Custom build from Mauser or Savage?

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Lovesbeer99

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I'm about ready to start a build for a custom precision bolt action rifle. I've recently decided to go with the .260 remington as the cartridge. I need to first select an action. The action has to have the potential to be very smooth and strong, and must have stock options and trigger options.

I like the mauser action and the 3 position safety. It's strong and can be made very smooth and there are some good trigger options, but I don't know of too many aftermarket stock options, but there are a few. I'd save some money upfront, but a gun smith would put in a lot of labor.

The savage Model 12 varmintor is a newer design and I can get a complete action brand new with the accutrigger right from the factory. I can get multiple stocks including the McMillians for tactical look and feel. I can basically have the barrel fitted, then fit it into the stock myself. I just don't know how smooth this action is. I'm looking at the model 12 varminter action, not the long range percision. The LRP has the small ejection port, and some other things that don't fit my need.

I also considered the Remington 700, but somehow I'm not feeling it.

Any input? Thanks in advance.
 
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There have been a few threads like this one in the past few weeks. First, I totally agree about the Rem.700`s. There is one great thing about the Rems, it`s the custom shop. The prices are high but they offer some pretty kool things. I have had no luck with Remington so in my opinion, they`re not a choice. Next, the costs of building a target style rifle can be very expensive. $300 for a barrel, $300 for a stock, etc.etc. The great thing about the Savage Model 12 is that you can get a tried and proven barrel, though not the best, a wide selection of stocks, some aftermarkets are available, a decent adjustable trigger and all of this at a great price. I have all of this info because I have the same delema. The only difference is that I`m looking at a different caliber, .308 because of the availability of surplus ammo, cost of ammo and the cost of reloading. Happy hunting.:)
 
You can do the majority of the work you need on a Savage yourself, in your own garage. Takes about 30 minutes to put a barrel on. I put this together in an hour -

Lapua.png

And then shot this, doing load development -

DSCN0464(300x225).png

I've got $550 (stock and barrel were used) in it, not counting rings and optics. It's smooth enough for me. I may, at some point, put a SSS trigger in it, and I may send it to SSS to be timed and trued, although that won't affect the downrange performance, just reduce bolt lift. I get a lot more satisfaction putting somthing like this together myself, than just writing a check to a gunsmith.
 
custom precision bolt action rifle
Click to expand...

You don't see many people making target rifles on Mauser actions any more. Once upon a time "cheap" outweighed "flexible" and "long lock time" but no more, not at the high end.
Strong is good, but smooth gathers no X count on the target.

(I am sure somebody will be along to show off his Mauser, but he will find himself in the minority at any match I have been to.)

If you want a Savage, get the Target action, single shot with three screws; unless you are into some discipline that requires a repeater.
 
I bought a savage hunting combo in .308 a number of years ago at a gun show for $400. Once I got some money together I sent the action off to Hart Barrels, they installed one of thier undersized Hv barrels and trued up the action, that ran me about $680 and I had a McMillan A-5 stock with the spacer system and thumb-wheel cheek piece, that set me back right around the same amount, then I topped it all off with a badger ordnance 20 MOA base and rings with a Leupold MK 4 6.5-20X50 scope. all total, including the cost of the origional rifle cost me right around 32 hundred.

Was it worth it? well it does shoot better than it did before, its not painful to shoot anymore (being heavier) so yes it was worth it, with hind sight being what it is I might have gone with the big nightforce instead, but all in all I'm really pleased with it, I'll see come june if I'm worthy of it at distance.
 
Skinewmexico - What is that? Make, Model, caliber and any custom work.
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It's a Savage Model 12 action, SSS recoil lug, Shilen Supermatch barrel, and a B&C Varmint stock. No custom work, unless you count putting a lighter spring in the trigger. I do need to bed it. It's my understanding that with the floating bolt head, truing doesn't do that much on a Savage, unlike a Remington. I would like to get it timed, although I don't expect that to help accuracy much either.
 
not so much in regards to the bolt head but I know that they did insure that the threads for the barrel in the reciever were right, so that the barrel and reciever are perfectly mated.
 
I have several sporterized Mausers for hunting but use Savages for "precision" paper punching. Between the two, I would choose the Savage.
 
Ok, now the big question, what's the difference between a model 10 and a model 12? Savage uses the 10 for police rifles and the 12 for varmint rifles.
 
Absolutely no difference in the actual actions. Only difference is the finish (blued, coated, stainless), and the length of the barrel the factory installs.
 
+1 for the Savage

Excellent choice in caliber. However, I would recommend the Savage target action though. Very solid, and reasonably priced. It has already been mentioned, but you can build it yourself.
 
Either action is a good choice, we've built tack-drivers on either action. The Savage trigger is a little easier to tune
 
i really like the looks of the savage single shot target actions but i haven't built anything off one yet. i still prefer the obsolete mauser actions for just about all my rifles.
i have a parker hale m84 mauser target rifle receiver on the way for a paper puncher project
 
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