After finding and reading several posts from this thread, just drove 2 hours to the closest Cabelas last night and picked up the Savage 12FV in 223. It is my 1st Savage and 1st 223. Plan on mounting a Vortex Crossfire scope and reloading 223 for it soon. Got the $50 sale price, 5% veterans discount and will send in for the $100 rebate today. Been reading the site recently, glad I found it.