Bought a Savage for a build... Second guessing myself.

[digrazir]

Tikka > Savage

Out of the box the 12FV is a an amazing deal if you're good with the blind mag. That said, Savage's customer service is non-existent IME. They talk a lot, but don't walk a lot.

If you're going to build something up, go with Tikka or a Defiance/Surgeon/quality R700 clone, Mausingfield if you are willing to spend the $$$ (that would be my choice for a custom build).

Also consider getting the Tikka Tac A1 in 6.5 as it's already put together for you. I'd get that over building something up unless you just want to see something built. PVA/Josh would be a great builder.

I have to agree 100 percent. The Savage is the worst option when starting a build. Right now the Tikka Tac 1 in 6.5 Creedmoor looks to me like a pretty good deal when starting out on a budget..Ray

 

[pineoak]

With the 12FV, wouldn't you need to get bottom metal for it as well given that it doesn't accept magazines from the factory? Maybe build on a better platform to start.

Ultimately the barrel & ammo are more important than the action, but you're going to drop thousands of $ into a gun, it may as well start with a really good action.

 

[R_Swanson]

With the 12FV, wouldn't you need to get bottom metal for it as well given that it doesn't accept magazines from the factory? Maybe build on a better platform to start.

Ultimately the barrel & ammo are more important than the action, but you're going to drop thousands of $ into a gun, it may as well start with a really good action.

By going with the 12fv, you cut costs either way assuming you are building it up, as it comes with the action + accutrigger + usable barrel, but you arent paying more for a stock with a bottom metal you are going to replace anyway, be it with an AICS compatible bottom metal or chassis.

 

[spaniel]

Tikka > Savage

Out of the box the 12FV is a an amazing deal if you're good with the blind mag. That said, Savage's customer service is non-existent IME. They talk a lot, but don't walk a lot.

If you're going to build something up, go with Tikka or a Defiance/Surgeon/quality R700 clone, Mausingfield if you are willing to spend the $$$ (that would be my choice for a custom build).

Also consider getting the Tikka Tac A1 in 6.5 as it's already put together for you. I'd get that over building something up unless you just want to see something built. PVA/Josh would be a great builder.

In all my builds I've needed to buy a part direct from CS exactly once. I'm not sure where their CS comes into this conversation. For someone building a rifle themselves with no smith, Savage offers the most options, bar none. You can do the others, but barrel options especially are more limited. If I were paying someone to build a rifle for me, it wouldn't be a Savage.

 

[jLorenzo]

By going with the 12fv, you cut costs either way assuming you are building it up, as it comes with the action + accutrigger + usable barrel, but you arent paying more for a stock with a bottom metal you are going to replace anyway, be it with an AICS compatible bottom metal or chassis.

You can buy dark eagle mags for all savages that cone with detach mags.

 

[308220]

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...97912/redirect

You can also get it with a 24" fluted barrel. Threaded. Great starter rifle. And easy to build on later. Model 10 action is solid.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/mobile/product/70994/savage_10_pred_hntr_65_creed_max1

Another Model 10 in 6.5 CM. Also available in 243 Win. Both will get you in the game for $1k total with a swfa fixed 10x. Pretty good.

And Savage parts sell like hotcakes when you decide to change stocks/barrels etc

 

[SlimySquirrel]

Dude, I have had both the Tikka and Savage in various models.

For a DIY option, the Savage is hard to go past. Mine were also really accurate with factory barrels that preferred being dirty rather than shiny.

The Tikka is likely to be very accurate and with handloads could most likely meet your accuracy needs.

You can't really lose here boss. Have a crack, scratch that itch, and see if it's what you wanted.

 

[jlficken]

I had a Savage for many of the reasons you describe in your OP but I quickly sold it as I would rather pay a gunsmith to re-barrel every 5000 rounds (308 for me) than mess with the Savage again.