Just Ordered My First Long Range Rifle--A Savage 12 LRP!

T

TwoNiner

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Minuteman
Feb 4, 2013
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Orange County, CA
#1
Well guys after much research and advice from those on the hide I pulled the trigger on a Savage Model 12 LRP chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. It comes with a 1" thick 26" barrel with a 1/8 twist. Needless to say I am pretty stoked.

My local shop says the delivery is about 2-3 weeks out so in the meanwhile I will be searching for a 20MOA 1 piece scope mount and some rings for an SWFA 10x42 SS scope. I'm thinking a 1 piece from midwayusa and some badger rings. I most likely will be upgrading to a Nightforce F1 3-15 or a USO SN3 (both of which are very hard to find it seems?) after I have some rounds under my belt.

My only concern right now with this rifle is the factory stock. I've never been impressed with any factory stocks so I am basically buying the gun for the action/trigger/barrel. I do have my eyes on a Manners T5A (thumbhole). How much work does it take to drop in a factory barreled action into one of those? I've never bedded a rifle or whatnot before. Not opposed to doing it, but I don't want to screw it up either!

savage.jpg
 
#3
You should be a lot more concerned with the factory barrel and action than with the factory stock. I ordered a similar rifle from Savage last month (well, it had HS Precision stock and 5-R stainless barrel), ended up pulling the order after I realized that it would be a 4-12 week lead time ( = I have plenty of time to explore other options), and subsequently talked to a competent gunsmith and did my own research, leading me to expand my plan to making a custom rifle on a Savage stainless target action. I actually wrote a thread on this, but it's pending publishing because I am a new member / mods have to approve. :D

If you are set on your plan, just make sure that you get the action blueprinted (although you will probably get strange looks from gunsmiths for coming to them with a factory action that's not even a Rem 700), and have them glass bed the barrel to your choice of action. Should be a great plinker, just don't expect miracles.
 
#4
Possibly the dumbest thing i have read is the post above mine. Savages don't need much truing up to shoot good compared to remage. Floating bolt head does work wonders. Second, the target actions are cnc machined to better specs then standard actions.
 
#5
6brshooter said:
Possibly the dumbest thing i have read is the post above mine. Savages don't need much truing up to shoot good compared to remage. Floating bolt head does work wonders. Second, the target actions are cnc machined to better specs then standard actions.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback, I'll take it up with my gunsmith and get a second opinion from another one.
 
#6
If you want to upgrade the stock then I would look at the predator gun rather than the LRP. The LRP has a HS Precision stock so there is no need to replace it unless you really want to. If so then save yourself a couple hundred bucks and get the predator gun. My opinion is it makes a much better all around gun anyway as the LRP is very heavy.


Just a note for you. Barrels are not bedded to the action. You can bed the barrel to the stock or more commonly bed the action and free float the barrel.
 
#7
Nothing wrong with the HS stock. It's a good stock (no comparison to the cheap plastic ones). The only reason to replace it would be ergonomics. Honestly, probably no need to bed it either. But if you want to, that's fine too. If done correctly, it won't hurt a thing. Break the barrel in properly and enjoy a fine rifle. That's my 2 cents.
 
#8
Nice choice. I picked up one a little over a year ago. The stock is a decent stock, it has the aluminum bedding block and free floats the barrel, but the comb may be too short for optics, depending on what you get.

I dropped mine in a Manners T4 with CDI dbm system and love it. I have monkey arms and needed a longer lop was the main reason. I had a local smith skim bed it in the Manners too.

It shoots anything I've tried in it pretty well.

One thing about the target actions is that you can't use a base that has a built in recoil lug because the whole top is enclosed. I went with a Warne 20 MOA base.

Enjoy it, it is a fine rifle, but a bit heavy.

ETA. Mine's a 260 Rem.
 
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#9
Don't know if you've seen the rifle yet, but it won't be coming with the stock you have pictured in your OP. I picked up mine a couple days ago and was presently surprised to find the new stock has a higher comb and more vertical grip. I like it. Good luck!
 
#10
Before you do anything to it, why not see how it shoots. If it is sub-moa or close why not leave it alone, save the modification money on glass and ammo. Good mechanically accurate glass and some practice will do more for making hits than bedding and stocks.
 
#11
I am currently building my first Savage precision rifle. Rather than buy one turnkey, I picked up a cheap Stevens 200 and scalped it for the action. Pretty much everything else is going to be replaced. The one part about most Savages that I never been able to deal with is the cheap POS stocks. Even their Accustocks are pretty much junk with a profile useless for anything but general sporter work. I took the plunge and got one of the newly released AI chassis systems. Talk about night and day difference!
 
#13
The LRP's are nice. And FYI, Savage's, especially the target actions do not really benefit from truing. Your new rifle will serve you well right out of the box! As for aftermarket stocks, the HS is nice but I personally can't stand shooting prone without a vertical grip. If you are like me, definitely go for a Manners/McMillan!
 
#16
Purchased a Savage 10FCP-K about 5 years ago or so in 308. Hated the factory stock. It was the black accustock. When I purchased the rifle I knew I was going to restock someday when the funds were there. I sent manners stocks an e-mail with a few questions and a couple of days later my phone rang and it was Tom Manners. We talked for a long time and he asked me several questions about my gun and what I was looking for. I decided to go with the T-4. Tom took all my info and gave me work/service order number.
Manners called me when the stock was ready for my barrel/action for them to bed. I took my optics and stock off and sent it to them. A couple of weeks later my rifle showed up with the new stock on and ready to go. Very pleased with the end product. The rifle shoots just as good if not better than it did before, I did put a new viper PST 6x24 on it when I got the rifle back. You cant go wrong with a manners in my opinion and having the owner call me personally and help me with the process was outstanding.
 
#17
LRJammer said:
I am currently building my first Savage precision rifle. Rather than buy one turnkey, I picked up a cheap Stevens 200 and scalped it for the action. Pretty much everything else is going to be replaced. The one part about most Savages that I never been able to deal with is the cheap POS stocks. Even their Accustocks are pretty much junk with a profile useless for anything but general sporter work. I took the plunge and got one of the newly released AI chassis systems. Talk about night and day difference!
Click to expand...

Pics please!

I am also very impressed on the quality of service and recommendations I've heard about Manners which is why I plan to go with them. Their BDM also sounds very interesting, especially if it can be fitted to the stock upon ordering...then it should be just plug and play?
 
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#18
Havent read all the posts above, but I have a Savage 12 LRP in 260. It shoots sub 1/2 MOA right out of the box. Regarding the stock, I didn't think that I would like the stock but I didn't have the cash to get another one so I have been shooting it. 400 rounds later, I really like the stock. I even had a Bell and Carlson A5 with the pistol grip to compare it against and I still really like the H-S.
 
#19
Nice choice.

For ~$900, I don't think you can do better. These simply SHOOT, and require no upgrading - though I think Savage puts a little too much barrel on these.

Have fun with it, it will make you look like a much better shooter than you actually are!
 
#20
TwoNiner said:
Pics please!

I am also very impressed on the quality of service and recommendations I've heard about Manners which is why I plan to go with them. Their BDM also sounds very interesting, especially if it can be fitted to the stock upon ordering...then it should be just plug and play?
Click to expand...

As my post stated, I am in the middle of the build. The action and barrel are boxed up and going to the smith tomorrow for a true and time job and to have then bead blasted in preparation for Cerakote. I will post pics once I get it back, assembled, and finished.
 
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#21
I have my 6.5 lrp in a mccree now. The stock it came with was was fine, I added some mini cell foam and a stock pack to get the height i needed to match the scope height. It is a sub moa rifle shooting factory amax 140's. You will like the rifle.
 
#22
jabels said:
Nice choice. I picked up one a little over a year ago. The stock is a decent stock, it has the aluminum bedding block and free floats the barrel, but the comb may be too short for optics, depending on what you get.

I dropped mine in a Manners T4 with CDI dbm system and love it. I have monkey arms and needed a longer lop was the main reason. I had a local smith skim bed it in the Manners too.

It shoots anything I've tried in it pretty well.

One thing about the target actions is that you can't use a base that has a built in recoil lug because the whole top is enclosed. I went with a Warne 20 MOA base.

Enjoy it, it is a fine rifle, but a bit heavy.

ETA. Mine's a 260 Rem.
Click to expand...

Is this the based that you used?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/61...e-10-through-16-round-rear-short-action-matte

Would really like to see any photos you have of the rifle, including shots of the DBM. What magazines are you using? Do you think you could have gotten away without skim bedding?
 
#24
That is the base that I used. It is a nice piece. I called and talked to Warne customer service before I ordered it to ensure it would work and they were really friendly and helpful. They even suggested some places to shop for one online that might be cheaper than buying direct.

I think I could have gotten by without skim bedding it, but a local smith who builds mainly benchrest rigs was recommend and he only charged $40 to skim bed it, so it was a no brainer. I ordered the stock with the "factory heavy" barrel channel, which is for the varmint profile Savage uses, not this target profile, so he opened the barrel channel up and fitted the bottom metal for an additional $40. Really nice work and I was only out $80. If I were to order a new stock from Manners I'd probably request a straight 1.25" channel just to ensure that any barrel would work, but it wasn't a big deal.

I have two Alpha Type 1 mags, two AICS 5 round and two AICS 10 round mags. All of them feed just fine, although the Alpha mags are a bit difficult to seat in the mag well.

I ordered a Rifle Basix Sav-1 before I picked up the rifle at my FFL, but after shooting the rifle with the stock trigger, I haven't felt the need to replace it yet. It is for sure less than 1 pound and is super crisp. It definitely takes getting used to.

Here's the only picture of the rifle I have, sorry it's a crappy iPhone pic:

a603c0fc-af95-45e1-83ca-8538063980be.jpg


I've added a Karsten Cheek Piece since the picture because I have too tall of rings on it, but I like them. They're older American Rifle Company M3, I thing gen 2's. Really nice rings.

I couldn't be more pleased with this rig for my first long range rifle.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

ETA, that's one of the Alpha mags in the picture.

Best,
Justin
 
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#25
Having trouble adding text on the last post with the images.

1. My steel baby!
2. The group that was shot with 43.1 gr of H4350 behind a 140 Berger
3. The Dark Eagle Custom mag in the rifle with the stock below
4. Side by side of the Dark Eagle and the factory mag.
 
#27
they are a cool rifle. have had my one on order since last year (early) and it should be here next month.... I have a EGW 20 moa base for it, stock pack and getting CDI metal work for it. looking at a 6-24 pst for it. got the brass (lapua), dies (rcbs), powder (R17) and bullets (nosler) in 260.good things take time over here in New Zealand.
cost is $1900 nzd =$1550 usd, but have export permits,freight, two other dealer fees in there......
 
#28
Two more things,

1. I originally, from the picture and the info on the savage site, thought that the rifle had a stainless steel finish on the bbl, but it is the black baked on stuff. Not good or bad, just not what I had expected.
2. At first, I liked how light the trigger was, but it was too easy to freeze the trigger up with a hard bolt close or, if someone else was shooting, any lateral pressure on the trigger.

Mine is a 260 and I couldn't be happier with the caliber. Your Creedmore should be just as good, but not got the "parent case convenience" that my "skinny 308" has.
 
#29
Doyputasos,

Nice looking LRP! How do you like the DarkEagle magazine? Trying to decide between those or going with the CDI setup on my LRP. Also, what app are you using on the target photos?

Thanks!
 
#30
Give it a chance, you will be happy

TwoNiner said:
Well guys after much research and advice from those on the hide I pulled the trigger on a Savage Model 12 LRP chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. It comes with a 1" thick 26" barrel with a 1/8 twist. Needless to say I am pretty stoked.

My local shop says the delivery is about 2-3 weeks out so in the meanwhile I will be searching for a 20MOA 1 piece scope mount and some rings for an SWFA 10x42 SS scope. I'm thinking a 1 piece from midwayusa and some badger rings. I most likely will be upgrading to a Nightforce F1 3-15 or a USO SN3 (both of which are very hard to find it seems?) after I have some rounds under my belt.

My only concern right now with this rifle is the factory stock. I've never been impressed with any factory stocks so I am basically buying the gun for the action/trigger/barrel. I do have my eyes on a Manners T5A (thumbhole). How much work does it take to drop in a factory barreled action into one of those? I've never bedded a rifle or whatnot before. Not opposed to doing it, but I don't want to screw it up either!

savage.jpg
Click to expand...

First of all it comes with a jp precison stock, and I just picked up a long range hunter, w/accustock. Should be less accurate than yours, and after zeroing my scope, I shot a 3 shot 1/4" group at 100 yds and with factory ammo to boot! Hornady 120 amax. Never have I had this tight a group with factory ammo or a brand new rifle-first group too... I promptly packed up and went home, afraid I would jinx a great day.
Good luck and enjoy!
Lessdrop
 
#31
You-Two said:
Doyputasos,

Nice looking LRP! How do you like the DarkEagle magazine? Trying to decide between those or going with the CDI setup on my LRP. Also, what app are you using on the target photos?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The DarkEagle Mag is very nice. I am glad that I went with it instead of the 9 rounders that are for sale elsewhere.

As for the app, it is only on the iPhone, and it is Ballistic AE (Advanced Edition) by Jonathan Zizdiarski. It is one of the more expensive apps I have purchased (was it $20??? I forget) but it was worth every penny. Also, if you like to shoot/hunt on public lands, I recommend Cabella's Recon Hunt with the public lands overlay. Another few bucks but worth it!
 
#32
soteaser said:
First of all it comes with a jp precison stock, and I just picked up a long range hunter, w/accustock. Should be less accurate than yours, and after zeroing my scope, I shot a 3 shot 1/4" group at 100 yds and with factory ammo to boot! Hornady 120 amax. Never have I had this tight a group with factory ammo or a brand new rifle-first group too... I promptly packed up and went home, afraid I would jinx a great day.
Good luck and enjoy!
Lessdrop
Click to expand...

Yeah! Now you got me pumped to get my rifle!! Nice shootin'
 
#33
Copen1822 said:
Don't know if you've seen the rifle yet, but it won't be coming with the stock you have pictured in your OP. I picked up mine a couple days ago and was presently surprised to find the new stock has a higher comb and more vertical grip. I like it. Good luck!
Click to expand...

This has me curious. The stock you're talking about is the one Savage uses on their Mod 10 .308 and 110 .300 WM in the LE series. Wonder if they made a universal change on the LRP rifles too.
 
#35
soteaser said:
First of all it comes with a jp precison stock, and I just picked up a long range hunter, w/accustock. Should be less accurate than yours, and after zeroing my scope, I shot a 3 shot 1/4" group at 100 yds and with factory ammo to boot! Hornady 120 amax. Never have I had this tight a group with factory ammo or a brand new rifle-first group too... I promptly packed up and went home, afraid I would jinx a great day.
Good luck and enjoy!
Lessdrop
Click to expand...

Who is JP Precision? Do you have a link to the company? All I have ever seen on these guns is HS stocks
 
#36
Doyputasos, wondering about the app... Do you take a picture of your target and select your shots for grouping or are they preset targets that you just guesstimate where your shots are at?
 
#37
Danhalen7.62 said:
Doyputasos, wondering about the app... Do you take a picture of your target and select your shots for grouping or are they preset targets that you just guesstimate where your shots are at?
Click to expand...

You take a pic, determine the range, set bullet diameter, set the scale on the target (basically u need to tell the computer what size 1" is on the pic) and then place your shots. If you take care, you ought to get reliable info.
 
#39
Well guys my gun came in early and I registered it today! I couldn't be happier with it. Heavy barrel with minor fluting, powder coated black. I've never dry fired and accu-trigger until now, but it is definitely best factory rifle trigger I've ever felt--very light weight pull and no creep. I am a bit of a trigger snob but in only 3 dry fire attempts I found nothing wrong with it.

The most surprising thing about the rifle was the stock! It appears to be a high quality benchrest style stock with a wide contoured forend and steep grip angle. It is very heavy and appears to be a glass filled composite. Definitely not your average plastic junk. IT looks like this HS precision stock, except black:

https://www.hsprecision.com/shop2/stocks/pst/pst114.html

Pictures to follow when I pick the rifle up from jail!

BTW, I just ordered an Atlas BT10-LW17 for it. Does anyone know how I can modify the stock to use the bipod? Do you just drill and screw in a picitanny rail adapter?
 
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#41
TwoNiner said:
Pics please!

I am also very impressed on the quality of service and recommendations I've heard about Manners which is why I plan to go with them. Their BDM also sounds very interesting, especially if it can be fitted to the stock upon ordering...then it should be just plug and play?
Click to expand...

As requested, here is a photo of mine. Have to settle for a cell phone pic for now. I hope to get it out this weekend and see how it shoots and I will take better picture and probably post a thread of the build.
 

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#43
Hope yours shoots as good as mine. I had .244 5rd groups with 142gr SMKs and H4350 but it was a 260rem not the Creed. Good luck with it. The factory stock is fine and the Savage does not need the work that a Remington does to make it shoot.
 
#44
My 6.5cm lrp liked 140amax over 42.0 gr of h4350. Shoots in the .3 moa range and have shot several sub 5" groups at 1k. Fast barrel to boot, 2840 fps, confirmed at 1k. Mine is in a Mcree and wears a razor. I like the Mcree, but wish the aics was available then. I have two aics on savages now and find them near perfect.
 
#45
Good news guys. I have my LRP and just finished installing an atlas bipod, badger 20 moa rail, badger rings, and swfa 10x42 scope. I am taking it out to the desert this weekend to shoot and will report back with all the pics and intel!
 
#46
Range Report

savage1.jpg


Just got back from shooting the savage for the first time this weekend. The recoil is just amazing--it has less recoil than my AR15 shooting milsurp ammo. Definitely a smooth shooter and the accu-trigger is very crisp and light with no noticable creep or grit.

My groups weren't what I expected (1.25-1.75) MOA but I think its due to the green guy behind the rifle. This is my first precision rifle. I've never really shot prone before so I was wiggling around a lot on the dirt and getting used to manipulating the bolt, which is a little stiff, but I think I will get used to it as I get more practice. Overall it was a fun experience and I can't wait to get more trigger time on it.

savage2.jpg


She weighs in at a lofty 14lb 11oz. How much are your guys short action rifles weighing in at? It seems really heavy to me. I'm already considering ways to reduce weight but can't think of anything short of chopping a couple inches off the barrel which will reduce my shot velocity. How much I don't know...my factory Hornady 120gr a-max ammo was leaving the barrel averaging 2920 fps. The barrel measures a full 1.00" at the muzzle.

savage3.jpg


It also kicked up a significant amount of dust and sand from shot to shot, enough that I lost sight of my impact so I'm thinking about a muzzle brake. Can anyone recommend a good smith to thread the barrel and put a brake on it so the blast doesn't kick up as much dirt? What brake would be best for this rifle?
 
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#47
Sounds like maybe you need a whole bunch of dry fire practice. You're doing well when you can break the trigger at a 1/2" dot @ 100 yards at full magnification, and see ZERO reticle movement.

I don't think you are going to achieve much weight loss from that rifle. It comes with a very heavy contour barrel, so to drop much weight, you'll need to either recontour it or chop it down, neither of which are great choices. My recommendation is shoot the hell out of it and when it's time for a fresh barrel, buy a lighter contour.

For smiths, you can either buy the tools to remove/replace your own barrel and send just your barrel, indicating which flute is the TDC one, or send the whole rifle out. Any of the hide sponsor smiths will do a fabulous job. I have seen a number of Mark Gordon built rifles and they are excellent. Not to say he is "better" than the others, just that I've seen a bunch of his work and it is first rate.
 
#48
If you're shooting prone get a rear bag to put under the stock. The trigger pull should be very light so most of your problems are probably coming from stability at the rear of the rifle instead of flinching from trigger pull.
 
#50
I got the same rig in a few weeks ago and upon initial observation it is a lot of gun for the 1000 price range. Have not shot it yet due to having it sent off for a brake install (this is the smallest caliber I have had a brake installed on to date)! Hopefully the recoil will be almost non existent for spotting my own shots. I am totally stoked with the gun so far and only hope it shoots as good as my other savages. The new stock design fixes the comb problem I have heard other people mention as a complaint for the rifle. I had never used a Savage target accu-trigger prior to receiving this Model 12 LRP chambered in 6.5 creedmoor and I have to say I was extremely impressed with it with dry fire only.
 
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