Savage Model 12

[Moose_04]

Hey OhHeyThereBen,

I bought this Savage 12FV at Cabelas last winter. I bought it right after New Year's and I got the rifle for $250. I bought the 6.5 manbun. It shoots lights out. The stock is a very cheap plastic one, but like Horse I am upgrading it to a Boyd's laminated stock. The rifle is pretty dang heavy and for me it only makes it to the rifle range. I have worked up some handloads with the 143 GR Hornady ELD-X. The attached target was shot at 100 yards, but very accurate.



If you have any questions, let me know.

 

[OhHeyThereBen]

I'm not sure Scheels will negotiate on price of a new gun. I've had them do it on used before. Maybe if you found a current ad they'd price match.

I'd wager a new round of Savage rebates will come online Jan or Feb

They're on the used rack. Model 12FVs are a Cabelas-only model, so I'm assuming that the ones that someone one them at a banquet or something and wanted to exchange them for something else. All of them look like they've never been shot, but they're still on the used rack.

 

[MThuntr]

oh! that's why I haven't seen them anywhere. I see posts that they were down to like $250. Maybe they'd deal...tell them $500 for 2 and you'll pay cash

 

[OhHeyThereBen]

oh! that's why I haven't seen them anywhere. I see posts that they were down to like $250. Maybe they'd deal...tell them $500 for 2 and you'll pay cash

I think the wife would kill me if I bought two, but what she don't know won't learn 'er. I'm thinking I'll be able to get them down below $300 after Christmas. Since they're not chambered in manbun and are priced like the new ones, I'd assume that there's no way they'll sell.

 

[Deleted member 16014]

For your application I'd be significantly happier with a small 6.5 of whichever flavor you prefer. Slippery (high bc) .308 bullets for steel plinking glory are heavy. There is a big difference in practical ability to spot shots shooting 130 Bergers over 40-ish grains in a 6.5C compared to a 200 or 210 grain bullet in the .308.

 

[OhHeyThereBen]

For your application I'd be significantly happier with a small 6.5 of whichever flavor you prefer. Slippery (high bc) .308 bullets for steel plinking glory are heavy. There is a big difference in practical ability to spot shots shooting 130 Bergers over 40-ish grains in a 6.5C compared to a 200 or 210 grain bullet in the .308.

I agree. But the .308 will work just fine as well for a time. Plus, it'll give me more reason to learn some gunsmithing skills in the future.

 

[MThuntr]

Swapping barrels on Savage rifles is a cakewalk...then you can go off in the weeds with wildcat cartridges when you get bored. The only not great part is the stock selection isn't the best but there are a few spots online that have multiple options available.

 

[OhHeyThereBen]

Swapping barrels on Savage rifles is a cakewalk...then you can go off in the weeds with wildcat cartridges when you get bored. The only not great part is the stock selection isn't the best but there are a few spots online that have multiple options available.

That's what I've heard. I think I'll end up messing around with the pastic stock to see what I can get out of it but eventually go the route of a Boyds or some sort of chassis system someday. I'm thinking I should be able to build this into anything I'd want to and it'll provide me days worth of pissing around time (one of my favorite pastimes).

 

[mtmuley]

Ben, look at the 155 Scenar for a target bullet in that .308. mtmuley

 

[MJE2083]

I got a 12FV from Cabelas a few years ago in .308. It was around $300 if I recall. They usually run the sale on them in late Jan or Feb. They didn't chamber the 6.5 when I got mine, but if I had to do it again that's what I would get. Mine shoots OK, but not "lights out" like some other people say. I really haven't had time to play with my loads too much though. As others have said the stock is garbage. The bolt on mine rubs a little bit on the blind box magazine and gives the action a terrible feel. I feel like I can remedy this by changing the stock though, if I take the magazine out the action is real smooth. I feel like the stock wasn't milled out enough and it causes the magazine to sit higher than it should and rub on the bolt.

I really just bought mine as a toy, because I couldn't beat the price. I actually had every intention of buying the Rem 700 ADL, but once I felt the Savage (and the accutrigger) I got the Savage instead.

 

[OhHeyThereBen]

Ben, look at the 155 Scenar for a target bullet in that .308. mtmuley

I'll definitely check it out. Thanks muley.

And everyone else with the advice; I always appreciate your honesty and insight. Thank you again!

 

[OhHeyThereBen]

After going to Scheels and trying to talk them down on the price of their used 12FV in .308 and failing, I am now the proud owner of a brand new one in 6.5 MB thanks to the household moneylender and Cabelas! Now I just need to figure out how to explain the need for reloading supplies... Merry Christmas all!