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Savage Target Build Versus Buy

Looking at buying a F/TR rifle to shoot while I acquire parts for a custom F/Open build. I'm wanting to stick with 223 as I honestly don't really enjoy shooting .308 that much. This way I'll end up with a F/TR rifle and F/Open rifle.

I can get a Savage 12 f/tr .223 for $1115 delivered. If I build the action will cost $555, Criteron barrel $340, SSS stock $359 and probably $50 worth of shipping for a total of right at $1300. So is the Criteron barrel and SSS stock worth another $200?
 
I say yes also. You might as well make it exactly how you want it because in the end you'll like it a little more and that couple hundred dollars won't mean anything.

edit.
Before you buy everything get an idea what bullet you would like to shoot and look at your barrel options. I am doing the same thing right now with a 223. I ended up getting a 30" X Caliber throated out to some dummy rounds for the 90vld for right around the same price.
 
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We have a factory 223 Savage we use when testing tuners. The gun stock -was 1/2 " with most ammunition. With a tuner 1/4"
But like I said they are very twist dependent when shooting heavyweight bullets. Larry
 
I'm guessing he's saying it's easier because all the headspacing has been done by a smith and you just screw it on. With a savage you have to use go/no go gauges. You dont however have to ship your rifle to a smith for chambering.
 
I have a bunch of Savage rifles and barrels from factory to Shillen Douglas, Critereion and X Caliber. I personally would use the X Caliber ( same money) if it were me.
 
Looking at buying a F/TR rifle to shoot while I acquire parts for a custom F/Open build. I'm wanting to stick with 223 as I honestly don't really enjoy shooting .308 that much. This way I'll end up with a F/TR rifle and F/Open rifle.

I can get a Savage 12 f/tr .223 for $1115 delivered. If I build the action will cost $555, Criteron barrel $340, SSS stock $359 and probably $50 worth of shipping for a total of right at $1300. So is the Criteron barrel and SSS stock worth another $200?

Absolutely worth the money. If you get a factory barrel that shoots accurately you won't understand why, if you get a bad barrel you'll be glad that you built on a good one. Factor in the sale of the take-off Savage barrel as well.
 
Make sure you get a ground recoil lug. Factory lug is OK but a ground one is worth every penny.

Thus far I've only used Holland's precision ground recoil lugs. Takes a little effort to line it up just right.
Looking at pics of the SSS recoil lug, it looks like it will center with out moving.
 
Looking at buying a F/TR rifle to shoot while I acquire parts for a custom F/Open build. I'm wanting to stick with 223 as I honestly don't really enjoy shooting .308 that much. This way I'll end up with a F/TR rifle and F/Open rifle.

I can get a Savage 12 f/tr .223 for $1115 delivered. If I build the action will cost $555, Criteron barrel $340, SSS stock $359 and probably $50 worth of shipping for a total of right at $1300. So is the Criteron barrel and SSS stock worth another $200?

Yes! You'll gain that $200 back with the components you waste trying to get gun to shoot with the Salvage factory barrel. Personal experience here
 
Yes! You'll gain that $200 back with the components you waste trying to get gun to shoot with the Salvage factory barrel. Personal experience here
You won't go wrong with the Criterion. ........ It could be a VERY looooong wait for the SSS stock based on experience of others here................... Look for an alternative stock. There are other Savage Smiths that can produce one for you at competitive price & quality with no broken promises on delivery time, ignored E-mails or no returned calls from answer machine. Just my experience.
 
I would not use SSS. I had shooting buddy that had to take legal action. Had his action and barrel for over a year. Wouldn't return call or email or his letters he sent. Not good business.

Get the Savage FTR stock and send to stock builder to bed and fix up. That's what I did on my FTR. couldn't be happier with how it shoots
 
That's pretty bad news on SSS. Lisa replied to my initial email very quickly and with good detail. I have had dealings with custom gun component companies that dragged on for months and it does get quite frustrating.
 
Why on earth would you want a criterion barrel???
Ever seen one listed on a benchrest equipment list? Saw someone list there was a precut barrel maker with a real name that made him a few barrels that were 1/4 moa, and real custom prefit made with real quality reamers
 
Looking at buying a F/TR rifle to shoot while I acquire parts for a custom F/Open build. I'm wanting to stick with 223 as I honestly don't really enjoy shooting .308 that much. This way I'll end up with a F/TR rifle and F/Open rifle.

I can get a Savage 12 f/tr .223 for $1115 delivered. If I build the action will cost $555, Criteron barrel $340, SSS stock $359 and probably $50 worth of shipping for a total of right at $1300. So is the Criteron barrel and SSS stock worth another $200?

I have a Savage LRPV in right bolt, left eject, with a Target AccuTrigger action. It has some pros and cons. I got it in a 12 twist 6BR. I thought it would be chambered with a throat suitable for a 12 twist, but it is not. The throat is long and 68 grain flat base bullets are the lightest I can shoot, and even then I believe the long throat causes issues. If you buy a 7 twist .223 F/TR model, you would hope they would put a long throat in it for the long/heavy bullets, but you might want to check with the factory before you lay your money down. I shoot off the bench with it, and the HS Precision stock is well made with an aluminum bedding block, which I further bedded, but the shape of the stock is poor for shooting off the bench. I would much prefer the 12 F Class stock with the flat rear and 3" wide flat front. But, I guess you have to comply with standards for F/TR, if that is what you plan to do.

On the positives, I was able to set the AccuTrigger down to 6 oz. It does have a bit of a quirk that you need to be sure the safety is full off before you try to shoot. Accuracy at 100 meters is very good, despite the long throat. I tend to get a flyer every 10 shots or so, and I attribute it to the throat. Here is three consecutive three shot targets where I managed to dodge the flyer.

68BergerS14-10C.jpg


On your option to buy a Savage action and add the barrel and stock, I would spring for the extra cost to get a cut rifled barrel over a button rifled. Building your own, I believe gives you the option of the right bolt, left port, which I find very handy. But perhaps there are rules against that in F/TR...

Just my thoughts!
 
I have a Savage LRPV in right bolt, left eject, with a Target AccuTrigger action. It has some pros and cons. I got it in a 12 twist 6BR. I thought it would be chambered with a throat suitable for a 12 twist, but it is not. The throat is long and 68 grain flat base bullets are the lightest I can shoot, and even then I believe the long throat causes issues. If you buy a 7 twist .223 F/TR model, you would hope they would put a long throat in it for the long/heavy bullets, but you might want to check with the factory before you lay your money down. I shoot off the bench with it, and the HS Precision stock is well made with an aluminum bedding block, which I further bedded, but the shape of the stock is poor for shooting off the bench. I would much prefer the 12 F Class stock with the flat rear and 3" wide flat front. But, I guess you have to comply with standards for F/TR, if that is what you plan to do.

On the positives, I was able to set the AccuTrigger down to 6 oz. It does have a bit of a quirk that you need to be sure the safety is full off before you try to shoot. Accuracy at 100 meters is very good, despite the long throat. I tend to get a flyer every 10 shots or so, and I attribute it to the throat. Here is three consecutive three shot targets where I managed to dodge the flyer.

68BergerS14-10C.jpg


On your option to buy a Savage action and add the barrel and stock, I would spring for the extra cost to get a cut rifled barrel over a button rifled. Building your own, I believe gives you the option of the right bolt, left port, which I find very handy. But perhaps there are rules against that in F/TR...

Just my thoughts!

Where's the other 2 shots in each group??:)
 

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