Savage 12 Benchrest vs. Savage 12 VLP DBM

TheDutchman19 · December 27, 2012, 11:26 AM

After spending some time at the range developing loads for my hunting rifles, I have decided to save up for a long range target rifle. I had my heart set on a Savage 12 Benchrest, and some good optics of course. I will be making 100 yd and 200 yd shots all day long. I will frequent the 600 yd range. I have hopes and dreams of taking it out to 1000 yds when my shooting and loading skills will allow.

Now the time has come to pry the cold hard cash from my fingers and I am starting to have second thoughts on my choice. The Savage 12 VLP looks like a nice long range gun as well. I know there is some obvious differences between the two: longer barrel, twist rate, heavier gun, dual port receiver and single shot vs magazine.

What I am missing?
Is the Benchrest really worth 50% more?

I am looking for input. Please help!

cw308 · December 27, 2012, 07:19 PM

I am looking at the same guns, The Benchrest & VLP. Single shot benchrest action is stronger but i'm sure the accuracy on both are the same. What caliber are you looking at.

TheDutchman19 · December 27, 2012, 08:39 PM

I am looking to get a 308.

I have started to get OCD with the reloading. I'm guessing that as the years go by and I get more and more into it, this gun would just be the start. What caliber are you interested in?

4runnerman · December 27, 2012, 09:47 PM

I picked up the F Class in a 6MMBR last year. If your as you say strting to get into it... Go for it. It will open your eyes to long rang shooting. 600 yards is a cake walk. You will love it im sure

TheDutchman19 · December 28, 2012, 10:18 AM

Do you think there will be much difference in accuracy between the Benchrest model verse the VLP Varmint model?

4runnerman · December 28, 2012, 11:17 AM

Never shot the VLP model,but i tell you that Bench Model is hot. Definetly a tack driver for sure. 4 inch or less at 600 yards right off the bat. First year in F-Class open and i took 3rd place with it.

cw308 · December 28, 2012, 04:42 PM

I'm looling at the 308. The 12 VLP DBM has a 1/10 twist 26" heavy brl. which is good for long distance heavier bullets. The benchrest 308 has a 1/12 twist 29" heavy brl. which is close to a palma class 155 gr. bullet. I'm leaning more for the 12VLP DBM. There both tack drivers.

TheDutchman19 · December 29, 2012, 08:24 PM

Done! I bought the Model 12 VLP and a new scope. I'm guessing when the shot groups aren't what I was expecting, it won't be the fault of the rifle.

Thanks for the input.

Have a great New Year

4runnerman · December 30, 2012, 04:03 AM

Congrats,You will not be disapointed im sure. Awesome rifles

cw308 · December 30, 2012, 09:50 AM

Good luck with the rifle, keep it clean & let us know how you like it. Be Safe Chris

TheDutchman19 · December 30, 2012, 09:57 AM

Will do. I don't know if I'm more anxious for the rifle or the scope.

cw308 · December 30, 2012, 02:11 PM

What scope, power & mounts. When you get into reloading it opens up a new world of accuracy. You can only expect so much from factory loads. My pet load for my Rem.700 LTR 20" Hvy. brl is 42.0 Gr.of IMR 4064 under a 168 gr. sierra HPBT bullet, I only shoot 200 yards with this rifle. With the savage 12 VLP 308 the chamber doesn't have as much free bore as the Remingtons, and you can fine tune a long distance round with a heavier bullet due to a faster twist. Hoping to pick up a 12 VLP Soon.Have fun,Be Safe Chris

TheDutchman19 · January 1, 2013, 12:28 AM

I got a Leupold 8.5x24 with Leupold base and rings. I have been reloading for a while. I like loading over the shooting, but I'm not complaining. I have been doing load workups for a Savage 30/06 and really dig the cause and effect. I'm hoping the new rifle will aid in tighting up the groups and let me stretch out the distance.

RKG · January 1, 2013, 09:32 AM

I have a .308 VLP and love it.

One thing you will find is that Savages tend to have short throats, and like many bolt guns, are sensitive to COAL. The only sure way to address any particular rifle is with a gauge, such as the Stoney Point (now sold by Hornady).

For what it is worth, my rifle gauged at 2.805" to the lands with a 168 SMK. After some puttering around, I settled on 2.791" COAL, which translates to a jump of 14 thou. I quit puttering when the rifle shot so much better than I can that I wouldn't notice any difference.

cw308 · January 1, 2013, 02:03 PM

Your set up is top shelf & with reloading,you will be seeing those one hole 5 shot groups. Be Safe Chris

December 27, 2012, 11:26 AM	#1
TheDutchman19 Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 117	Savage 12 Benchrest vs. Savage 12 VLP DBM After spending some time at the range developing loads for my hunting rifles, I have decided to save up for a long range target rifle. I had my heart set on a Savage 12 Benchrest, and some good optics of course. I will be making 100 yd and 200 yd shots all day long. I will frequent the 600 yd range. I have hopes and dreams of taking it out to 1000 yds when my shooting and loading skills will allow. Now the time has come to pry the cold hard cash from my fingers and I am starting to have second thoughts on my choice. The Savage 12 VLP looks like a nice long range gun as well. I know there is some obvious differences between the two: longer barrel, twist rate, heavier gun, dual port receiver and single shot vs magazine. What I am missing? Is the Benchrest really worth 50% more? I am looking for input. Please help! Last edited by TheDutchman19; December 27, 2012 at 11:53 AM.

December 27, 2012, 09:47 PM	#4
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	I picked up the F Class in a 6MMBR last year. If your as you say strting to get into it... Go for it. It will open your eyes to long rang shooting. 600 yards is a cake walk. You will love it im sure __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

December 28, 2012, 11:17 AM	#6
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Never shot the VLP model,but i tell you that Bench Model is hot. Definetly a tack driver for sure. 4 inch or less at 600 yards right off the bat. First year in F-Class open and i took 3rd place with it. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

December 30, 2012, 04:03 AM	#9
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Congrats,You will not be disapointed im sure. Awesome rifles __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

January 1, 2013, 12:28 AM	#13
TheDutchman19 Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 117	I got a Leupold 8.5x24 with Leupold base and rings. I have been reloading for a while. I like loading over the shooting, but I'm not complaining. I have been doing load workups for a Savage 30/06 and really dig the cause and effect. I'm hoping the new rifle will aid in tighting up the groups and let me stretch out the distance. Last edited by TheDutchman19; January 1, 2013 at 01:47 AM.

December 27, 2012, 07:19 PM	#2
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	I am looking at the same guns, The Benchrest & VLP. Single shot benchrest action is stronger but i'm sure the accuracy on both are the same. What caliber are you looking at.

December 27, 2012, 08:39 PM	#3
TheDutchman19 Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 117	I am looking to get a 308. I have started to get OCD with the reloading. I'm guessing that as the years go by and I get more and more into it, this gun would just be the start. What caliber are you interested in?

December 28, 2012, 10:18 AM	#5
TheDutchman19 Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 117	Do you think there will be much difference in accuracy between the Benchrest model verse the VLP Varmint model?

December 28, 2012, 04:42 PM	#7
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	I'm looling at the 308. The 12 VLP DBM has a 1/10 twist 26" heavy brl. which is good for long distance heavier bullets. The benchrest 308 has a 1/12 twist 29" heavy brl. which is close to a palma class 155 gr. bullet. I'm leaning more for the 12VLP DBM. There both tack drivers.

December 29, 2012, 08:24 PM	#8
TheDutchman19 Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 117	Done! I bought the Model 12 VLP and a new scope. I'm guessing when the shot groups aren't what I was expecting, it won't be the fault of the rifle. Thanks for the input. Have a great New Year

December 30, 2012, 09:50 AM	#10
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	Good luck with the rifle, keep it clean & let us know how you like it. Be Safe Chris

December 30, 2012, 09:57 AM	#11
TheDutchman19 Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 117	Will do. I don't know if I'm more anxious for the rifle or the scope.

December 30, 2012, 02:11 PM	#12
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	What scope, power & mounts. When you get into reloading it opens up a new world of accuracy. You can only expect so much from factory loads. My pet load for my Rem.700 LTR 20" Hvy. brl is 42.0 Gr.of IMR 4064 under a 168 gr. sierra HPBT bullet, I only shoot 200 yards with this rifle. With the savage 12 VLP 308 the chamber doesn't have as much free bore as the Remingtons, and you can fine tune a long distance round with a heavier bullet due to a faster twist. Hoping to pick up a 12 VLP Soon.Have fun,Be Safe Chris

January 1, 2013, 09:32 AM	#14
RKG Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 562	I have a .308 VLP and love it. One thing you will find is that Savages tend to have short throats, and like many bolt guns, are sensitive to COAL. The only sure way to address any particular rifle is with a gauge, such as the Stoney Point (now sold by Hornady). For what it is worth, my rifle gauged at 2.805" to the lands with a 168 SMK. After some puttering around, I settled on 2.791" COAL, which translates to a jump of 14 thou. I quit puttering when the rifle shot so much better than I can that I wouldn't notice any difference.

January 1, 2013, 02:03 PM	#15
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	Your set up is top shelf & with reloading,you will be seeing those one hole 5 shot groups. Be Safe Chris

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