Great day at the range with my new Model 10 FCP and Bushnell DMR 3.5-21 scope

[Joe L]

I am very new to rifles. I bought an AR-15 several months ago and got hooked on long guns, although I am primarily an IDPA pistol shooter. Decided to look for a good .308 bolt gun to learn to shoot out to 500 yards just in case I wanted to compete in the local rather informal F Class matches at 540 yards.

So, over Thanksgiving, I bought a Savage model 10 FCP in .308. This rifle has the Accutrigger, Accustock, 24" fluted barrel with a muzzle brake, detachable magazine. I bought an inexpensive 20 MOA rail and installed my Nikon M-223 2-8x scope from my only other rifle, a Stag Arms 2-T AR-15 and shot the rifle. Good groups at about an inch at 100 yard, definitely limited by my experience with a bolt gun.

Decided to install a Bushnell 3.5-21x40 DMR scope with the G2DMR reticle and installed it this week and tried it this morning. While dialing in the new scope, I shot these two groups.

http://joelynch.smugmug.com/Firearms/Savage-Model-10/i-XPgWDnZ/0/M/AA084588-M.jpg

Wasn't all due to the scope, I'm learning to preload the bipod and to get behind the gun properly. The gun itself seems to be capable of very small groups.

After getting close at 100 yards, I went to the 500m range and was able to hit an 8" gong several times, but not all the time. I am one happy camper. This is my first bolt gun, first "good" scope, first couple of boxes of .308. Here is what the gun looks like with the new scope.

http://joelynch.smugmug.com/Firearms/Savage-Model-10/i-8MXn37W/0/M/AA084592-M.jpg

http://joelynch.smugmug.com/Firearms/Savage-Model-10/i-6TwFtmd/0/M/AA084590-M.jpg

I am definitely happy with the excellent Savage rifle. Shooter needs work.

Joe

[mattm0812]

Nice lookin' rifle.

Congratz.

[Joe L]

Another good day today with the new rifle and scope. I went back to the 100 yard range to check the zero. Sure enough it was off, which is why I had a 2 mil miss at 550 yards yesterday compared to the expected hold over. Turns out I had left the turret knobs in the unlocked position and shot the rifle and thrown the zero off. I did it again this morning and wasted 6 rounds until I realized what I had done. Once I locked the turrets after each correction, the change in impact matched the change in knob dial in. Newbie mistake. Gun/sight combination is excellent. Shooteer needs work. And a cheek rest.

Joe