Savage Model12 VLP in Accuracy ??

[sgreen3]

Hey guys, I have a Savage model12 VLP DBM in 243 that I've been playing around with for the last couple of months in hopes to turn it into my 300yrd benchrest rig for this upcoming years events at our local country club. I know I wont be able to full out compete with the guys that have the 2 an 3k custom rigs but I would like to at least be competitive. But after a little over two months of shooting a tweaking loads I'm really not impressed thus far. I've been shooting it at 200yrds thus far (if it isn't going to perform well at 200 no sense in going out to 300) and have worked up a number of different loads using projectiles ranging from 58gr, 70gr, 80gr, and 105gr. All my loads I have been putting them .010" off the lands and have been using IMR 4064 as well as Varget. An the best group to date was right at about .500" at 200yrds. My question being shouldn't this rifle be capable of 1 hole groups at 200yrds? Or am I just expecting to much from this rifle. It seems like it has promise until the next time I head out back an then it posts an 1.5" group at 200 , which I know isn't bad but wont even come close to even being competitive in a benchrest match. With all this being said I do have junk scope on it and have done nothing to the factory laminate stock. Just kind of curious to your guys thoughts, is there any other loads I should be trying, that may perform better than I'm currently using? Or maybe something else I should do with the rifle all together, not to mention I'm sure a better scope would help. Or should I be looking to a better platform to use rifle wise? Thanks for any advice fellas its greatly appreciated!

 

[crowsnest2002]

Some things you might look into. Try some different powders. I had some Reloader 22 that worked awesome with 95grain pills. Also the next option might be buy a different barrel and screw it on. Another issue you might look into would be the action screw torque. I would be happy with a 1/2-3/4 moa factory rifle. Also look at how you are throwing your powder charges. It doesn't hurt to remeasure the charges every so many rounds.

 

[Terry]

What targets/format are you shooting?

 

[sgreen3]

What targets/format are you shooting?

Well currently just practicing I have the rifle in my Caldwell DFT sled, shooting at just standard rifle targets. But the benchrest matches that Id like to attend uses a scored 5 shot match with a warm up match then a scored 5 record match following using just a standard benchrest target. Then the two best shooters for the day shoot a championship match.

 

[NWnewguy]

I would do all of my load development at 100yds. My logic and there are a few folks that agree, is that you want to know to the extent possible how well the load is shooting, not how well you are holding the rifle and handling the shot string.

That being said; if it would shoot less than an inch at 200yds with the factory barrel, you really can't ask too much more than that. The stock should be fine. The most limiting factor is the barrel and trigger, both of which can be replaced fairly easily. I have a VLP in 223 and don't expect it to do much better than 1/2 MOA.

 

[Shynloco]

Savage model12 VLP DBM..... Or am I just expecting to much from this rifle.
..... I know isn't bad but wont even come close to even being competitive in a benchrest match.
,,,,,,,have done nothing to the factory laminate stock. Just kind of curious to your guys thoughts, is there any other loads I should be trying, that may perform better than I'm currently using?

I bought that same model rifle, but in .223 caliber "HOPING" to do much the same as you are trying to accomplish. Now I did add a "quality" scope in Weaver T36 and had my Gunsmith do a few mods to the stock, which by the way is a very nice stock. I had it free floated, glass bedded and had the forend flattened on the bottom so it would slide smoothly and flat across my front bag (has the "Super Slick" material that competitiors are using these day in serious Benchrest competition). I worked with that rifle for months, testing all kinds of different powders and even competition bullets. I pitted this rifle (in scoring) against my Savage Benchrest Model 12 which has the TARGET action, while the rifle you are proposing doesn't have the Target action. Now I wasn't going to compete, but wanted the best possible accuracy (as I'm an accoracy freak who loves shooting Benchrest). After a full year of testing, IMHO, DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY! It's not that the VLP DBM isn't a nice quality rifle. But it is NOT a Benchrest quality rifle that you can expect to win with. And no matter if you put a $2000 Nightforce scope on it, it still isn't good enough to win. So again, IMHO, save your money and buy OR BUILD a quality rifle if you are serious about Benchrest competition. BTW, I seriously doubt you'd even see a Savage Model 12 Benchrest Target Actioned rifle on any serious Benchrest competition shooting line. BTW, I ended up giving that rifle to one of my sons for his shooting pleasure and I still load for that rifle whenever he needs some super accurate ammo. Just my .02 worth.

Alex

 

[CharlieNC]

A couple of easy/low-cost items to get the most out of your Savage. Pull the Accutrigger, give it a good cleaning and polish the sear gently with ultra-fine stone, either replace the stock spring with the lighter-pull target one or cut off a couple of coils (in steps to avoid over-doing it). This will give you a lighter, crisper break. Then install pillars and bed the receiver (float the rear tang). You can find out how to do all this on the savage shooters site, not difficult, and doesn't take too long. With these improvements you will get the most out of your current setup. If you get 0.5" groups today, then 1.5" groups later, it sounds like most of the variability is due to the shooter. Yea, you may need a better scope. This is case with me! All my Savages can shoot better than I can; during nice weather when I can shoot a couple of days a week I see my consistency stabilize with practice; the prone skills need constant reinforcement.

 

[DogBuster]

A factory barrel is a factory barrel......Savage is known for rough bores..

Not happy with its performance...screw on an aftermarket something...

Many choices....especially in 6BR..6XC...even 243.....staying 6mm..

 

[sgreen3]

Savage model12 VLP DBM..... Or am I just expecting to much from this rifle.
..... I know isn't bad but wont even come close to even being competitive in a benchrest match.
,,,,,,,have done nothing to the factory laminate stock. Just kind of curious to your guys thoughts, is there any other loads I should be trying, that may perform better than I'm currently using?

I bought that same model rifle, but in .223 caliber "HOPING" to do much the same as you are trying to accomplish. Now I did add a "quality" scope in Weaver T36 and had my Gunsmith do a few mods to the stock, which by the way is a very nice stock. I had it free floated, glass bedded and had the forend flattened on the bottom so it would slide smoothly and flat across my front bag (has the "Super Slick" material that competitiors are using these day in serious Benchrest competition). I worked with that rifle for months, testing all kinds of different powders and even competition bullets. I pitted this rifle (in scoring) against my Savage Benchrest Model 12 which has the TARGET action, while the rifle you are proposing doesn't have the Target action. Now I wasn't going to compete, but wanted the best possible accuracy (as I'm an accoracy freak who loves shooting Benchrest). After a full year of testing, IMHO, DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY! It's not that the VLP DBM isn't a nice quality rifle. But it is NOT a Benchrest quality rifle that you can expect to win with. And no matter if you put a $2000 Nightforce scope on it, it still isn't good enough to win. So again, IMHO, save your money and buy OR BUILD a quality rifle if you are serious about Benchrest competition. BTW, I seriously doubt you'd even see a Savage Model 12 Benchrest Target Actioned rifle on any serious Benchrest competition shooting line. BTW, I ended up giving that rifle to one of my sons for his shooting pleasure and I still load for that rifle whenever he needs some super accurate ammo. Just my .02 worth.

Alex

See that's kind of were Im at with it right now. As I said I know Im not going to be able to compete with the more seasoned vets with the full on benchrest rigs, but I would at least like to be competitive. but I totally understand what your saying. I to plan to get one of the Weaver Tseries 36x scopes for it. An yes the stock on it is very nice for a factory rifle. But I guess to put it in perspective on scale of 1-10 on how serious I am about being able to compete right now Id give it an honest 6 or 7. But I guess what Im getting at is I need to be serious as to how Im looking at the rifle and its true capabilities an ask myself if that's going to be good enough for me right now?... Thanks a lot for your words, Great advice.

 

[sgreen3]

A couple of easy/low-cost items to get the most out of your Savage. Pull the Accutrigger, give it a good cleaning and polish the sear gently with ultra-fine stone, either replace the stock spring with the lighter-pull target one or cut off a couple of coils (in steps to avoid over-doing it). This will give you a lighter, crisper break. Then install pillars and bed the receiver (float the rear tang). You can find out how to do all this on the savage shooters site, not difficult, and doesn't take too long. With these improvements you will get the most out of your current setup. If you get 0.5" groups today, then 1.5" groups later, it sounds like most of the variability is due to the shooter. Yea, you may need a better scope. This is case with me! All my Savages can shoot better than I can; during nice weather when I can shoot a couple of days a week I see my consistency stabilize with practice; the prone skills need constant reinforcement.

The more I read up on it I may very well end up bedding this stock and go from there. For no more than it will cost I think it would be a disservice to not try it.

 

[sgreen3]

Well I did go ahead an order the Heart Accuracy Asset, and I do think I will do the "stress Free" bedding job on it when the weather breaks a bit an stays above freezing for at least a few days straight. Can any of you guys recommend a Front bad that would work on my Caldwell Rock front rest that will accommodate the Hart Accuracy Asset? Thanks!

 

[C. Collins]

Yes, Definitely pillar bed the stock, and then upgrade your optics. Nothing fancy just something you can adjust parallax on and hold a zero. I would also try h4350 as a powder choice. I would also continue load work at .010 off, and do a ladder test. Just my .02.