First Centerfire, Few Questions

[JoeMal]

Hey THR. So today I pulled the trigger on my first centerfire rifle, a Savage 25 LV in .223 with a 1:9 twist, 24" heavy barrel. I'm stoked and can't wait to make it to the range once I receive the rifle. This will be a range target gun 99% of the time. I'm really looking forward to getting into longer range shooting that requires more skill and knowledge of bullet behavior.

Regarding ammo, I know generally you have to play with different gr. ammo to figure out what your rifle likes (I will be buying factory, don't reload yet). Anyone out there have a Savage in .223 that can shed some light on what their gun likes? I expect to shoot anything from 55 up to maybe 75 gr., but I guess it just depends on how the gun shoots. I have a few brands/grains bought already so I guess we'll see how it goes.

As far as glass, I'm planning on getting a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44mm Target Dot scope. I can't afford $1,000 glass and I've heard pretty good things about the Vortex Viper and the warranty associated with the company. Plus several websites are discounting the $400 scope into the mid $200s, which is definitely appealing for a budget consumer. My question lies in the mounting of the scope. I believe the scope will come with rings, but I'm not sure about how to mount it on the rifle. I know the rifle will come drilled and tapped, I just don't know what kind of mount/base to get. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Anyone else have a model 25? I have shot a model 12 in both .223 and .308 and they were both very accurate, so I hope mine is the same. Any other comments/advice/information is welcome and appreciated.

 

[10-96]

Like you said, sorta, you need to try different ammo to find out what your rifle likes. With 1:9, I would at least start out with Black Hills brands and focus between 55gr and 64gr. Yours might do well up to 77gr, but the chances start getting iffier much past 69grs.

I'm not altogether sure which bases are available for the 25, but if you can find Leupold 2-piece, then a very good option is the Burris Signature Rings. If you end up going with basic Weaver style 1 or 2-piece, then look at the Burris Signature Zee Rings. With a .223 set up for target- you aren't going to need extreme durable, drag through the mud, haul out to the latest country that ends in "stan", and run over with an Abrams kinda setup. If you do- you ought to look more seriously at taking better care of your stuff.

The Viper you have your eye on will do fine, like I said the .223 wont tear it up any time soon. You don't need to spend high $$ on a good setup. And like was said at another forum- no amount of gadgetry will thee make a better marksman. (or something like that).

 

[wally]

IMHO 6.5x20 is too much magnification for a .223 unless all you plan to do is shoot off a bench rest.

I'm fond of scopes in the 4x12 or 4x16 range, although 3x9 is where the best price/performance is usually found. The Leupold VX-1 I have on my Weatherby Vanguard .223 can score the targets and resolve the holes at 100 yards with no problems. This scope is readily available for ~$200. It hurt to pay about $75 for bases and rings, perhaps your Savage has better options.

 

[W L Johnson]

Savage 25 LV in .223

Been eyeballing one of these for a while now. One unanswered question I have about them is does it have a 223 or a 556 or the in between Wylde chamber?

 

[JoeMal]

One unanswered question I have about them is does it have a 223

I assume just .223 but that might be a question for Savage themselves....

IMHO 6.5x20 is too much magnification for a .223 unless all you plan to do is shoot off a bench rest.

As stated in the OP, that's exactly what I'm doing with it....range gun 99 times out of 100