Countryman

Well I ordered a Model 12 F/TR for myself today. It is a .308, with a 30" barrel, single-shot, short rigid receiver, laminated stock with a new trigger called the Savage target accu-trigger. It is adjustable from 6 ozs to 2.5 lbs. The F/TR weighs 12.65 lbs, has a 1:10 RH twist, 3 position safety, LOP of 14", OAL of 50", and a list price of 1142. Of course I got it much cheaper since I bought it wholesale. Should get here in a couple days then I need to reload some .308 ammo. This is my favorite caliber btw since it was what I first bought as a kid (16). I bought my Winchester 670 brand new in 1969 for $60. I put a Weaver 2.5-7X scope on it that I still have and use to this day. I even still deer hunt with it. I also have a Ruger K77VT target rifle in .308 that I bought in 2000 which I really like. I look forward to seeing what the F/TR will do at 200 yds which is about my shooting limit unless I want to fire across the wheat field west of me. Should be lots of fun testing it though and I look forward to it.

Countryman

PS I plan on putting a FM 36X High Tech Target Scope on it. This kills two birds with one stone as I was wanting to see how the FMs hold up under recoil and will really let me grasp the F/TRs accuracy potential. Oh one more thing. Savage is also selling just the actions for those wanting to add a custom barrel and stock. Could be a great base off which to build. Thanks.

Countryman

Got the new Savage Model 12 F/TR today. Wow is it big! It comes with two different heights of cheek pieces too: a tall cheek piece and a standard one. As soon as the weather clears up and I reload up some ammo I will take it out to my range and give it a try. I look forward to shooting some tight groups with it. As I said I am going to mount a FM 36X High Tech Target Scope on it with fine crosshairs. This should make 200 yd shots a piece of cake.

Countryman

PS Hmmmmmm. The Burris bases that I ordered do NOT look right to me. The rear base is not arched to fit the barrel, although the front one looks fine. Will now probably have to order another set and send these back. Rats. I had the sales rep look these up too. I will call her tomorrow and have her double check it but they don't look right to me.

Countryman

Just a quick note. The Savage Model 12 F/TR takes these bases:

1. Burris=410245 for gloss
2. Leupold=55741 for gloss
3. Weaver=46 for gloss

I called Savage and found this out.

Countryman

PS Btw I was right. The gal sent me the wrong bases. She sent me Burris 410283. I called her and she is sending me out the right ones.

mry

I cannot understand you bothering to reload when 5 different factory loads will shoot less than 2.5" groups at 500yds. and the best 4 being less than 2" although I agree homeloads did reuce it even further to .875".

This is a fantastic tool - less than 1" groups at 500yds.
Dammit we can hardly even find 500yds to shoot a group in the UK !

If you want a copy of the review emailk me on mry716@hotmail.com

Countryman

Good point really. But I like to handload for basically the following reasons:

1. it saves me lots of money
2. I get to pick the brand and type of bullet
3. I use custom match brass
4. I can pick my powders
5. I only neck size so the brass fits the chamber perfectly
6. I been doing since I was a boy and really enjoy it
7. Some loads work better in some guns

So although factory stuff is fine I simply enjoy customizing my loads. Really you should give it a try as it's lots of fun too. Often times certain brands of bullets work much better than other brands. This also goes for powders. And you can save lots of money too as it drops the price at least 50%. I still have the old Lee handloader I bought when I was 16 and still use it to this day (.308 too!). When I only load up one batch (20) it's just as fast as messing around with a press. Basically only take me about 30 minutes to make a really consistent batch up. You can also load it down some to take some of the stress off the rifle when just practicing. But you do got a point it's kinda silly when factory loads are getting some great results. I guess the real reason is I don't have any factory loads now whereas I got lots of primers, powder, brass, and bullets. lol See ya.

Countryman

mry

Oh I've been reloading for lots of cals for many years now and appreciate the advantages and enjoyment. Lately it often isn't worth it in the UK - for instance I can now buy 25-06 cheaper than I can homeload and still get less than 1" groups at 100yds which is fine for me for deer even out to 250ish yds. I only bother now for the cals where I get better performance or economy. However since we are unable to source some cals in the UK - for instance my 325WSM and 25WSSM, I have to home load for those.

The other aspect for the UK home loader is the inability to get the range of components. Most makes etc may be available to the market but since supply and demand in the US dictates supply over here were are often kept waiting for ages for the powder or primer we want.

Presently Reloader powders are unavailable (unless someone has old stock) and last year I waited 4 months for IMR and H4350 and Fed BR LR Mag primers. It tends to make you bulk buy when you get the chance but that adds extra expense as we need a costly licence to store more than 10lbs of explosives (powder and primer content)

Countryman

Yup it seems England is tough on it's shooters. Gads I even read that the English Olympic Rifle team has to train outside the country because of the gun laws. It's a shame that the government blames the guns and not the nuts doing the damage with them. Just my honest opinion though.

Countryman

Vmax97

Countryman,

You called Savage and those are the only bases that work on this gun? Did you find any one piece rails?

Thanks,

Vmax97

mry

Vmax

See http://www.savagearms.com/cs_scope.htm

and

www.b-square.com

1 Piece Weaver Style Scope Base Fits all RIGHT Hand Short Actions Part #
Black Finish 15550
Stainless Steel 15551

1 Piece Weaver Style Scope Base

Fits all LEFT Hand Short Actions Part #
Black Finish 15554
Stainless Steel 15555


1 Piece Weaver Style Scope Base

Fits all RIGHT Hand Long Actions Part #
Black Finish 15552
Stainless Steel 15553

1 Piece Weaver Style Scope Base

Fits all LEFT Hand Long Actions Part #
Black Finish 15548
Stainless Steel 15549

Countryman

Here are some pics of the new Savage:

http://bp3.blogger.com/_e-eX0PJTx1w/...h/IMGP1561.JPG

http://bp1.blogger.com/_e-eX0PJTx1w/...h/IMGP1556.JPG

http://bp1.blogger.com/_e-eX0PJTx1w/...h/IMGP1562.JPG

http://bp2.blogger.com/_e-eX0PJTx1w/...h/IMGP1559.JPG

I am probably one of the first to have one in the country as they are in VERY limited supply right now.

Countryman

PS That is a FM 36X44mm High Tech Target Scope with Burris bases (410245) and Leupold high rings (49903). I am going to hand load some ammo today and will soon be giving it a test.

PPS I installed the standard cheek piece on it right after I took those pics. It also came with a high cheek piece and a bipod adapter that I also put on. The adapter slides in a built-in rail on the bottom of the stock.