A long time ago right after being done with my USMC service, before the PRS matches were the norm, before the Remington 700 aftermarket options that were DIY were widely available and Creedmoor named cartridges were the thing, I wanted a precision rifle to ding steel plates at long range and that I could use (always hoping I never have to) during a national emergency if needed. Requirements were a threaded 24" heavy barrel, detachable magazine, chambered in .308 Winchester to simplify logistics in an emergency (Federal Gold Medal was around $16 for 20 rounds at that time) and being able to do most of the work on my garage bench. Choices that fit my budget were the Remington SPS Tactical or the Savage 10 FCP-SR. The 700 made the least sense for what I was trying to accomplish. I ended up getting the Savage 10 you see in these pictures.
I installed the barreled action in a Choate Machine & Tool Custom Tactical stock; at that time, that was the only option for the model 10 that came with their propietary magazine system. Installed a Smith Enterprises Good Iron brake, a Nightforce 20 moa piccatiny scope base, Glades Armory tactical bolt handle, Harris bipod and an excellent Leupold Mark 4 ER/T 8.5-25x50 scope with Badger Ordnance rings I already owned. Felt no need to change the accu-trigger. Last thing I did was a sponge camo paintjob and adding an arca plate to shoot from a tripod.
It had been sitting in my safe for the past 6 years without being shot since I have mostly been shooting vintage American rimfire rifles and 1903 Springfield rifles in competition. Pulled it out of the safe a few weeks ago to clean, inspect, fire it and make sure it is still zeroed and all my data is still accurate
The rifle came out a performer, averaging 1/2" moa or better at 100 yards, prone, with Federal GMM and also performed well at long ranges. The magazine system has been the one thing that has plagued the rifle since I bought it. It is finicky to operate, load and insert in the rifle; you have to "hold your tongue just right" to get it to work properly when loading the rifle and during rapid fire. It is also heavy at 18.6 pounds unloaded, mostly thanks to the very heavy Choate stock (it is a solid stock indeed). Bolt fitment could be better but I think that is something common on all Savage rifles with non target actions. Accuracy wise, I was shooting equally to other folks with very expensive custom tactical rifles. Is it a good rig for PRS matches? No. Is it a capable tactical long range rifle? Absolutely.
In recent years better, lighter options for what I wanted back then have become available for the do it yourselfer in a budget, even affordable factory rifles that meet the criteria I had at that time. Times change, we work, marry, have kids, priorities and interests change. Not sure if at this point I want to spend the extra cash to upgrade the bolt assembly to a PTG unit for smoother operation and upgrade to an AICS magazine system; sadly Jeff from CDI passed away and he was the go-to man for those conversions.
Enjoy the pictures.
I installed the barreled action in a Choate Machine & Tool Custom Tactical stock; at that time, that was the only option for the model 10 that came with their propietary magazine system. Installed a Smith Enterprises Good Iron brake, a Nightforce 20 moa piccatiny scope base, Glades Armory tactical bolt handle, Harris bipod and an excellent Leupold Mark 4 ER/T 8.5-25x50 scope with Badger Ordnance rings I already owned. Felt no need to change the accu-trigger. Last thing I did was a sponge camo paintjob and adding an arca plate to shoot from a tripod.
It had been sitting in my safe for the past 6 years without being shot since I have mostly been shooting vintage American rimfire rifles and 1903 Springfield rifles in competition. Pulled it out of the safe a few weeks ago to clean, inspect, fire it and make sure it is still zeroed and all my data is still accurate
The rifle came out a performer, averaging 1/2" moa or better at 100 yards, prone, with Federal GMM and also performed well at long ranges. The magazine system has been the one thing that has plagued the rifle since I bought it. It is finicky to operate, load and insert in the rifle; you have to "hold your tongue just right" to get it to work properly when loading the rifle and during rapid fire. It is also heavy at 18.6 pounds unloaded, mostly thanks to the very heavy Choate stock (it is a solid stock indeed). Bolt fitment could be better but I think that is something common on all Savage rifles with non target actions. Accuracy wise, I was shooting equally to other folks with very expensive custom tactical rifles. Is it a good rig for PRS matches? No. Is it a capable tactical long range rifle? Absolutely.
In recent years better, lighter options for what I wanted back then have become available for the do it yourselfer in a budget, even affordable factory rifles that meet the criteria I had at that time. Times change, we work, marry, have kids, priorities and interests change. Not sure if at this point I want to spend the extra cash to upgrade the bolt assembly to a PTG unit for smoother operation and upgrade to an AICS magazine system; sadly Jeff from CDI passed away and he was the go-to man for those conversions.
Enjoy the pictures.
