Looking for first rifle...

[Nocturnal]

Hey All -

I am looking to get my first centerfire rifle - long time pistol and shotgun shooter.  I have decided on .308 Win for the cartridge, but am not sure on which offering from Savage to get.  The list is narrowed down to the 12 VLP, 16 fcss, or the 10 precision carbine.  I would like this to be an "all around" rifle - paper, deer.  I am partial to SS as I am not the best at taking care of my guns, but want something that will handle multiple applications.  Long range paper punching is not available near by, but the main purpose of this rifle will be hunting and target shooting.  Is the 12 VLP too heavy to carry, or should I go with something lighter?  I am leaning toward the 12 vlp, but want to hear from others as to it's capability.

 

[z71rat]

I have a 10FP that I moved over to a VLP stock. I love the rifle, but I don't think I want to carry this thing around the mountains of Colorado to do any hunting. It has the 24" heavy, and your 12VLP has the 26" with the same stock. It is pretty heavy to say the least. I don't have a total weight with optics and hardware on board, but it is on up there. A buddy of mine is buying my rifle since it is the most accurate rifle he (and I ) have ever shot, and I will be purchasing one of the Precision Carbines... and I can't hardly wait to get it in my hands!!

Just my $0.02 worth...

DK

[1Shot]

...Just pick you up a LE-1 20" bbl. in .308 & have the best of both worlds...

[Armed in Utah]

...Just pick you up a LE-1 20" bbl. in .308 & have the best of both worlds...

Yes...if you can find one....this would make an excellent dual purpose deer/target rifle...

Otherwise the current production Carbine #18606 would also work having the DBM...

I'm sure too this new series has the silly azz smooth barrel nut....

My other suggestion is a 7-08.....Savage built some Whitetail camo hunters for JSC's..the 308s are gone but they still have 7-08's #18211...I have one in a 308 and it shoots great...blind magazine..full camo...22" med heavy bbl...big bolt handle...camo looks good too...

[kkeene]

Gander Mountain has Savage stainless steel model 11's, drop box mag, non accutrigger combo gun's with a basic scope for $499.  Good starter hunting rifle as is.

Cycle the bolt fast and slow, ask if you can dry fire.  If the trigger is decent you might just have a winner.  Later you can add an aftermarket trigger if you need to. 

As far as I know this is a model 16 but w/o the accutrigger and a lot cheaper.

Keith

[Nocturnal]

Thanks for the responses so far.  My biggest concern is compromising and then ending up buying twice.  Oh well won't be the first time.  I will have to go back to the fun store and get my hands on each model to make the final decision.

[nodak]

I'm doing the same decision making myself and I believe I've decided on the Precision Carbine. The finish is very very durable and even a guy that is hard on things will have a hard time hurting it. I also think that for all around use, carry/hunt/varmint/target use, it'll be perfect. I wish I would have bought the 16BGH model when I had a chance. one of those in 308 or 243 would be perfect. It had a 22" fluted medium HB and was all stainless. The other choice would be a 12FVSS and cut/crown the barrel to desired length and add a better stock. That would be my 2nd choice.