Which savage model to build on?

Travis_m

Travis_m

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I have chosen a savage in .223 for my next build but I am not sure which model to choose. It seems that they have too many models to choose from. I am not interested in the axis models. One of the main features I am looking for is detachable magazine. The models I am considering range in price from $580.00 to $780.00 and I am trying to determine if the extra features as you get more expensive are worth the investment now or is it better to save money now and upgrade components later. For example is the accustock worth the investment now or can I buy a takeoff/Boyd's stock later for less money. Some models come with a scope which is great because I can shoot right away but the scope provided will not be staying very long. The models I am looking at are:

Savage

Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP Bolt Action Rifle w/ Scope
$580.00
Detachable magazine
Accutrigger
Matte carbon steel barrel
Weaver 3-9 scope

Savage 16/116 Trophy Hunter XP Bolt Action Rifle w/ Scope
$690.00
Detachable magazine
Accutrigger
Stainless steel barrel
Weaver 3-9 scope

Savage Weather Warrior 16/116 FCSS Bolt Action Rifle w/ AccuTrigger
$730.00
Detachable magazine
Accutrigger
Accustock
Stainless steel barrel

Savage 12 FCV Varmint Bolt Action Rifle
$780.00
Detachable magazine
Accutrigger
Accustock with free floated barrel
Matte carbon steel heavy barrel


What would you start with and why?
 
If you want a solid rifle, get a used model 10 with an hs precision stock. If you want to have a great action to someday build on, get a target action and single feed. It really depends on your budget. The package scopes are junk, don't bother. Spend some money on glass too. Don't forget how much it will cost in ammo to become proficient. 223 is a great start.
 
depends on what you mean by build, if your going to upgrade the trigger and barrel then you might as well go with the cheapest model you can find, I just got a stainless 243 in a auction for $435.oo, I don't need the stock or the barrel but I wanted a stainless action with detachable mag.

So when you say build, are you swapping major parts? or just bolting on your own stock and scope?
 
I built mine on a model 11 package I bought new for $359 +tax. Threw out the scope and have a guy interested in the stock for $25. The old barrel sold as well although I don't recall what I got for it. It's a solid action although I would like to upgrade it eventually to a single shot model 12 target action.
 
The plan is to upgrade this rifle over time along with my 308 so it will be a slow process. I don't plan on replacing a barrel until this one is burnt out. In an ideal world I would get the target single shot action but that is not in the budget at the moment. The 12 FCV at $780 is already pushing my budget but if it worth the money I will find a way to make it work. Is there an advantage of stainless vs black carbon steel or is it just personal preference?
 
Decide on what the rifle should do for you and what features you need/want. THEN worry about what parts to get.

A budget to go with your goals will also be helpful.

There are lots of ways to build a Savage based rifle. See my website for some examples.

If you are going to swap in alot of parts, start with the most basic and the older Stevens 200's are gems.

If there is a factory rifle that is pretty much what you want to end up with in the future, it will be cheaper in the long run to just get that now.

Jerry
 
Travis_m said:
The plan is to upgrade this rifle over time along with my 308 so it will be a slow process. I don't plan on replacing a barrel until this one is burnt out. In an ideal world I would get the target single shot action but that is not in the budget at the moment. The 12 FCV at $780 is already pushing my budget but if it worth the money I will find a way to make it work. Is there an advantage of stainless vs black carbon steel or is it just personal preference?
Click to expand...

sounds like you should just keep on saving and find a LRPV in 223, you'll never wear out the barrel and it is everything your ever going to need, trigger is already done, single shot solid bottom action and HS precision stock.......look around for a used one
 
yodave said:
sounds like you should just keep on saving and find a LRPV in 223, you'll never wear out the barrel and it is everything your ever going to need, trigger is already done, single shot solid bottom action and HS precision stock.......look around for a used one
Click to expand...

Great advice right there.
 
I have been monitoring the classifieds for an f/tr but they don't seem to come up often and I wanted something I can shoot before the snow comes. It would take me quite a while to save up for one then put decent optics on it. I found a model 10 FCP-K on the EE and got it today. Yahoo!
 
rl4930 said:
If you want a solid rifle, get a used model 10 with an hs precision stock. If you want to have a great action to someday build on.
Click to expand...

I second that, but if you cant, then I suggest the Mod 12. I would recommend it in 308 tho. If you ever want to hunt with it, 308 can take down almost anything in this country... almost.
 
Travis_m said:
I have been monitoring the classifieds for an f/tr but they don't seem to come up often and I wanted something I can shoot before the snow comes. It would take me quite a while to save up for one then put decent optics on it. I found a model 10 FCP-K on the EE and got it today. Yahoo!
Click to expand...

I have one of those laying in pieces lol, 308 and 223 barrel............decisions decisions
 
I had my first day at the range with my new savage 223. To put it simply, the gun is an absolute pleasure to shoot. It is scoped with a bushnell fixed 10x. I was shooting winchester 45 gr jacketed hollow points that I bought just to put some rounds down the barrel so I did not have very high expectations. It was very windy today so that added a little bit of a challenge to shoot in but I managed to get a sub MOA grouping for my first time. I have been shooting my Rem 700 in 308 since the spring and have yet to get a sub MOA grouping and was starting to wonder if my skills were improving at all or if the groupings I was getting was the best I was going to get with the stock Rem 700/off the shelf ammo. The savage answered that today. I had 2/5 groups sub MOA and the others had horizontal spread but were bang on vertically which I think might have to do with the wind but who knows. Here is a picture of my best 4 shot grouping of the day. The squares are 1 inch and so is the dot.

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I am left eye dominant so my Rem 700 is a left handed action but I bought the savage right handed to shoot left handed. I like shooting the right handed action much better.
 
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