Model 12 Gun build thread. Need some info and direction

**mcnamara0851** · 08-18-2015, 05:06 PM

I currently have a model 12 fv blue varmint barrel with the accu stock in .223. I have a few different ideas on where to go and would like some advice. I am going to be picking up an unturned .224 Shilen 8 twist barrel to have a friend turn into a long range coyote/steel gun using 75-85 VLDs for the winter. Mike Bellm will be doing a 6.5 barrel for long range steel sometime after December as well and I plan on swapping barrels back and forth accordingly
Question 1.
Leaning towards 22-250AI because i already load 22-250 and lapua brass is available. Is it worth the extra time and money to go with 22x47 improved or 22-243 improved, and why.
Question 2.
I have been looking to convert the bolt and have realized that there are a few different options in bolt head sizes/shapes/firing pins. I saw that I can purchase a complete bolt from midway for $109. I don't intend to rebarrel back to .223 so I don't necessarily need two bolts, but I figured for the money it might be nice to have around, and coming straight from savage it should be decent quality. I have done some research on the subject but I don't know who I should order from and exactly what to order so I haven't pulled the trigger.
So, buy the whole bolt, or just the parts? What exactly is needed?
Question 3. Barrel nut, wrench, action vice.
What exactly is needed? What can I live without? Where to purchase? Is a small shank nut the same across the board or is there different styles? Do I need an action vice? What vendors take care if the forum that deserve my business, but also who to avoid?
Question 4. Accu stock.
Will a cheaper replacement stock perfom any better than the accustock or is it a waste of money for a 600 yard gun?
Question 5. Internal magazine modification
Will the internal mag for the .223 work for any other chamberings and what modifications and parts do I need to buy to make this work?

Thanks in advance for the help.

**stomp442** · 08-18-2015, 06:23 PM

1. The .250 Savage case is one of the most efficient ever designed and why so many wild cats and hot rods are built around it. The .22-250AI will do anything the others will and probably do it using less powder.

2. Should be able to just switch out bolt heads and be good to go. No need to drop the coin for the entire bolt.

3. Buy them both they are not real expensive and they make the job so much easier. Northland Shooters supply, Gunshack or MidwayUSA shoulld have everything you need.

4. I don't like plastic stocks accu or otherwise. A nice boyds or similar laminate pillar and glass bedded is tough to beat in my book.

5. Magazines are cheap just buy a new one direct from savage and call it good.

**mcnamara0851** · 08-19-2015, 01:18 PM

This is what I have done so far. Now I will have to wait until october or so for a my 22-250 AI barrel. If anything looks out of place let me know.
I built a barrel vise this morning while we had some down time.

Got the conversion parts ordered. Do I need to call savage and get the correct follower for a 22-250 or will 308 work?

**6mmBR_Shooter** · 08-21-2015, 04:11 PM

I would pay the $10 for the 308 follower and call it a day. Your current one may feed, but $10 is cheap insurance.

Don't forget the extractor, ejector, and the springs/pins/balls that go with them if that bolt is a stripped one.

I know some folks like the 80gn Berger VLDs, but they are finicky when it comes to seating depth. They shoot great once you get the depth dialed in, but some of the other choices like the AMAX are a little more user friendly.

**mcnamara0851** · 08-22-2015, 12:17 AM

I got the barrel off and the bolt head stripped and re assembled. It works like it should. The rail seems to fit tighter than I imagined due to the flood of poor reveiws. I'm ready to get a barrel on this gun and shoot coyotes from afar.

**6mmBR_Shooter** · 08-22-2015, 05:40 PM

Looks good, minus the barrel!

**mcnamara0851** · 09-02-2015, 07:45 AM

Picked my blank up from craddock this week. Went with a shilen 4 groove ratchet rifling 8 twist. Gonna drop it off saturday to have it finished. Still looking for advice on a starting point for powder/primer/bullet combinations for this rifle. I went shopping last weekend and was able to pick up a majority of the powders that I think would work well with the heavy vlds. Opinions are welcome!

**stomp442** · 09-02-2015, 09:19 AM

I would really look into Reloader 17. I haven't shot anything heavier than 69 grains out of my .22-250 since it's a 12 twist but it absolutely loves the stuff.

**mcnamara0851** · 09-03-2015, 09:29 AM

So I ordered a savage 308 mag and follower for a SA. It didnt clip in to the stock like the original 223 mag and the brass will not feed because it slides under the bolt head. What are you guys that have gone from 223 to 308 doing for magazines. Also I have considered biting the bullet and buying a boyds stock and putting a dbm kit in it. What all is needed to do that and is it possible?

**Rosco** · 09-03-2015, 06:59 PM

I could be wrong but I believe that the reason your bolt will not pick up the round is because the. 223 uses the extended front baffle. This limits the amount of bolt travel. The solution is you can either cut the baffle down yourself or order one.

If you're a paid member sometimes they are available on the classifieds now and then and if you put something in the want to buy section I'm pretty sure that someone will have one available.

**mcnamara0851** · 09-03-2015, 07:04 PM

I realized that about 30 seconds after I posted last night. I talked to cdi today. They are going to fix me up in a boyds pro varmint and dbm with 5 rdrs.

**Rosco** · 09-03-2015, 07:14 PM

Jeff and Pam are fantastic down at CDI they just recently did a stock for me is well. You won't be disappointed.

**mcnamara0851** · 09-05-2015, 08:34 AM

I talked with boyds on the phone and I was in no way impressed. I'm currently exploring other options.

**pepper savage 111** · 09-08-2015, 12:17 AM

I'd take a look at that extractor. Looks like the larger one. It might not grab onto your case head due to it bottoming out on the walls of your action...have you tried chambering and locking the bolt on an empty case?

**mcnamara0851** · 09-08-2015, 03:29 AM

It is a factory 223 extractor. My action is in Arkansas so I can't try it out. Do I need to order a .308 extracto?

**pepper savage 111** · 09-11-2015, 07:40 AM

I'd say yes. The .223 extractor is longer due to the smaller bolt face of the .223. The extractor you have will bottom out against the walls of the action before it has a chance to grab the case head of the larger case head.

**mcnamara0851** · 09-27-2015, 01:09 AM

**brfussell** · 09-27-2015, 08:23 AM

What stock is that in the above picture?

**mcnamara0851** · 09-27-2015, 10:00 AM

Choate tactical with cdi bottom metal. Jeff and Pam at CDI are top notch people to work with. They had the stock, bottom metal, inletting and 2 magazines worked over and shipped within a few days of receiving payment.

**mcnamara0851** · 10-02-2015, 09:30 AM

I just purchased a used bushnell xrs on the hide. Once my barrel gets here the gun will be finished. I ordered GAP camo stencils and will be painting the stock with krylon.