[Sisco]

Coming back from the range the other day my son (17) told me he wanted to someday build up a 'sniper' rifle. Like our custom 10/22's but longer range.
(He'll have a healthy tax refund coming and was already counting chickens!)
I told him a Savage 10LE would be a good place to start and we started looking at them on the web, gunbroker.com etc. Found Wal-Mart could order one for $470 but I prefer to buy from a dealer.

Anyway, I was checking the for sale ads at THR and lo and behold, someone had a NIB 10FP LE for $400! Showed it to Aaron, he said he didn't have enough money now, I told him I'd split the cost and float him a loan.
Deal is pretty much made, just trying to figure out the shipping arrangements.

Lets see, now I need a scope and mounts, bipod, reloading dies, brass and bullets. The Midway USA catolog is going to get a workout.

[cheekser]

NICE! :up: you'll really have a tack-driver on your hands. is it the newer model with accu-trigger and round-top receiver? the accu-trigger is sweet. there are some really nice scope mounts being made for the newer receiver design.

Ken Farrell (http://www.kenfarrell.com/SAV-RTS-1-15.html) makes some really nice bases, and steel one to boot. They were a little out of my price range the first go-round on my 10FLP, but they are slated for future purchase.

as for rings, Ken has those covered, again at a pretty rich pricetag. I am using Warne Maxima QD rings, and true to name, they are easy to detatch, and return to zero after removal and re-installation.

as far as scopes go, the Springfield Armory scopes seem very well-made and the built-in .308 BDC is a great feature.

one word of caution: the factory synthetic is franky a POS. I found that resting the forearm on different surfaces or using a harris bi-pod changed POI (not significantly @ 100yds, but still an undesired effect).

there are a few replacement stocks out there, including the Choate (HEAVY), the new Durramax from B&C, the Sharp Shooters Supply stocks, and McMillan stocks.

I am sure you and your son will enjoy the Savage rifle :D

[Sisco]

It does have the accutrigger. I have a model 110 in 25.06, know what you mean about the flimsy stock. Still, it shoots 1/2" groups at 100 with my handloads.
I have done some web searching for stocks, McMillian would be nice but way beyond the budget. The B&C stocks are affordable but I wondered if they were really any better than the factory one. I'll check out Sharp Shooters Supply.

[cheekser]

check this site out for reviews on aftermarket products.

http://www.savageshooters.com/index.html

[Tom Gunn]

cheekser wrote: I found that resting the forearm on different surfaces or using a harris bi-pod changed POI (not significantly @ 100yds, but still an undesired effect).

I agree. A little practice prone and sitting using a sling in the proper fashion can eliminate the need for a bi-pod. I do have a bi-pod on an M1A but I really don't really like it. Looks cool though.

[BigBlue]

I've also taken a good look at those Savage Mod. 10 LE rifles. While I haven't had one to play with, I can say the synthetic stock on the Savage models feels really flimsy, a big mistake on Savage's part in my opinion. It ruins your opinion of the gun before you shoot it. If I remember right, the LE rifles are available with an after market stock, right from Savage. That might save a few bucks over tossing the original stock on the scrap heap, and then buying a good one. I may yet drop a deposit on one. Their Mod. 12 BVSS may also be a good buy. It's basically a .308 varmint rifle in S.S. with a laminate stock. It's a few bucks more, but it's laminate stock should hold POI better.

Don

[cheekser]

the model 10FP LE1A and LE2A comes with the Choate stock, while the 10FP LE2B comes from the factory in McMillan duds. the point is moot, since it appears Sisco has a good deal going on a rifle already.

[Sisco]

Cheekster thanks for the link to savageshooters, good info there.
We'll shoot it for a while with the factory stock then maybe go for a Bell & Carlson. Read some good reviews on them and they won't break the bank either.
I didn't know they are made just down the road from me in Dodge City.

[Popeye]

HS Precision makes some pretty good stocks.