Readers of Gunblast know that we like accurate
rifles. Rifles that are not accurate just do not interest me.
Accuracy has differing parameters depending upon the intended
use for the rifle in question. A Hawken style muzzleloader
intended for close range deer hunting is plenty accurate if it
can keep its shots within a six inch circle at fifty yards,
but is much more interesting if it can cut those groups in
half. On the other hand, a .22-250 varmint gun needs to be
capable of grouping its shots within an inch at one hundred
yards, and I greatly prefer a rifle that can group within an
inch at three hundred yards. Accuracy, like most things, is
relative to the need at hand.
Law Enforcement, military, and specialized
civilian "contractors" sometimes have the need to
precisely place bullets onto a target at varying distances.
This type of precision shooting is akin to the needs of a big
game hunter, except that the situation is usually much more
critical, and the outcome extremely grave. Precision shooting
in these situations usually calls for an accurate combination
of rifle, ammo, and shooter. Many government agencies
and contractors working for these agencies in foreign
countries spend thousands of dollars to acquire the best
precision equipment available. It is not unusual for some
large SWAT units to spend three thousand dollars on a rifle,
in addition to the scope and mounts. For that amount of money,
there are some fine semi-custom rifles available that are very
reliable, and exceedingly accurate. These rifles are usually
based on a stock hunting rifle design that has been accurized
and tweaked a bit by a custom gunsmith. The rifles are bedded
into a synthetic stock, given a dull black finish and a better
trigger, and shipped in a nice hard case. These are usually
very good, precise, and accurate rifles, and are well worth
the thousands of dollars spent. However, for a fraction of the
price, you can just buy a new Savage .308 Law
Enforcement series rifle, and get the same excellent accuracy
and reliability, along with a better trigger.
Let the nasty emails begin! Before you start
sending me the hate mail detailing the reasons as to why your
rifle is a better tactical precision shooter, and questioning
my limited intelligence, allow me to explain. I do not base my
reasoning upon the testing of just one rifle, or even just
upon my experience alone. It is a known fact among precision
riflemen that the Savage design shoots very well. Some
features that help expedite the manufacture of the weapon also
contribute to its accuracy. Free-floating a barrel is quicker
and easier, thus cheaper, than to precisely bed the barrel in
the stock. It is also more accurate over the long haul.
Savage’s multi-piece bolt allows for easier manufacture, but
also contributes to accuracy by allowing the bolt head to bear
evenly on both sides without custom lapping that is needed
with other designs. These features allow the gun to fire more
consistently every time, thus contributing to accuracy.
The LE series Savage rifles are also pillar
bedded into the synthetic stock, eliminating variations of
pressure and flexing of the action. The heavy barrels are
button rifled, and finished in a recessed target crown. Other
nice features of these rifles include a rubber recoil pad for
non-slip shoulder contact, and an extra swivel stud on the
fore end to accommodate a detachable bipod. Another nice touch
is the oversized bolt knob, for quick manipulation of the
action under stress, or while wearing heavy gloves. All
of these features contribute to the accuracy and usability of
the rifle, but one of the finest features of the Savage is
that excellent trigger.
In December of 2002, I was introduced to
Savage’s then new AccuTrigger,
and reported on it in detail in an article at the end of that
month. Since that first experience with the new trigger, I
have tested several Savage rifles with the AccuTrigger, and I
make the unqualified statement that it is the best production
rifle trigger available on any centerfire rifle of which I am
aware. It is that good. A rifle can have the best barrel
precisely bedded into the finest hand-laid Kevlar stock, and
if the trigger pull is heavy, it will never shoot to its
potential. The trigger on a precision rifle needs to be light,
crisp, and predictable. The AccuTrigger is all three of these,
and is user adjustable for weight of pull between one and
one-half and six pounds. It allows the shooter to take
full advantage of the accuracy built into the rifle, and to
easily adjust the weight of pull to fit the situation.
The .308 Model 10FP-LE2 tested for this
article is representative of the several variations in the
Savage Law Enforcement lineup. Other stock designs are
offered, but this rifle has the standard synthetic stock, and
weighs in a bit lighter than the other variations at eight and
three-quarters pounds. It has a heavy twenty-six inch barrel.
It has no open sights, but is drilled for scope bases. I
really like the safety position on the Savage. It is centered
behind the bolt, and is easily manipulated with the thumb. The
finish on the metal is a dull black, and the trigger guard is
made of steel for durability. The action is bedded into the
stock at two points with hardened bolts and pillars, and the
barrel is generously free-floated its entire length. The bolt
body is also finished in a dull black, with the Savage Indian
Chief logo etched into the side that is exposed when the bolt
is fully closed. The rifle has a four round internal box
magazine.
For accuracy testing, I mounted a Burris
six to eighteen power scope using B-Square rings and
two number 46 Weaver bases. After bore sighting the
rifle and shooting two rounds of Lake City military ball ammo
to get the gun on paper, I loaded the rifle with three rounds
of Federal 168 grain Match ammo. All three rounds went
into a group measuring just one quarter of an inch, at 100
yards. I had expected good accuracy from the Savage, but
shooting such a small group without any barrel break-in is
exhibitive of superb accuracy. Further testing proved the
rifle to be consistently accurate with any good ammunition
tested.
Whether or not this level of accuracy is
needed in a .308 built for tense social situations can be
argued either way. However, it is nice to know that
target-grade accuracy is there if needed for that long range
shot that might mean life or death. The Savage 10FP-LE2
delivers the inherent accuracy, reliability, and precision of
rifles costing thousands of dollars more, in a rifle that
currently lists for only $578.
If you need several rifles to outfit a
tactical shooting team for a government agency, or are just an
individual wanting a precision rifle for target shooting or
hunting, I highly recommend the Savage 10FP, in any of its
variations. Spend the money you save on a quality scope
and good ammunition. Spending more on the rifle will not buy
you any more accuracy or reliability than that which comes
standard on the Savage.
For more information on the entire Savage
line, go to: www.savagearms.com.
To find a Savage dealer near you, go to:
http://www.lipseys.com/finder/finder.aspx
