Which Savage Rifle?

T

triceratops3

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 27, 2010
738
1
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Northern VA
#1
I was at a local gun store today and I went there looking for a new Savage 12flv chambered in .223, I was pretty much set on this to start target shooting.

They didn't have the rifle I wanted but I saw a used left handed Savage 110 Tactical chambered in .223. It is the long action, pre-accutrigger model. It had a harris bipod, 6-18x scope with butler creek caps(don't recall which scope it was) and sling. It looked to be in good condition and everything.

Both rifles were priced the same at $580. After seeing this 110 savage in not sure if I should go with the 12flv still or look into getting the used 110.


What do you guys think? What would you do?

Thanks.
 
#2
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

Well, the 12flv, if ordered, will not come with the mount, rings, scope, and bipod. Those will be additional purchases you'll need to make that will cost quite a bit of money depending on the quality you choose (harris bipod is nice). The 110 is a VERY good rifle to start with, imo. Sucks that it doesn't have the accutriger though.

Did you dry fire it at all? How's the trigger? I say for the price of the 110, get it. It's set and ready to go!
 
#3
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

Thats pretty much exactly what I was thinking. I have a bushnell 3200 10x to go on it and some rings but I'd still need a base. But even then I could sell what ever I end up not using. I pulled the trigger a few times and It seemed pretty crisp without much creep. But I didn't pay that much attention to it.

Also, I was a little apprehensive because it's a long action with a small action caliber. I've heard there can be some feeding problems. would this be something to worry about on a rifle that came like this from the factory?
 
#4
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

I would go with the used 110 with the extra accessories. I have a Savage 110 in .243 and it has no feeding problems and is a very accurate weapon. The stock trigger is probably a 3 screw which when properly adjusted will perform quite well.
 
#5
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

Well look at it this way. If you ever want to customize you build to a long action caliber (magnums), you'll be golden! Short action calibers can be shot through a long action, but not the other way around. It's just another option for you to use in the near future. Also, long actions are easier to resell if you're ever in a bind.

I like the 110 personally. Both rifles will be great, but that's just my personal preference given the budget issue. Besides, as soon as you put your hands on the 110, you'll be set to shoot. No patience necessary!
smile.gif
Good luck.
 
#6
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

I don't know prices in your area, but you can usually find used Savage 110 7mm w/ accutrigger in pawn shops for ~$300- that's money for a nice barrel of choice and come goodies. Just another option.
 
#7
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

Thanks for the info guys. But have another question or two.

1. I was looking at eventually getting bottom metal for the new rifle and I was wondering what options would be available to me if i went with the long action .223? Like would the .223 mags still fit in the long action metal?

2. also went i pulled the bolt all the way back there was what looked like a little ledge between the rear of the magazine and the front of the bolt. I've never seen that before. would that affect anything with getting bottom metal or changing calibers in the future?
 
#9
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

When you get a short action in .223, it will also have the block on the bolt.

Call Jeff at CDI and ask him about the magazine issue.

Seems like the price is pretty decent on the used rifle, but you should ask what base, rings and scope. If they are crap, then you are going to replace them anyway and that negates the good deal you got.
 
#11
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

The 12 and the 110 in .223 don't usually come with the same rifling twist.

The 110 should have a 1:9" twist which is compatible with bullet weights up to and including some (the shorter ones, like the HDY HPBT Match) 75gr's.

The 12 probably comes with the varmint twist, I'm thinking 1:12"; which should only be compatible with bullets up to or only slightly heavier than 55gr.

Both should be fine rifles, but the 110 should have the edge for longer distances with its heavier bullet capability.

Those ledges in the mag well are probably spacers to shorten the long action's magazine to better suit the shorter .223 case.

Greg
 
#12
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

All newer Savage rifles in .223, including Model 12s, come with 9-twist barrels, with a couple models offering 7 twist barrels as an option.

Savage 22-250s, on the other hand, come with 12 twist barrels with the exception of the VLP and LRPV which have a 9 twist option.
 
#14
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

After just putting together a Savage LA I would advise that you go with a SA if it will facilitate the caliber that you plan on going with.

Everyone's comments above are valid but I found that there is a much better aftermarket for the SA's. This includes stocks, bases, DBM's & mags. Not to say that you cannot find these for a LA there's just less variety.

One situation that I struggled with a bit is using AICS .300 WM mags for my .243 Win build, and I'm pretty sure that if you go with a LA the AICS .300 WM mags is the ONLY way to go if you want a detachable mag.

In order to make a .243 Win run outta the mags I needed to manipulate the feed lips so that the shells wouldn't slip out of the top & back. After getting the lips to secure the case there is very little for the bolt to catch to feed properly. I think that I'm going to have to make some additional changes to the mag so that my setup works properly. This is just an example of something that you may need to deal with if you use the .300 Wm mags for a short action (non-magnum) caliber. If I would I went with a SA the AICS .308 mags would feed my .243 win perfectly(as well as .260,7mm-08,of course .308 and I think many others.)

After spending some time changing my AICS .300 mags to feed the .243 I'm nearly certain that there is no way you will be able to get a .223 to feed reliably without significant changes. Could you somehow fashion a mag well block that would allow you to use AICS short action mags in a LA magwell, probably but that is going to be another hassle.

Just go with a short action and save yourself the trouble.

Good luck
 
#15
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

Thanks for all the information guys. I'm still torn between the two. I won't really need the bottom metal or anything but i think it'd be a nice addition. I'll definitely have to think about it more and do a bit more research.
 
#16
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

I might actually order the 12flv so that it is a bit easier to get accessories for. I won't need to worry about having a short action caliber on a long action. such as with bottom metals and and such.

There does seem to be more options with the short actions, but i think its just that there seems to be a lot less options with a long action and a short action caliber combo.
 
#17
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

DBM options/ease of use aside, the only thing long-action Savages "lack" compared to their short-action brothers is selection of widely available aftermarket stocks, both tactical and laminate. Additionally, there are more stock options for older staggerfeed long actions than there are newer centerfeed long actions.

If you plan on a custom stock (McMillian, Manners, Stockade, SSS, etc.) then that is pretty much a moot point.

You can still find one-piece scope mounts, in both 0 and 20MOA, for long action and short action Savages with either older flat or newer round rear actions.
 
#20
Re: Which Savage Rifle?

Haha I would gladly buy both if you would give me the money for one of them
smile.gif


I just got an email back from Jeff at cdi and he said that he makes long action dbm that will fit the .223 magazines. So thats a big plus for the !10 in .223.
 
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