Savage 12 in 6mm Norma BR

[Snowwolfe]

What is your opinion of the Savage 12 in 6mm Norma BR? Posted on the Savage forum and no response, posted on the Benchrest forum and was directed to the Savage Forum, lol
Currently having a difficult time deciding if I should order the single shot or 4 shot repeater (either rifle has 1-12 twist). Not planning on being competive, just want a really accurate rifle to play with from the bench. Would be tickled if it occassionly shoots in the .3's or better for 3 shots at 100 yards.

 

[Henryp]

The 12F can shoot with any custom light rifle at 1000 yard benchrest competition. Check benchrest central.com Midwest benchrest results,

 

[Steve Blair]

Henry is correct. My 12F shoots better than I can. There are probably custom rifles that can shoot better but not for the price. The Sierra 107 MK shoots so well in my rifle that I have not seriously bothered with anything else.

 

[David Clark]

You can get the 8 twist in the bench rest model. # is 18533
dave

 

[cmillard]

i would go with the single shot--a little more rigid and unless you are planning on shooting some vermin--a single shot is all you need anyhow

 

[Snowwolfe]

Only bad thing about the single shot is the right bolt left port as I am left handed. But they do give a choice of twists, either 1-12 or 1-8.
1-8 means heavier bullets, will that mean smaller groups?

 

[Steve Blair]

At longer ranges, yes. At 100 yards, probably not.

My 12F has three barrels, the factory 6mm BR, and two McGowen barrels. One is a 26" .22-250 9" twist and the other is a 30" .308 Win 10" twist. All shoot very well and, after the initial nut removal, it takes about ten minutes to switch barrels. With one rifle I can shoot F-Open, F-TR and varmints.

I really like the big 12F stock and the way it rides the bags. It is too bad that it is a right port, only.

 

[Snowwolfe]

After much thought I went with the repeater with it's right bolt and right port. Being left handed it should be perfect off the bench for me.
I like the idea of maintaining some flexibility if this rifle will ever see duty tagging a wolf or coyote's.
Ron Shirks had them in stock for $850 so if I am lucky will get all the gear together to shoot it in a couple of weeks if it ever warms up here!

I do need to order a scope mount for it though. Is this rifle considered to be built on a "short" action?

 

[Steve Blair]

Yes, but measure the screw spacing and verify with the vendor. I bought Ken Farrell's excellent rail and rings but there are several others available.

 

[haldir]

Mine is accurate, not as accurate as a custom gun like my friends, but good enough for me.

 

[afy]

The Savage 12 is an excellent rifle. Yes it is a short action, and you will be very happy with yours.
i have one in .22-250 and it shoots little bug holes.

 

[ourway77]

New to the game, not a competitive shooter, a group of ol'farts get together to out do one another. I just got my Savage and i mean to tell you i have never had a rifle that shoots so well. And i taint the best shot around but am putting a hurtin' on my buddies. I have always shot sporter rifles from the service (1953) to the present. Now that I have been bitten by the bug, thanks to you all for the advise. It's a 6BR 1-12 twist right bolt left port ss I was surprised I shot some 80 grain Noslers and they did fine, but the rifle shined with 68 grain Bergers. I have never shot an almost i hole group til now, the 5th hole almost touching the other 4 that looked like 1 hole. Lou

 

[hardrock6]

Sleeplygator would you share your 107 g load info.Thanks
Gary

 

[Steve Blair]

Gary - Following are MAX loads in my 8" twist Savage 6BR. Please start 3 grains below and work up in .3 increments.

All loads are seated 2.385 OAL which is +.010 into the lands. The brass is Lapua with necks turned to .013 wall and Wolf KVB-5.56M primers. Temperature at latest firing (where these velocities were recorded) was 50-60 degrees. They would probably be too hot in warmer temps.

30.8 Varget - 2854.6 fps - 9.9/4.1 ES/SD
33.4 RL17 - 2914.9 fps - 7.9/4.1 ES/SD

 

[hardrock6]

Thanks Gator, Yesterday I did some shooting with my F.
Load was 30.5 RL 15
cci br primer
105 Berger vld
1st 5 jumped .6
2nd 5 on lands
3rd 5 jamed 10 tho

the groups opened up as I moved the bullet out. Have you found this result with 105 bergers?

Gary

 

[Steve Blair]

Gary - Yes, my rifle prefers Berger 105 VLD back .01 at 2.370 OAL. It still does not shoot them as well as the Sierra 107. Other folks have exactly the opposite experience. So, YMMV.

I have found that the Wolf KVB-5.56M provides lower ES/SD than other primers and I have tried CCI BR-4 & 400, Fed 205M, Win SR and Remington 7½ in 6BR.

 

[hardrock6]

Have you ever tried the Berger recommended steps to find aol?

 

[Steve Blair]

Gary - No, I use the Stoney Point and Sinclair tools to measure OAL to lands and cartridge OAL, respectively.

 

[ourway77]

I wanna tell you the one I bought is the most accurte rifle I have ever owned. I shot the best group I ever shot with the 1-12 twist in my 6BR Savage, I shot a 5 shot group, if it hadn't been for one shot slightly out of the group I would have the first 1 hole group I ever shot in my life and I am 72 and have shot rifles from the service til now. I have already plans for my next one will be a 6.5-284, as I hunt bean and corn fields where shots average 3-500 yards easy. I don't worry about the weight, I have a permit to hunt from a vehicle. And when I do hunt a stand it is all set up like a shooting bench. I have hesitated shots of 6-800 yards or better for fear of wounding a deer to have it go off and die. But the way this rifle shoots and if the one I want shoots this good I will never hesitate a longer shot. Lou

 

[hardrock6]

72, good for you being out shooting. Hope, I can do that at that age, if I get there first 15 years off.