Savage 14 AC 7-08 major accuracy issues...help

[keeki]

" I am hoping that the problem will be resolved when the 1 in 9.5" twist barrel is put on the gun. "

Good decision you will not regret.

[barrel-nut]

Again, as I explained in post #17, the reason the 139 gr GMX didn't stabilize well is that it is VERY long for its weight due to its lead-free construction. Remember, stability is dependent on velocity, bullet diameter, bullet length, and barrel twist. A short 140 gr bullet like the Core-lokt is easier to stabilize, even though it's moving slightly slower. If you could push the core-lokt a couple hundred FPS faster, it just might give you the results you want, but I doubt that could be done safely pressure-wise.

I agree completely about the 30-06 150 Core-lokts working very well in Remington rifles. They are as accurate as any other factory ammo, and better than most. The terminal effects are devastating too.

[sav101]

The rifle returned from Savage last week with a new 1-9.5 twist barrel. I checked it with the swab down the barrel, at the gunshop, just to be sure.

Unfortunately, when I opened the box and took out the gun the first thing I notice is a gouge in the forearm near the magazine well. Upon further inspection I found a dent near the pistol grip and the checkering on the bottom of the forearm was flattened like it was scraped across a table edge. There was also the residue of the savage logo sticker on the stock which had collected dust. I took that sticker off my gun and cleaned the residue off with Rem oil, and oiled and cleaned the entire gun. This gun was covered in dust.

So, to make it short, I am now returning the stock to Savage for a replacement. I dont know what is going on with Savage or Davidsons but this is ridiculous.

[Trent]

So they gave you someone else's stock?

Does the serial number match your original serial? Maybe they sent you the wrong gun all together.

[sav101]

The serial number matches, the stock was beat up somehow. Savage said they no longer make or have a stock like the one that was on the gun, the stock has been redesigned and the replacement they have is different from the original.

[GaCop]

GaCop,
I'm pretty sure you handload, but I'll ask anyway on behalf of the OP- Do you know of any 120 gr factory loads for the 7-08? The only one I found, and I just found it only minutes ago, is this:
Hornady® Custom Lite Rifle Ammunition
120 gr SST
On sale on Cabelas website now for $21.99.
This is the only 120gr of the 13 loads Cabelas lists for the 7-08. The rest are 140 and up.
Sav101, you may want to give these a try. I really think this would help.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Ammunition/Rifle-Ammunition/pc/104792580/c/104691780/sc/104532480/Hornady-Custom-Lite-Rifle-Ammunition/1229641.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshoo ting-ammunition-rifle-ammunition%2F_%2FN-1100190%2B4294751911%2FNe-4294751911%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104532480%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104792 580%253Bcat104691780%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_st ype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104792580%3Bcat104691780%3Bcat10453 2480


Sorry, haven't looked at this posting in a while. Yes, I handload and haven't used factory ammunition in many years. Off hand, I don't know of a source for 120 gr factory loads.

[gotcha]

Sav101 , I'm not familiar w/ your particular stock configuration. But, you might find a replacement at Numrich arms. Nice to hear Davidsons backed you up even if Savage wouldn't. Sorry you had such a hassle getting it all resolved.

[RKG]

If you removed the barreled action from the stock (say, to adjust the Accu-Trigger), be sure you re-installed it using the proper procedure:

Drop the barreled action into the stock.

Start the action screws just far enough to catch threads; be sure you have the screws properly oriented (they are not the same length).

Holding the barreled action in the stock with your left hand, lift the rifle out of the rifle vice (or rest) so that the muzzle is pointing up and the butt plate is on the bench.

Apply moderate pressure on the barrel so as to force it aft (toward the butt plate).

Tighten the front action screw to about 30 in-lb.

Tighten the rear action screw to about 20 in-lb.

Now check that the barrel is free floating, and then check that the tang is free floating. Savage usually does a good job floating the barrel, but it is not uncommon that some relief of the stock may be needed to fully float the tang.

If you have to remove the barreled action to open either the barrel channel or the tang relief, re-install using the above procedure.