Precise, possibly... Precision, probably not

sulisa

sulisa

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Good afternoon guys,

Finally got my new Savage 25 Thumbhole .223 to the Range today. Ran a few different loads through the Chrony, before getting bored and blew the rest of them for groupings. 100yds is way too short for load development, but the short distance certainly gave me a boost to the ego!

So 100yds, on a bipod, on a table, butt into the shoulder, and supported by the left hand. multiple loads of Hornady V-Max 60gr, with Varget, down a 1:9 twist factory barrel. Accutrigger is tuned down to min (2.5 pounds, for a Savage 25). Bushnell Banner - I hope the Precision Forum doesn't automatically censor the word "Bushnell Banner" :) 6-24x40.

Next test, I think, will be 200-300yds, on a VERY solid rest (I'll custom build something, and weigh it down with 50 pounds of sand :) It's one thing to be able to shoot bipod and elbows supported, but I'd love to see what this rifle can really do "out of the box"

I know this doesn't really fit into the Precision Forum, but god help me, this could get me hooked on yet another fun facet of shooting!

Squares show point-of-aim (I adjust the scope a bit after these), and numbers show max center-to-center distance in a grouping. Yes, I know three shots is not enough for a grouping, but this was originally supposed to be a Chrony/Ladder exercise.)

Clearly this rifle already shoots better than I can aim :)

Any suggestions appreciated, of course.

Savage_Target_02_resized.JPG

Savage_Target_03_resized.JPG
 
I have had the same experience with 4 Savages so far.

2 Stevens 200's(.270. and .223) both shot half MOA

1 Savage 11 in .308 shot MOA with factory stuff, and was my first rifle so no reloads, and I was a noob.

And I just bought a Savage 12BVSS and it shoots under an inch with American Eagle Tactical trash. I have some handloads ready to go if I could find the right day.

Gotta love Savage!
 
You are on your way to a savage addiction my friend. Now its time to tune the barrel. I have tuned savage factory sporter barrels into the 3's with some good luck and match bullets. Your .464 group group appears to be a fine "node". try 0.1 up, one the same and 0.1 below that one at 200 yards and see what you get. You may be surprised and keep them well under an inch at that range. Dont be worried one bit about the scope, my $100 tasco got me started in the F class game and is still keeping me there. Just don't make your expectations too high on it. And then spend your $ on sending lead down range to learn the wind. Well done.
 
Great advice. I was wondering if any of these groupings were flukes or if I had hit the barrel vibration, stabilization spin and velocity, and had my tongue touching the back of the correct tooth... We'll try a set of loads around that node, and see what we can come up with out farther.

These Hornady V-Max 60gr have a flat bottom, and are fairly long... I'd like to try a couple more makes/models. I'm looking at this from two directions - one, as a varmint rifle, and two, for longer range target (I'd love to get to the point that I have to learn to call Wind :)

Thanks
 
Always look for horizontal groupings as your friend. I also leaned towards the tiny group, but because of vertical I leaned towards the slower load. Wouldn't hurt trying that one too at longer range.

You will note that flat base bullets stabilize easier in short range to 300m. You may want to look into the heaviest VLD bullet best suited to the twist rate on your barrel for the long range game. Sierras and Bergers get the nod from a lot of folks. Good luck!
 
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