Savage Model 12 FTR - any tips on loading?

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cptchaos

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I am becoming familiar with F-class (TR) shooting and after having attended matches in which my ammo was 'just ok', need to work on getting a significantly accurate load that works well in windy conditions. I am presently trying 168 Sierra Matchkings, 185 Bergers, and 155 Sierra. So far, the best accuracy I have achieved is with factory Winchester Match ammo that I now use as the standard I wish to achieve and consistently maintain. (I can shoot 10 shot groups at 200 meters of less than 1")

I neck size, use Lapua brass, Federal Gold Match primers, and have R15, N150, IMR 3031, IMR 4895, and Varget on the shelf. I find an OAL of 2.815 seems to work better than 2.80. So far, I get the impression that the Savage likes 168 bullets the best but the BC makes them tricky to shoot in twichy wind conditions. I would like to get into a 'wind resistant' bullet if possible because I suck at reading wind.

Any words of wisdom out there?
 
The conventional wisdom is that you should try to get a heavy bullet with a high BC moving as fast as possible - I'd try and see where experimentation takes you with the 185's. As you know, I like the 175g SMK which out of a 1:12 tube may be a better option than the 185's if your gun has trouble stabilizing them.

You may also want to try what I did at V-Bulls: use a lighter bullet and make it really fly fast. YMMV :)
 
155.5 gr Fullbore Berger's. 46.0 gr of Varget .040" jump.
156 gr Lapua Scenar's 46.0 Varget, .020" off the lands.
155 gr SMK (new Palma) 46.0 Varget, .020" off the lands.
155 gr A-max, 46.0 Varget, .020" off the lands.
155 gr SMK (old Palma) 46.0 Varget, jumped, doesn't matter how far. 2.800" works.
155 Nolser J4 Competition, 46.0 gr Varget, .010-.020 off the lands.

All using Lapua cases and Federal 210(match) primers.
 
cptchaos said:
need to work on getting a significantly accurate load that works well in windy conditions.

I would like to get into a 'wind resistant' bullet if possible because I suck at reading wind.

Any words of wisdom out there?
Click to expand...

Higher BC will only lessen your margin of error slightly. If you miss the wind call......you miss the wind call.......BC will not make up for that.

Practice, practice, practice is what will give you the advantage in the wind. There is no "Wind resistant" bullet out there.

I have shot my 6BR against .284's (and variants) and watched the heavy 180grn VLD's hit 3's at 900m because the shooter missed the wind call, the BC of those heavy 180's may have stopped them from scoring a 2.

Shooting a .308 is even more ballistically challenged and requires a much keener eye on the wind, don't be afraid to make big holds when flags tell you that you have to.

I have held right out to the target edge on occasions, it's scary as hell, but it's rewarding when the target comes up with a 5 or a V on it.

I would stay away from the 168grn bullets, use the 155.5's or the 175's, find a load that works and learn to steer it.
 
Richard - you are a spoilsport: I was hoping to tell the OP at work tomorrow that I'd found some 'special super moly coated wind defeating bullets available at the special price of .....'. What next - you gonna tell people there isn't a Santa :)
 
next question...

My next question was to discover who had a sure fire wind reading machine with the ability to transmit corrections to the scope. I better get my patent application in before nightforce beats me to it.

It does take a lot of nerve to hold off appropriately. It just doesn't feel right ;)

cheers... and thanks for the comments.
 
cptchaos said:
My next question was to discover who had a sure fire wind reading machine with the ability to transmit corrections to the scope. I better get my patent application in before nightforce beats me to it.

It does take a lot of nerve to hold off appropriately. It just doesn't feel right ;)

cheers... and thanks for the comments.
Click to expand...

Too late, Zeiss (or one of the big Euro scope makers) has beat you to it AND you may actually be able to see one before us civies do.

Isrealis apparently have a vectoring scope in development/use as well.

BUT neither will work as well as a competent wind reading shooter.

When I was blown all over the map at the westerns this summer, you get over the fear of holding off in a big hurry.

Upon arrival on Thursday, all us new to the range stood there in horror as all the flags were moving in different directions INCLUDING UP and DOWN. I wish I had taken a picture - what a gong show.

I was lucky enough to get some practise time in. I shot 40 rds. That is FORTY rds at that 800m target. Only 3 rds actually went where I was expecting.

HELLO>>>>>

You can imagine that I had a rough go of it until by luck or divine intervention, I started to focus in on what actually mattered..

When you make a call that is full target left (yes, edge of the target stand) but chicken out and only hold 2 ring and blow out the other side into a 4 that you let go of trying to hold on anything resembling the center.

Then the next shot is full target stand the other side. Chicken out once again and blow out the other side with yet another 4. Fun times.....:bangHead:

My happiest shot was watching the others in my relay get some seriously wonky results and saying WFT, hold 7oclock in the 2 ring when my last shot was inside 5 ring at 9pm.

Came up a pinwheel V bull.

Pity it was only 1 shot w:h:

Jerry

Any of the bullets commonly used from 155 to 210 will work. Just a compromise of the recoil you want to enjoy and ease of tuning. The heavier you go, the better the ballistics but harder to drive consistently.

Articles on my website to help with load tuning. Enjoy and see you next season.

Let me know if you still want the cheekrest.
 
Tomochan said:
Richard - you are a spoilsport: I was hoping to tell the OP at work tomorrow that I'd found some 'special super moly coated wind defeating bullets available at the special price of .....'. What next - you gonna tell people there isn't a Santa :)
Click to expand...

WHAT!?!?! No Santa????
 
Good story Gerry

If nothing else, I can empathize with you. That hold-off stuff feels weird and weirder but as you say, it works once you figure it out. I am looking forward to next year already and have a leg up already because of that new design pod I bought from you. It works GREAT! My gun feels rock solid and I stay in battery very easily.

Cheers
 
cptchaos said:
If nothing else, I can empathize with you. That hold-off stuff feels weird and weirder but as you say, it works once you figure it out. I am looking forward to next year already and have a leg up already because of that new design pod I bought from you. It works GREAT! My gun feels rock solid and I stay in battery very easily.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Glad the pod is working for you. A few more gentle tweaks and the design will be finalized. Yes, it does work well and tracks true.

More info to follow.

tigrr, due to pressure from other nations, the bullet weight rule for FTR was lifted a few years back.

That is what has driven the development of 90gr 22cals and up to 210gr in the 308.

Jerry
 
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