Range Report-First timer with BVSS .223

SBranson23

SBranson23

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Victoria, BC
My Savage BVSS-S .223 came in this week and luckily I made it to the PoCo range today.
On top is a Nikon Monarch III 6-24x50 with Burris Rings.

This is my first time with anything other than my 2 Lee Enfields since I was a kid and I don't know anyone into shooting so I only know what I've read here and elsewhere. .: Disclaimer off:.

I bought 7 types of factory rounds to try and I was quite surprised how different they were. Granted my driving is not stable enough for a real judgement but still I managed a couple good groups.
All shot at 100m. Front rest was a 4"x4" with a sandbag on top and no rear bag, just my fist.

After 30 minutes just trying to get the shots on paper (I had to shim the front of the scope with a piece of a Pepsi can), I ran the bore snake through and started with the 5 shot groups. I had a few surprise shots as I'm not used to the lighter trigger but here's what I got: (1-9 left to right top to bottom.)

Apparently this photo was not working on a PC only on my Mac.

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1. Federal Gold Medal 69gr.
2. Hornady V-Max 55 gr.
3. Hornady V-Max 40 gr. (one "surprise" shot, the other 4 are nice though)
4. Winchester (white box) 55gr.
5. American Eagle (fmj boat tail) 55gr. - eeks!
6. Remington UMC 45 gr.
7. Remington UMC 55 gr.

reshot the best again
8. Federal Gold Medal 69 gr. (4 round group as I only had 4 left)
9. Hornady V-Max 40 gr. (looks like a 4 shot group but it is a 5 unless one really missed bad. :p )
10. (orange sticker) Hornady V-Max 55 gr. (most satisfying group)

#3
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#9
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#10
Hornady%20VMAX%2055gr.JPG



I really noticed the occasional tendency to flinch in anticipation. Gots much to learn.
Anyway it was a blast and I made a good bunch of brass for the next step, reloading.

Good times!:D
 
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Nice job! Looks like you've taken to precision like a duck to water...

With practice and patients things will fall into place. Next is to get into reloading and those groups will shrink like a pair of jeans in hot water.
 
Hi glad you had fun. Why and where did you have to shim the scope with a Pepsi can? If it was under the front bell of the scope you may need higher rings. I am pretty sure at 100 meter you would never need to shim a scope. I hope I am understanding your situation correctly if not I apologize. Maybe you can post a picture of the scope set up. Can someone else comment?
 
When I took the first shot it didn't hit paper so I tried once more.. still no hole.
I tried bore sighting and it seemed VERY off so I set the magnification to 6x and shot at the berm at 200m. The shot was about 1 1/2 feet high and a half foot left. So I turned the knobs to bring it down and right. Well I bottomed out on the elevation with shots about 5 inches high.
So I took a pop can and used two layers and put them in the ring under the front and slightly to the right to, in effect, move the barrel down and right in relation to the scope.
It was just enough so I am near the bottom of the elevation range with lots of room for longer shots.

I do think I should switch to high rings though as I have less than 1/8" between the scope and the barrel.. little enough room that a butler cap won't fit without touching the barrel. I was getting some crazy mirage action by the end of the shoot.

Any suggestions on rings that are available in Vancouver?
 
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It was just at the end. I didn't really let the barrel cool much at all. Plus I had the scope at 24x. Like I said, I'm awfully new to all this so I really know nothing.
Guess I should read a book.. :p
 
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What type of base and rings are you using? If they are weaver style I would probably try switching front with back.The bases should be identical but the rings may have been machined just a hair off.
 
The base is PRI Precision Reflex and rings are Burris with the plastic inserts. I used the calipers to measure the plastic inserts but they are all the same. I guess I will measure the height of the rings as well. If it's the base that is off, I think I will shim between the base and the rifle instead of in the ring itself.
 
SBranson23 said:
The base is PRI Precision Reflex and rings are Burris with the plastic inserts. I used the calipers to measure the plastic inserts but they are all the same. I guess I will measure the height of the rings as well. If it's the base that is off, I think I will shim between the base and the rifle instead of in the ring itself.
Click to expand...

I've never used them but you can get offset inserts for the Burris rings which should take care of your issue. It seems a little strabnge that you can't get a 100m zero with a flat base.
 
fozzy said:
I've never used them but you can get offset inserts for the Burris rings which should take care of your issue. It seems a little strabnge that you can't get a 100m zero with a flat base.
Click to expand...

...+1

I'm awfully new to all this so I really know nothing.
Guess I should read a book..
Click to expand...

No grasshoppa, you should buy more ammo and practice more...;)
 
fozzy said:
I've never used them but you can get offset inserts for the Burris rings which should take care of your issue. It seems a little strange that you can't get a 100m zero with a flat base.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's what I thought. Maybe it's the scope? Unfortunately it's off the EE and an American model so no help from Nikon here. I asked because it came with a faulty turret I wanted to get replaced.
Maybe the base?

mikeelliot said:
buy a 22, when the barrel is hot, shoot the 22 :D
Click to expand...

I took my LE with me but some d*ck riddled the target I put up for it with holes before I got to it.
That's twice in as many trips to PoCo that someone's shot up my targets and it was the only one on that row so it's not a mistake. geez....

So how long between groups should I be waiting?
 
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The shim goes under the base not between the rings and the scope. With offset inserts you can change elevation and aslo use them to offset for windage to establish your zero.
I would switch to a higher base and keep the rings you have, but with offset inserts. Or go with a 20 MOA base that will be higher.
 
This is interesting. I have exactly the same problem with a savage 200 in 223 and an old tasco world class 3x9. I know the scope is good because
I have had it for many years. My rings are fairly low. I have removed and reinstalled the scope with the same result. I am using a one piece weaver base and some basic rings I had already. I was going to get another set of rings to see if that fixed the problem. I posted the problem here a couple weeks ago. I watch this post with interest to see what info comes forward.
 
Nice set-up! A local shop has the same gun for sale and it's been tough for me not to buy it lol. Already bought enough toys this year and need to start cutting back or I'll never buy the house I want lol

Hope you get that scope issue sorted out. How does the trigger on it feel?
 
Is ther anyone at your range with a little more experience who can help you? As another person suggested the shim should not be in the ring it should be under the base. those Burris inserts are great and you should not mark them up. Also there is no way you should not be able to zero at 100 yards. Did you purchase those rings new? Check the plastic inserts to make sure they are all the same. They should have a circle with numbers on the out side of the plastic, Look for the numbers 5, 10, 20. If they are not all the same them you have a set of shim inserts and that would tilt your scope up or down or left to right. Let us know how you make out. If you can take pictures of the inserts inside and out.
 
I will look at the inserts again. I did look at them and the number escapes me but they were all the same. I used the calipers and they all measured the same too. As far as shimming between the rifle and the base I only did it the other way as a quick fix so I could at least have a little fun at the range.
I will take everything off tonight and look at the base as well.

I think I may take the advice to get a slightly higher base and try that out.
Hopefully I can get to the range next weekend.

As far as other experienced people, I am a newbie so I don't know anyone there. Also I am moving to Vancouver Island in about 10 days so hopefully I can hook up with someone at the Malahat range who can give me a few tips.
 
That's good someone will take you under their wing and help you out I'm sure. We all had to start somewhere. You should try to join a club/range. Go to the meetings someone will help you. Good luck.
Also in your pictures your scope is too far back. The front ring is touching your front bell of your scope. This could cause you some trouble as well. you can not tighten the ring correctly.
 
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You may have an MOA base instead of a flat/zero base. That would explain that you are high at 100yds. Just measure and compare the thickness of the base front vs rear. Should also be able to see it tilted front low.

Since you already have the burris rings, return the base back to orig and use the offsets to shim the scope UP and center the windage. Get the shims with the 5, 10 and 20thou shims. You can shim both up and for windage by rotating the shims.

There is nothing wrong with the location of the front ring as shown in the pics. The ring halves are even and the front of the bushing it not squished. Looks like a nice scope.

With full down on your scope, having it hit at 100yds is easily resolved. You could leave the shim under the scope base but it would be stronger if you added some bedding compound too.

Either way, it will work and looks like you are well on your way to having a nice shooter.

Things to consider - bed that action as well as under the barrel nut. Freefloat the rest of the pipe.

Keep the brand and lot of brass separated. You are not likely to get great results by mixing all those headstamps. Keep each box of empties separate.

Odds are you will need enough brass that buying a new bag of 50/100 is a very small investment for improved accuracy.

Jerry
 
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