Savage Stealth in 6.5 - First impressions.

[SlowTrigger]

That IS really nice. The stock does make a big difference. Good choice!

[stomp442]

I fondled one of these at our local Big 5 store last night. My first impression was that it was as ugly as a bag of butt holes. It was so ugly it almost made you have to have it kind of like an ugly puppy dog. Looks aside it had by far the smoothest bolt operation I have ever felt on a factory savage rifle and was incredibly comfortable to shoulder. I thought the $1087 price was a bit stiff but I am not a tacitcool kind of guy by anymeans. If thats what you are into it's probably a great platform and in a fantastic cartridge.

[Kingair001]

Ugly or not as long as it shoots !

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[SlowTrigger]

I wish they had put a heavier barrel on it, like the ones they put in the 10 FCP, etc. But I guess that would diminish it's "stealthiness"

[Kingair001]

I wish they had put a heavier barrel on it, like the ones they put in the 10 FCP, etc. But I guess that would diminish it's "stealthiness"

I like my barrel on my 12 LRP but no clue how long it will last

A buddy of mine said about 800 rounds and that's it apparently

I'll keep you posted

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[SlowTrigger]

I'm assuming your LRP is 6.5 creed? If you are hand-loading hot loads then maybe 800 is right but it sounds low, but from what I hear from other 6.5 shooters you should be good up to 2K...

[Kingair001]

I'm assuming your LRP is 6.5 creed? If you are hand-loading hot loads then maybe 800 is right but it sounds low, but from what I hear from other 6.5 shooters you should be good up to 2K...

Yes in Creedmoor 6.5
Only shoot factory ammo so let's
hope we'll make it to 2000 rounds
Switching from Hornady to Prime Ammo !
Ammo arrived already but waiting on my new scope



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[Rondogg]

I like my barrel on my 12 LRP but no clue how long it will last

A buddy of mine said about 800 rounds and that's it apparently

I'll keep you posted

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Ouch. I hope they get more than 800 rounds out of the barrel. Guess if they only shoot 80 rounds a month (which is low for some shooters) their rifle will last 10months or so.

[Kingair001]

Ouch. I hope they get more than 800 rounds out of the barrel. Guess if they only shoot 80 rounds a month (which is low for some shooters) their rifle will last 10months or so.

Probably it all depends on the load . . .

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[CBryars2]

Ammo - Stealth seems to like Factory 140 ELD-Match Hornady - 2710 FPS. Also 140 ELD-Match and Berger 130 seem to be doing well in reload. Right now seating 2.186 on ELD-Match with 41 gr H4350. Further testing Monday. May work up my last 20 Berger 130's also.

Will try to get some velocity readings also.

[Kingair001]

Ammo - Stealth seems to like Factory 140 ELD-Match Hornady - 2710 FPS. Also 140 ELD-Match and Berger 130 seem to be doing well in reload. Right now seating 2.186 on ELD-Match with 41 gr H4350. Further testing Monday. May work up my last 20 Berger 130's also.

Will try to get some velocity readings also.

Keeps us posted !

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[SlowTrigger]

Yes in Creedmoor 6.5
Only shoot factory ammo so let's
hope we'll make it to 2000 rounds
Switching from Hornady to Prime Ammo !
Ammo arrived already but waiting on my new scope



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I'd be interested to know how the Prime ammo compares to the Hornady. LowLight from snipershide shoots Prime a lot and seems to be getting really good results. I'm a .308 shooter and never had luck with hornady shooting from different rifles. My rifles seem to like federal premium 168s mostly (30 inch barrel 1/12 twist, 26" 1/10, 24" 1/11.25). Either that or Ultramax 110 grain HP (varmint round).

[Kingair001]

I'd be interested to know how the Prime ammo compares to the Hornady. LowLight from snipershide shoots Prime a lot and seems to be getting really good results. I'm a .308 shooter and never had luck with hornady shooting from different rifles. My rifles seem to like federal premium 168s mostly (30 inch barrel 1/12 twist, 26" 1/10, 24" 1/11.25). Either that or Ultramax 110 grain HP (varmint round).

I talked to Frank a few weeks ago and he swears with Prime Ammo
He doesn't even consider Hornady anymore.
Got a bunch of boxes but waiting on my new scope - should have been shipped last week . . .
Than I can zero my rifle and we will have the results !
I'll post them with pics

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[CBryars2]

Loaded 20 rounds of Berger 130 OTM tonight. Probably best I have loaded as variance in CBTO (I think I said that right) is within .0015 of batch. Bergers did well in previous test at 40.5 gr H4350 set at 2.185 CBTO, just fit in the magazine. If the Berger wants longer will have to wait until I get AICS type magazine.
Tomorrow should be fun with both Horn 140 ELD-Match and Bergers to test.

[Kingair001]

@CBryars2 Have fun !

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[Steelhead]

Yes in Creedmoor 6.5
Only shoot factory ammo so let's
hope we'll make it to 2000 rounds
Switching from Hornady to Prime Ammo !
Ammo arrived already but waiting on my new scope



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i hit about 2500 rounds in my 260 barrel before things changed for the worse.
It will still do MOA but barely.
Majority of shots were 44 grains of H4350 pushing 140's in Winchester brass.
Plenty of abuse also.

[CBryars2]

Load results - Berger 130, Hornady 140 ELD-Match, Hornady 143 ELD-X

Range trip to my local club 100yd indoor range was a learning experience. Right off the bat had 2 issues to deal with:

1. My Atlas Bi-pod was allowing a good bit of lateral play at the Picatinny rail. Had to disassemble and reassemble to correct.
2. As I mentioned before on our range we can't shoot prone. The bench has flex based on amount of weight you place on it. This is effecting repeat-ability. Going to try adding a dowel rod to stiffen up.

Test results (pictures hopefully to follow tomorrow)

1. Fouled barrel with 139 Lapua @ 40.5 H4350.
2. Began firing 5 shot ELD-X at 40.5 - 4 shot group .565 MOA 5th shot flyer
3. ELD-M 5 shot groups based on 40.5 H4350in .2 increments CBTO 2.18 min 2.183 - 2.1855 delta .0025
   A. 40.5 4 shot .90 MOA 5th shot a pull.
   B. 40.7 2 shots tight, 3 all over the map - 1.09 MOA
   C. 40.9 (after fixing bi-pod), up and down very tight, some horizontal dispersion .775 MOA
   D. 41.1 .89 MOA
4. Berger 130 OTM H4350, CBTO 2.18 min 2.184 - 2.1855 delta .0015
   A. 40.5 H4350 .896 MOA
   B. 41 H4350 4 shot .833, 5 shot .986 pull
   C. 41.5 H4350 3 shot .435, 4 shot .572, 5 shot .877 pull
   D. 42 H4350 3 shot .468, 4 shot .90, 5 shot 1.114 pull

Based on what I'm seeing, the rifle is far more capable than I am. With Bi-pod fixed, it got better, but flex in board was really messing with my mind.

Going to redo this test focusing on better groups above 41.5 and 42 with Berger trying 2 changes - a wooden dowel wedged between floor and bench and a lead sled. Goal is to try and take me out of the equation and let the rifle and load speak.

[CBryars2]

Impressions after 160 rounds.

The rifle is considerably lighter than RPR, that can be good or bad depending on what you want to do with it - Primary mission if you will.

Fixed stock is a win for me.

Rifle is well constructed, fit and finish are good.

Instructions and web site support from Savage have a way to go. No magazines listed (last I checked), no stock replacement instructions, adapter not on web-site, etc. It took over 2 weeks to even get listed on web-site.

Additional information
Accuracy - Shoots better than I do. about .8 MOA now. Reports from other posts are showing .5 MOA in their rifles with reports of gong hits at 800 and 1000 yds.


Scope mount - 0 MOA, EGW has a 20 MOA available (note have to drill out screw rail holes and use original mount screws, supplied screws with 20 MOA rail are too small to engage thread. Will email EGW to let them know, same on my .338 FCP 10, had to use original screws and drill out rail.

Magazines - MDT holds 8 rounds, feed is ok, AICS I tried worked much better. MDT max length approx 2.8

Have a Magpul AICS 10 round coming tomorrow, I believe it allows 2.86. Will post how it does in this rifle.

[CBryars2]

For those thinking of replacing with a fixed stock - Highly recommended in my opinion - I tried it first without the MTD fixed stock adapter. It worked with the Luth-AR but was not a smooth transition and back of hand could force up against the 90 degree angle behind thumb.

Went back after getting adapter in and redid stock. At 49 bucks plus shipping it is expensive, but looks so much better, I'll try to get a picture before the 4th of July.

Caution - the buffer tube for fixed is an A2 type. Be real careful, it is easy to mess up the tube. Look under the back near where the buffer tube meets the rifle. There is a set screw. Manual does not show the Stealth only BA so this is yet to be proved, but I think you want to loosen the set screw before trying to remove the buffer tube. The buffer is on tight (much tighter than AR's I have worked on), so if you loosen set screw and the buffer comes off fairly easily (like an AR) that should confirm what I am seeing. Wish the manual mentioned that.

[Kingair001]

i hit about 2500 rounds in my 260 barrel before things changed for the worse.
It will still do MOA but barely.
Majority of shots were 44 grains of H4350 pushing 140's in Winchester brass.
Plenty of abuse also.

Let's hope I make it that far

Otherwise it will be a new Hawk Hill barrel !

[Kingair001]

@Cbryars2 - I guess the rifle is capable of more than the 0.5X MOA you are getting as a result

Most of your groups are going direction 1 MOA - you should check it but that's way too much if you ask me

But . . . just my .02

[CBryars2]

Update on the adapter and adding a fixed stock.
Original fixed stock with no adapter
[IMG][/IMG]

MDT Adapter
[IMG][/IMG]

Adapter on rifle with Luth-AR
[IMG][/IMG]

Set screw that appears to be for buffer tube (will be able to verify in about a week).
[IMG][/IMG]

Current rifle pictures
[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[CBryars2]

@Cbryars2 - I guess the rifle is capable of more than the 0.5X MOA you are getting as a result

Most of your groups are going direction 1 MOA - you should check it but that's way too much if you ask me

But . . . just my .02

Don't disagree - think it is me, not rifle. Loose bi-pod and flexing bench are adding variables that need to be removed for tests to be conclusive. Others are reporting .5 moa with gong hits at 800 and 1000. Will stabilize bench rest and use a lead sled that should eliminate variables and test rifle more fully.

I shot those while working 60 hour week getting up at 4 am, so I was not 100%. I'm a .60 on a good day shooter, normal more like a .8, have a lot to learn. Just saw heartbeat in scope for first time the the other day, so by no means a good shooter.

Will try and get some Magnetospeed readings next trip also.

[Kingair001]

Don't disagree - think it is me, not rifle. Loose bi-pod and flexing bench are adding variables that need to be removed for tests to be conclusive. Others are reporting .5 moa with gong hits at 800 and 1000. Will stabilize bench rest and use a lead sled that should eliminate variables and test rifle more fully.

I shot those while working 60 hour week getting up at 4 am, so I was not 100%. I'm a .60 on a good day shooter, normal more like a .8, have a lot to learn. Just saw heartbeat in scope for first time the the other day, so by no means a good shooter.

Will try and get some Magnetospeed readings next trip also.

So enjoy your 4th of July and have some rest !

That will make you a better shooter 😉

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[yobuck]

It's called a MAGAZINE! The M1 Garand is the only rifle I am aware of which uses a "clip".

You need to post pictures.

There might be some your not aware of. Some bolt guns like the Springfield, had a clip slot in the action for inserting one,
while the M1 carbine had a magazine.
All shoes aren't referred to simply as shoes either, but they all are. I had extra (clips) for my old Rem pumps, and still do
for my 88 Win. lol.