I have no experience with any of these rifles. I have not read any reviews of any of these rifles.
But.
I read your post... read what you had... and bassed on instinct, intuition, feelings, a guess.... whatever, I thought. "I'd keep the model 12"
I was pleasently surprised to see the next 11 posters say "keep the .223"
Sooooo... I'm gona go out on a limb and (looks pretty sturdy!) and say, keep the Savage model 12!
Or if you want, sell it too me for a great price. I'd like a .223 bolt action!