Savage 12FV or 40 Varmint?

[Macchina]

Next year I plan on traveling out west with my family, and my Dad wanted to do some praire dog hunting while we were out there. All I have right now is a savage 110 in 7mm-08 as far as rifles go. I've narrowed my varmint rifle choices down to the 12FV in .223 or the 40 seriers in .22 Hornet. I don't plan on ever shooting past 200 yards, would the .22 Hornet do this well? Also, the bolt on the 40 series does not have any lugs on it, I'm sure this is fine, but does it change anything? I plan on reloading for whatever I get, and shooting it at the range most of the time. Which gun is more fun, and which one is better suited for my purposes?

 

[TooTaxed]

Can't comment on the .22 Hornet, but the .223 is good to at least 500-yds. I have a Rock River Varminter upper on my AR15, and the Savage should beat that.

You definitely are considering the correct rifle! The Accutrigger is great, and the piller-bedding of the Model 10/110 and 12/112 stocks is excellent. Best bargain on the market for a long-range rifle... My Model 10 is in .308...Choate stock, Harris bipod, Leupold Mk 4 3.5 x 10 x 50mm scope with illuminated mil-dot reticule.