How accurate is 223 Savage LRPV

[Danny223]

I am new to this forum and I would like some input on the Savage LRPV single shot. I am planing on joining a club this year and get into the shooting sports. I will also be shooting varmints with this gun. I have been a Bow tech for 10 years, shot in lots of spots and lots of deer with a bow. Now I am looking for a change in pace.

I have read everything I could find on the Savage LRPV that I could find. But I would like to know how accurate is it at 300 to 400 yards.? I would like the 6mmbr but the farmers dont want the loud noise, plus I Keep my pelts so that is how I decided on a 223.

OK heres the deal, what can I expect out to 300 to 400 yards in the field with the stock gun..2inchs at 300? or 4inch groups at 400? anyway you get the idea.. Yes I will be reloading also.
Also if you have any input on how well it would shoot useing a custom barrel and stock that would be good info also. If I have forgot somthing let me know.

 

[Tommie]

Danny,

I don't think anyone can predict how a gun will shoot. Waaaay too many variables.

As far a production guns go, a LRPV is certainly a good bet. Savage test-fires every gun and doesn't let anything .30 caliber or less to leave the factory if it doesn't shoot 1 MOA. Many people are reporting much better accuracy than that, but it's always a crap shoot.

Put another way: If you buy the "pick of the litter" puppy with the best blood lines, that dog has a better than average chance of being a superb animal - but there aint no guarantees.

Expect the gun the shoot 1 MOA and there's a reasonable chance you could be pleasantly surprised.

Tom

 

[rks1949]

I have a LRPV in .223cal. It is by far the most accurate rifle,out of the box stock) I have ever owned. Ron

These groups were shot with a scope that wouldn't hold zero,and has since been sent off for repair. The gun is a shooter/with a great factory trigger, not common now day's). It is also extreemly heavy,and not a carry gun,unless your a weight lifter,Ron

 

[Danny223]

I would agree with ya there. I just wanted to here from fokes like you on there stock gun or a gun with a custom barrel. I am really interested in the 300 to 400 yard ranges. I can read forums everywhere on the guns ability out to 100 yards but that don't mean beans out to 300 or 400.

Buy the way. those are some nice groups even if the scope would not hold 0. That seems very promising.

 

[billmo]

Danny, My Savage LRPV is a 22-250 with the 1 - 9 twist. I worked up a load recently and shot it last Fri. at 200 yds. It put 5 shots in a ragged hole that measured .317. I also shot 2 other groups that were under .500 but could not touch that .317. I was shooting the Hornady A-max 75 gr. bullets. Bill

 

[tripcrow]

Like Ron says, they are very heavy. Not something you want to carry around. I have 2 LRPVs in 223 that I shoot in competition at 400 yards. With good conditions and good bullets the better ones can stay close to 2 inch off the bags. But there are lemons. A friend had one that even after sending back to the factory, couldn’t do better than ¾” at 100. A good custom rifle can do close to an inch at 400 in good conditions.

This winter I tried changing one of my 223 LRPVs to a custom barreled live 221 groundhog rifle. But once it was all together I picked it up and realized that magically it was still way too heavy even for moving around on the same farm. So it’s going back to being a factory bench gun. So far a 223 Tikka heavy varmint that’s more than 2 lbs less and is just as accurate will take its place as the mid-range field rifle. So far because it needs to be clip feed and that's going to require some different load testing. Went with a Rem LVSF in 221 for a carry gun.

The 221 doesn’t require the constant cleaning that the tiny calibers do, is quieter than the 223, and handloads come within a couple hundred feet of 223 velocities. But 300 yards is a stretch for consistent good kills on groundhogs. At 400 yards there are a good number of groundhogs that’ll get up and crawl away after being hit by a 223. Since you’ll be keeping pelts, I’m guessing you’ll be using it for yotes. Having never shot even one I wouldn’t know what it takes to kill one at 400 yards with the bullets you’re going to have to use to keep from blowing holes in them. But I’d guess unless you don’t mind seeing some of those long shots get away and die slow, you may need to reconsider your caliber choice or range or be very selective with your shots. There are a few guys around here that have sprung the money for a suppressor.

 

[Danny223]

Like Ron says, they are very heavy. Not something you want to carry around. I have 2 LRPVs in 223 that I shoot in competition at 400 yards. With good conditions and good bullets the better ones can stay close to 2 inch off the bags. But there are lemons. A friend had one that even after sending back to the factory, couldn’t do better than ¾” at 100. A good custom rifle can do close to an inch at 400 in good conditions.

This winter I tried changing one of my 223 LRPVs to a custom barreled live 221 groundhog rifle. But once it was all together I picked it up and realized that magically it was still way too heavy even for moving around on the same farm. So it’s going back to being a factory bench gun. So far a 223 Tikka heavy varmint that’s more than 2 lbs less and is just as accurate will take its place as the mid-range field rifle. So far because it needs to be clip feed and that's going to require some different load testing. Went with a Rem LVSF in 221 for a carry gun.

The 221 doesn’t require the constant cleaning that the tiny calibers do, is quieter than the 223, and handloads come within a couple hundred feet of 223 velocities. But 300 yards is a stretch for consistent good kills on groundhogs. At 400 yards there are a good number of groundhogs that’ll get up and crawl away after being hit by a 223. Since you’ll be keeping pelts, I’m guessing you’ll be using it for yotes. Having never shot even one I wouldn’t know what it takes to kill one at 400 yards with the bullets you’re going to have to use to keep from blowing holes in them. But I’d guess unless you don’t mind seeing some of those long shots get away and die slow, you may need to reconsider your caliber choice or range or be very selective with your shots. There are a few guys around here that have sprung the money for a suppressor.

Well.. Love to put a silencer on a 223 or 6mmbr but Michigan law does not allow for this. I am now considering a 6br from what everyone is telling me they are only a little louder then the 223. And as far as pelt damage I will just have to figure out what bullet kills good without so much damage. I guess I will have to build a 6mmbr and keep the weight a 6 to 8 lbs. In addition to that when looking a prices for a factory gun that will shoot moa for 1400 dollars. I think I would do better in buying a custom action and barrel and then fitting it on a stock. I can do all these things myself except fitting the barrel the the action. Or I could just buy the Savage in 223.. and if I'm not happy with it, I could just order a custom barrel in 6mmbr and fit it myself with a custom stock to knock the weight down to 6 or 8 pounds. I think either way I go, I will end up spending about the same amount of money.

 

[lukehalee]

After a couple hundred rounds, lots of JB, and some load development, my tupperware savage 10 will shoot lots of 3s occasional 2s,,, measured 5 shots. If I shoot anything close to a 1/2 inch group, I know it has fouled. I bought this gun to rechamber or rebarrel, but can't bring myself to even restock it. I know I got lucky though.

 

[kgpcr]

Any idea how many people would give a limb to have under MOA accuracy? if my Savage shot MOA i would die as its well under that!! Savage makes a very accurate gun!

 

[Danny223]

Thanks for all the great replies guys..I have only heard good things about savages and that only some of them don't shoot good. But I get more good reviews than bad on all the other forums and boards that I have read about. So it looks like I will be buying the 223 shortly

 

[rks1949]

Danny223,Like mentioned above,there are some that don't shoot well. That being said,I'm not sure how much time was put into load research. I have a friend that has a LRPV exactly like mine. His will shoot light bullets,50gr.) well,mine won't! I think some guns are written off as bad shooters,because of,time not being taken to develope a specific load for that gun,fouled bores,Iv'e seen many shoot after a good scrubbing),and poor reloading habits. My LRPV seems to like nothing but heavy bullets,but with time and load development I'm sure it will shoot other bullets well.Most people have a friend that has a "pet load" for his rifle that shoots extreemly well. They duplicate that load and their rifle won't shoot it for beans,therefore,the rifle get's the reputation as being a "bad shooter" and it is traded off. Most people "expect the gun to shoot into the 2's and 3's right off the start. That has the same odds as getting hit by lightning,it does some times happen,but not often. Take the time to get used to your new gun,and "feel her out" with diffrent combinations of ammo,and you will be rewarded with a good shooting partner for years to come. Ron

 

[CZ223]

Danny, I have 5 BVSS's and 2 VLP's. 5 of these guns are proven sub 1/2MOA, some usually much better than that. The other 2 are well on their way to proving themselves sub 1/2MOA guns. I just haven't done enough testing with those two yet. The 2 VLP's are sub 3/8" guns and have shot lots of 1/4" 5 shot groups. Unless you really like the LRVP I have no problem suggesting a VLP in 223, 22-250 or 204 Ruger. From what I have been reading on a lot of the sites the LRPV doesn't seem to shoot appreciably better and sometimes a lot worse. That is to say that I have been reading of more problems with the LRPV than with the VLP or BVSS. Whichever gun you go with give the factory barrel a chance before replacing it. Good cleaning with strong copper solvent will make the barrel less prone t fouling the more you shoot it.

 

[keithcatfish]

I also have a VLP 223. Its not a lightweight by any means but it is a bit lighter than an LRPV. With its pet loads, it shoots in the 3s all day. However, not every bullet or load shoots that well, most shoot .6-.75. Develop your loads carefully and let the rifle tell you what it likes and you will not be disappointed with a VLP.