My local shop owner has ofered to let me purchase a varmint rifle at his cost. Intended primary use is prairie dogs. The choices we got down to are both Savage rifles. Is Savage a good choice? Best caliber? Here are the models, both available in 22-250 or 223.



One is a 16FSS which is synthetic stocked with a 22 inch barrel and standard profile barrel, 6.5 pounds. $398



Two is a 12BVSS-S Heavy 26 inch bull barrel, laminated stock, enlarged bolt handle, fluted stainless barrel, 10 pounds. $510.75



Give me your help and knowledge please.

It all depends on what you are going to do with the rifle.
If you are calling coyotes or want a truck gun, get the 16. I have a 116 (before they made short actions) in .223 and its a nice little rifle. Not that appealing to the eye but it gets the job done.
If you are going to spend your time sitting on a prarrie dog town, the 12 is the way to go hands down.
If it was me, I would get the .223 due to its light recoil, affordability of ammo, and it won't heat up as fast as the 250. If I wanted something with much punch than the .223 I would step up to the .243.
Matt

Agree with Jager,

I went with the 12, but find myself doing more walking around rather than sitting at a bench and long for a lighter barrel. It works fine and shoots great, but its a might top heavy to be slinging in your shoulder all day.

If the primary purpose is P. Dogs, its the way to go. If not, I recommend a meduim weight barrel or lighter.

Hi befus...

Good advice from the two guys before...I'll give my two cents.

Of the Savages that you listed, I have the 12BVSS (mine happens to be in .243). It is very dependent on how you will be using the rifle. The 12BVSS is completely impractical if you want to carry the rifle any more than from the truck to the bench. Hitting anything offhand with it would be difficult, to say the least, and I don't consider myself a whimp! If you are going to be shooting from a bench/bipod/sandbags all of the time, I highly recommend it.

Regarding caliber, I have to say that I used my .223s more than anything else on my PD hunt last year. Out to 400 yards (mostly within 200-350), I preferred the .223s because most of the time the scope would stay on target and I could watch the hit. I had some spectacular hits with the .223s, too, even though the .22-250 is supposed to be king of launching PDs. I found that when wind or distance necessitated the need for something more than a .223, I reached for my .243 more often than my .22-250 (also a Savage, the VSS, and also very accurate). I think muzzle jump in the .22-250 and .243 in my two rifles is pretty comparable.

In conclusion, if I was picking, I would say that .223 and .243 are my choices for caliber. If you plan to do any walking/calling AT ALL, go with the 16FSS, but if all of your shooting is stationary from a rest or bench and high volume, the 12BVSS is the best choice.

Finally, to answer the larger question, I can tell you that yes, a Savage rifle is an excellent choice -- price, accuracy, and a great trigger. I think that the 12BVSS is attractive, too, although others don't seem to agree.

Every time I mention the name Savage at this site,people start shooting at me.But I know the Savage is a fine rifle.befus go with it in 223 or 243 if you hunt Deer also.

What about the new Savage model 40? It comes in 22Hornet and .223 and has a 24" heavy barrel, laminated stock and still weighs under 8 lbs. I can't wait to get my paws on one. It sounds like a real winner. If it has the typical Savage accuracy I'm all for it. Any varmint rifle under 10lbs today is a positive factor. Anyone out there try one yet? Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Cal...

One small point...I don't think the Model 40 has the AccuTrigger...can anyone else confirm that? Not that it still wouldn't be a decent gun, but to me, the stainless BVSS w/AccuTrigger would be more appealing.

You're correct the 40 is NOT availble with the AccuTriger, but is a REAL Bargin. Savage take note, ADD AccuTrigger as OPTION.