SAVAGE bench guns

[DrDeath]

The savage LRP, LRPV,and the Benchrest guns have all been really peaking my interest in these easily rechambered and rebarreled bench and varmint guns.

I'm considering building a 30 inch bull barrel LRPV ... For fun!

What's the opinion on these model 12 precision rifles?...

 

[BillCh]

A fellow I shoot with up at the range recently got a Model 12 in 6BR. He'd said that over the years things had gotten overly complicated with his other rifles. The light came on for him one day after fretting about whether the patch material he was using for his black powder competition rifle was giving the best accuracy. By a couple of weeks later he'd sold most all of his stuff, washing his hands of it.

He was able to order a Model 12 F Class for right around a grand, if I remember correctly. Somehow he found a super deal on factory Lapua ammo. He ordered two hundred rounds first just to make sure that it was the real-deal. After that came in he ordered another 300. Even with all that factory ammo reloading for it down the road should be a slam dunk deal. He had an old Luepold fixed power target scope on it last time I saw him. With about thirty or forty rounds through it he was getting what looked like 1" groups at 200 yds. He admitted that he wasn't very comfortable with it yet but overall he liked it.

It seems to me that this would be a pretty good, simple, setup. With a cheap(ish) single shot rifle in 6BR (or whatever cartridge) that's plenty capable of competing in our local matches, it certainly has me thinking of making a change.

If your considering a Model 12 keep in mind there are some fundamental differences between the target and varmint series. All mine are large shank barrels and have the lighter target accu-trigger. I've read complaints on the accu-trigger. They work fine for me. No complaints here. For a low end bargain brand rifle Savage is tough to beat. The biggest advantage, to me, is the ability to change out the barrel in a matter of minutes with no gunsmith involved.

I do wonder sometimes how my 30" 6.5mm 5R Bartlien barrel would shoot screwed onto a Stiller or Bat action vs the Savage, and if I'd be able to notice a difference at the target.

B

 

[DrDeath]

Good to hear.

 

[supratt96]

I have a model 12 F-class in 6 BR and it does quite well. I did have some work done to it... Bedded the action, modified the comb to be adjustable and had the barrel lapped. I use a Nightforce 8x32 BR scope with it and at 600 yard f-class comps, I am pretty much always in the top 3 scores and have won a number of matches. This is local level competition, nothing major, but I have been able to work my way up to Master Class with this rifle.

At 100 yds, groups in the .3s are the norm with occasional groups in the .2s. I haven't done a lot of load testing, but so far RL15 and Berger VLDs (either 105 gr Hybrids or 95 gr VLDs have worked well. Ran away with the last match using 95 gr VLDS loaded to 2940 fps with RL15. Next closest score was 7 points behind me. Thought I might have some trouble with a light bullet that day since there was a pretty tricky breeze, but the 95s did very well.

 

[Avgjoe]

I built a Model 12 Precision Target Action a few years back, single shot with the 6 oz. accutrigger. I used a Shilen Select Match 6mmBR barrel, bull contour, .272 no-turn neck, 1:8 twist and 26" long. Bedded the barreled action in a Dog Tracker stock from Sharpshooter Supply. Topped it with a Sightron 36X 1/8 min dot on a Ken Farrel 20 MOA base. If I remember correctly, I had about $1600 in the whole setup. I never fully developed the 105-108 grain heavies in 6mm, but that barrel loved 80gr Bergers over varget into the lands. I would occasionally get 3 into the high .1s, and 5 into the upper .2's to .3's. I always felt as though I was the limiting factor in the rifles accuracy. That rifle was stupid accurate, just didn't shoot it as much as I thought I would. In my opinion, you do have to have an appreciation for the accutrigger to really enjoy a Savage. As well the machine work and tolerances are not like a custom action on any savage I have owned or handled, but I have not owned one that would not shoot very well.

pic is with a Nikon 6-24.

Mike

 

[wakajawaka]

I've a 12 LRPV in .223. It's a 1/9 (the 1/7 wasn't an option then but is now)
It has the left feed and eject which I really like. There is also an option for left feed and right eject but with fewer caliber options than the left port only. Mines got an extra heavy non fluted barrel. I believe they are fluted now.

I also have a 12 Long Range Precision in .260 other options at the time were .243 and 6.5 Creedmore. Its the only rifle in the 12 Precision Target Series that is not a single shot and has a detachable magazine.

They both came in nice H-S Precision Varmenter stocks with Target Accu Triggers. Some don't like the trigger, I do. 12 oz is fine for me tho they will go down to 6oz.

They are easily 1/2 min guns. The .223 a little better. I don't chase accuracy and I feel someone who did could do much better. Were working on a 300yd range so I might have to change my ways.

I did add a Karsten cheek rest to the .223. Other than that, and scopes, they are stock.

If you have any specific questions, please ask.

 

[Sixfivesavage]

I've never understood all the complaints about the machining and smoothness of their actions. Are they as smooth as a custom? Absolutely not, like what has already been said. But keep in mind, it's NOT a custom action and neither is a remington. You're not paying custom prices here but you do get actions that are capable of keeping up with the big dogs wothout needing the work a remington does. So what if bolt lift is a little heavy or it doesn't feel like its running on glass. Send it away and have it smoothed out and lighten the lift a little, or just shoot it and it smooths out on its own. I have a build on a right bolt, left port and love it. Love my other savages waiting to be shot out and rebarreled. I will buy another target action at some point I'm sure. I also have a defiance action. They are not the same, but they didn't cost anywhere near the same either and depending on how it's built, most people don't see a difference in the target either. The accutrigger I could take or leave, but I will say this, it makes you a better shooter because it is so finicky. If your fundamentals are off or you get lazy behind the rifle it gives you a fit.