Which Savage model do I want?

[Lone_Gunman]

I am looking at 308 Win Bolt guns, and have decided I am probably going to go with Savage because I have heard so many good things about the accu-trigger.

The rifle will be used for deer hunting occassionally, but in all honesty will probably see more time punching paper and testing handloads I make up. When I do use it for hunting, it will probably not need to be carried for long distances, I would say at most a mile or so.

How does the 10FP compare to their hunting models? It looks like the 10FP must be a law enforcement model. Does it have a heavier barrel? It weighs more, but I don't see that as a problem even while hunting because I really won't be carrying it that far.

Do I want a 10 FP or something else?

 

[robctwo]

I just bought the 10FP in .223. I debated between the .308 & the .223 and decided that I would not use the .308 for hunting deer due to the weight. They have the heavy barrel. If I wanted the .308 I might look at the new 20" barrel referred to on their web site.

I really like the trigger. I'm breaking in the barrel and have had it to the range two times. Not getting the accuracy that I want yet. I have a Leupold 3x9 Vari X2 on it that was left over from the upgrade to a Nikon 6.5 x 18 on my 300 WSM. I'll try the Nikon on the .223 after elk season and decide how I want to go.

I've just started fooling around with hand loads for it and am sure I'll get it dialed in.

 

[MikeH]

If you see yourself hunting paper far more than deer, 10FP or 12FV would be a good choice. The 11 series is lighter by maybe a couple of pounds, but you don't get the heavy barrel either.

 

[MikeH]

Hi rocbtwo! I'd strongly recommend replacing the factory stock if you haven't done so. Even a <$100 Bell & Carlson Duramaxx feels and shoots better than the Savage tupperware.

As to handloads, I get best results with Sierra 69gr SMK and Hornady 68gr BTHP, pushed by 24.5gr Varget. This is the only range of bullet weights that my 10FP shoots within 0.5 MOA consistently.

 

[Jim Watson]

That's a toughie.
I have a 10 lb (plus scope) 12BVSS-S .308 that is just barely heavy enough for a day's Long Range, say 50-65 rounds. I am thinking about filling the magazine well in the stock (they use the same stock for repeaters and single shots) with lead. But I would not want to hump it a mile into the woods to hunt with.

 

[robctwo]

Thanks for the heads up MikeH. I'll definitely try the loads you suggest and will of course obsess on upgrades to the rifle

 

[nipprdog]

How does the 10FP compare to their hunting models? It looks like the 10FP must be a law enforcement model. Does it have a heavier barrel? It weighs more, but I don't see that as a problem even while hunting because I really won't be carrying it that far.

Do I want a 10 FP or something else?

you might consider the 20" model. its a little lighter.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

nipprdog,

What kind of stock is on that rifle?

 

[nipprdog]

Bell and Carlson Duramaxx.

 

[esldude]

I have a 10FP. And it has a heavy barrel and is heavy. So depends on how heavy you would really allow it to be and be happy with it.

I also have lead in the stock of mine in the 223 caliber. Total weight with scope is a bit over 17 lbs. Believe me, you don't want to carry it half as far as you think you do. And I hope you don't think you'll carry a 17 lb rifle very far. Shoots great from a bench rest though.

On the other hand, man what terrific balance for off-hand shooting. The barrel is heavy, the stock is heavy, and the whole heavy thing with a balance point right between your hands is real stable. So it shoots great off-hand. Or at least for a couple shots it will before resting a bit.

 

[nipprdog]

Total weight with scope is a bit over 17 lbs.

you must have a lot of lead in there.

my 20" 308 pictured above is just at/under 10lbs.

my 24" 223 is about 12lbs.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

nipprdog,

Which gun shot that 1/8th inch group??? What length barrel?

 

[nipprdog]

nipprdog,

Which gun shot that 1/8th inch group??? What length barrel?

you're kidding, right?

 

[Terrierman]

I learned how to do this from Carnac the Magnificent: The Answer Is: The .223 with the 24" barrel!!

 

[mustanger98]

If you want a rifle to hunt with, get the Model 11. I have one in left hand. It's quite accurate. I opted for .243Winchester, but it is of course available in .308.

Like another poster said, you don't want to carry a heavy rifle half as far as you think you do.

 

[rockstar.esq]

So I'll buck the trend here and offer a different perspective. The whining about the obscene weight difference of at maximum 5 pounds has gotten more play than it should. You could of course get lighter boots, carry less stuff etc. I figure it'll be better for the hunt (and the hunter) if I lose a little weight before hand! I have the savage 10FP - LE2 which is as you know the law enforcement line short action with a 26" barrel. It has an enlarged bolt knob and the entire rifle is coated in a black epoxy finish. Something that isn't much mentioned is that the LE line accu-triggers adjust down to 1.5lbs which is a full pound less than the other lines. I decided on this rifle largely because I spend most of my trigger time shooting targets and I wanted something that I could "grow with" as I pursue 1000yd shooting. To that end, I have gotten three shot 100yd groups as small as .19 center to center using 168gr HPBT Sierra matchkings over 40 gr of IMR 4895. My scope is a somewhat imposing IOR 2.5-10x55 however, given the bull barrel and the overall heft of the rifle seems to aesthetically "fit". Sure it's not a flyweight and I'm sure that someone will claim that a walk in the woods with a 26" barrel is a surefire way to bang into every tree in the forest. To that I say "Hooey"! Let's not forget the Kentucky rifle's lengthy bore. Nor the buffalo rifles that followed them. If they could manage 4' barrels I can certainly handle something just over half that! I really believe that if the rifle fits the shooter, both will prosper. My rifle and I get along perfectly as evidenced by the wee groups that we've created. I also enjoy using a rifle that inspires me with so much confidence. So for what it's worth, I'll pack the heavy gun while others carry their supermodel light rifles knowing that I had to make a compromise in added weight to afford a rifle that I really love on range day.

 

[mustanger98]

rockstar.esq, To your rant, I say "suit yourself".

The whining about the obscene weight difference of at maximum 5 pounds has gotten more play than it should. You could of course get lighter boots, carry less stuff etc. I figure it'll be better for the hunt (and the hunter) if I lose a little weight before hand!

Whining? Hooey. All I need to go hunting, aside from the clothes/boots/hat I wear all the time, is a rifle I choose and my goose down orange vest. The small accessories are in my pockets. Not much added weight.

Sure it's not a flyweight and I'm sure that someone will claim that a walk in the woods with a 26" barrel is a surefire way to bang into every tree in the forest. To that I say "Hooey"! Let's not forget the Kentucky rifle's lengthy bore. Nor the buffalo rifles that followed them. If they could manage 4' barrels I can certainly handle something just over half that! I really believe that if the rifle fits the shooter, both will prosper.

Flyweight? Neither is a Model 11 or a No.4 Enfield or most Model 70's I've had in my hands. But with today's ammo, we don't need quite the barrel length to hunt deer that was needed back when a Kentucky rifle was all they had or the 1000yd effective range was needed to down a buffalo. However, we weren't talking about the length of the barrel so much as the weight which is mostly in the diameter/taper rather than the length. I agree about the rifle fitting its operator though.

My rifle and I get along perfectly as evidenced by the wee groups that we've created. I also enjoy using a rifle that inspires me with so much confidence. So for what it's worth, I'll pack the heavy gun while others carry their supermodel light rifles knowing that I had to make a compromise in added weight to afford a rifle that I really love on range day.

As I said, suit yourself. But I think your rant is mis-applied. While we all have to use a rifle we as individuals have confidence in, we all get to pick and choose what we as individuals like without feeling we have to take orders from somebody who writes posts that sound like a sorehead.

The average hunter isn't shooting his deer across a bench at the range. The average walk from the car to the bench on the line is probably a lot shorter than the walk to the deer stand or other chosen spot along the trail. I for one tend to really like my choice of deer rifles on range day too.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

On the weight issue, the 10 FP weight 8.5 pounds. The hunting models weigh 6.5 pounds. Is two pounds that much of a difference? As I said, mainly I will be shooting off a bench, and infrequently could use it for hunting.

 

[dodge]

I think that you will be well satisfied with a Model 11 due to the lighter weight. I own a Model 111 in 30-06 and that's all I want to carry into the woods hunting. I also own a Remington 700 VLS in .223 but I wouldn't want to carry that more than a couple of 100 yards due to the weight. I'm not a small person (6'5", 310 lbs.) so you would think that rifle weight wouldn't bother me but it does when I have to walk through snow to my stand which is about 300 yards from my truck. My 111 will shot at about 1" all day long as long as I do my part. Mine is also the pre-accutrigger. For deer hunting I wouldn't want my trigger adjusted down to 1 1/2 lbs due to hunting in cold weather.

 

[Ash]

I owned a 110 FP in .308 (before accutrigger and before the model 10) that was very, very accurate. My best 5 shot was 13/32's of an inch with PMP ammo from South Africa. It had a fully adjustable trigger and was really quite a joy to shoot. I bought it to replace the overrated M1a (I liked the rifle, but accuracy was just okay, too much money for just okay) and it performed better than I expected. But, that heavy barrel is heavy and was a bit too tactical for regular hunting with clients, so I sold it. I still have my sporter weight 111c in .270 and while not as accurate as that FP, is still a very accurate rifle. For competition, the FP would have been the way to go, but for hunting, it offers no real advantage over the regular sporter weight Savages unless you plan on varmint hunting.

Ash

 

[mustanger98]

On the weight issue, the 10 FP weight 8.5 pounds. The hunting models weigh 6.5 pounds. Is two pounds that much of a difference? As I said, mainly I will be shooting off a bench, and infrequently could use it for hunting.

Lone Gunman, Every little bit of weight you shave off of your equipment will be noticably lighter when you carry a rifle for any length of time. Likewise, any weight you add, you will notice. Two pounds will make a big difference over the course of a day. I shoot my Model 11GL off the bench too and I've found it to be quite accurate there.

If you get both rifles- the 10FP and the 11G- and carry one all of one day and the other the next day, you'll notice a big difference. I noticed that difference between a couple of my choices.

 

[rockstar.esq]

mustanger98

Sorry you took it as a rant and I'd rather not be regarded as a "sorehead". I've read your reply three times and so far I just don't get why what I wrote is offensive. By stating in the beginning that I was bucking the trend would naturally lead to the point that I oppose the consensus view up to that point which had a number of posts pertaining to barrel contour AND barrel length. Sure 2- 5 pounds is a difference worth noting, however I read at least twenty posts a day that repeat the same point about how the weight feels when you've carried it all day. As a tradesman, I've worn a toolbelt weighing twice as much for over 8 hours a day five days a week while walking, climbing and working. Many folks can relate to this yet whenever a hunting rifle is mentioned the consensus view comes down to "never light enough". When I wrote that losing weight can help the hunt and the hunter I think you overlooked that going on a diet would help about 75% of the hunter's I've met. I'm not sure why my mention of the Kentucky rifle prompted you to elaborate on the ballistic neccessity of the bore length given that my point was to illustrate that MANY hunters that went before us were very successful while hunting the woods with a long firearm. My best guess as to why you've taken umbrage with my post revolves around my use of the term "whining". Well here's the thing, when someone exaggerates about the impact of carrying a few pounds especially considering that a successful hunt entails packing out a game animal weighing over one hundred pounds I have to think they are just making too big a deal about it. In summary I'm sorry that my post struck you as some kind of order. For what it's worth, your posts don't really seem to embrace the "to each his own" motif for which you've lambasted me.

 

[nhhillbilly]

I am left handed and last year I used by Remington 700 308 VS hunting in NH. By the end of the day walking up and down the hills I really felt the weight. I have just put a down payment on a Stainless Steal weather warrior from Savage in 308. It is a lot lighter I will be mounting a 30mm scoop on it not sure what one but thinking about the Leopold 2.5 to 8 Mid range tacticle with illuminated Reticle. M2. I hope this will be the ticket. I have always been a remington rifle shooter but savage is the only one making a left handed syn. stock in 308 at this time. Time will tell.

 

[esldude]

Okay, more info on my opinion of weight and for that matter length. BTW, my 17 lb 10FP is extreme, the stock is filled with lead.

For starters carrying a pound or two extra in your hands is lots different than having it in your boots, pockets etc. And certainly some are more fit, strong or active than others.

Around ten pounds it gets to be noticeable. Not too bad, you can make it a good distance but not optimum either. At 12 pounds it doesn't take too much carry to make it bothersome and tiring. Now each pound above that seems to be much worse, as you have passed out of the range of reasonable carry. 17 lbs quickly becomes a burden.

As for length, if you can get close to 36 inches you are talking about one handy rifle. Up to 40 inches isn't too bad. And like weight, every inch beyond 40 inches seem much worse than it should. Sure, I could carry a Kentucky rifle with 4 foot plus length and use it. But it is far from as handy as something under 40 inches. One of the great things about modern tech is we can have short, handy, light, accurate firearms. If you aren't mostly target shooting or varmint hunting, I see no reason to go with a heavy barrel. Heavy barrels aren't inherently more accurate than light one's either.

One reason I like Ruger #1's, though not exactly light, they aren't terribly heavy, but are very well balanced right between your hands. Almost like a lever action 30-30. And not very long either (at least in some versions). The short sporter 45-70 #1 is quite handy and easy to carry. It seems to carry 'naturally'.

 

[Geno]

I think it's the 10FP

I like the heavy barreled rifle (in any firearm) and in this case (the Savage) in a .308 Win/7.62!

Re: the comments about excessive weight and hunting, the Savage compares favorably with other heavy rifles. As an example, I just checked the weight of my Springield M1A "loaded" with a heavy carbon steel barrel, a 3rd generation SA base, a 3rd generation SA scope, SA 30MM rings, an expandable 12" - 27" bi-pod and a 20-round magazine loaded with 20 FMJ rounds. As described, the package weighed in at extacly 15 pounds. For me, weight is a very favorable factor due to my 30+ surgical procedrues.

Also, because I hunt deer exclusively from a blind at considerable ranges in the Michigan bean fields, weight is a friend. That does not diminish other people's desire for a light-weight rifle for hilly country and long days on foot. Were I to engage in that sort of hunting, my M1A would certainly have to take second seat.

In closing, the Savage 10FP is so sweet! I like the trigger too!

Doc2005