Savage 10FP

Savage 10FP
Savage 10FPXP-LEA
Type	Sniper rifle, Bolt-action rifle
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Designer	Nicolas L. Brewer
Designed	1956
Manufacturer	Savage Arms Company
Unit cost	US $549.00-$2,235.00
Variants	Savage Model 110FP, Savage Model 110
Specifications
Mass	5.10 kg (11¼ lb)
Length	1162 mm (45¾ in)
Barrel length	660 mm (26 in)/610 mm (24 in)
Cartridge	.223 Remington .308 Winchester
Action	Bolt-action
Maximum firing range	915 m (1000 yd)
Feed system	4-round internal box magazine
Sights	None included with certain models. Leupold 3.5-10x40 mm black matte scope with mil dot reticle, 1-piece steel base and flip open lens covers (10FPXP-LE/A)

The Savage 10FP is a bolt-action sniper/tactical rifle manufactured by the Savage Arms Company and based on the Savage Model 110 rifle. There are seven variants of this rifle, each designated with an "LE" code signifying that it is part of the Law Enforcement Series. All 10FP series rifles are configured with AccuTrigger, matte-blued barreled action, heavy free-floating and button-rifled barrel, oversized bolt handle, internal box magazine (holding 4 rounds), and three swivel studs for sling and bipod mounting.

The Savage 10FP is similar to the Savage 110FP rifles and differ only in the action lengths and in the calibers used. The 10FP is designated a "short action" meaning cartridges similar in length to the .308 Winchester, while the 110FP is considered a "long action" meaning cartridges similar in length to the .30-06 Springfield. Both are bolt-action, rotating bolt rifles, with dual-lug bolts and integral, non-detachable magazines, and both are available in left-handed models.

Stocks

Current rifles are stocked with traditional shaped polymer stocks that have dual-pillar bedding and a third sling stud for mounting a bipod. It is also available in a left-handed model. Available stocks include:

• Choate "Ultimate Sniper" - Synthetic material with Dragunov-like skeleton butt, pistol grip, wide forearm, adjustable cheekpad and buttplate.
• Choate "Folding" - Similar to the "Ultimate Sniper" stock except the stock "Folds".
• Choate "Tactical" - Synthetic material with adjustable cheek rest.
• McMillan fiberglass stocks.
• HS Precision stocks

Sights

The Savage LE series of rifles are provided with pre-drilled holes for attachment of a wide variety of scope bases. The lack of iron sights is because Savage expects that users of this type of rifle will prefer telescopic sights to iron sights. Telescopic sights are more precise, especially at longer distances. Most of the rifles come without scopes attached, because the choice of a particular scope can be a very personal selection that involves a shooters particular taste, comfort, and opinion which are all subjective. Factors that some shooters use to determine a particular scope are: weight, magnification, size, clarity, and many other features. Two models do come with telescopic sights, the 10FPXP-LE & 10FPXP-LEA. These two rifles have the Leupold 3.5-10x40mm black matte scope with Mil Dot reticle with 1-piece steel base and flip open lens covers. These two models are also essentially factory pre-packaged items which contain a Harris bipod, heavy duty aluminum case, and quick-release swivels.

Trigger

The 10FP comes with the Savage Arms developed "Accutrigger". This trigger is intended to give a shooter the flexibility to set trigger pull to individual preference without having to pay a gunsmith to adjust it. The trigger can be adjusted from 6.5 to 26 N (1.5 to 6 lbf). Savage claims that even when adjusted to its lowest setting, the AccuTrigger is completely safe and cannot accidentally discharge during normal use from being jarred or dropped when maintained and adjusted as intended.

Inner workings

The AccuTrigger is designed with what Savage calls "an integrated AccuRelease" system that must be completely depressed or the rifle cannot fire. While pulling the trigger, the AccuRelease is intentionally depressed, which unblocks the sear and allows the rifle to discharge. This feature is claimed as a basis for improvement in accuracy hence the name "accutrigger" a variant of "accurate trigger".

Adjustment

Savage claims adjustment of the AccuTrigger is a simple process. Removal of the stock is necessary where rotation of an adjustment spring is required. This is accomplished utilizing the Savage supplied tool. The AccuTrigger has a single adjustment location and is designed so it cannot be adjusted below the minimum setting. This adjustment feature is yet another example of the built-in customization design of this rifle. Customization allows users to adjust the rifle to their own personal comforts and preferences which can equate to accuracy improvement.

Heavy barrel

The Savage’s LE series of rifles all include heavy barrels that are button-rifled and free-floating which provides high accuracy. Thicker barrels are generally stiffer, and thus deflect less when a force is applied, such as when a forearm touches a barrel. A heavier barrel also tends to vibrate less when fired, thus sending bullets more consistently in the same direction. Their greater weight (within reason) makes it easier to hold the rifle steady. For all of these reasons, heavy barrels are generally more accurate than lighter barrels.

Free-floating

A free-floating barrel means that the barrel does not touch the stock that is connected to it except at the very end near the receiver and bolt end; where it is attached. The advantage to this design is that there is less vibration resonance. This means that as bullets are fired down the barrel their energy is usually channeled down the edges of the barrel. If the barrel were touching the stock throughout its entire length the energy traveling down the barrel would be transferred to the stock. This transference of energy to the stock would thus cause resonance which results in prolongation of vibrations by reflection. The effect of this is that the entire rifle tends to vibrate which causes inaccuracy as accuracy is a product of stability and not movement. A barrel that is free-floating thus eliminates these problems.

Recessed-crown muzzle

Recessed crowns help protect the muzzle crown from nicks. An undamaged crown is vital to accuracy by allowing the uniform release of gas behind the exiting bullet. A chipped, scratched or nicked crown will allow gas to escape non-uniformly, pushing the bullet slightly in one direction or another, thus diminishing accuracy.

Rate of twist

The rifling rate of twist is:
- 1 in 10" for all 10FP .308 Winchester models
- 1 in 9" for all 10FP .223 models
- 1 in 9.5" for all 110 FP models in 7 mm Remington Magnum
- 1 in 10" for all 110FP models in both .25-06 Remington and 300 Win Mag

Sniper/tactical characteristics

Target from Savage 10FP in .223 with 5 shots at 100 yards. The bullseye is 1 inch across

Common traits among sniper/tactical rifles of which are included with the design of this rifle are:

• Adjustable Trigger
• Adjustable butt plate on models with Choate stock
• Adjustable cheek pad on models with Choate stock
• Built-in monopod in the butt on models with Choate stock
• Adjustable rail for bipod on some models
• Recessed-crown muzzle for increased accuracy
• Heavy barrel for accuracy and increased heat dissipation
• Free-floating barrel for accuracy

This rifle is considered a sniper/tactical rifle. This rifle shoots a sub-MOA out of the box using heavy match ammunition. As with most modern sniper rifles it includes tight building tolerances thus ensuring the rifles are not affected by such external forces, such as heat, moisture, and vibration which may reduce accuracy. The tolerances for these rifles (except the very early models) are such that the receiver and bolt are specifically manufactured for each other. Both have the same serial numbers etched on them in order to match each other correctly . The bolt is NOT interchangeable with other rifles even within the same model. This information is printed on a plastic warning label that protects the disassembled bolt which is part of the shipping box from Savage. The same information also appears in the owners manual; available in PDF format from the link in the References. The warning reads:

Caution: Bolt assemblies are specifically matched to a firearm. Before installing the bolt, verify that the 4 digits engraved by the extractor match the last 4 digits of the serial number. Using any other bolt assembly may cause extensive damage to the firearm and/or serious injury to the shooter or bystander.

The caliber of choice for most Sniping applications is the 7.62x51mm NATO round more commonly known as the .308 Winchester. The ballistics of this round are superior at longer distances to the other caliber offered for this rifle, the 5.56 x 45 mm NATO commonly known as the .223 Remington.

Current models

Savage 10FP Model Types
Model No.	Caliber	Overall Length	Barrel Length	Weight	Stock (with studs)	Sights
10FP	.308 Win. .223 Rem.	40" 44"	20" 24"	8½ lb (3.9 kg)	Black synthetic	Drilled & tapped for scope
10FLP Left-handed	.308 Win. .223 Rem.	44"	24"	8½ lb (3.9 kg)	Black synthetic	Drilled & tapped for scope
10FP Choate	.308 Win. .223 Rem.	43¾"	26"	11¼ lb (5.1 kg)	Black synthetic Choate adjustable stock w/accessory rail	Drilled & tapped for scope
10FP Folding Choate	.308 Win.	40.25"	20"	10½ lb (4.8 kg)	Black synthetic Choate folding stock w/accessory rail	Drilled & tapped for scope
10FP McMillan	.308 Win.	46.5"	26"	10 lb (4.5 kg)	McMillan fiberglass tactical stock	Drilled & tapped for scope
10FP HS Precision	.308 Win.	43¾"	24"	10 lb (4.5 kg)	Black synthetic HS-Precision tactical stock	Drilled & tapped for scope
10FPXP HS Precision	.308 Win.	46.25"	24"	11 lb (5.0 kg)	Black synthetic HS-Precision tactical stock	Leupold® 3.5-10x40mm black matte scope with Mil Dot reticle and flip open lens covers, Farrell Picatinny Rail Base, Harris bipod and Storm™ heavy duty case included.

Usage

The Savage 10FP is a popular rifle for varmint hunting and rifle shooting sports because of its relatively low-cost and good accuracy. It's also the official rifle for the New York State Police Rapid Response Team.

External links

• Review of the 10FPXP-HS
• AccuTrigger review by Dick Metcalf in Shooting Times
• Official Savage 10FP product page
• Official Savage 110FP product page