.338 Ladder test-Scope checks out post #72

Nah, my factory Savage '06 bought used did 1.5" @ 200yds with cheap Winchester ammo. The rifle that I mentioned before is a 350 Rem Mag Ruger 77mkII all weather (not Hawkeye) with a horrible trigger. My sweetheart 7-08 has a factory bbl and gets 3/4moa. groups as nice as 1.75"@300yds(avg was closer to 3"@300) which is still MOA.

The reason I braved this thread is switching powders is a relatively cheap test, though I know your projectiles aren't dirt cheap...but 20-30 rds with a different powder will cost less than a scope.

Willy
 
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I don't have the powders I would like to do that test and the dang nab powders are few and far between too!.I would sure like to try more.

Just eliminating everything I possibly can first here to ensure a solid rifle.

You are right, I haven't had a rifle give me this much grief before.

Nah, my factory Savage 06 bought used did 1.5" @ 200 with cheap winchester ammo. The riflr that I mentioned before us a Ruger 77mkII all weatger ( not Hawkeye) with a horrible trigger. My sweetheart 7-08 has a factory bbl and gets 3/4moa. groups as nice as 1.75"@300yds(avg was closer to 3"@300) which is still moa.

The reason I braved this thread is switching powders is a relatively cheap test, though I know your projectiles aren't dirt...20-30 rds with a different powder will cost less than a scope.

Willy
 
I do not mind eliminating potential problem areas of a rifle to isolate the issue. The catch is are you experienced enough to do a proper bedding job! There's more to it than most realize doing a poor job could make the problem worse or the same, making trouble shooting and isolating the issue futile.
 
Well all I got left is to verify the scope.Then if it is good and I get the same inconsistent results it will be a component change I guess.


I do not mind eliminating potential problem areas of a rifle to isolate the issue. The catch is are you experienced enough to do a proper bedding job! There's more to it than most realize doing a poor job could make the problem worse or the same, making trouble shooting and isolating the issue futile.
 
Is your rest solid?
Flinching?
Done a dry fire exercise?
Going down this same road as soon as I get my scope mounted on my Savage 110 FCP HS 338 Lapua magnum. I have 5 different bullets and 2 types of powder, H1000 and RL22 on hand to try. From the articles I read the two favorites this gun likes is Berger hybrid 300gr and 250gr lapua scenars. I have some of both.
Did I mention I hate recoil!!
 
Here is the shooting setup:



As I thought it may have been myself, I had someone else try a few groups.No change, I can usually tell when I have a missed or pulled shot.

The other threads I have on this test can show you some of the history.

I do lots of practicing without actually shooting to help myself.

I am guessing , but it is just that but with a different bullet I may have different results , I may try the Bergers once again also.

Is your rest solid?
Flinching?
Done a dry fire exercise?
Going down this same road as soon as I get my scope mounted on my Savage 110 FCP HS 338 Lapua magnum. I have 5 different bullets and 2 types of powder, H1000 and RL22 on hand to try. From the articles I read the two favorites this gun likes is Berger hybrid 300gr and 250gr lapua scenars. I have some of both.
Did I mention I hate recoil!!
 
Can be very frustrating for sure. One thing you can try is shooting prone. We have a rather beefy table at our range similar to the one pictured. I shoot almost exclusively prone on the dirt. One day the ground was a little mushy so I decided to use the bench. My groups opened up considerably (1-1.25 MOA). Thinking that maybe it was me, I jumped back down into the mud and shot more groups. They came right back down to 0.3-0.5MOA. Even the most solid rests have a small amount of play... Food for thought!
 
Hey Kelly, looks like you are a stubborn SOB, I like that! Range setup looks good, but, your pistol grip doesn't hit the bag does it? Can't be sure from this angle. If the "proper" powders aren't working for you try a faster one. I tried usual suspects, Retumbo, H-10000, US-869 but my best results where with RL-22. Go figure
 
No ,the grip does have clearance, I typically have my left hand back there to stabilize. The photo was taken just as I set the rifle down and getting ready to setup.

Yes you are right I can be stubborn(Ukrainian).I think my last try will be using SMK's before I jump ship on the powders.They have always shot more consistently for me.I'll do another ladder test with the Bergers also maybe, just cause I have them available.

No issues with the RL22???Consistency was alright?

Hey Kelly, looks like you are a stubborn SOB, I like that! Range setup looks good, but, your pistol grip doesn't hit the bag does it? Can't be sure from this angle. If the "proper" powders aren't working for you try a faster one. I tried usual suspects, Retumbo, H-10000, US-869 but my best results where with RL-22. Go figure
 
The next ladder test I would do if I were you would be 90.2, 90.4, 90.6, 90.8..... all the way to 92 in .2 increments using H1000. All at a 200 yd target. Thats were I am starting. All the reviews about our guns the sweet spot was in there. They also stated 15 thou off the lands was the winner too. Consistant case neck tension was a big factor with group size as well. I haven't found a 200 yd spot for load developement yet.

Bullets down the barrel?
copper fouling remover?
Savage barrel break in? ie shoot 1 clean, shoot 1 clean, 5Xs. Shoot 5 clean, 4 times. I have found Savage barrels like this process. Letting it cool between all sets.

Just had my chamber measured for case length. Bullet seating depth measured from the ogive. My friend has some cool measuring tools. Scope in installed but not tightened down yet.
One more load of wood and I settle down to load development. sigh!!!
Don't give up Kelly.
 
Ok, went out today with the SIII scope on top of my 7-08.

These tests were done only @ 100 yards.

I did a test to confirm tracking: Shoot and adjust to zero on each pair for a total of 8 shots.That looks good to me, actually impressed with the Sightron's tracking.

Also A 10 shot rapid group.This is very close to the best 10 shot groups I had previous done with the same rifle with my Conquest scope.

Here are this mornings targets:





I think I will order some SMK's as the next step, I don't want to bail on the H1000 just yet for the .338.
 
Hey Kelly, no issues with RL-22, SD is in single figures and speed is alright for short barrel on Salvage 110-B. Just my observation but sometimes a powder change can make all the difference. I have wasted a bit of time trying to get a favorite power/bullet to work in some guns. I never would have thought of RL-22 as a powder choice for 338 but noticed that it was one of four powders that Hornady used for their 285's.
 
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