To anyone shooting a current Savage 12 Benchrest in BR competition...

[jeffreybehr]

Does the slanting--that is, NOT parallel with the bore line--bottom of the buttstock make this rifle more difficult to keep on the correct elevation while using a rest at the rear (under the buttstock)? I shot a Shehane BR rifle with a Shehane Tracker II stock...

...in 2006-7. This buttstock's bottom was 'straight', which meant that when the rifle slid to the rear under recoil and then was simply pushed forward to the front rest's stop-pin, the elevation was unchanged and still, presumably at least, correct. The 30"-barrel Model 12 F Class's buttstock looks much like that of the Tracker II, but the BR's 29" barrel is already an inch or two longer than I think I want.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Short answer...No. Any benefit of a parallel stock would only matter during the first approximately 1/16" or less, of gun travel due to recoil. I see no benefit or detraction due it while pushing the gun back up, as long as a forearm stop is used. Both will simply go back where they were, or very close...parallel or not. A good rest/bag setup is what will dictate how well either will return. But, what shooting discipline do you plan to shoot with it. Rules may make it a moot point.

 

[jeffreybehr]

Short answer...No. Any benefit of a parallel stock would only matter during the first approximately 1/16" or less, of gun travel due to recoil. I see no benefit or detraction due it while pushing the gun back up, as long as a forearm stop is used. Both will simply go back where they were, or very close...parallel or not. A good rest/bag setup is what will dictate how well either will return. But, what shooting discipline do you plan to shoot with it. Rules may make it a moot point.

TY, 'g&gs'. Your answer makes sense to me...I believe I'll buy one.

And for what shooting discipline, initially I'll be practicing my reloading and shooting skills, MAYBE on the way to 1000yd. benchresting...or...?

 

[ttfreestyle]

Just a suggestion, take a look at shooters corner for the used market. You may find a little better setup for close to same money. Good luck

 

[Zero333]

Being a Savage, you can spend $300 for a new pre-chambered barrel, another $100 - $150 for wrench / Headspace gauges / Ground Lug and swap the barrel yourself down the road.

I find the vast majority of Savages with factory Heavy barrels shoot exceptionally, for a factory barreled rifle that is.

If you want BR accuracy, best is to check the classifieds on this forum or on a benchrest forum. Usually you get a hell of a lot more than you pay for with the used BR rifles, even if you have to re-barrel them right away.

 

[Terry]

I shoot the Model 12 BR in factory class with either a 6BR or 308 barrel. 600 and 1,000 yards no problem.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

TY, 'g&gs'. Your answer makes sense to me...I believe I'll buy one.

And for what shooting discipline, initially I'll be practicing my reloading and shooting skills, MAYBE on the way to 1000yd. benchresting...or...?

Well...to that end, I'd strongly consider a stock that fits

As others have said, a used BR rifle is more gun for the money than going the factory Savage route. In most cases, you will wind up going the custom route eventually. Buying a good used custom, now, saves money down the road and if you buy it right, you seldom lose much if anything when or if you sell it later to upgrade.

Many on this site have been down this road already and can speak from experience. Your situation is a common one for new shooters to find themselves in. It seems logical to buy a factory rifle, spend money on it to make it more competitive and to move up to custom later. But, it's not the best way to go for most people, as you wind up spending dollars twice when you could've and likely should've just bought a good used custom to begin with. We've all been there.

 

[ttfreestyle]

Well...to that end, I'd strongly consider a stock that fits

As others have said, a used BR rifle is more gun for the money than going the factory Savage route. In most cases, you will wind up going the custom route eventually. Buying a good used custom, now, saves money down the road and if you buy it right, you seldom lose much if anything when or if you sell it later to upgrade.

Many on this site have been down this road already and can speak from experience. Your situation is a common one for new shooters to find themselves in. It seems logical to buy a factory rifle, spend money on it to make it more competitive and to move up to custom later. But, it's not the best way to go for most people, as you wind up spending dollars twice when you could've and likely should've just bought a good used custom to begin with. We've all been there.

Yes I went from factory savage to trued rem and now full custom. Wish I had went custom first, I woulda saved money in the long run and am much happier now. Just my experience. Ymmv

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Yes I went from factory savage to trued rem and now full custom. Wish I had went custom first, I woulda saved money in the long run and am much happier now. Just my experience. Ymmv

I think it's just the natural progression for most of us. I can't begin to count the times that I've tried to convince people to buy a custom but they are fixated on using a factory 700 or similar to build on. It's no different than what we're talking about here. Most of the time they can't be convinced that they're better off to start with a used custom or building on a custom. Usually, they come around but, again, I think it's just the natural progression. I stopped arguing this point a long time ago though. I'll tell the customer ONCE and explain that I make more money if we do it their way. Most of the time, they are going to do what they think is best, no matter their level of experience or lack of, anyway. It's posts like this, where several different people who have "been there and done that", tell them what you and I are saying, that is most likely the most effective way to help the new guy save some time, money and headache. The part that may be most important and least discussed on this subject, is how much shorter the learning curve is with a known good shooting rifle.

So, buying a proven, used rifle is usually cheaper, better and makes you a better shooter, sooner than any other way of getting into BR or even just the friendly matches at the smallest level. If building new, starting with a good custom action, even at 3-4 times the price of a 700 or similar, is money well spent up front and will save or make money in the end.

Trying to save money by using anything factory for BR, is a false economy. The cheapest way to get into this game is a good used and proven rifle. End rant..Lol!

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

The part that may be most important and least discussed on this subject, is how much shorter the learning curve is with a known good shooting rifle.

So, buying a proven, used rifle is usually cheaper, better and makes you a better shooter, sooner than any other way of getting into BR or even just the friendly matches at the smallest level.

+1000

 

[jeffreybehr]

Interesting that my question about the two different Savage stocks has devolved into the rifles themselves and a filosofy of starting at the top.

The very same issue exists in two other hobbies I have, hi-end audio and hi-end fotografy. I agree that if novices would buy equipment at the top of heap, probably they'd save money over their 'career' of listening/shooting/fotografing. But that's not always true, as some of us might really not like the feel of a 50-megapixel Canon 5DS or the smallish body of the Sony a7RII or the fairly bulky body of my choice, the Pentax K-1. Same in rifles and preamps and speaker systems, etc.

Each of us has to learn about 'everything'--even where we want to go in each hobby--at his/her own pace, so thanks for the advice, friends, but I'll still buy the Savage.

 

[swadiver]

Interesting that my question about the two different Savage stocks has devolved into the rifles themselves and a filosofy of starting at the top.

The very same issue exists in two other hobbies I have, hi-end audio and hi-end fotografy. I agree that if novices would buy equipment at the top of heap, probably they'd save money over their 'career' of listening/shooting/fotografing. But that's not always true, as some of us might really not like the feel of a 50-megapixel Canon 5DS or the smallish body of the Sony a7RII or the fairly bulky body of my choice, the Pentax K-1. Same in rifles and preamps and speaker systems, etc.

Each of us has to learn about 'everything'--even where we want to go in each hobby--at his/her own pace, so thanks for the advice, friends, but I'll still buy the Savage.

aw but Sterophile and the Absolute Sound mags want you to be on the continuous "upgrade cycle"! there is always a better $2500/pair set of interconnects or speaker cables coming on the market!

been there, done that.

 

[Cowtownup]

The joy is in the journey..

 

[swadiver]

The joy is in the journey..

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Interesting that my question about the two different Savage stocks has devolved into the rifles themselves and a filosofy of starting at the top.

The very same issue exists in two other hobbies I have, hi-end audio and hi-end fotografy. I agree that if novices would buy equipment at the top of heap, probably they'd save money over their 'career' of listening/shooting/fotografing. But that's not always true, as some of us might really not like the feel of a 50-megapixel Canon 5DS or the smallish body of the Sony a7RII or the fairly bulky body of my choice, the Pentax K-1. Same in rifles and preamps and speaker systems, etc.

Each of us has to learn about 'everything'--even where we want to go in each hobby--at his/her own pace, so thanks for the advice, friends, but I'll still buy the Savage.

You've been given good advice. It's up to you what you do with it. It's up to you to condemn this advice and berate those of us that freely offered it. It's up to us to not do it for you again.

 

[jeffreybehr]

You've been given good advice. It's up to you what you do with it. It's up to you to condemn this advice and berate those of us that freely offered it. It's up to us to not do it for you again.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! I did NOT condemn any advice, I did NOT berate anyone, and I thanked everyone for their opinions. Please no NOT read your thoughts into my statements.

As for the substance of my reply, two others agreed with it--the learning is indeed in the journey.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! I did NOT condemn any advice, I did NOT berate anyone, and I thanked everyone for their opinions. Please no NOT read your thoughts into my statements.

As for the substance of my reply, two others agreed with it--the learning is indeed in the journey.

Then why make the point to people trying to help you, that we "devolved" your thread and further, to state that you'd disregard the info and and buy a Savage. Both remarks would have been better left unsaid.
Buy the Savage...learn from it. Do whatever you wish. Certainly no harm in doing what you want to do with your money. Enjoy the ride.

 

[Ggmac]

Some have more time to journey ... I guess they have more info than I've been given

 

[perry42]

Just bought a bench rest laminated stock for my Savage Mdl 12 308. The butt stock bottom is flat (parallel to the 3" for end). When I am finished glass bedding the new stock I will be able to compare how both stocks work for me.

perry42