F/ TR .308

[clintwhite]

Looking for guidance on a good pathway into getting a F/TR .308 Ive been doing research on the Savage F/TR 308/223. Scouring the Forums, it seems like most people have a love hate with this rifle. I'm not opposed buying a good used rig, but a new rifle is enticing because of knowing the exact history of the rifle etc.

My budget is around $1000-1500 for the gun, $750-1000 for the scope, heavily leaning towards Vortex. Once I have a few seasons under the belt then nicer equipment would be in the conversation,

I have been reloading for awhile (hunting applications, 7mm) which makes this a little less daunting of a leap into the competition side.

Thanks much, and looking forward to being a part of the forums!

 

[Belly Benchrester]

Hey Clint . Welcome to the sport and the forum. The Savage FTR rifle is a fantastic way to start. I’m not sure how advanced your reloading is but when I first started I got into a custom rifle , spent too much money on something that wasn’t even ideal for my needs and capabilities and realized I should have gone to a good factory rifle right off the bat and invested my time and money into good reloading equipment. As far as the scope and bipod goes , vortex golden eagle is a no brainer and lots of good bipods out there . I love my Duplin but plenty of guys using the Phoenix and SEB with excellent success. Protektor, Edgewood, Seb or Dima rear bag is the way to go as well. For bullet selection, it’s really hard to beat the 185 juggernaut for out to 600. Good luck! The most difficult challenge we face as shooters right now is acquiring reloading components and politics

 

[wbm]

Savage F-TR Team — World-Beaters on a Budget « Daily Bulletin

It seems hard to believe you can compete and win at the highest levels of long-range shooting competition with a stock factory rifle, but that’s exactly what Team USA did at the recent F-Class World Championships in Bisley, England. The U.S.

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

Years ago Savage got it done but that was years ago so I would not go with 223 or 308 now. I would perhaps opt for something in 6MM.

 

[Warren Dean]

A word of advice...if you decide on Savage, which is a wise choice, get the Model 12 Palma. The stock is much better suited for F-T/R and is adjustable. Then wear out the medium Palma barrel that comes on it while you learn the game and rebarrel with a heavy varmint contour. Alternatively, it can be had from the factory with the F-T/R barreled action and an 11 twist barrel. All 3 of my team rifles are F-T/R barreled actions.185 Juggernauts are an outstanding bullet for all the distances you will shoot, not just out to 600. 200 class bullets will frustrate you starting out due to demanding near perfect form every shot and being a bit twitchy. Several people I know have gone back to 185s from the 200s just for that reason, myself included.

Duplin makes a fine bipod and his new version with tightened up adjustment and swivel feet only weighs 22 oz with the QD parts. A protector Bumble Bee rear bag is a very good bag that is less expensive than the rest. Try to get the longest one possible. As for a mat, I see everything from moving blankets to carpet to high end tactical mats. They all work. As for glass, buy once, cry once. Nightforce for me, hands down. The Competition 15-55 can be had for $1800 or less used and is an outstanding scope.

As for the "love-hate"...that's mostly about the trigger. Personally I love the Accu-Trigger and the Precision Accu-Triggers on my team guns are all adjusted to a very safe and predictable 10 ounces. Unless you are a benchrest shooter, those single digit pull weight triggers are not really necessary in F-T/R. And as an added bonus, if you accidentally trip the trigger without the blade being pressed in, the rifle won't fire. Saves you a miss every time.

Don't listen to the snobs that throw shade at Savage rifles. Most of them have no idea what they are talking about and Savage rifles shoot! Next match you are attending, ask anyone shooting a Savage rifle what they think bout it.

Welcome to F-T/R

 

[BP1]

A word of advice...if you decide on Savage, which is a wise choice, get the Model 12 Palma. The stock is much better suited for F-T/R and is adjustable. Then wear out the medium Palma barrel that comes on it while you learn the game and rebarrel with a heavy varmint contour. Alternatively, it can be had from the factory with the F-T/R barreled action and an 11 twist barrel. All 3 of my team rifles are F-T/R barreled actions.185 Juggernauts are an outstanding bullet for all the distances you will shoot, not just out to 600. 200 class bullets will frustrate you starting out due to demanding near perfect form every shot and being a bit twitchy. Several people I know have gone back to 185s from the 200s just for that reason, myself included.

Duplin makes a fine bipod and his new version with tightened up adjustment and swivel feet only weighs 22 oz with the QD parts. A protector Bumble Bee rear bag is a very good bag that is less expensive than the rest. Try to get the longest one possible. As for a mat, I see everything from moving blankets to carpet to high end tactical mats. They all work. As for glass, buy once, cry once. Nightforce for me, hands down. The Competition 15-55 can be had for $1800 or less used and is an outstanding scope.

As for the "love-hate"...that's mostly about the trigger. Personally I love the Accu-Trigger and the Precision Accu-Triggers on my team guns are all adjusted to a very safe and predictable 10 ounces. Unless you are a benchrest shooter, those single digit pull weight triggers are not really necessary in F-T/R. And as an added bonus, if you accidentally trip the trigger without the blade being pressed in, the rifle won't fire. Saves you a miss every time.

Don't listen to the snobs that throw shade at Savage rifles. Most of them have no idea what they are talking about and Savage rifles shoot! Next match you are attending, ask anyone shooting a Savage rifle what they think bout it.

Welcome to F-T/R

The savage can and will get it done I had 2 of them setup in 223..one on the target action and one on a long action and much as it pains me to say it that long action SAVAGE was the smoothest action I’ve ever cycled.

 

[Warren Dean]

The savage can and will get it done I had 2 of them setup in 223..one on the target action and one on a long action and much as it pains me to say it that long action SAVAGE was the smoothest action I’ve ever cycled.

Otis,
I hope you aren't too pained over that admission.

 

[Jennb]

I shot a couple years with a factory savage before I moved into a custom.

 

[weedhopper]

I would look at a Browning X-Bolt Max Varmint/Target , put a Sightron 8x32 scope on it, a Harris bipod go have fun and if you don’t like it you have nice stuff that marketable to sell.

 

[CharlieNC]

Come over to the dark side and get a 223 instead!

 

[Michael C]

I am mostly a Palma rifle shooter (sling and irons) but I have an old sling rifle that I set up as an FTR rifle. I shoot it in about 6-8 matches a year. It’s fun and as I cracked a rib a couple of weeks ago I am thinking I may have to shoot it for awhile while I heal up. Just wanted to say this... don’t try a 223 first of you are going to shoot beyond 600. It can be done and I do have a 223 Palma rifle, but the reloading is very finicky at best. Stick to 308, learn the FTR game, and refine your reloading techniques. You are looking for a load that should shoot near 1/4 moa if possible. Getting a 223 to do that at 1000 can be frustrating. The 308 is just so easy to tune. And, for a new guy, follow the advice of Warren Dean if you’re considering a Savage, and get it with the Palma stock.

 

[D-4297]

My shooting "Bud" has the Savage F-TR Palma version , and he has done exactly as Warren suggested . Well , almost . He shot out the factory 1-11 barrel , and went to a Criterion 1 - 10 twist , 30" , four groove . We also added weight into the forearm of the stock , added a Bolt-lift kit , and a after-market trigger unit . A excellent piece that Mike consistently is now shooting in the low to mid 190's . And Mike had a Vortex Golden Eagle on it , and didn't like the reticle . He changed out to a March , that he got a smokin deal on , and good to go . On a personal note I have GE's on both of my comp rifles , and they can be had used for around $11-1200 . Nothin wrong with a Nightforce , as they are premier , quality glass . But when dollars become relevant to a quality build , the Golden Eagle ain't a bad second place . I've shot both , and I don't see any difference on the target .