Follow up on Savage 12 Benchrest barrel

[OldEvo]

About six weeks ago I posted about a new Savage 12 Benchrest .308 that I had just purchased. It had a really ugly bore so I submitted a request for service to Savage. Getting no response after a couple weeks I called and was immediately sent a return label by the excellent Taylor Davis.

A few days ago I received the rifle back with a new barrel. The bore of this new barrel is better than the original but it is by no means a good barrel. While it doesn't have those cheese grater lands it still has the rough grooves near the muzzle and other defects. Yesterday I shot it and got some close to MOA groups. A friend with a whole lot more experience with high power rifle also shot it and got similar results.

I think my chances of getting a good barrel from Savage are pretty slim so I plan to fire couple hundred rounds and then re-evaluate it. If it shows any hope I will hand lap it and see if that improves my results. A new barrel from Bartlein or someone would be my last resort. Seems foolish to throw that much money at what is supposed to be a premium rifle but I like the stock, action and trigger well enough.

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

Looking at a barrel with a borescope will not give you much, if any, indication of how well it will shoot. Savage barrels have never been good lookers, but they're usually good shooters.
There are many other cheaper and more easily influenced variables to try first.

 

[josebd]

throw the bore scope away,i have shot very good groups with savage barrels

 

[JSH]

I had an F/TR .308 for a long time. It had some cosmetic issues on the inside of the bore. It shot really well, didn’t foul out until close to 100 rounds.
I loaned it out a time or two as it was getting no use from me. Buddy came home with a bunch of wood and prizes at some state shoots. He made the comment to the effect, many were not friendly nor did they ask him to come back.
Not saying yours will or won’t shoot, give it a chance. If you think the Savage is a lot of money, look at building a new rig from the ground up. At today’s prices, I would say you paid 1/3-1/2 of what a full custom would run you.
I have a LRP 223 that was a problem child, bought it used, so may have been someone else’s problem I got. Spun a take off barrel on it and all is well.

 

[Savagenut71]

Savage barrels shoot great
Do a proper break in to fire lap out tooling marks and it'll shoot ! 5 of mine shoot 1/4 with hand loads

 

[Evlshnngns]

I wondered if you had unrealistic expectations, checked the old thread....that one was Fubar.

Put 100 rounds through it then work up a load. Factory barrels are a gamble. I've had great LUCK with savages.

A custom barrel is a good investment if you are not happy after break in and 100 rounds of load development.

 

[Old Navy]

Bought two Model 12s in the last five years. My first was a 6.5X284. It shot great up to 650 rounds. Bought a 6.5X47 pre-fit from Northland and never looked back. The second was a 6 BR. It went 1200 or so. It is now another 6.5X284. None of mine will do 1/4 but will shoot in the .3 most of the time.

 

[OldEvo]

Yep, factory barrels are a roll of the dice.

My only other Savage is a 93R17 and my bore scope won't go in it so I can't compare it to this .308 12. I can compare the 12 with my other factory rifles; Marlins, old Winchesters, old Anschutzs and a couple Mirokus. Those factory barrels have no defects and minimal tooling marks so the dice have mostly been rolling in my favor.

BTW, the 93R17 shoots pretty good for a 17. The 12 seems to have possibilities. I'll know more after a couple hundred rounds. If I can't get half MOA results I will probably rebarrel it. I like the platform well enough to keep.

In the meantime I have a bunch of Lapua brass and SMK 168s waiting for me at the reloading corner in my shop, and it's going to rain all day. Perfect.

 

[SRT8]

Yep, factory barrels are a roll of the dice.

My only other Savage is a 93R17 and my bore scope won't go in it so I can't compare it to this .308 12. I can compare the 12 with my other factory rifles; Marlins, old Winchesters, old Anschutzs and a couple Mirokus. Those factory barrels have no defects and minimal tooling marks so the dice have mostly been rolling in my favor.

BTW, the 93R17 shoots pretty good for a 17. The 12 seems to have possibilities. I'll know more after a couple hundred rounds. If I can't get half MOA results I will probably rebarrel it. I like the platform well enough to keep.

In the meantime I have a bunch of Lapua brass and SMK 168s waiting for me at the reloading corner in my shop, and it's going to rain all day. Perfect.

I just got the 12 benchrest in 308 this year.... Yes it had a messed up chamber, scored the brass,, but after break in that went away Do a good break in !! I also shoot the SMK 168's I don't think you will be disappointed in the rifle..

 

[std7mag]

Once you find your best load, make sure you tune your action!!

Step by step directions here.

You are being redirected...

 

[SSchnd]

I have done the same with Savage barrels. Tool marks are a shocker, but after load development in a 6.5cm Axis II Precision it will shoot a small knot at 500 yds. Lapua SRP, H140ELDM
The tooling does lay down but its crazy how pronounced it is. Once shot out It will get a better barrel.
The ole bore scope is and can be a friend or foe.....