Savage Model 12 Varminter .22-250 Rifle

Description

Picture this: you’re on a Missouri farm at first light, coffee in hand, watching a distant woodchuck mound. You need a rifle that can reach out and touch it with surgical precision, shot after shot, without breaking the bank. That’s the exact scenario the Savage Model 12 Varminter Low Profile .22-250 Rem, 26″ Stainless Barrel, Det Box Mag, Laminated Stock, 12″ Twist, 4rd is built for. It’s a dedicated, no-frills tool for the serious varminter or target shooter who prioritizes barrel time over bling.

The Savage Model 12 Varminter Low Profile is a bolt-action rifle chambered in the flat-shooting .22-250 Remington cartridge. It features a 26-inch stainless steel barrel with a 1:12 twist rate, a detachable box magazine holding 4 rounds, and is housed in a laminated wood stock with a low-profile design for stable shooting. This rifle is engineered for extreme accuracy at long range on small targets, offering a high-performance platform at a practical price point of $995.54.

Let’s talk about where your money goes. The heart of this system is that long, 26-inch stainless steel barrel. The extra length lets the .22-250’s fast-burning powder fully convert to velocity, squeezing out every last foot-per-second for a laser-flat trajectory. Stainless resists corrosion better than blued steel—a real plus for those damp Missouri mornings. The 1:12 twist rate is optimized for stabilizing lighter varmint bullets in the 40-55 grain range, which is exactly what you want for turning prairie dogs and groundhogs into pink mist at 300+ yards. The barrel is also free-floated, meaning it doesn’t touch the stock, which is a key accuracy feature you’d pay extra for on many other rifles.

The laminated stock isn’t just for looks. It’s made from layers of wood and resin pressed together, making it far more stable and resistant to warping from humidity than a standard walnut stock. The low-profile design means it sits lower in a front rest or sandbag, reducing muzzle jump and improving your sight picture for faster follow-up shots. The detachable box magazine is a huge practical upgrade. It makes unloading safe and easy, and you can carry a spare loaded mag for quick reloads in the field. Here’s the thing—this rifle is drop-in ready. You can take it from the box to the bench, mount a scope on the pre-drilled and tapped receiver (we recommend a sturdy model like a Vortex Viper PST Gen II or similar for this caliber), and start shooting tight groups. No gunsmithing required.

Specifications

Spec	Detail
Caliber	.22-250 Remington
Barrel	26″ Stainless Steel, 1:12 Twist
Overall Length	Approx. 46.5″
Weight	Approx. 9.5 lbs
Magazine	Detachable Box, 4-Round Capacity
Stock	Laminated Wood, Low Profile
Action	Bolt Action

Pros: The accuracy-per-dollar ratio is exceptional. The stainless barrel and laminated stock offer great durability for the price. The detachable magazine is a functional luxury. The rifle is purpose-built for long-range varminting right out of the gate. Cons: At nearly 10 pounds, it’s not a rifle you’ll want to carry all day. The .22-250 is a barrel-burner if you shoot it hot and constantly—it’s for precision, not plinking. The trigger, while good, is the Savage AccuTrigger which some purists prefer to upgrade.

So who is this rifle for? It’s for the farmer protecting livestock, the dedicated varmint hunter who measures success in hits per box of ammo, and the budget-minded precision shooter looking for a solid foundation. It’s not a lightweight hunting rifle for whitetail, and it’s not a tactical platform. It’s a specialized tool that does one job very well for under a thousand dollars. This model is available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide, with an FFL transfer required for firearm purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What scope base does this rifle use?

A: The Savage Model 12 uses a standard Savage short action round receiver pattern. It is pre-drilled and tapped. Popular two-piece bases from brands like Weaver or EGW will fit, or a one-piece Picatinny rail for maximum flexibility.

Q: Is the .22-250 Remington a good choice for coyotes?

A: Absolutely, it’s a classic coyote cartridge. With the right bullet choice (like a bonded or controlled-expansion varmint bullet), it’s extremely effective at long range. The flat trajectory makes hitting a running coyote at distance more manageable.

Q: Can I shoot heavier bullets with the 1:12 twist barrel?

A: The 1:12 twist is ideal for bullets up to about 55 grains. Heavier bullets like 60 or 65 grain may not stabilize properly, leading to poor accuracy. Stick with the lighter varmint bullets for which this rifle and cartridge are designed.

If you need a rifle that delivers benchrest-level performance for varmint control without a custom price tag, the Savage Model 12 Varminter is a compelling choice. Check availability and pricing on our site.