Model 12 Long Range Precision Varminter

[Zachary]

Hey guys.  I feel a little odd being here.  

I'm a moderator on the bolt-action rifles forum and, as many of our members over there know, I am a huge Tikka fan.  I own several Tikkas and Remingtons, and then other makes as well.  However the one brand that I have never owned is a Savage...hence my "uncomfort being here."

You see, there is a big Savage "following" and it seems that if anybody says anything negative about a Savage over on our Bolt Action forums, sure enough, some Savage owner will jump in and defend their brand.

So, given that I am in the lion's den here, let me just make my peace and tell you guys what's going on.

On the negative side, I have handled quite a few savage rifles.  None of them newer rifles.  I would say at least 4 years old and older.  I don't know if Savage's quality has increased in recent years but I have found the quality to be sub-par.  In particular, IMHO, working the bolt seems very sloppy.  Some other people don't like Savages because they say that they are ugly.  Well, ugly is as ugly does.  First off, I don't find Savages to be ugly.  I don't think that they are beautiful, but I don't find them ugly either.  Second, even if it was ugly, I don't care as long as it is reliable and accurate and has good quality and fit and finish.

Generally, good quality/fit and finish, means good accuracy.  Well, on the positive side, I must say that virtually every Savage that I have shot has been a shooter.  Seems odd to me, working the bolt and looking at the fit and finish, you would think that a Savage can't hit the side of a barn at 50 yards, when, in fact, it can shoot a dime at 100.

So here is where I am.  I am looking to buy a .223 for general plinking/target shooting.  As some of you know, I am an accuracy freak.  As someone once said, only accurate rifles are interesting.

I am looking at the Tikka Varmint Stainless.  This is an excellent gun, and also a shooter to boot.  I have found someone who is willing to sell it to me, NIB, for $595.  This is a great deal because they MSRP to, I  think, over $900 and maybe close to $1,000.

However, there is another gun that I have been thinking about, and, well......it's a Savage.

Specifically, its the Model 12 Long Range Precision Varminter.  It's a single shot, which I'm not crazy about.  And it it right bolt, left port, which I am also not crazy about.  Still, it is supposed to be a very accurate rig.  Yes, I could live with shooting bullets through the same hole all day, and this gun is supposed to do just that, or at least come real close to it.  It is also very heavy, almost 12 pounds.  I  don't particularly mind this because I am going to be doing 90% of my shooting from  the bench anyway. 

The other problem with this gun is that it MSRPs for over $1,000.  Sorry guys, but I think that even Savage owners will find that to be very expensive.  Thing is, though, I don't know what the wholesale price is.  I found  one guy that is willing to sell it to me in .223 for $765, but that's still a little too much for me.  Again, the Tikka Varmint SS I can get for $595.  I don't mind paying that much to get the Savage, but definately not much more than that because it is a single shot and left port design.  I guess that I could pay in the upper $600s, and maybe even low $700s.

Question is this: do any of you own, or have you shot, this particular Savage?  I am curious to know if you find the quality to be better than those in past years.

Also, do any of you know where I can get a deal (steal) on this gun?

I am close to "converting" to buying a Savage, but I really can't do so, or won't do so, unless I can get a really good deal on the LR Prec. 

I have also looked at the other Savage models, but I am ONLY considering the LR Prec.

Can any of you guys help me out here?

Many thanks to all.

Zachary

[nomosendero]

Zachary, you have already said that you will only consider this model & that is cool with me. But, I am curious as to why you don't like the VLP, the ones that I am aware of are shooters & they look better than the average Savage. Bud's has them for $661.05.

www.budsgunshop.com

[sqeeter91]

Zachary,
 I haven't shot this particular rifle, but I doe own many Savages. My fav is my 110FP Tactial in 06. Every Savage that I have handled has been a "shooter". And that someone thats said" Only accurate rifles are interesting"was Col. Townsend Whelen.  Good Luck!

[De41mag]

 

[mas19]

I have it the model 12 in .204 and i shoot sub 1/4in at 100yds

[Hildy]

I have the cheapest model 12...the FV in 22-250. It will shoot sub half-MOA out of the box with factory loads. I have yet to modify it, but when I'm finished it'll be a semi-custom 6mmAI only using the action and trigger.

I think they are a great gun for the money and will shoot with the best of them.

[mk454]

zachary, here's how i sum up why i'm such a savage fan.  i was at the whittington center shooting when a fairly well known gun writer came up shooting next to me and my bud.  i have the basic 112 with bull barrel and laminated stock.  it's an .06.  i started noticing he kept looking at my groups, then he came over was wondering what kind of rifle it was that i was shooting.  told him it was a savage.  to say he was surprised showed more to me why it's taken so long for savage to get their due.  well, anyway, he told me i'd be sorry if i ever sold that rifle.  then he found out the sub 1/2" groups at 200 yards were with, and i swear to god this is true, but being shot with remington corelokt 165 grain ammo.  he said to never ever ever sell that rifle.......ever.  well, my mentor who has some very very high dollar customs said that rifle was one in a million as i've yet to find a factory load that it won't group under an 1".  most are sub 1/2" and it loves corelokts and the federal gold match are one hole props.  since that time i've added a .375 HH and a 12 in .308 and both will shoot su 1/2" and the .308 is freaky with the ultramax match from cabelas and federal gold match.  i'm too busy hitting anything i aim at and putting one bullet after another in the same hole to notice the action of the bolt.  dont' care, my rifles are for shooting and the freedom arms are for shooting and gawking at fit and finish.


then it gets worse when my cousin gets a 110 from walmart in a package with the little scope and it has 2 or 3 factory loads that'll group 1/2" or better, all for 323 dollars.

i'd suspect the precision varminter is a very accurate gun held to very very strict tolerances and wouldn't hesitate to plunk that coin down, especially if it's any better than the ones i already have.

[wynn24]

First to state I am a savage fan, mainly because I am also extremely addicted to pin point accuracy. Many of my rifles are Savage's, so i may be somewhat biased. I have a precision in a .22-250. This rifle is the best looking, shooting, functional rifle i have ever touched. The looking part being since it is a savage. The stock fits the barrel so close you will wonder if it is free floating. I ran a dollar bill through mine just to check. Savage got it right this time. The tightest group I have shot with mine is .315, completely straight factory. I shoot with bi-pods in the front and a sand bag in the back......nothing fancy.

A local gunsmith also has one and he shoots a smaller grain bullet than i do. It will consistently shoot one hole, it is incredible. He uses a little more fancy rest system than I do, but I am positive mine is capable of the same thing.

I do realize the price tag is really up there, but it does have a reason to be. If you have any question or concerns about my set up or load just ask. I would definitely recommend this rifle to anyone, although I wouldn't pay over $775 for one. Ryan

[mattinPA]

I would find one that you could look at first. 
I just got a new savage 12bvss and had to make a choice between other brands.
I have only shoot 100 rounds down her but so far so good
 good luck
matt