Which caliber Savage?

[redster]

Just got into precision target shooting.Right now I'm shooting Magnum Research's Magnumlite 17 Mach2 with the carbon barrel.Love the gun and I'm close to mastering it and getting my groups better at 100 yards. Want to get a bigger caliber for longer distance. I'm considering the Savage 12 long range precision varmiter with the left eject port. Which caliber should I get for this rifle,223 or 22-250? I would like to shoot from 100yrds to 600 yrds.Can I also chamber it easily with a 6BR round with just a barrel swap? I appreciate any info/suggestions from this matter.Thanks!

Redster

 

[mikeinct]

I'd buy one used in the correct bolt face .473 for the 6mmbr Add the stock I want, new trigger & custom barrel myself...Read up in here on Savage rifles...They are great for tool shed gunsmiths...lots of high quality add on parts available ..I think it is a great platform for an entry level accuracy rifle..Some here have gotten just incredible results from cobbled together rifles...mike in ct

 

[redster]

I'm so new to this game,don't know much of the terminologies. Which rifle from the Savage line has the correct bolt face to convert it to 6BR? Could I just get a new bolt in .473 for the savage action? I'm not set so far with this rifle but I thought it would be a good starting point for me. The 12 low profile single shot is also under consideration.I'm trying to get into it as less money for now to shoot.Then once I am better,I know exactly what I want for my next rifle build.

 

[Forum Boss]

.473" is the same as a .308-size size rim. Basically a 22-250, .243 Winch, .260 Rem, .308, 7mm-08, 30-06 will all have the right size bolt face.

 

[rhino]

I would get a Savage Stainless Single shot with .473 bolt face. Have it tuned and blueprinted by Fred Moreo at SSS. Then have a nice quality barrel fitted to it.

You can get a SSS trigger and not use the saftey and set it low without the use of the saftey and not have it go off. I have done it. Still waiting on the .243 LW barrel....getting mad..I'll have to contact them again.

A good stock is also key. Cheapen up here and you'll be dissapointed.

RHINOUT!

 

[rhino]

For a custom action....Stolle or Barnard are the favorites of a real good smith.

RHINOUT!

 

[Rustystud]

redster:

The single shot model 12 or the RBLP Savage both are fine platforms to start with neither being truly custom actions. I have worked on about 100 Savages since the first of the year.
I will make a couple of suggestions.

Decide on what discpline you want to shoot in. This will determine if you need a long or short action. Some cartridges are better suited for specific type of shooting. In LR and F-Class you may need a long action for what is normally a short action cartridge. Long high BC bullets stick out creating a much longer OAL. Some of the supper accurate cartridges work really well in short actions. IE 6mmBR, 6mmBRX, 6XC, 6 X 47, 6 X 250.

If you are going to customize a Savage you might save yourself some money by just buying an action from Jim Briggs at Northlander. Then just buy what you need. If you buy a complete gun you will have some parts to sell of store.

The two actions mentioned above are made with bolt heads that accomodate two different cartridge head sizes. I have several customers who have me get them bolt heads for both sizes of cartridge and lapped them both in for interchanging use with different barrels and cartridge types. This is the beauty of the Savage. Some have me build the two complete bolts both trued, and timed for the same action. I have had customers ask me to make as many as 6 bolts for the Same action covering almost every conceivable cartridge made.

If you want to have a truly compeditive rifle you will need to do the following other modifications. You may choose to do them in stages as your budget allows.


1. After deciding on a caliber you will need to select a barrel maker. There are prefit barrels and there are custom barrels. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages. If you are going to truly customize your Savage go with a blank made to your specifications. You will need to know what weight and lenght bullets you want to shoot. This will determine the rate of twist you will need. Contour and length are secondary. Pick a gunsmith who builds his rifles to BR standards. This means he cuts the barrel with a saw, he turns, threads, and chambers all in the same set-up using single point or piloted tooling.

2. After having your action trued and if you are going to be using a barrel nut have it trued also. You will need a precision ground recoil lug. You will also want to have your bolt trued and timed.

3. There are several after market triggers. It is hard to beat the Rifle Basix Sav-2 for price and ease of installization and adjustment.

4. You are going to have to make a stock selection and there are many to choose from. Select one for the discipline you are going to shoot that meets the weight and rules specs. It also needs to be fitted to you for length of pull and cheek fit/eye alignment. The stock needs to be inlet so as there is no binding or stress. It should be bedded, I prefer pillar bedding and glassing in the lug, leaving the barrel free floating.

5. Scope bases and rings are very important. They are the foundation for your scope. Get Good quality rings and bases that fit the scope body diameter and front bell requirements. If you are shooting long range you may need a scope base with elevation added in.

6. Scope selection. There is no such thing a to good of scope. There always is good and better. Get a scope suited for your discipline.


Loading equipment, and loading components are a couple of post in them self.

A little time and planning up front will save you money and heartache in the long run.

Rustystud

 

[redster]

Now trying to get my local dealer look and see if these rifle I'm considering are available.I'm having them check for the 12 long distance Precision varmiter and the 12 low profile single shot.Here's what I'm enjoying right now for the meantime.

 

[redster]

How far can I shoot a 223 caliber ammo? I'm about to put down money for a rifle,so I want to just finalize my caliber selection.Thank you fellas for all the advice.

Redster

 

[Forum Boss]

How far can I shoot a 223 caliber ammo? I'm about to put down money for a rifle,so I want to just finalize my caliber selection.Thank you fellas for all the advice.

Redster

No reason you can't shoot a .223 all the way to 1000 yards,if you shoot the right bullet). But you'll need the correct twist barrel to shoot the long bullets. As a varmint/hunting round, I sort of prefer to pick a caliber with more energy for shots past 400 yards. But the .223 Rem is still a very versatile and accurate round, and every shooter should probably own a .223, or .223 Ackley Improved.