Savage 10FP in .223 or .308?

V

vanfunk

New member
Hi guys. I've been looking at the Savage "Tactical" line of rifles. Despite the controversy these guns, almost everyone seems to agree that they can shoot very well. My local store has Savage 10FP's in .223 and .308 with 20 inch barrels. I'm leaning toward the .223 right now because the ammo is inexpensive and light on recoil. I like the idea of the .308, however, and feel that it may be more versatile. This is really going to be a "fun" gun, though, so terminal performance isn't the main priority. Overall, which caliber has proven to be more accurate in this rifle model? Obviously they'll shoot best with handloads/match rounds, but how do these guns shoot with surplus military ammo? Does anyone own Savages in both of these calibers? Which do you prefer? A thousand thank-you's for your help!
vanfunk

------------------
semper ubi sub ubi
 
vanfunk; You can get real cheap .308 ammo nowadays. Versatility is the winner here. My choice- the 308. Later on if you want it for more than just a "fun gun" at least you'll have a calibre that can take care of just about all your needs. Good Luck, J. Parker
 
I bought the .308 tac.back in feb.and it's a sold weapon ,a littel heavy on the recoil after 30 or 40 rounds but good groups.Also the .308 round is far better than the .223.Good luck to ya.
 
You helpful gentlemen are fast with a keyboard! Looks like the .308 is leading...
I know it's a bit shameful, but I do plan on shooting alot of surplus through this rifle. How does the 10FP .308 group with common surplus or inexpensive factory fodder? Thanks again for your responses.
vanfunk

------------------
semper ubi sub ubi
 
Here's a vote for .223. If all you are going to do is target shoot, plink or varmit hunt you can shoot it a lot cheaper than .308 and it is much easier on your body. But if you are going big game hunting or just have some large caliber macho image need to satisfy, get the .308.
 
van; I bought a left-handed Savage quite awhile ago. It's got open sights so I've been blastin' away with them. Haven't put the scope on yet. I got some surplus 30-06 ammo and it's great blastin' stuff. Cheap too. For the price I think Savages are like Ruger pistols- the best value on the market! Good Shooting, J. Parker
 
With surplus ammo I get grouping of 1"@150yrds (Venezuelan ammo). And with English ammo I get .75"@150yrds. The Savage company creates a great rifle for the money. Sure the action is a little tight, but with a few 1000rds threw her, she will be as soft as a babies butt. People do not like the stock, I do, theres nothing wrong with it. And the trigger may need a bit adjustment. But the rest is pure gold. Pardon me for asking, But do you live in SoCal, where Turners is having a sale of the Savage 10FP? If so how much is it? Later and good luck.

------------------
"They may kill me, but there will always be more like me". -EDA

They told me,"throw down your guns, return to the earth...HAH! time enough for the earth in the grave". -EDA

"Giving up is not in my vocabulary". -EDA

"Do not fear the governments, that fears you". -EDA
 
BTW, if you want to use the rifle for target and "tactical" shooting only, but not bang-around hunting, then consider the Sharp Shooter's Supply trigger for it. I have one on my .22-250 Savage 12 BVSS and it's set to 20 oz right now, but I think I might lower it some...and it's really crisp. My Savage .338 Win Mag has the regular Savage trigger on it, just adjusted well.
 
Thanks for your input, guys.
Bullseye- yes, I admit I do have a little bit of shameful machismo working against me, in favor of the .308. My grandfather shot .470's, .460's, 577's, he even had a 4-bore for a while. He used to call his .460 Wby a "peashooter". Were he alive, he'd never suffer the indignation of a .223, even for household pests. He drank in recoil as though it were the nectar of the Gods. In all honesty I'm probably better served by the .223, I'm just pulled instinctively to the .308.
Ed Chavez- Nope, no SoCal. I'm from a major liberal enclave on the Northeast seaboard.

You guys are getting me excited about this 10FP-it appears that I can't go wrong with either caliber. We'll just have to circle the wagons when the Remington people come to call.
vanfunk

------------------
semper ubi sub ubi
 
I own the 10FP in .308 Win. with a 24" barrel. Put a Tasco World Class 3-9x50 on it and slung a Harris Bi-pod underneath. Have a total of about $650 in the rifle. Using Hirtenberger NATO mil-spec ammo, I can shoot MOA or less at 100 yards (longer ranges not readily available where I live). The Hirtenberger is probably the best military load ammo out there, and we sell it for $4.99/20, or basically what we sell the .223 for.

I recommend the .308 for a number of reasons, not the least of which is terminal ballistics versus the .223, because you just never know what you may need to use the rifle for.

My friends were giving me a lot of crap about that setup of mine ("You put WHAT scope on WHAT rifle?!?") until I showed them three touching holes fired at 100 yards. That was PMC catridges topped with Sierra's Matchking 168-gr HPBT bullets. Seems to be the favorite factory load thus far. If they need me to shoot better than 1/2" groups at 100 yards then they're going to have to come up with a pretty good reason as to why.

Buy the Savage. Have someone stone the trigger to smooth it up a little. It's a little heavier than most "tactical" rifles (4-5 pounds compared to 2-3 pounds) for a reason: no desire to see someone spit out a round without meaning to do so. If you touch off that 10FP, you meant to do so. Mine breaks right at 4 pounds now, and it is perfect in my opinion. Not too heavy so I pull it off target, and not too light so that it goes off if I breathe on it.

Can you tell that I really, REALLY love this rifle of mine?

You will, too.

Half-inch (or even less) groups await! Do not delay!
 
Van,

What range are you planning to shoot? The .223 is much more susceptible to wind drift than the .308, so the .308 has the overall edge in the accuracy department, especially at longer ranges. However, if you are limited to a 100 yard range, like some of the local ranges around here, the .223 will be fine. I have a .308 and a .223 bolt gun (both Remingtons rather than Savages) and I enjoy both. On a windy day, my 100 yard groups open up a bit with the .223, open up significantly at 200, and can get blown off the target at 300. The .308 is much more forgiving. If I had to choose between them, I'd definitely go with the .308.
 
i LOVE this gun in 308, have a 10fp with a total of 550 bucks in it (used vari-x II) and it will shoot groups that touch with 7.62 winchester whitebox at 100 and 1.5" groups with the CHEAPEST ammo i could find (chilean surplus)... that being said, it won't group at all with federal premium or remington extended range
 
As Legionnaire said, if you are going to be shooting at shorter ranges, then the .223 has the advantage in terms of cost and recoil.

If you're shooting beyond 400 yards in the wind, then .308 will be the better choice.
 
Thanks for the continued assistance, guys. The max range around here is 200 yards, so in that respect the .223 should be fine. I just can't get away from the .308 though, and thus far the .308 has received more favorable accolades. When I shoot, I like to shoot all day. I'm a little concerned that the recoil of the .308 will have a cumulative effect after 50-100 rounds or so. I shoot a Win 94 30-30 alot, but I can only take about 50-75 rounds before my groups (patterns?) open up a bit. A slip-on pad is probably the answer. Anyway, the Savages are so inexpensive ($350) that I can probably afford to pick up one in .223 at a later date. SO, the .308 it is. Just have to shuffle the finances around a little...find a used Leopold Vari-X...
Thanks again for all your help.
vanfunk

------------------
semper ubi sub ubi

[This message has been edited by vanfunk (edited August 09, 2000).]
 
I don't think the recoil from a .308 is really punishing. I've shot about 80 rounds at a time several times at the range and I only quit because either ammo or time ran out. however, I think that for a purely paper punching gun with a 200 yard range you would be better served with the .223.
 
Get both, they're cheap enough that you can. I like these rifles a lot, have both. I don't mind the stock, I love the position of the safety, and the trigger is adjustable. The replacement triggers probably are cleaner, and they aren't expensive. Excellent accuracy.

I compared the FP to a Rem PSS, VLS, and LTR, and I know it's blasphemy, but I preferred the FP and that's what I got. So, it doesn't have a lot of aftermarket crap for it, that's fine as I don't want any. The Rems were heavy and the bolt felt sloppier; perhaps that's just my experience.

If you want to plink, I'd get the .223 first as it's easier on the shoulder, slightly cheaper ammo. Then get the .308.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top