Brass Weight Variations

[H4831]

Thanks all, I'll definitely check out the bedding... better call my buddy for his torque wrench...

The rifle's pillar bedded in a synthetic stock... would glassing it make that much difference?

I know nothing about bedding a plastic stock.

 

[savagefan]

3" is crazy for a Savage. Try 3 shot groups, 5 quick ones and the thin barrel bends a bit temporarily. Any Savage I've shot likes loads on the hot side.

 

[NorthernCX]

OK, just got back from the range; after sighting in 2 rifles and giving the wife a shooting lesson (she just got her first Rem 700 SPS in 7mm-08!!) I sent a few rounds through my Savage and the chronograph- things looked much more promising.

I loaded 50gr of Varget under Hornady 165gr BTSPs.. average velocity without pulling out the chrony again was around 2650 fps, best group about 2.5", there would be 2 touching and the third off; 10 rounds total, 3x 3-shot groups plus a 4-shot at the end.

Also 57gr. of H4350 under 168gr Nosler Ballistic Silvertips... best group 2" through a pretty warm barrel, 2880fps (no more than 20fps either side); same as before, 2 shots touching, third off; 6 rounds total, 2x 3-shot groups

Was pretty windy/gusty, and those groups could have been me- but it looks like my loads are not the problem; got the action screws torqued to factory spec, and the scope leveled and set up (now the groups more to where I set it to, anyway)- I had more ammo, and wanted to shoot more but the wind was getting terrible and trying to rain, but it looks like no reason I should have a repeat of last fall....