Well, I found a like new Savage Model 10fp 223 with 20" heavy bbl for $300

I've been looking to purchase a varmint/target rifle, pretty much am steering to the Savage w/Accutrigger by all the posts made here.

Anyway, what can I expect from this rifle with the shorter bbl ?

If I purchase, I would want to put a Boyds Target/Varminter stock on it (about another $100)

Any comments re: this as well ?

Thanks

As far as the rifle it's self, the 10FP's are VERY accurate. The 20" as apposed to 24-26" barrel will lose you some velocity, and add to the blast fairly substantially. I am a firm believer in the the answer of "It depends". However, with a NEF 223 I had(yes I did chop it to bits) you can expect to see about 50-80fps per inch that you hack off.
Now that isn't written in stone, just what that paticular gun did.