Savage model 12?

[hawkeye10]

Tell me about the Savage model 12 if you know something about them. I know there are several models to choose from but I haven't made up my mined which one to get. As far as caliber goes I am thinking 308. All I will do with it is punch holes in paper. Don

 

[LoonWulf]

How far would this paper be when the holes are to be punched? If you just want something to shoot targets at short to medium range, then the .223 is pretty hard to beat. Farther out I'd look at a the larger rounds (.243 6.5/260 on up to the .308).

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

savage 12 is a fine rifle. it's just a model 10 with a heavy barrel. the accutrigger is wonderful. best balance of out-of-the-box-accuracy/price you'll find, imo.

 

[sixgunner455]

.223 is hard to beat, if you have the right rifling twist, way out there. Smacking steel, .308 wins.

If you are target shooting and not reloading, you're spending a lot of money. You'll spend less per round on .223 than .308, and less on .308 than most other calibers in that class. If you're reloading, you'll still spend lots of money but less per round to do it.

If you're not shooting steel, and not pushing your range too much (600 meters is doable on the range with a .223) then just get that Savage in a .223 and call it good.

75 meters and in? .22 Long Rifle. In fact, get one anyway, set it up just like your "big" gun, and it'll pay for itself in practice rounds.

 

[hawkeye10]

Is there anything wrong with shooting Wolf 223 in a Savage model 12? I can go to two different ranges the one I go to 90% of the time is 200 yards and the other is 300 yards. I guess the 223 will be fine at those ranges. I already have a CZ 452 American 22LR that I shoot at 100 yards. I like it pretty good. It's a lot of fun to shoot. Don

 

[wingman]

I just returned from the range with my model 12 BTVS in 223 several groups of less then .500 at 100 yards with my reloads, the 12 is an excellent target rifle but you will only reach its full potential with reloading while the wolf will shoot fine I would guess it will be less accurate.

 

[LoonWulf]

I usually spring for the slightly more expensive (atleast out here) american eagle, or PMC ammo. Its usually a little on the mild side, but so is most wolf that ive shot. I honestly wouldnt be surprised if it shoots around an inch and a half or better, with most everything you put in it.

 

[hawkeye10]

I think I am going with the Savage model 12 BVSS in 223. Their stock number is 01269. Buds has them for $781, the best price I have found. I just hope I am making a good choice. Don

 

[Savage Shooter]

I had the savage 12fv in .223 and almost all the ammo i shot with it was wolf, it shot very accurately with most any ammo though. Their great guns and are very accurate and great out of the box.

 

[dc.fireman]

Hawkeye - I own two - one is a BVSS, the other a VLP-DBM. Both are fine rifles, and shoot one ragged hole all day long. I handload for mine. Both are heavy, they aren't something I'd consider carrying around all day. Both benefitted from a good barrell break-in. The Accu-trigger takes some getting used to, and there are some people who just don't seem to like it. My overall experience has been that both of the rifles were very well built - there isn't any slop in the bolt travel, the laminated stock has a nice satin finish, and everything locks up pretty tight. I took both of them to my local club, and asked a few of the guru's there about bedding them. Two of the three both commented, "with groups like that, why bother?".

The 22-250 BVSS I have, out-shot my best handloads for the .223, using factory ammo. I was damn surprised. If you're paper punching, which I am too, you'll be pleased. Enjoy it.

 

[solman]

I have a model 12 BVSS in 308. I agree with the other posts. Shoots less than 1 inch groups with factory ammo. I love the accutrigger and the stock is pleasing to the eyes as well. Just getting started with handloading for this gun.

 

[DCoke]

I think you'll like the Model 12

I also have two Savage Model 12's. One in .308 and one in .204, with both of them being the Model 12 LPPV SS with the fluted bbl. The .308 has the detachable box magazine while the .204 has the built-in magazine. Both rifles reach out and touch something. The price now is higher than when I got mine but regardless, I don't believe you'd regret owning one, regardless of caliber. My .308 is my target rifle out to 600 yds and both a meat getter and varminter, my .204 is my varminter and dream rifle....the low recoil lets me see what I've shot at through the scope without having to re-acquire.

 

[Snakepit]

Is there anything wrong with shooting Wolf 223 in a Savage model 12? I can go to two different ranges the one I go to 90% of the time is 200 yards and the other is 300 yards. I guess the 223 will be fine at those ranges. I already have a CZ 452 American 22LR that I shoot at 100 yards. I like it pretty good. It's a lot of fun to shoot. Don

I cannot shoot any steel case .308 in my Savage 12 F/TR. After I fire it the case will not eject and it is jammed in the receiver and I have to put a rod down the barrel and force the case out. Brass cases work just fine. I shoot Wolf steel .223's all the time in my AR-15 with absolutely no problems (shot 3000 rounds in the last 12 months) and with great accuracy. Some bad mouth Wolf but I think you cannot beat it for the price for the AR-15. I will say that the Federal GMM .308 is the best factory over the counter .308 round I have used. It is expensive but if you shop around on the internet you can get it for about $1.00 a round.

I love my Savage 12 F/TR .308 and I think you cannot go wrong with buying one.

 

[helotaxi]

If you live some place windy you're likely going to want a .308.

At the distance that the OP will be shooting there is zero advantage to the .308 and lots of disadvantages. Ammo is more expensive. Higher recoil and louder report. Meanwhile wind drift inside 300yds is essentially the same. In fact if you get a .223 with a 1:7 twist, the 75gn AMax is the ballistic twin of the .308 155 AMax. With a 2700fps MV, both drift 8" in a 10 mph x-wind at 300yds and drop 14.9" off a 100yd zero.

Even for a reloader, the .308 is a good bit more expensive. Using the bullets above, 75gn .224 AMax $17/100; 155gn .308 AMax $25/100. .223 brass is essentially free around here. Once fired LC is all over. I've yet to find or have someone give me .308 brass. Primers are a wash between the two. The .308 uses 80% more powder. Using Varget, you can load roughly 290/1lb in .223 and 155/1lb in .308.

 

[Ky Larry]

I have a Model 12BVSS in .243 Win. I reload and have found it to be one of the least picky rifles I have ever owned. It shoots everything from 55gr Sierras to 100gr Rem CoreLokts. If I didn't ave an old Ruger 77V twotone, I'd buy another Model-12 in .223.

 

[benzy2]

helotaxi nailed it on the nose. With a fast twist .223 and the longer bullets you see all but identical trajectory between a .223 and a .308. If you need energy on target then things change but if you just want to put holes in paper a .223 will do everything that a .308 does and will do it cheaper and with far less recoil. There certainly are times where a .308 outshines a .223, but in the short to medium range paper punching game it's so close there is no real reason advantage to picking the .308.

 

[helotaxi]

And by the time you get to a point where the .223 is trailing the .308, the .308 is way behind the 6mm, 6.5mm and 7mm offerings.

 

[Steve in PA]

I have a Savage 12FV 1:9 in .223 that is an absolute laser shooting rifle! I've only shot it out to 100 yards, but the accuracy with everything from 55gr to 75gr BTHP's is simply amazing!

 

[NCdrummer]

good choice

I have two model 12s. A .223 blue thumbhole fluted with internal magazine not sure of acronym), and an LRPV left-port right-bolt in .22-250. Both are very ugly and very accurate. I have smacked prairie dogs back to back at 525 yards with the .223 and whacked `em out to 645 yards with the .22-250. Put a Nightforce up top, develop a few loads, and you'll be amazed. But boy are they ugly! I agree with some other comments about the .308 being a little strong for paper-punching. Look at the .223, .22-250 if you want a cannon, or the .204 Ruger and an alternative. Any of these three will save your shoulder and wallet! But I love the .308...

 

[TwoEyedJack]

I have a 12FV in .22-250 that is a tack driver. It shoots 1.5" groups at 300 yards with its favorite load, a 40 gr. ballistic tip at 4,000 fps using IMR4064. The factory stock was a joke. I threw it away and got a Bell and Carlson and glass bedded it. The Burris 4-16X AO scope is amazing.

If you put quality optics and use decent ammo, it is hard to go wrong with a Savage.

 

[Storm]

I have a Savage 12 VLP in .308. It was love at first sight. It is pre-AccuTrigger but is one of the very best triggers that I have experienced. Like Snakepit I have not had good results with steel cased ammo. When I shot the 12 VLP the first time I figured I would use Barnaul to get on paper and sighted in as far as I could go. I also ended up having to tap out a stuck first round with a rod from the muzzle. The range officer commented to me that a rifle like that deserves better ammo. As it turned out, after I switched to American Eagle (still not primo ammo but much better), I found that I was not only on paper but pretty doggone close to the bull. That was in good part luck, but the rifle is really showing itself to be a superb shooter.

There are times that I wish my 12 VLP was .223. I have a Remington 700 SPS Tactical in .223 that is an absolute tackdriver. I really enjoy shooting that rifle.

 

[mmay1]

I agree on the 12BVSS in 223 Rem. as a great choice. Mine shoots very tight groups when I do my part. I have been reloading with 40 Grain V-Max bullets and the accuracy is awesome but I have also gotten really tight groups with 60 g. Black Hills as well.

 

[dagger dog]

Another 12 FV 223 Remington, couldn't stand the stock stock,(echo), put it in a Ultimate Varmint by Choate, then had to put wheels on it to pack it around, wound up being 13 + pounds with bipod,sling and scope.

Bought a Bell & Carlson Dura Maxx, and thats where it lives now. Installed a Burris Fullfield 4X15X42 on a Warne on peice base and Perma split rings.

It shoots great with 69 SMK's ,Varget.

Good buy for the price but I would have laid out another 50-75 bucks for a nice stock.

Next Savage will be a 14 Classic probably in a .25 caliber, would like a .257 Roberts if they make it, or possibly a 7X57 Mauser. If I had to I would rebarrel.

 

[mmitch]

hawkeye,

Here ya go:



It's a 12 bvvb-AMF?(exact model unknown-I'd like to know-bought it 2nd-hand), 300 WSM, fluted SS barrel, Accutrigger, with a cheap BSA scope. I thought, for sure, the character-building recoil would kill the scope, then I'd put a nicer one on there, but, the damned thing refuses to die and has held zero for six years. No break/no fix...

The rifle is hecka-accurate, even with the original synthetic stock.

Mike