Say what you want about Savages...but here's mine

[10ring1]

Over the past several months I have been developing loads for my one and only Savage. It is my first Savage and it is a model 12 LRP in 6.5 Creed. As with most 6.5cm, H4350 was to go to powder. I had a shooting 140s fairly well and I use them for shooting Steel but when the Hornady 147 came out I noticed the accuracy improved even more.
I'm shooting 40 grains of h4350 with a 147 eldm. Winchester standard rifle primer. Coog 2.2465. This is what I came up with after load development. A 6x5 of .583" and a 5x5 of .553". As you can see on a Target, a few of those rounds that went just wide of a one whole group would have shrunk the overall averages significantly. On two of the groups I had four in one whole and the fifth one, I'll admit, I choked. People may say what they want about Savages but mind speaks for itself. I have no complaints. The trigger is phenomenal. I have not formally shot a great number of groups with a suppressor but I can honestly say I feel that it is even more accurate suppressed. Again thanks to everyone who posts load workup and data on the Forum as it is always a big help with load development

 

[EJ1001]

Nice. Getting real world .5xx from an off the shelf gun... I have a Savage in .223 that shoots close to .5xx with a factory tube as well.

 

[JSchell1309]

I'm interested in what the Hide thinks of Savage 12 LRP. Seems to be a top option for off the shelf precision from a factory rifle.

I have only dabbled in precision shooting over the last year. I was drawn to savage for my first semi-custom rifle mainly for the aspect of the barrel nut, making the whole rifle much easier for a garage build.

Maybe I haven't been lurking a whole lot, just seems Savage or RemAge rifles aren't very popular around here.

 

[fdkay]

I'm interested in what the Hide thinks of Savage 12 LRP. Seems to be a top option for off the shelf precision from a factory rifle.

I have only dabbled in precision shooting over the last year. I was drawn to savage for my first semi-custom rifle mainly for the aspect of the barrel nut, making the whole rifle much easier for a garage build.

Maybe I haven't been lurking a whole lot, just seems Savage or RemAge rifles aren't very popular around here.

There are so many options out there now that has made the Savage/Rem argument a moot point.
Why would you buy either when the Howa HCR, Tikka Tac X and Bergara rifles are available and there are barrel nut options for those as well.

The Savage is still a good rifle, Remington has gone in the shitter and there is no reason to dick with the Rem-age system unless you already own a Remington.

 

[JSchell1309]

There are so many options out there now that has made the Savage/Rem argument a moot point.
Why would you buy either when the Howa HCR, Tikka Tac X and Bergara rifles are available and there are barrel nut options for those as well.

The Savage is still a good rifle, Remington has gone in the shitter and there is no reason to dick with the Rem-age system unless you already own a Remington.

Makes sense, I didn't know there were more options out there for actions that work with a barrel nut.

Are popular barrel makers offering pre-fits for those actions?

I know Savage and RemAge have Criterion and Shilen support through NSS.

 

[CaptNemo]

I love my 12 LRP. I jumped on the 6.5 CM bandwagon early on with this rifle and have been enthusiastic about both since the first round down range in 2011.

 

[Dirty D]

My LRP action isn’t as polished as my TL2 but shoots the same sized groups, the LRP is easily the best Accuracy for your dollars on the market.

 

[10ring1]

Agreed. I paid about 900 after selling my Rem 5r to fund it. Don't miss the Remington at all. The trigger on the lrp is phenomenal. The gun is a bit heavy but just using it for target shooting. I had it threaded before I ever even shot it. No one can argue with the results. Could have been under 0.5 a bit if I wouldn't have choked on the 5th shot of 2 groups.
I too was drawn to the ability to change the barrel myself. I don't own a Tikka, and the only Howa I ever shot was a 223 that had a pattern instead of a group. I went Savage and have not one complaint. BTW, the groups pictured are from a 100 percent factory gun.

 

[Fig]

Savages?

 

[Dirty D]

Savages?

Fig nailed it, that is ‘zactly how the Remington fanboi’s see us.

 

[Fig]

Well, in your case it's TRUE!

 

[XLR308]

I really like my Savage rifles and shoot them quite a bit. They are all extremely accurate two being pretty much all factory and one in a Manners T4 with a McGowan barrel.
The only real gripe I have with them is the actions are pretty sloppy and cluncky but for what they cost they certainly outperform the price tag.

 

[lash]

My brother owns an LRP in .260 that has thousands of rounds through the tube and still out-shoots many a rifle worth much more. He bought it from my friend who only moved it because it is so damned barrel heavy. This makes it harder to use in the precision rifle matches we shoot. My buddy went full-on custom and likes his new rifle a lot, but still occasionally makes a comment about how accurate that Savage was.

 

[lennyo3034]

Fig nailed it, that is ‘zactly how the Remington fanboi’s see us.

Remington fanbois still exist?

 

[bunsen27]

I have more Savage rifles in the safe than many here would feel comfortable admitting to, five in total.

I bought my 12 LRP in late 2011. It had an off center chamber job and shot okay, but really shined when I dropped a Shillen pre-fit on it. It went to sub half-MOA. I eventually dropped that in a Manners T2.

For the Hell of it I took that original .260Rem large shank barrel and had my gunsmith cut off the bad chamber, re-chamber for 6.5 Creedmoor and cut a small shank tenon. I put that barrel in a 12 Varmint action from NSS and back in the original old style 12LRP stock. It too shoots sub MOA!

Before the Howa, Tikka, and Bergara offerings a Savage 12LRP was your best bang for the buck at $900. Now not so much.

I finally got off the Savage train this year and built a .223Rem off a factory Rem700 action, KRG Bravo-2 stock, Criterion Remage pre-fit, and dropped a Timney Calvin elite 2-stage in it. It shoots just as good as my Savages, feeds from AICS patter mags, but the ability to add on triggers better than a Rifle Basix have sold me on the platform. I'll keep my existing Savages, but won't build or buy another one.

 

[Olen_4504]

Awesome to read about!

I've been completely impressed with my 20" savage 10 in .308. Granted, I put it in a chassis, but I can consistently get 0.5MOA or less groups with factory hornady ammo.

for the money, I'm not complaining

 

[archistrong]

I'll echo other comments on this thread. I've been more than pleased with my $400 Savage .308 12FV. While I junked the crap stock for a Bobby Hart LRT, it's been a real shooter. I've had it out to 1100yds+ and its been a laser. At a club match this past year I took home 1st in the .308 class shooting 208gn ELD-M's. At less than $1000 all in, I'm not going to complain.

 

[lash]

I'll echo other comments on this thread. I've been more than pleased with my $400 Savage .308 12FV. While I junked the crap stock for a Bobby Hart LRT, it's been a real shooter. I've had it out to 1100yds+ and its been a laser. At a club match this past year I took home 1st in the .308 class shooting 208gn ELD-M's. At less than $1000 all in, I'm not going to complain.


View attachment 6910153

Nice rifle! A laminate stock done right is always nice to see.

 

[Sierra’1]

10ring1 what are you getting for velocity with those loads? I had a lrp 6.5 CM and loved it. I was shooting 142 SMKs over H4350 at 2800 with single digit SDs out of mine. Rifle was an outstanding shooter when I did my part and grouped 2.5 inches at 1,000 yards the first time I shot it out there. I think you will be hard pressed to find another factory rifle in the same price range that will shoot as well. I sold mine to help fund a surgeon 6.5 CM build.

 

[ruebarb]

I have a 110 Ba Stealth in 338 Lapua, it is consistently inconsistent, it barely makes 1 MOA.

To start off the scope rail would fall off after 30 rounds, they used the wrong length screws and didn't cut the threads properly. I hand delivered it to Savage in Westfield MA, I had told them the screws were too short, had only 2 threads of engagement, waited 8 weeks to get the rifle back, picked it up at Westfield. 30 rounds later the scope rail was loose, they put the same exact screws back into the rail. I then proceeded to retap the threads myself and installed the EGW scope rail with proper length screws. Solved the problem myself, their Gunsmiths are beyond morons.

Their accu trigger, although decent, is not implemented correctly, the reason it is a blade style trigger, is it is otherwise completely dangerous, any lateral force, it will go off if. The safety takes over from the center blade of the trigger. 20 Min of work and the trigger can be made 100% safe, drop safe, the trigger safety should never be the only safety to prevent a drop fire, proper Sear Angle, positive engagement.

I'll never own another Savage, wish I had bought any other Lapua Rifle. I would by a MPA for 1k more next time

 

[NewsShooter]

Just sold my Savage 6.5 LRP, not as smooth as my custom but almost always shot tighter even with over 2k rounds through it.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

A Custom Savage .260 Rem from 2001 with 28" L-W barrel, McMillan A3 Tactical, Mueller 8-32x44 Side Focus Target Dot with 30mm tube, 20MOA base, Vortex 6 screw rings. Several years of 1000yd F Open comp. If I were a better shooter (especially wind skills) it would be a winner; in still conditions it's capable of X ring runs.

A pair of Savage 11VT's with Choate Tactical Stocks, Mueller 8-32x44 Side Focus Target Dot with 30mm tube, 20MOA base, Vortex 6 screw rings. One each .223 and .308. The .223 shot in 2017 Berger SW LR Nationals in F T/R at 600yd, 9's and 10's with HDY 75gr HPBT Match handloads. Unfortunately I went DNF with Cardiopulmonary issues, and had a heart attack two months later.

An earlier Savage 10FCM Scout 7.62x39 (.308" bore), Tasco 2.5-10x40 MilDot. Handloads with 110 V-Max and IMR4198 make it seem to be more like a .30PPC.

Savage Axis II .30-'06 in a Boyd's Classic laminated stock, Simmons 6.5-20x50 Whitetail Classic scope, 20MOA base. This one has yet to perform, there was an issue with the original mounts, then the replacement rings wouldn't hold the scope under recoil. Better rings now installed, setting up load workups with Hornady 178gr ELD-X, and Nosler 125gr Ballistic Tips. The Boyd's stock utterly transforms the rifle's appearance and ergonomics, and the Axis II design makes for a lightweight rifle.

Savage has been an industry leader at innovation with the barrel nut, floating bolt head, adjustable trigger, Accu-Stock, and now a new Accu-Fit stock with integral LOP inserts. The value of these improvement can be seen in the way most other major rifle makers have adopted them; the sincerest compliment in the form of imitation. They are also new in the AR market with several pretty nifty initial offerings, including a 224V chambering.

Are Savage rifles the best? Depends on your definition of best. But as products go, they have a vast range of offerings that should provide a good choice for nearly any shooter, and they have a widely recognized reputation for good accuracy right out of the box.

So are there lemons? Sure, just like any other manufacturer's offerings, my only example was with a bottom line hunting package rifle that had a faulty scope mounting. I believe that was a vendor part design issue, and I hope it's been revised.

Greg

 

[Pinmaster]

My 12 LRP is a tack drive all the way out to 1250. I am not so much a fan of the factory trigger though. or the huge warning label on the side of the action.

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

My first is a Savage 10 FCP-SR in 6.5 CM and with only a couple hundred rounds down range I'm beginning to realize how accurate this gun is. Built completely on a budget I have around $1K invested including Scope and Bipod.

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/precision-rifles-show-em.6252617/page-12#post-7074499

I can't wait to see what this gun will do at 600+ yards but I extremely happy with this $500ish rifle....I will replace the stock but that's mostly about ergonomics as the AcccuStock seems to be just fine in terms of accuracy. I'm not sure that when I toast the barrel in this gun I won't just rebarrel and and keep running it. I'm a Savage fan for Life I think.

VooDoo

 

[CaptNemo]

Remington fanbois still exist?

Apparently everyone loves a Remington footprint these days

 

[408w]

I have a model12 lrp and it is a shooter as well. Very happy with it.

 

[hereinaz]

LRP are nice rifles.

I spent $800 bucks total on a Cabelas 12FV in 6.5, put it in a used accustock, added scope base, rings, and a used SWFA 12X. With Federal match ammo, its .5 or less MOA. Shot several groups at 575 yards under 2.5 inches. Savage can make good barrels.

Eventually, it will go into an HS Precision stock, which is what the LRP comes with from the factory. If it were me, I would start with the Cabelas 10T or 12 FV specials when on sale and then add the stock and such to pay about the same but customize it to my liking. I paid just over $220 buck OTD for the 12FV.

If I am not mistaken, the LRP is a large shank barrel, whereas most prefits are small shank.

 

[Dirty D]

...If I am not mistaken, the LRP is a large shank barrel, whereas most prefits are small shank.

You are correct.

 

[LA260]

Nice shotting! Another LRP owner here but in a 260. Shot 1500 rounds w factory barrel/HS stock then rebarreled it with bartlein and dropped it in AICS. 42.3H/140eld does the trick.

 

[patriot07]

Not many folks complain about accuracy from Savage. The more frequent complaints are failure to eject/extract or failure to feed. I had a Savage 11VT from DSG that was lights out with FGMM. Factory gun and factory ammo that was less than .5 MOA on good days and between .5-.7 all the time. But I eventually sold it and bought a Tikka CTR for the better trigger and better cycling reliability.

 

[Olen_4504]

My first is a Savage 10 FCP-SR in 6.5 CM and with only a couple hundred rounds down range I'm beginning to realize how accurate this gun is. Built completely on a budget I have around $1K invested including Scope and Bipod.

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/precision-rifles-show-em.6252617/page-12#post-7074499

I can't wait to see what this gun will do at 600+ yards but I extremely happy with this $500ish rifle....I will replace the stock but that's mostly about ergonomics as the AcccuStock seems to be just fine in terms of accuracy. I'm not sure that when I toast the barrel in this gun I won't just rebarrel and and keep running it. I'm a Savage fan for Life I think.

VooDoo

put it in a chassis or upgraded stock. your groups will get even better. I was shooting just a hair under 1MOA with the accustock, then I put it in a chassis and get .3-.5moa groups now with factory ammo. mines a savage 10 fcp-sr in .308 20" barrel

 

[lash]

put it in a chassis or upgraded stock. your groups will get even better. I was shooting just a hair under 1MOA with the accustock, then I put it in a chassis and get .3-.5moa groups now with factory ammo. mines a savage 10 fcp-sr in .308 20" barrel

Or, if you don't want to or don't have the cash, you can bed that Accu-stock. It takes about $30 in materials max and an evening to do. Wouldn't hurt it.

 

[Olen_4504]

Or, if you don't want to or don't have the cash, you can bed that Accu-stock. It takes about $30 in materials max and an evening to do. Wouldn't hurt it.

Or this ^^^

 

[XLR308]

I dropped my 110fp in 300WM into a CHOATE A5 clone stock that has an aluminum v block chassis molded into it. It turned a good shooting rifle into a great shooting rifle that was much more comfortable to shoot and at a very reasonable price.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

The Choate Tactical stock for the Savage short action that I have on both of my 11VT's includes a full length aluminum bedding block that extends forward to reinforce the forend for use with the bipod, not a bad deal at $229. I'm thinking about getting some Dark Eagle 10rd magazines to go with them.

Greg

 

[XLR308]

The Choate Tactical stock for the Savage short action that I have on both of my 11VT's includes a full length aluminum bedding block that extends forward to reinforce the forend for use with the bipod, not a bad deal at $229. I'm thinking about getting some Dark Eagle 10rd magazines to go with them.

Greg

The Anschutz rail that comes with them is a nice touch as well, for load development and shooting groups I like to use my Sinclair front benchrest, sling and bipod studs are annoying in that situation.

 

[Gooldylocks]

Well guys, here is my first go at a precision rifle. Just got it out to the range yesterday for the first time and got a quick zero, then shot a couple groups. I'm terrible at shooting groups since I haven't been a rifle shooter for quite awhile, so I won't post them out of my own shame. After that though I dialed what Strelok gave for 500 and got a first round hit. Went to 1k and connected on the 9th.

It's very tough calling splash for yourself, I've decided.

 

[XLR308]

Gooldylocks,
What caliber are running with?

 

[Gooldylocks]

This one is a 6.5 Creedmoor. 26" barrel and 1-8 twist. I think it is gonna shoot, just need to not have a malfunction between the earpro.

As an aside, this may be the bargain basement build to end all bargain builds haha. By my math I'm into it for $466:
Cabela's exclusive 12FV, on sale, plus $100 rebate, plus buying $100 gift cards off ebay for $80 = ~$180 https://www.cabelas.com/product/SAVAGE-FV-VARMINT-RIFLE/1994604.uts
Bushnell LRS 10x on super sale: https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Tactical-10X40-Mil-Dot-Reticle/dp/B004NKY6DU= $98
Harris bipod from wally world, was 92 when I ordered it: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Series-S-Model-BRM-6-9-Leg-Notch/5585788
$10 podlock: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071KB1D52/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
EGW base https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...-savage-10-through-16-round-rear-short-action
Burris XTR rings: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/116860/burris-1-xtreme-tactical-weaver-style-rings-matte
 
I didn't include the $10 bubble level I ordered which arrives today: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075N52XQV/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

put it in a chassis or upgraded stock. your groups will get even better. I was shooting just a hair under 1MOA with the accustock, then I put it in a chassis and get .3-.5moa groups now with factory ammo. mines a savage 10 fcp-sr in .308 20" barrel

Was out last evening with mine and was getting .7 MOA 5 round groups at 200 yards. I wanna drop mine Savage 10 into a MDT LSS-XL Gen2 so bad I can taste it but have promised myself to shoot the first year with it as stock as possible to make myself "Work for it" a bit. But I might break my own rule and get after that chassis .....then better glass, then dies to get handloads worked up.

I never really expected to be shooting as well as I am my first year out but I know I can tighten up groups even without any upgrades as I'm just not consistent . More rounds down range. Very impressed that a $500 factory gun can shoot like this.

VooDoo

 

[10ring1]

Previous photo coming up too large

 

[10ring1]

This is a more appropriate sized photo. As you can see two groups have the 5th shot out which was me. If it wasn't for those few pulls, the group avg would have been much better

 

[JSchell1309]

Might as well post up my LRP build as well. Still need to get it out and put the first groups through it. Just troubleshot a strange extractor issue. (Bought the action used and the extractor was from a .223 bolt, too long to close over the rim of the 6.5 cartridge)

Savage LRP Model 12 Target Action repeater
Criterion 26" 6.5 Creedmoor Barrel
AICS 1.5 chassis for Savage in Olive Drab
Ken Farrell 20 MOA base for LRP (20 MOA - SAV-PRES-TAR-20-A22)
Nightforce 30mm 1.0" rings
Atlas BT46 PSR bipod with BT19 Spigot
Area 419 Hellfire Brake
Vortex Viper PST Gen 1 6-24x50 FFP with EBR-1 reticle
Victor Co. Rear QD plate
Modified some Magpul QD sockets to fit in the front of the chassis (Link to DIY)

 

[10ring1]

J...bet that's a shooter too...

 

[LA260]

Might as well post up my LRP build as well. Still need to get it out and put the first groups through it. Just troubleshot a strange extractor issue. (Bought the action used and the extractor was from a .223 bolt, too long to close over the rim of the 6.5 cartridge)

Savage LRP Model 12 Target Action repeater
Criterion 26" 6.5 Creedmoor Barrel
AICS 1.5 chassis for Savage in Olive Drab
Ken Farrell 20 MOA base for LRP (20 MOA - SAV-PRES-TAR-20-A22)
Nightforce 30mm 1.0" rings
Atlas BT46 PSR bipod with BT19 Spigot
Area 419 Hellfire Brake
Vortex Viper PST Gen 1 6-24x50 FFP with EBR-1 reticle
Victor Co. Rear QD plate
Modified some Magpul QD sockets to fit in the front of the chassis (Link to DIY)

Very nice! Mine is almost a twin

 

[10ring1]

LA. That is sweet too. Is that a Burris? Was thinking about going with an xtrii. Looking for opinions

 

[Potss]

What is the difference between the Choate Tactical and their new accustock? Seems like both have an aluminium bedding block, so why pay more for the Choate?

 

[LA260]

LA. That is sweet too. Is that a Burris? Was thinking about going with an xtrii. Looking for opinions

Thanks. Yup its a xtrii 5-25 scr mil. Had it for almost 3 years and its been solid. Can't go wrong with it.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

What is the difference between the Choate Tactical and their new accustock? Seems like both have an aluminum bedding block, so why pay more for the Choate?

I honestly can't say; I'm not personally familiar with the newer accustock.

The Choate stock is pretty robust, and has a larger feel in the grip area than the factory stock (not an accustock) that came on the 11VT, as well as a fairly stout forend.

The 11VT is a proprietary model made solely for Dick's Sporting Goods, whose products I no longer patronize. It is/was a bargain varmint/target 4.4" screw spacing, D/M model with some shortcuts, primarily in the cheaper stock it featured. It was, for me, a highly capable F Class economy starter rifle, which I had been recommending with the addition of the Choate Tactical Stock and the Mueller 8-32x44 Target Dot scope. But no longer support Dicks as a source because of their recent highly disappointing political stands.

Cabelas offers a 10T rifle which may be a suitable substitute for the 11VT, but I can't be certain because I haven't actually owned a 10T yet.

Greg

 

[Dirty D]

...no longer support Dicks as a source because of their recent highly disappointing political stands...Greg

Thank you for voting with your dollars, Dicks can go suck themselves! I am still befuddled by how many on this very forum use PayPal knowing full well that PP is anti 2a, PP has never and will never see a dime of my money.