How much influence does free floating have on accuracy?

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Loki610

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I just got a new Savage 25 in .223 and was expecting decent groupings right out of the box, instead I was hardly able to get a 3" group at 100 yards!

The sling studs on the front were in soo deep the barrel was resting on them and when I adjusted them to work properly the barrel was firmly resting on the wood at the tip of the stock. I added a washer under the front bedding block and now I have 1/16" of clearance all the way back to the action. I havent had a chance to shoot since but will hopefully be able to get out tonight if the rain quits!

Would an issue like this be capable of throwing accuracy off that much?

I was shooting winchester white box 55 grain FMJ. Twist rate is 1 in 9. Scope mounts are all tight and scope is brand new and professionaly mounted.
 
Also make sure your scope mounts and rings are locked down 100% as well.

Savage 25 doesn't have the most potential for accuracy out of the Savage lineup but 3" groups are a little out of control.
 
That would have a big impact IMO. Until you free float the barrel and bed the action (ditch the washers under it :) ) you won't be able to find out it's potential.
 
Not to be negative but your money would have been better spent on an Axis or Stevens 200 which are upgradeable. The model 25 has got to be the worst Savage has to offer. It is basically a throw away once it is shot out.

Get some sandpaper and a dremel and get the barrel channel opened enough all around the barrel so that it is not touching any of the stock. You should be able to slide a $ bill under the barrel from forend of stock right to the action. Hopefully that will help.

Next step is to bed it after that.

Good luck.
 
Here's the groups I've been getting. I'm gonna try different factory loads tomorrow if I can get to a shop before closing time.

2012-05-23193007.jpg

2012-05-23193012.jpg
 
Just so you know, I have a Savage 12 BVSS that shoots 1/3 moa and has had better groups, but shoots win white box, 4 shots 3.5+ inches. I am using the remainder for fowlers. So I don't think its the guns fault. Cheers Roscoe
 
Loki610 said:
I just got a new Savage 25 in .223 and was expecting decent groupings right out of the box, instead I was hardly able to get a 3" group at 100 yards!

The sling studs on the front were in soo deep the barrel was resting on them and when I adjusted them to work properly the barrel was firmly resting on the wood at the tip of the stock. I added a washer under the front bedding block and now I have 1/16" of clearance all the way back to the action. I havent had a chance to shoot since but will hopefully be able to get out tonight if the rain quits!

Would an issue like this be capable of throwing accuracy off that much?

I was shooting winchester white box 55 grain FMJ. Twist rate is 1 in 9. Scope mounts are all tight and scope is brand new and professionaly mounted.
Click to expand...

Just a question, does the washer lift the front end of the action up and cause springing of the action between the front and the rear screw? Or torquing from the screws being misaligned?
 
The barrel resting on the studs is definitely bad. Now that that has been corrected I would remove the washer you put in then shoot a couple of groups.

Forend pressure is not necessarily bad and increases accuracy on many guns.
 
RoscoeP said:
Just so you know, I have a Savage 12 BVSS that shoots 1/3 moa and has had better groups, but shoots win white box, 4 shots 3.5+ inches. I am using the remainder for fowlers. So I don't think its the guns fault. Cheers Roscoe
Click to expand...

Thats good to hear!
I'm just frustrated cause I can shoot 1 MOA or better with my .270 that cost half as much!

I also shaved down the barrel channel and removed my attempt at a spacer
 
looks like you have a few variables. I have a match grade rifle that shoots 4 inch groups with the wrong ammo.

Barrel pressure, often affects accuracy, and on the rare occasion improves it. Consistent pressure from shot to shot, often does not have a SIGNIFICANT affect.

Fortunately freefloating your barrel is simple, and so is trying new ammo. Don't forget a little wipeout in the bore may help a lot as well.

Hope you get it figured out.
 
I went and bought a box of Hornady Varmint express in 55 grain Vmax and hit the range between rain storms.
Fired 3 rounds of white box 55grain FMJ to start and got this
2012-05-24153939.jpg


Then fired 5 rounds of hornady
2012-05-24153948.jpg

Even in my shaky frustrated hands I managed a 3/4 inch group! I feel so relieved now that its working right!
Now when I leave for my Vegas holiday tomorrow I wont be stressing out over the new gopher gun that couldn't hit a gopher!
 
I've had mixed results with that Winchester white box as well. Not saying I don't buy it, but you need to know whether your gun shoots well with it or not. Good to see you found your solution.
 
I'm sure that's a relief for you!

Since you have opened up the barrel channel don't forget to seal it with something like Varathane so it won't warp from absorbing moisture.

Now have fun with it!
 
LOL
My Savage 12 LRPV with a 1 in 9 twist also absolutely HATES that Win whitebox crapola. I was sighting in the SIII that usually tops my Lapua and it was getting frustrating as that ammo "patterned" as I personally cannot call a 4" gathering at 200yds a "group". Funny enough I switched to the 40gr Win Varmint wallyworld garbage and it was actually grouping! Much cheaper ammo still shot just for the brass but it shot consistent under an inch. Then it was time for the ladder test using 69gr Nosler Custom bullets and Varget and WHAMMY! Dumped 7 of 20 rounds in one ragged hole at 200, so needless to say I found the sweet spot. Its no myth that great rifles will just hate some ammo as I just lived it for the first time myself just last week. :cheers:
 
kmartel said:
LOL
My Savage 12 LRPV with a 1 in 9 twist also absolutely HATES that Win whitebox crapola. I was sighting in the SIII that usually tops my Lapua and it was getting frustrating as that ammo "patterned" as I personally cannot call a 4" gathering at 200yds a "group". Funny enough I switched to the 40gr Win Varmint wallyworld garbage and it was actually grouping! Much cheaper ammo still shot just for the brass but it shot consistent under an inch. Then it was time for the ladder test using 69gr Nosler Custom bullets and Varget and WHAMMY! Dumped 7 of 20 rounds in one ragged hole at 200, so needless to say I found the sweet spot. Its no myth that great rifles will just hate some ammo as I just lived it for the first time myself just last week. :cheers:
Click to expand...
My Rem 22-250 hates any bullet with a plastic tip , spent a lot on powder trying to get 52g hornady Amax to shoot , thay would key hole on the targets, didn't matter what powder charge , I switched to Hpbt's and it shoots under .5 moa. My Savage will shoot just about any bullet under .5 moa
but it really likes Bergers.
 
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