6BR 1-8 Twist

[ourway77]

Savage 12 Series Varmint, need information on this rifle it is a right bolt left port ss in 6BR 1-8 twist, they have one at the local sporting goods store new for $900 is this a good price and is this a VG out of the box rifle for informal shooting and Varmit hunting. Information greatly appreciated. Lou

 

[MarkS]

ourway77,

The price sounds inline for a new gun. It would make a great Varmint and target gun. I have seen guys shoot sub 2" groups in the F-class model at 600 yds benchrest matches. That is the same action and barrel as the gun you are looking at.

Mark Schronce

 

[ourway77]

Thanks Mark, I can't afford some of the really nice target rifles here so I guess for the money I will get it. Not a competition shooter just a bunch of guys getting together for a fun shoot. I can shoot well enough, with this rifle I could be in the running. As the guys I shoot against heve some custom rifles. I now use a cheap single shot 223 H&R Varmit rifle and I don't do bad. So with this rifle I think I can beat some of the really top guns. Lou

 

[MarkS]

Lou,

The nice thing about the Savage, you can add custom barrels $300 or so. I have a older M12 with a 204 and 223 barrel.

Mark

 

[North Fork]

If you buy the gun get your self some 105 bergers and some 107 sierras and some 108 bergers and some varget powder and reloader 15 powder,

 

[ourway77]

NorthFork, Got every thing you suggested already.Really looking forward to it. Lou

 

[bowzarrow]

Hey Lou, I've had a savage 6br same twist for about a year and with the help of the guys on this site it is shooting well. I recently shot a 8" group @ 1000yds off of a sawhorse. That's pretty good for a hack like me. I say give it a try,I doubt you'll be sorry. Shane

 

[ourway77]

I was kinda' dissapointed when I went to get the rifle the salesman said it's a 1 in 12 twist. The other saleman told me it was a 1 in 8 twist. Now I am in between a rock and a hard place, I already have a 1 in 12 TC Encore with a 1 in 12 twist and it shoots fine but only bullets below 80 grains. I went to Savages sight and they show it as only a couple calibers, and twists none of which make my bell ring. Especially the 6BR. I have a Remington 700 BDL short action sitting around maybe I could have a custom barrel with a 1 in 8 twist installed, action blue printed Etc. What is the take on the Savage with the 1-12 twist? Thanks Lou

 

[North Fork]

Look at it this way the savage cost you 900 dollars a custom barrel chamberd in the twist you want will most likely cost, Have that much.

 

[Steve Blair]

My Savage 12F arrived with a 30" 6BR 8" twist barrel. I bought two McGowen barrels for it; a 30" .308 with 10" twist and a 26" .22-250 with 9" twist. The .22-250 was an overstock and only cost $185. The .308 was $355. There are several other Savage barrel suppliers.

You will need a "go" or minimum gauge for each caliber and a barrel vise and wrench. Savage barrels are easy to remove and install if a little attention is paid to the process. The advantage is that you have a "new" rifle for the price of a barrel.

 

[ourway77]

You guys are a wealth of information. I have been an avid fan of the Thompson Encore, and Contenders for a long time for just that reason (The ability to change barrels) Now you have opened another option for me. The Savage. I always thought one had to have some sort of Gunsmith training, which I have none at at all. I lacked the confidence to even try this for fear of screwing something up, or blowing myself up. Ive known for years that nothing beats a good bolt action rifle when it comes to accuracy. You have made my decision for me to get that Savage rifle, and in time try to change the barrel on it with the tools necessary to do a change. I'm not ready to do a barrel change. But how do you know when you have the barrel on right with the go, no go gauges? Are there any books on the Savage showing how this is done? Thanks for you showing the confidence in me that I lack in myself. I have always bought off the shelf rifles, Had a professional do any and all work for me. I have an Encore with a 1 in 12 twist, it is a shooter after a few minor additions Trigger job to 2#, hanger bar to keep fore arm away from barrel. Good glass, custom barrel. I shoots the 70-75 grain bullets fairly good maybe 3/4" if I have a good day. My 6-284 will shoot circles around it all day. But there you go a bolt action. Shooting 44.8 grains of IMR-4831, w/Nosler 90 grain ballistic tip bullets #24090 and CCI-200 primers. I see where alot of you guys use BR Primers Etc. I was lucky to find regular large rifle with things the way they are today. While not the hottest load on ther block, it was the most accurate out of the bolt action I bought off this sight. Thanks for all the help you guys have offered I surely appreciate it Lou

 

[mwood]

don't feel too bad about the 12 twist barrel, as it will shoot pretty good out past 300 yards with 70/ 80 grain bullets, and in fact better than a fast twist barrel and heavier bullets.

 

[Steve Blair]

Here is an instruction sheet for the Wheeler Engineering tools. There are other vises and wrenches available but this is what I have.

Good luck and enjoy that Savage.

 

[ourway77]

Thanks everyone who have restored some of the confidence I lacked in my self. Now to the range to see what this rifle will do. Will keep you all abreast of my findings. I want to scope it with a very good scope. But one thing at a time. I have a 4-12 Leupold for now till I save enough for a $800-$1,000 dollar one. I have always had Leupolds on all my rifles. Lou

 

[MarkS]

ourway77,

I have 2 - 12 tw barrels in 6BR. I have kills at to 620 yds on Va groundhogs and friends with 750 yd kills. Another friend made a 918 yd kill on a PD this year.

For target shooting try the 68 gr and 80 gr Berger, or any brand of benchrest bullets in that weight range.

For hunting I like the 70gr Sierria Blitzkings.

The best powder for the 12 tw will be VV N135, Hodgon benchmark would be my next pick. Just check out this site for load info.

Mark Schronce

 

[ourway77]

Well picked it up today it is a 1 in 12 twist not 1 in 8 but I am happy it will make a VG Target to maybe 6oo yards and a darn fine Ground hog getter Thanks for all the help in decideing to buy it. Now to get a good scope as soon as I replenish my funds. I have a leupold 4-12 that should tell me what it will do. Again Thanks a Million Lou

 

[tiny68]

I was kinda' dissapointed when I went to get the rifle the salesman said it's a 1 in 12 twist. The other saleman told me it was a 1 in 8 twist.

The Savage LRPV in a 6BR was originally a 1:12 twist. Starting in 2009 they made in both a 1:8 and a 1:12. Yours could be either. Check it with a tight patch to confirm unless the box is clearly marked which twist it is.

Luck, Tim

 

[ourway77]

Thanks, It says it right on the rifle 6BR 1-12 twist. I am working some loads with various bullets, Lapua brass, haven't had any match primers for some time but did manage to get 3000 small rifle CCI, and Federal, as well as Large rifle in both brands. But haven't found any since. I have Varget, reloader #15, H-110, and 748 what is a good powder for say bullet from 65 grain to 75, maybe 80 I have Hornady, Sierra, Berger, and Noslers Bullets. I wouls appreciate the forums vast expertise on this matter. Trying to save a buck. LOU