My Savage Edge experience

[SJan]

So I have this Savage edge 308 that I picked up for only $250, and topped it with a $80 scope. (Bushnell banner 4-12x40) Brought it to the range today, it took a few shots to get on paper, then I was shooting groups like this.

five shots at 100 yards in about 1 1/4".

45 rounds total today, all groups similar to that

Now I'm not at all an experienced 'precision shooter', but I think that's pretty good for such an affordable rifle. It was really cold out there today, I know I was rushing some of the shots, I really think I can keep it under 1 inch groups.

I was using federal 150g soft point, the cheapest 308 i saw on the shelf at about $16 a box. I will try some other brands, bullet weights, then eventually reload my own.

 

[sportycliff]

It's a Savage!
Best accuracy in it's class, as well as the best price! (IMO)


PS: Wait'll you try handloading for it!

 

[wolf223]

what is the twist rate on that bad boy? what weight bullets?


nice shooting!

 

[SJan]

the edge 308 has a 1 in 10 twist. Today I shot 150g, next time out I will try some 168g.

 

[wolf223]

thanks,

it's been a while since i owned a .308... i think i had a 1/12 twist, the 168gr shot good out of it... i'm a savage fan boy, so these guns interest me

i have a 10FP in .223/5.56, it's 1/9 twist and likes the Federal XM-193 the best... maybe it's time for another build.

 

[atmay]

i have a 10FP in .223/5.56, it's 1/9 twist and likes the Federal XM-193 the best... maybe it's time for another build.

I really wish Savage offered rifles in .223/5.56 with a faster rate, like 1/7. I like me some heavy boolatts.

 

[bpm990d]

They are pretty easy to rebarrel. I know the F/TR does come with a 1/7 but I think you can get prechambered barrels for short money.

B

 

[wolf223]

I really wish Savage offered rifles in .223/5.56 with a faster rate, like 1/7. I like me some heavy boolatts.

Savage 12 F/TR

http://savagearms.com/firearms/models/

from reading on the internet, allegedly the barrels are easy to swap out..

edit: BPM beat me to it.

 

[cockpitbob]

That's outstanding. The gun performed and you were clearly doing your job well too.

That group is mostly vertical. That's trying to tell me something, but I'm not sure what. It could be barrel warm-up.

With 1:10 twist you can shoot the Sierra 175gr Match King bullet. Load it 0.010" off the lands with Varget behind it and you'll be way under 1".

 

[Dirtypacman]

Nice shooter - I would be happy with those results.
Where did you buy it if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Jose]

With 1:10 twist you can shoot the Sierra 175gr Match King bullet.

With a 1 in 10 the 190 - 200 grain bullets are possible.

A 1 in 12 will stabilize 175s just fine all the way to 1000 yards.

 

[atmay]

They are pretty easy to rebarrel. I know the F/TR does come with a 1/7 but I think you can get prechambered barrels for short money.

B

Savage 12 F/TR

http://savagearms.com/firearms/models/

from reading on the internet, allegedly the barrels are easy to swap out..

edit: BPM beat me to it.

Damn you both and your facts. Now I have to go buy one!

 

[Jose]

This is just bad ass right there:

Add sights, sling, hand stop, and coat and off to the races.

 

[wolf223]

indeed

 

[SJan]

Nice shooter - I would be happy with those results.
Where did you buy it if you don't mind me asking?

Cabela's in CT, I think they were clearing out the 'Edge' rifles before the 'Axis" rifles made it to the shelf.

 

[atmay]

Cabela's in CT, I think they were clearing out the 'Edge' rifles before the 'Axis" rifles made it to the shelf.

And the "Axis" rifles are the same guns.

 

[Dirtypacman]

Cabela's in CT, I think they were clearing out the 'Edge' rifles before the 'Axis" rifles made it to the shelf.

Thanks kindly Enjoy it
I am jealous

 

[NuCentMAn]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo..._l=SBC;cat104792580;cat105522480;cat105523380


http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo..._l=SBC;cat104792580;cat105522480;cat105523380

Looks like sale ends on the 30th

 

[KMM696]

They are pretty easy to rebarrel. I know the F/TR does come with a 1/7 but I think you can get prechambered barrels for short money.

B

Savage 12 F/TR

http://savagearms.com/firearms/models/

from reading on the internet, allegedly the barrels are easy to swap out..

edit: BPM beat me to it.

Damn you both and your facts. Now I have to go buy one!

Yes, they are easy.

Savage 12 build

Northland Shooters Supply

Even more companies selling prefit Savage barrels now, too.

 

[bpm990d]

Great pics!

B

 

[ChargingCharlie]

With a 1 in 10 the 190 - 200 grain bullets are possible.

A 1 in 12 will stabilize 175s just fine all the way to 1000 yards.

I really need to learn more about the relationship between twist rates and grain/velocity. Can anyone suggest some good reading on the subject?

 

[bpm990d]

I really need to learn more about the relationship between twist rates and grain/velocity. Can anyone suggest some good reading on the subject?

Go to the JBM website and read the first article under exterior ballistics. A New Rule for Estimating Rifling Twist: An Aid to Choosing Bullets and Rifles by Don Miller. Once you read that you can use the Miller Stability Calculator and JBM's list of bullet lengths to calculate stability factors for supersonic, spitzer bullets.

B

 

[SJan]

I read on another forum about working on the trigger to improve the pull weight. I copied what someone else did by using a spring from a ball point pen and a bit of a screw in place of the original trigger spring. I don't have a scale for actual before and after measurements, but it definitely feels better. The original is on the left:

I shot another 25 rounds today, trying to work up a load, I have some questions I'll put up in the reloading section.

I think I could use some sort of a cheek rest to get a better line of sight and consistent check weld. Any recommendations? I like to idea of this: http://www.skdtac.com/BALS_MK_2_Sniper_Bean_Bag_p/bal.602.htm but I'm not sure I want to spend that much.

 

[bpm990d]

These Karsten's Custom Cheek Rest are pretty nice for cheap money.

B

 

[MassMark]

Nice shooting! The Savage Edge, (Stevens action), is really hard to beat for the money. Dicks has a package with scope and mount for $389. If it were me, I'd buy the basic rifle and put good glass on it. The scopes that come with the packages are not the greatest. They'll get you out there and on paper, but you'll end up replacing it down the road anyway. We just sighted in a .30-06 and ran out of ammo before we could really tweak it, but the accuracy was amazingly good for such an affordable rifle...Savage is really onto something.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Nice shooting! I've toyed with getting one of those since they first were released. Figured it'd make a perfect "borrow" gun for when someone forgets theirs (it happens). Also be a decent one for the little guy to work to and then up from without having a sizeable investment in case his interest on shooting anes.