Savage 12 FTR .308 experts

[scissorhands]

I will be picking up a Savage 12 FTR .308 tomorrow for my first dedicated F/ TR rifle. Tell me everything you know about the rifle,please...

Thanks,
Rob

 

[broncman]

1 in12 twist. Savage target action of course. Pillar beds. Cheek piece leaves to be desired.

I changed stocks. Mine shoots 155 Sierra palmas real well, 168 & 175 smks too. Just shot my first load of Juggernauts today. Real promising.

Hope to shoot my first match with it soon.

 

[scissorhands]

Thanks Broncman,

I will pick it up tomorrow, but I'm playing the waiting game on the rings and base. I guess I'm more curious and excited about the rifle, until I actually get it all set up and put a few shot down range. The wait is killing me.....

 

[broncman]

I highly recommend the burris signature rings with inserts. I used the talley 20 moa base and extra high rings.. Should have went with standard high.

What scope and bases you plan to use?

 

[its only light]

I believe that savage actually made these the first year of production with a 10 twist barrel. I bought one the first year and it had a 30in 1-10 twist barrel. Chances are probably slim but I'm just saying there is a possibility it could be depending on when it was manufactured obviously. Otherwise they are 12 twist as stated above. Either way these guns shoot awesome right out of the box. I didn't like the stock with the plastic cheekpieces so would recommend a different stock but if you like it I would probably say it could use a skim bedding. Either way though you will like it and I'm sure it will be simple to work up a good load.

 

[scissorhands]

I highly recommend the burris signature rings with inserts. I used the talley 20 moa base and extra high rings.. Should have went with standard high.

What scope and bases you plan to use?

I went with the EGW 20 moa rail and EGW rings.

 

[Rustystud]

This is a great entry level rifle for FTR. It can be upgraded or used as a stepping stone into a dedicated custom rifle for FTR.

Nat Lambeth

 

[scissorhands]

bronc,

What is your measurment to the lands?

I took one today with a 168 gm SMK and came up with 2.788 to the lands. seems pretty close

Is that normal with this rifle?

 

[its only light]

I can't tell you for the 168s but mine with 175gr matchkings was 2.802 oal to the lands.

 

[broncman]

I have mine measured to the comparator length instead of over all. I will look in my notebook when I get home.

if memory serves me right, 2.232-2.235 seems to be my lands when measured with a compartor. My loads seem to favor 2.225 comparator length or either a large jump of about 70 thousandths!

Just tried a handfull of Berger Juggernauts with 43.5 grains of Varget, fed match primers and shot a very nice group. Will have to revisit when I get more Juggernauts.

So far, 47 grains of varget in 155 weight bullets and 43.5 in 175-185 range seem to be my sweetspots. I shoot out to 300 on my home range and can get 1/2 moa average groups but not much smaller. Would love to get it a little tighter....may be me.....might just need more time with it.

I have shot mostly 155 sierra palma mk's, 168 smk, and 178 hornady OTBT match, 175 SMK, and some Amaxes.

Have a load in either 155 and 168 that I feel ok with for 600. One load for the 178 hornady that I want to try at 1000. The SMK's seeem to be the easiest to tune.

The juggernauts were very impressive for the very first load I tried, unfortumately I just had a small amount.

 

[fm1947]

one thing you want to do is bed it most all Savage stocks have a lot of space to be filled especially around the recoil lug.

 

[Shynloco]

I will be picking up a Savage 12 FTR .308 tomorrow for my first dedicated F/ TR rifle. Tell me everything you know about the rifle,please...

Thanks,
Rob

I claim NO expertise in F/TR .308's. BUT, I own two Model 12 Savages in other calibers and shooting disciplines and they shoot better than any other manufacturer's rifles currently made OUT OF THE BOX! I read a recent discussion between a new shooter and several experienced F/TR shooters in which the newbie wanted advice on "building" a rifle. But there were financial constraints attached. More than one experienced shooter suggested the best less expensive alternative which was the Savage Model 12 F/TR. Personally (and except for than darn "accutrigger " that I hate, but have learned to live with) IMHO you cannot get a better bang for your buck as that baby will make you proud, so long as you do your party and learn to shoot her. Good luck and have fun with that baby!

Alex

 

[Shynloco]

most all Savage stocks have a lot of space to be filled especially around the recoil lug.

Maybe model 10's do, but that ain't so with the Model 12. Neither of my Model 12's is bedded or changed from when it came from the factory and both shoot lights out, especially my 6mmbr which shoots in the 1's and 2's. If it makes you happy to bed the stock, do it. But I'd shoot the rifle first and get a feel before changing anything. You might also want to confir with other F/TR shooters and see what they have to say or do with their rifles for better grouping.

 

[fm1947]

I have a rifle basic savage two on mine got it down to 1.5ounce, if you don't like accutrigger go with that RB

 

[sdbob]

I have had problems with extraction of cases, it wants to leave a case laying inside once in a while. Everything on the bolt looks good and clean? Anyone else have this problem? Solutions?

 

[broncman]

If I work my bolt real slow...it will leave the case laying in the action. It basically pops off the bolt head when the end of the case leaves the barrel and enters the action.

 

[sdbob]

I was thinking of replacing the factory bolt head with a Precision Machined Savage Bolt Head from Pacific Tool. Anyone have any feed back on this bolt head in the FTR. I was hoping extraction would be a little more positive.

 

[BaconFat]

I have had problems with extraction of cases, it wants to leave a case laying inside once in a while. Everything on the bolt looks good and clean? Anyone else have this problem? Solutions?

My gun always leaves the case in the action. I thought that was normal. I do operate the bolt pretty slowly so maybe that is the way it's suppose to work.

 

[sdbob]

I just think it is a distraction when trying to read wind and putting together a shot string. Would rather the cases always come out of the action. My fingers don't seem to find that brass inside the action very well.

 

[Terry]

Remove and clean the extractor. If that does not work replace it.