Savage 12 f/tr - It's not me....

[higginsdj]

Today, shot at 300m with the Savage and my 155gn HBC handloads. Struggled to get the shots centered and only managed 46's in light wind the thing just peppered the 3 to X rings seemingly randomly.

Then tried my 168 Berger VLD handloads and this time I had no problems finding centre and managed a reasonable 51 using Kentucky windage.

Then I pulled my second hand Omark out of the case and shot it for the first time in 8 months and it had no trouble finding the centre - a 56.3.

So I think I can rule me out of the equation (yes?) In any case the Savage is now with the local gunsmith to get checked and bedded. But I think there is little doubt that the thing does not like 155gn pills....

Cheers

David

[Quick]

Can I ask what you load looks like and what load dev you have done?? But heck even at 300m, it should shoot better then that. I have heard they are touchy with the action screws. Have a look on accurateshooter.com and look up the savage action articles, theres a bit about tuning the action screws.

[Norm]

Check your barrel lock nut tension and also your rail screws.

[higginsdj]

No load development - just using a load I was recommended to start with (and it turned out to be the max load due to cratering of the primers). 155gn HBC, 45.5gn AR2208 seated to 15 thou off the lands. Brass was groups to +/- 0.3gn, Projectiles to same Ogive and +/- 0.1gn weight. COAL (Ogive) to +/- 0.002". The load it liked better was 168gn Berger VLD, 44.0gn AR2208 seated 15 thou off the lands. I figure with groups as large (and seemingly random) as the rifle is producing how am I going to rely on or even interpret a ladder test! I checked the action screws and torqued them per their (Savage Rifle teams) recommendations. Maybe because it is an F/TR, Savage was expecting loads with heavier pills!

The rifle is off with the smithy now so I will let him check it over, bed it and test its accuracy. I've got my Omark and it's shooting 1/4 MOA (with factory ammo - Win Palma) so I am happy. With luck the Savage's accuracy can be improved and I will worry about load testing then. I'm just happy it wasn't me (my shooting ability)

Cheers

David

[Quick]

45.5gr 2208 is sure a light load for 155gr IMO. What primers?

I would play around a bit more before right it off but some rifles just dont like certain projies. Try 155gr Palma SMK I reckon.

Just keep testing mate. Its all good fun

[higginsdj]

CCI200 and CCI BR2's. What projectiles are in the factory rounds - they aren't HBC's (and we can't get hold of Sierras locally at the moment)

[saum2]

A lot of us are using 46 + of 2208. Have you cronographed the load?

[DannyS]

An omark shooting 1/4 moa with factory loads? I want one

[Quick]

I think the other factory loads are the old #2155 SMK and/or Noslers (they did some something about having noslers in factory I think).

Mmm I understand you pain re Palma SMK availablilty. WARA said to me that we would be waiting until november for them at least.

[Barry Davies]

The 2156 Sierras' have been available in Vic for two or three weeks.

[Sambo]

The 2156 Sierras' have been available in Vic for two or three weeks.

Through the VRA? Or other gunshop?

[Brad Y]

45.8-46.2gr 2208 10 thou jam CCI450 primers in palma cases. Start low and work up.

[Barry Davies]

Sambo-- The VRA

[higginsdj]

An omark shooting 1/4 moa with factory loads? I want one

Its got a new match barrel (so I was told when I bought it). It kicks like a mule compared to the Savage but thats no doubt to being a lighter barrel than the Savage.

From my plot sheet it worked out to be an 0.19 MOA group of 6 shots with 4 "fliers" (3 in the 5 and 1 in the 4) or an 0.5 MOA group if I include all but the one in the 4 ring.

[higginsdj]

45.8-46.2gr 2208 10 thou jam CCI450 primers in palma cases. Start low and work up.

I'm cratering primers at 45.5gr jump. Is't jam and 45.8gr+ going to make the over pressure worse?