First build and a little unsure!

[tammons]

I would like to do my first Savage build, but have some questions.

The rifle I have now is an M11GL in 243 Win. with sporter contour barrel and blind mag with a 4.275" screw spacing and stagger feed.

The rifle will be used primarily for bench work and hopefully an occasional trip out west for prairie dogs.

I'm pretty sure I want to go with the 223, but can't decide if the 223AI would be better or not. Any opinions on cartridge choice would be greatly appreciated. Is the 223AI any less accurate than the standard 223?

For the barrel I have decided to go with a Shilen in a 24" CM Varmint contour. If anyone has any other suggestions for something better/cheaper I'm always open.

I have looked at several stocks, but being a left handed rifle I'm somewhat limited in my choices. The one I'm leaning toward is the Choate Ultimate Sniper.

One last question I have is, will replacing the recoil lug with a match lug gain any noticeable accuracy or is that unnecessary?

Thanks for the help in advance and you have a great site here!
Gary

Personally for me, I would just start off with a 223 and if you want to AI it do that later but thats me.
There are some benefits to AI but in 223 only case stretch.
If very serious target only then you will be doing a ton of brass prep anyway so fire forming may not be such a big deal.

The Sniper stock is a very heavy stock and basically a slightly reconfigured Ultimate Varmint stock.
Personally I would prefer a Choate tactical stock with the adjustable cheek rest and shoulder pad - expensive.

Midway shows the left hand 223 bolt heads in stock in mid March.

Yes machined recoil lug now.

This is what I would do....

Of course change the barrel, bolt head and magazine plus......
Machined recoil lug, SSS trigger, choate V block stock or bedded B+C medalist stock, Farrel base plate or EGW if on a budget, Top rings of some sort
and a top top scope.

I would probably build a 7 twist personally unless I was going to shoot super light bullets like 35-40 gr.
Reason for 7 twist for me would be 90 gr bergers and the 70 gr barnes TTSX.
I have never shot an 8 twist and not sure if it would shoot either super tight in 223.
I know the 90 gr berger takes a 7 twist, but no huge advantage in 223 or an 80 gr bullet so....

My 2 tightest shooting rifles have been.....

6mmBR, as above, Shilen midway barrel riding in a Choate ultimate varmint stock with a nightforce 12-42x scope. Shot 3/4" at 300 yards.

223 7 twist factory barrel Savage moded as above riding in a bedded Medalist stock with a Nikon 6-18x scope I think.
It took a long time before I got it to really dial in like 200 shots, but finally got it shooting 1/4-3/8 groups, but I could only do that with 2 bullets. 52 gr amaxes and 90 gr berger. Everything else shot about 1/2". Never could find a combo that shot like those two. All of those were with CCI BR primers and lapua brass.