Savage 12 Long Distance Rifle Build

[Olsener1]

Will begin a rifle build using a Savage 12FV in 308 for donor action/barrel. Will put into a GRS Hunter laminate stock using Accurate Mag bottom metal. Will utilize a 4-12x50 scope I have for now. Will evaluate a better scope later. I will also install a Harris bi-pod I have. Waiting on stock and scope rings now. Will see how 308 works out, may convert to 260 Remington later. I like that I can change barrels myself on Savages. Makes it easy to change calibers based on need.

[DesertDug]

Keep updates coming.

[big honkin jeep]

Cool,
Hard to go wrong with .308 super versatile to load for.
I would love to see pics as you go.

[Olsener1]

Will do. Trying to figure out how to post photos

[Olsener1]

Received stock today. Very nice fit and finish. Need to do some minor fitting for bottom metal and trigger guard as very tight. Will work on over next couple days. Will try to post photos this weekend.

[Olsener1]

https://ibb.co/Q9jDNHP
https://ibb.co/KhjXBc3
https://ibb.co/zxdPNJk
https://ibb.co/r5pssqP
https://ibb.co/tpkHPWk
https://ibb.co/SPy08Ys
https://ibb.co/fQhf2sr
https://ibb.co/vqQB0rr
https://ibb.co/bRD8rbr
https://ibb.co/1TLZPBx

[Olsener1]

Her are pictures of Savage 12FV, Accurate Mag bottom metal and magazine and GRS Hunter stock. I have the rifle just sitting in stock now. Will work on fitting bottom metal over next few days.

[DesertDug]

That is looking nice. Do you need, or are you gonna bed the action? What does it weigh?

[Olsener1]

Will see about bedding once I have everything together for fitment. I taking it one step at a time and documenting my build in a notebook. Weight, will check when everything together. It will be heavy. I am guessing around 10 lbs when I am done, will see how close I am when done😉

[CFJunkie]

Nice looking stock and it looks top notch with all the adjustments you'll need to make it fit you perfectly.
I think you'll have a great looking rifle when your done.

Did you shoot it with the 12 FV in its factory stock with the hidden mag so you can compare results after you replace the factory stock?
That would be an interesting comparison.

[Dave Hoback]

Minor fitting is ALL that should be required. The GRS stocks come pillar bed. At their upper echelon price point, the GRS line is actually built more like a Chassis. Pillar bed and free floated channel for up to varmint barrel profile. Great choice Olsener1!

[Olsener1]

No I have not had time to shoot in original stock. I prefer wood to plastic Tupperware. So no real interest in it. Also feed lips in stock blind mag rub bolt so would need to do some work to make bolt function smoothly. Do not want to waste time on it.

[Olsener1]

So fitted everything together today. Used Dremel to fix some of the inletting. May fiddle a little more but loads a dummy shell from mag. A little stiff, so looking into that. But mag feed lips not touching bolt and on empty chamber bolt moves freely. Had to cut down bolts that came with Accurate Mag bottom metal as they too long and bolt was hitting screw tip.

https://ibb.co/09wNJdm
https://ibb.co/sRfGQXv
https://ibb.co/CtCQsxb

[Olsener1]

I have a Dremel drill press that I used with a cutter but to address some high spots in inlet. Drill press allowed me to keep uniform height when I mage cuts.

[Donnie]

I found that the v shaped recoil lug on the model 12 starts to split the laminate GRS stock due to the inletting required for Savage's. There isn't much meat left in critical areas. I ended up installing 2 through bolts on my GRS sporter to squeeze the stock back together at the recoil lug and rear action screw. I figured GRS uses furniture hardware, so why not? It actually improved accuracy and precision because I could torque the action screws properly without splitting the stock apart.
https://i.imgur.com/I7hcMWj.jpg?2

[Olsener1]

Donnie, did you bed the Savage in the stock?

[Olsener1]

Donnie, what caliber is your rifle and also did you talk to GRS about warranty?

[Donnie]

Donnie, what caliber is your rifle and also did you talk to GRS about warranty?
Hey,
I did bed the action. It is a 308win. This rifle has been used in every season here in canada, and all terrain and has never been babied. I think this may have contributed to the stock drying out and splitting. To be fair, these are hunting stocks, not made for precision target. I'm pretty sure they have a low torque recommendation for the action screws, and have a more frequent maintenance schedule. You would be better off with pillar bedding and bedding the front recoil lug so you can get better torque on the action screws.

[Olsener1]

Donnie, thank you. I really appreciate you sharing advice. I will look into doing what you suggest.

[Olsener1]

Ok, rifle working well at 100 yards. Have not had time lately to work on this project. I am looking at a good entry level scope for long distance shooting. I have narrowed it down to Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 and Nikon Black FX1000 both with the higher magnifications in the 6-24 range. Currently I am using a Vortex Crossfire II 4-16x50AO on Talky rings I had lying around for setup purposes. What I am curious about has anyone used either of the scopes I listed and what would they recommend. Also what bases would be recommended. The Talleys work but I fear if I try to go past 500 yards would need the extra height a 20 MOA base gives me. Thoughts?