If you start shooting it a lot, you will probably wind up handloading in the end. If I had the cash I'd look at the Savage Model 12 Long Range Precision in .260 Rem. If I had less cash I'd settle for the Savage 10FP-SR in .308. I've already used up my one-gun-a-year budget.
which savage for long range precision?
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Flintknapper
Member
Yup, the Savage rifle really “sucks”. 
My Brother’s Model 10 Precision Carbine (.308) will do this all day with hand-loads.
My Daughter’s deer rifle (Savage) in 7mm-08 will do nearly as well.
Maybe someday we will toss these and get “real” rifles.
My Brother’s Model 10 Precision Carbine (.308) will do this all day with hand-loads.
My Daughter’s deer rifle (Savage) in 7mm-08 will do nearly as well.
Maybe someday we will toss these and get “real” rifles.
If you are sold on a 308 then by all means get a 308. If this were 1995, I would agree with you. But the industry, especially long range shooting, has moved past the old war horse. I can't think of one good reason to buy a 308 right now, unless it were just for a donor action.
Price of ammo?
308 black hills is 32 a box of 20
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/13...hester-175-grain-match-hollow-point-boat-tail
federal gold is 29 a box
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/95...grain-sierra-matchking-hollow-point-boat-tail
meanwhile 6.5 creedmoor is only 23 a box from midway or powder valley
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/78...creedmoor-140-grain-a-max-boat-tail-box-of-20
So with a creedmoor you get better ballistics, less recoil, and cheaper factory ammo. What's not to like? Sure you could find some surplus ammo that is cheaper than this, but we are talking about precision long range shooting right? You have to get quality stuff, and the creedmoor was built with this in mind. They even print the load recipe on the box just in case you decide to start reloading in the future. You can reproduce these factory loads by just going by what the box says. Doesn't get much easier than that
Here's a couple of great articles from a forum member named Zak Smith: I suggest reading them.
http://demigodllc.com/articles/6.5-creedmoor-260-done-right/
http://demigodllc.com/articles/6.5-shootout-260-6.5x47-6.5-creedmoor/
http://demigodllc.com/articles/the-case-for-260-remington/
Price of ammo?
308 black hills is 32 a box of 20
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/13...hester-175-grain-match-hollow-point-boat-tail
federal gold is 29 a box
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/95...grain-sierra-matchking-hollow-point-boat-tail
meanwhile 6.5 creedmoor is only 23 a box from midway or powder valley
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/78...creedmoor-140-grain-a-max-boat-tail-box-of-20
So with a creedmoor you get better ballistics, less recoil, and cheaper factory ammo. What's not to like? Sure you could find some surplus ammo that is cheaper than this, but we are talking about precision long range shooting right? You have to get quality stuff, and the creedmoor was built with this in mind. They even print the load recipe on the box just in case you decide to start reloading in the future. You can reproduce these factory loads by just going by what the box says. Doesn't get much easier than that
Here's a couple of great articles from a forum member named Zak Smith: I suggest reading them.
http://demigodllc.com/articles/6.5-creedmoor-260-done-right/
http://demigodllc.com/articles/6.5-shootout-260-6.5x47-6.5-creedmoor/
http://demigodllc.com/articles/the-case-for-260-remington/
Kachok
Member
Yeah by all means if you are sold on the 308 go with it, great caliber for everything from punching paper to taking trophy elk, I was just pointing out the benifits that the little 6.5 enjoys, and yes I have seen Savages in 6.5x55 as well as 260Rem, 6.5 Creedmore and the legendary 6.5-284. If I were just target shooting I would go with the 12 F/TR I think that is the one Team Savage shoots, 308 cal 30" tube and 12.65lbs it is a beast of a 30 cal. BTW that extra 8" of barrel is good for an extra 100-150fps depending on your bullet weight, if that is a touch pricy for you any of the 12 series are sure to make tiny tiny little groups if you do your part. As far as the 10 series goes, don't expect the accuracy of the bull barrel 12s but they are sure to keep you well below 1/2 MOA with good handloads. The 10 series is much more logical if you are going to be carrying your gun around alot since they are much lighter. Now I don't own either one of those high end target rifles, but my plain jane 110 hunting rifles are fantastic at the range, yes even with their flimsy el-chepo stocks, my new 06 is not even broke in yet and it was shooting .75" with my first run of handloads! My now departed model 11 270 WSM would shoot even tighter then that with 130 ballistic tips, needless to say I am sold on Savages, all five of mine were fantastic, in fact the only rifle I have owned that will keep pace with them is my Tikka which is another hella good gun.
2'Bucks'11
Member
Mark-Smith
Member
I'll third the "Savage 12 LRP" recommendation. I bought mine for 1,000 yard target shooting.
Go for Remington .260 or 6.5 Creedmoor. The .308 round is ok, but you can do a lot better. Look at the BC ratings for .308 vs .260 vs 6.5 and then make your decision.
I haven't gotten out to a 1,000 yard range yet (just got it the other month), but at 100 yards, it has the eerie habit of putting multiple rounds through the same hole!
Also, make sure you get a 20 MOA inclined scope base - when you're shooting out at longer ranges, most scopes tend to run out of vertical adjustment room, so having an angled base helps compensate for that.
I purchased mine from Bud's Gun Shop in Kentucky for $900, best money I've ever spent.
Put some decent rings and a good scope on there and you've got yourself a world-class shooting machine.
Go for Remington .260 or 6.5 Creedmoor. The .308 round is ok, but you can do a lot better. Look at the BC ratings for .308 vs .260 vs 6.5 and then make your decision.
I haven't gotten out to a 1,000 yard range yet (just got it the other month), but at 100 yards, it has the eerie habit of putting multiple rounds through the same hole!
Also, make sure you get a 20 MOA inclined scope base - when you're shooting out at longer ranges, most scopes tend to run out of vertical adjustment room, so having an angled base helps compensate for that.
I purchased mine from Bud's Gun Shop in Kentucky for $900, best money I've ever spent.
Put some decent rings and a good scope on there and you've got yourself a world-class shooting machine.
JimStC
Member
Yesterday I brought home a new Savage Lightweight Hunter for my wife. Caliber is .223. Cleaned the barrel and bolt, installed a Leupold LRT scope, had it zeroed in 5 rounds. Took my wife out to our range and she shot sub 1" groups at 150 yards. Not even broken in yet.
This is the second Savage. The other is the Model 12 in .204 Ruger.
The rifle has a 26" fluted barrel and with the NightForce Scope weighs 13.5 lbs.
It shoots sub .5" groups all day. Not something I would want to carry for 5 miles, but one heck of a varmint rifle.
I am sold on Savage. They perform right out of the box. The Accutrigger is amazing.
This is the second Savage. The other is the Model 12 in .204 Ruger.
The rifle has a 26" fluted barrel and with the NightForce Scope weighs 13.5 lbs.
It shoots sub .5" groups all day. Not something I would want to carry for 5 miles, but one heck of a varmint rifle.
I am sold on Savage. They perform right out of the box. The Accutrigger is amazing.
dprice3844444
member
http://demigodllc.com/articles/practical-long-range-rifle-shooting-equipment/
this is the article that has me leaning towards .308, along with a couple stickies read on snipershide. is this info outdated?
i'm also leaning towards the leo guns due to the practical style of shooting. this won't be a benchrested rifle, so weight is of consideration. i could always rebarrel the .308 in .260 later, after i develop the necessary skills to be able to use the .260 to it's fullest potential. my access to a 1k range is limited, and it would take some practice at shorter distances to be able to get to that point.
this is the article that has me leaning towards .308, along with a couple stickies read on snipershide. is this info outdated?
i'm also leaning towards the leo guns due to the practical style of shooting. this won't be a benchrested rifle, so weight is of consideration. i could always rebarrel the .308 in .260 later, after i develop the necessary skills to be able to use the .260 to it's fullest potential. my access to a 1k range is limited, and it would take some practice at shorter distances to be able to get to that point.
Kachok
Member
I would not call the information outdated, everything he was saying appeared to be spot on, and he said the same thing I did about the availability of 308 ammo being a factor, but he also said that the 260 gives higher performance then the 308 too, and handloaders are not worried about what brand of ammo Wal-Mart carries I don't agree with him on 1 MOA being "enough" for long range target shooting, I expect better then that from my hunting rifles, and I get it too. I don't so much agree that LR shooters need detachable magazines, but I like them myself so why not.
I don't agree with him on 1 MOA being "enough" for long range target shooting, I expect better then that from my hunting rifles, and I get it too. I don't so much agree that LR shooters need detachable magazines, but I like them myself so why not.as for ammo availability, i prefer to be able to find it just about anywhere. however, i typically buy online and stock up when there's a deal to be had. i may venture into reloading at some point, but right now it's just not in the cards.
i would expect better than 1 moa accuracy as well, which i think most of the savages provide.
i was on the fence about the detachable mag, but it seems they do come in handy for certain practical/tactical long range matches.
in the referenced article he mentions that if someone could have only one long range rifle, that it should be a .308. that's pretty much where i'm at. i'm looking at $1000 or less for the rifle to allow about the same for an optic. after which, it'll be practice, practice, practice...and quite some time before i could think of adding an additional rifle.
i would expect better than 1 moa accuracy as well, which i think most of the savages provide.
i was on the fence about the detachable mag, but it seems they do come in handy for certain practical/tactical long range matches.
in the referenced article he mentions that if someone could have only one long range rifle, that it should be a .308. that's pretty much where i'm at. i'm looking at $1000 or less for the rifle to allow about the same for an optic. after which, it'll be practice, practice, practice...and quite some time before i could think of adding an additional rifle.
JimStC
Member
When you get it all together please post pics of the rifle and scope.
Good luck and great shooting.......
Good luck and great shooting.......
Kachok
Member
Yeah the key difference is handloading, for those that do the billion stores that carry 308 ammo mean little to nothing, so we look for what bullet can do the job best. For those who don't roll their own being able to find ammo is a major concern, so they are willing to compromise on the ballistics a little for ease of use, makes sence to me. A $1,000 range on an optic is awful steep I would think. Heck my $150 Nikons give amazing performance, I saw a 6-18 power Nikon with all the bells and whistles the other day for less then that ($132 I think). I would have bought it, but I don't have a target gun, hence no use for an 18 power.
Sounds like the OP wants 308 which is a fine choice. For someone starting out...308 is great because they can find factory ammo everywhere and there is so much information on the 308.
I agree with the others that there are "better" options compared to the 308, but 308 components are plentiful. That is the reason why I stayed with the 308 versus jumping to the 260 in a bolt action and 6.5CM in a semi. I would like to have a more efficient caliber, but I have invested so much money in 308 that it's difficult for me to switch to another caliber.
To the OP, if you are interested I have an unfired Savage 10FCP McMillan stock that I am going to sell since I already have other bolt rifles. PM if you are interested.
I agree with the others that there are "better" options compared to the 308, but 308 components are plentiful. That is the reason why I stayed with the 308 versus jumping to the 260 in a bolt action and 6.5CM in a semi. I would like to have a more efficient caliber, but I have invested so much money in 308 that it's difficult for me to switch to another caliber.
To the OP, if you are interested I have an unfired Savage 10FCP McMillan stock that I am going to sell since I already have other bolt rifles. PM if you are interested.
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i'm not comiited to spending 1k on the optic, but i could go as high as that. i'm a firm believer in "buy once, cry once", and the vortex i mentioned has pretty much all of the features i'm looking for. mil reticle, mil turrets, ffp, 4-16x, etc.
Kachok
Member
Just check out the Nikons before you spend that kind of money, I think you will be impressed, I checked out all the high dollar scopes but none of them had better glass then the Nikon for a fraction of the money....go figure. BDC recticle is really nice too out to 600yds. No issue with the zero on either of mine, I have not had to adjust my zero at all despite years of regular use on my Tikka 6.5x55. It will still stack them in the bullseye all day long.
JimStC
Member
Agreed on the Nikon glass. Just bought some Monarch binoculars. They are incredible. I know these are different than scopes but it does speak to the quality of their optics. Very, very pleased. Could have spent twice the price and not improved the optics
You missed out on the SS 5-20 scope a few months ago on SH...they offered for under $1k and it's a very nice optic. If you are LE/military, Horus had their HDMR 3-21 optic offered at a very good price. I'm not sure if that price is still being offered, but it was well under $1k.
I bought both optics and can say that FFP is worth the extra coin.
I bought both optics and can say that FFP is worth the extra coin.
Hoghunter
Member
Paper Punching Savage
Since no one else has brought it up.....I will.
NRA Long Range Shooting is broken up into two classes for scope mounted rifles. F-Open allows any caliber less than 35 caliber, along with a front rest and a rear bag for support. F-T/R requires either a .223 or .308 caliber rifle that uses a front bipod and a rear bag. You need to decide which division you want to shoot in and then make your decision about caliber.
Yep, Savages are just terrible. I bought a Mdl 12 BVSS .308 last month and am getting it broken in for Mid-Range (300, 500, and 600 yd matches) and Long Range (800 - 1,000 yd matches). So far I have a 1/4" group at 100 yds shooting Nosler Competition 175's backed by 45 grains of Varget. I would have shot it this weekend at the Camp Swift Mid-Range Match, but the weather forced the match to be cancelled and rescheduled for June.
Two of my shooting buddies who swear by their custom Remington actions have been shocked at the "out of box accuracy" of my rifle.
My next rifle will probably be another one of these "terrible" Savage bolt actions.
HH
Since no one else has brought it up.....I will.
NRA Long Range Shooting is broken up into two classes for scope mounted rifles. F-Open allows any caliber less than 35 caliber, along with a front rest and a rear bag for support. F-T/R requires either a .223 or .308 caliber rifle that uses a front bipod and a rear bag. You need to decide which division you want to shoot in and then make your decision about caliber.
Yep, Savages are just terrible. I bought a Mdl 12 BVSS .308 last month and am getting it broken in for Mid-Range (300, 500, and 600 yd matches) and Long Range (800 - 1,000 yd matches). So far I have a 1/4" group at 100 yds shooting Nosler Competition 175's backed by 45 grains of Varget. I would have shot it this weekend at the Camp Swift Mid-Range Match, but the weather forced the match to be cancelled and rescheduled for June.
Two of my shooting buddies who swear by their custom Remington actions have been shocked at the "out of box accuracy" of my rifle.
My next rifle will probably be another one of these "terrible" Savage bolt actions.
HH
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