How much is my cheap Savage action limiting me—really?

[jrh84]

I agree, your mentally challenged right from the beginning. I've built at least 4 shooters off your model. 1/2" 5 shot groups are possible. I believe you need to revisit your load, practice, and definitely up your wind reading skills. Savage's are what I shoot in FTR, 300, 600, and 1000. My 1000 yard rifle is a .308, my mid range is a .223 with 80 ELD's. HM scores are definitely possible at mid range with this combination, if you have confidence in your equipment.

To be clear, he not using the Savage 12 f-class or bench rest model as a starting point like most people attempting this with a Savage are. He's using this as the parent action...

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/savage-12-fv-bolt-action-rifle

 

[Zero333]

I stay away from thicker cup primers like CCI with Savage actions. The firing pin spring is not very strong and gives FTF's in freezing temps. So I imagine ignition with CCI primers is not very consistent in the warmer temps either.

Not one FTF with other primers. Mostly Federal primers, some S&B, Winchester and Remington.

 

[Fuj]

I stay away from thicker cup primers like CCI with Savage actions. The firing pin spring is not very strong and gives FTF's in freezing temps. So I imagine ignition with CCI primers is not very consistent in the warmer temps either.

Not one FTF with other primers. Mostly Federal primers, some S&B, Winchester and Remington.

We'll have to agree to disagree on your statement. I personally have
no such problem in cold or warm weather with my go to CCI primers.
Had a lot of FTF's with Federals, but guy's using Federals will say different.

 

[SKWERLZ]

If you are tight on funds, screw on the good barrel, find the best trigger you can, do load development, and have at it. Truth is it's probably wind calls more than anything affecting your scores.

I was a big Savage fan right up until Remage barrels became easy to obtain.

As for sending an action to NSS...the one guy good at Savages...he's also a terrible businessman. Be prepared to write that action off. Given the easy to find horror stories I wouldn't send him anything.

I have bought multiple barrels from NSS and service was always excellent.
I didn’t think they do action work???

We'll have to agree to disagree on your statement. I personally have
no such problem in cold or warm weather with my go to CCI primers.
Had a lot of FTF's with Federals, but guy's using Federals will say different.

Same experience here.
I wore out half a dozen barrels in my savage and never had an issue with hot, cold or any primer.

Throw a target spring in it and trigger is not bad at all for most users.

 

[Dgd6mm]

To be clear, he not using the Savage 12 f-class or bench rest model as a starting point like most people attempting this with a Savage are. He's using this as the parent action...

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/savage-12-fv-bolt-action-rifle

You should re-read my 2nd and 3rd sentences in my post. I'm well aware of what his rifle platform started from. Been there, done that. I did have 2 Target actions and sold them, and 2 complete rifles target actions, Kreiger barrels, in PRT Lowboy stocks. Sold them also. To date I know I've had over 20 Savage's and still own 6.

My suggestion to the OP is sell the Savage's and buy a custom. I own 4.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Sell them and use the funds to buy a better action/rifle.

Every gun enthusiast goes through a Savage phase. Most outgrow it and move onto better platforms. It sounds like you're ready. (flamesuit on!)

 

[CharlieNC]

One of the smoothest actions I've owned was a Savage tuned by Sharp Shooter, which also had one of his triggers. I regret selling it. I currently own two and both have required adjusting firing pin protrusion, replacing the spring, and replacing the bolt head to eliminate primer cratering. I've enjoyed working on them and they shoot decent, but no comparison to customs or even factory Tika. They are what they are, fun to work on and shoot, but not worth the money to upgrade to be truly competitive.

 

[SKWERLZ]

One of the smoothest actions I've owned was a Savage tuned by Sharp Shooter, which also had one of his triggers. I regret selling it. I currently own two and both have required adjusting firing pin protrusion, replacing the spring, and replacing the bolt head to eliminate primer cratering. I've enjoyed working on them and they shoot decent, but no comparison to customs or even factory Tika. They are what they are, fun to work on and shoot, but not worth the money to upgrade to be truly competitive.

That’s a pretty good assessment in my opinion

 

[Monday shooter40]

My very first firearm purchase was a Savage 10 in .308. I will never get rid of it. But its been rebarreled and restocked several times. Ive spent countless hours chasing/tuning/tinkering with it. Now that i own premium and custom actions, it can never fill that role. It still shoots and will always be my first gun, most likely will get passed to one of my children.

Go to a premium/custom action. They work! Really well!

 

[GetReal]

I had a Savage 10 FP. Shot every bit as good as my Rem 700 PSS. Under half MoA. Both in .308

Ther real value of a high end action is in not wondering if its your action that's degrading accuracy. 9.5 / 10 times, accuracy suffers bcuz of the shooter / load.

 

[jrh84]

You should re-read my 2nd and 3rd sentences in my post. I'm well aware of what his rifle platform started from. Been there, done that. I did have 2 Target actions and sold them, and 2 complete rifles target actions, Kreiger barrels, in PRT Lowboy stocks. Sold them also. To date I know I've had over 20 Savage's and still own 6.

My suggestion to the OP is sell the Savage's and buy a custom. I own 4.

Gotcha...I figured most people were going off the assumption that he was starting with a target action, not the bargain bin Model 12 action. My mistake.

For the record, I started Hohn down the precision rifle path a couple of years ago. We were coworkers and still are good friends. I’ve been encouraging him to invest in a custom action for a while now after seeing other people struggle with similar accuracy issues.

I've got a Savage Model 10 myself. Its great for what I paid for it, but I know what it is and what it isn't.

 

[Old Navy]

The OP should have searched Savage actions before posting here. He could have saved getting the same responses from the bench rest shooters. There are the have and have-nots on this site. There are ones with the unlimited shooting budgets that can afford to own several customs. And there are the majority that have to work their way up to a $6K custom.

 

[Hohn]

Savage action with aftermarket trigger and PacNor 3-groove barrel. Shares my range record on our 600-yard steel course. Very solid, repeatable 1/4-MOA accuracy. The first measured group out of the gun (rounds 15,16,17,18 through barrel), was a witnessed 0.168" for four shots. That was 30.0 grains Varget .007" in lands. I later added 0.3 grains of Varget to get a lower ES/SD and a bit more velocity. But basically the gun shot like a hammer from the get go. It liked 105gr Scenars (old style) in the lands.

View attachment 1340339


I think I paid about $350 for the Savage, the stock was about $150, added trigger ($80) and a bedding job ($120?). PacNor donated the pre-fit barrel. So, not counting scope I have about $700 in this rifle.

Story HERE: https://www.accurateshooter.com/guns-of-week/poormanshammer/

Multiple 3-shot groups at 100 yards:

View attachment 1340338

Had this project not turned out so successfully, I would not have started 6mmBR.com and this Forum and AccurateShooter.com would not exist.

So... yes, with a new barrel and better trigger, a Savage can definitely shoot.

Footnoot: Yes that was a cheap Midway front rest, and a "loaner" rear bag. I put together this rig in 2004 when I was between jobs and every penny counted. This was originally built for a tactical style prone match shot from bipod, hence it's not a benchrest type stock. But it did shoot darn good from the bench, even with narrower fore-end. The original chambering was .260 Remington. I wasted a lot of time (and components) with that factory barrel. My advice -- if you have a Savage, pull the factory barrel immediately.

Thank you for that!

 

[rjtfroggy]

Hohn, I have a bunch of Savages two of them redone for bench rest and IMO it is not the action holding you back.
A good barrel chambered and threaded for a nutless fit will make a world of difference, I also put them in McMillan stocks and had the actions timed and trued. One has stock trigger set at 7ozs. the other has a SSS competition trigger set at 2oz. both have Leupold comp. scopes and in the end, both have around $3k invested in them. Not advised because there will be no return value.
In reality they will probably never win at national events, but that is more on me the shooter not the guns.
Bench manners and knowing your gun intimately will be the key to success.

 

[ebb]

SLM9s no all gun guys do not go through a savage phase! Ive never even shot one. I should clarify that I do own a 60 year old 416 22lr. If you look at the firing pin and some other parts you will understand that they are an erector set.

 

[JSH]

I bought a "take off" barrel that turned out to be completely trashed and shot out. Customer "service" was a very negative experience.

? You bought a used barrel and was disappointed that it wasn’t new?
I have bought a few take offs myself over the years from various vendors and people. I knew going in I was taking a chance, most served the purpose. One barrel in particular was a ringer, for 5 shots then got progressively worse, an inclusion mid way down the bore. I never got mad or asked for a refund.
Any take off , you should wonder why, even a factory new rig.
A gambler doesn’t win every time.

 

[SecondsCount]

Remember, that Savage needs a stock, trigger work, and a barrel. A pig will only wear so much lipstick, and it will still stink.

You're going to spend well north of $1000 (probably more like $1500) on a $300 low-tier action. Its your money, choose wisely.

This is good advice. I've had a lot of fun shooting factory actions, and still do, but the aftermarket actions provide a much nicer experience.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Get a Nucleus. It takes Savage barrels. As smooth as a Bat. Rem 700 footprint and takes Rem triggers.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Get a Nucleus. It takes Savage barrels. As smooth as a Bat. Rem 700 footprint and takes Rem triggers.

I have 2 and both will be sporting Wison barrels with nuts. I have a Origin action also but I like the Nucleus better. On that note I'm sure I'll breathe my last breath owning a few Savage's. They get in your blood.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I have 2 and both will be sporting Wison barrels with nuts. I have a Origin action also but I like the Nucleus better. On that note I'm sure I'll breathe my last breath owning a few Savage's. They get in your blood.

I might start stocking them.