Savage Arms .223

Marshal Thunder

This may have been asked here before, but I am new to the forum and figure people won't mind answering the same question twice.

I am searching for a very accurate rifle in .223. I already possess an AR-15 variant, so I don't need another of those. I am looking for a bolt-action with a heavy barrel.

There are many of these available. Remington and Winchester make top of the line models. Ruger as well. But all of these are quite costly. Well, not unreasonably so compared to my Bushmaster, but still more than I want to pay for an item with such a limited use.

So I started reading up on what was available, and I found that Savage Arms receives precious little press in the regular gun publications. I also discovered that every time one of their products was tested in Gun Tests magazine, it was rated a best buy. I have searched various web sites and found that Savage provides a lot of value for the money, and their FP 10 can be had in this area for a little less than $400 which seems like a steal to me, being about 60% of the price of a heavy barrelled Remington 700 or Winchester Stealth. The Savage has a 24" heavy barrel, free-floated, synthetic stock, etc.

So to finally get around to it, do any of you own Savage rifles, and specifically in .223. Do you like them, are they accurate, and are my observations correct in that they seem to be a lot of rifle for the money?

Any help is appreciated. Primary uses will be punching paper at 50-200 yds and an occasional varmint hunt. Will mount Harris bipod and 5x ATN lighted reticle tactical rangefinding scope.

cowboy shooter/tactical

old single shots

Although i don,t own one now,i have had several over the years.Savage bolt action rifles are as accurate,or more so,as any other production rifle.The only drawback i have ever found is they usually have a rather heavy-gritty trigger pull.You will not be disappointed with the accuracy.I say Go For It.

fergusonmorse392

1/2" groups or better, out of the box, with good ammo & good shooter. great buy!

bullelk

I have a 112FV, 223 cal. 26" heavy barrel, with a Harris bi-pod, and a 5-20X50 Tasco range finding scope on it. I like it very much. It's a good pratical varmit rifle. Can't beat it for the money. The Tasco has come down on price considerably since I bought mine. Not a bad scope for the money.
Gino

"IF All Else Fails, Read The Directions"



Edited by - bullelk on 05/16/2002 21:37:04

nelchris

I have both the .223 and 308 both are great shooters.I put on competition triggers from brownells cheap and 24oz pull sweet.I also set up the 223 as a single shot very easy.you will be happy with the savage

cpermd

This is one of those neat guns.
Replace the POS trigger and they can shoot.
Sometimes a little bedding .
cpermd

idsman75

As the old addage goes, you get what you pay for. Savage makes a very accurate rifle right out of the box. However, when you add the almost necessary trigger replacement and a decent bedded stock to replace the crummy one they give you, you have already paid the same dollar as you would have for a higher quality rifle. The new stock and the new trigger will give you better accuracy and feel. The nice thing about the Savage is that you can buy the rifle and start shooting accurately right away. You can save up for the other upgrades as time progresses and increase your accuracy and add enjoyment to your shooting experience.

SSG idsman75, U.S. ARMY

Marshal Thunder

Thanks for your feedback. By this time next month, I'll have a new 10 FP. The only drawback is my dealer says they're somewhat hard to find ! I'll let you know what I think after I break it out for the first few times.

cowboy shooter/tactical

dantheman

You may be interested in checking out the New England Firearms .223. Although only available in single shot, i shoot 1/2 inch groups without trigger work or bedding. it is available with a bull barrel and i purchased mine for $185.00. you cant beat the price/accuracy of this gun for paper punching and varmint humting!!!

Marshal Thunder

To quote a friend of mine, something about the "evil black guns" draws me.

I realize that a single shot would tend to focus the operator even more closely on making that one shot count, but it's a big enough adjustment for me to go from a 20-30 clip to a 4 round box magazine as it is. I don't think I could bear a single shot yet!

cowboy shooter/tactical

Marshal Thunder

Good news. I was finally able to locate a 10 FP. They are out of stock at the distributor level. My wife purchased it for me for my birthday/father's day. What a gal!

I mounted a Harris bipod, and a tasco 3x9 44mm, and took it to the range two days ago after work. With the stock trigger, and a brand new gun, I was able to shoot 2 of about 7 groups which would all touch a quarter. Even my wife did close to a 1" group. The other groups were all tight but with a flyer or two due to a lack of concentration on my part.

Since then, I took it home, lightened the trigger spring 2 or 3 turns, and adjusted the sear so there is minimal creep. It's all still very safe, but much lighter and crisper. No filing needed, just a simple turn on two screws. I am sure that with these changes, I will be able to place 5 shots on maybe even a dime at 100 yds.

I am VERY happy with my choice, and the price of $399. But given how accurate the gun is, should I spend more on the scope and if so, what would you guys recommend? I'm interested in practicality. I don't think I need a 20 power scope. But I might want more than 9 seeing as how I'm going to need to reach out to at least 200 yds to test the mettle of this rifle... Give me your suggestions...

BTW, it must come in black matte as I am partial to the evil black.

cowboy shooter/tactical