb... even bedding. Now unless I totally got that rule change wrong, if handy with wood and glue, you can modify to suit and save a ton of money.

FYI, there is no material benefit in the barreled action between a good shooting production rifle (1" or so at 100yds) and the most expensive custom whatever. Ammo still limits what any rifle will shoot and the targets at 100yds typically are 3" so it really isn't going to change much (haven't shot ORPS this season so maybe targets have gotten smaller???)

The key is getting that rifle to fit you AND balance on that 1 bag. And 100% reliability... which some mega dollar rifles struggle with.. but they are getting better.

Good luck..

Jerry

 

[sk8snwmx]

I’ve had my savage mk2 fvsr for almost 10 years now and I’ve put probably 15k through it. I’ve considered replacing it. But I know the replacement would cost more and not be as comfortable! Love that little thing.

Same, I'm not competing so I just sold an Anschutz 1710 MDT ACC, and an CZ 457 in a XRS with IBI, but still have my FV-SR! The $3k+ Anschutz would shoot .6-1.25 or so at 100 with Eley Match, but the $300 Savage will still shoot 1 - 1.75 with Center-X...