Savage FTR 308 win help

[supergolfer18]

Anyone here that has shot the model 12 FTR in 308 win care to share what load they used when using the 175 SMK? I am having all kind of troubles getting this to shoot.

Using Lapua 2x fired cases
Varget
175 SMK
Tula KVB7 primers

Been attempting OCW but not having any luck at all

First attempt from 41.9-44.0 gr
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q138/astone6/ab45abb5-8311-4dc6-bb76-2876cb412ddb.jpg (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/astone6/media/ab45abb5-8311-4dc6-bb76-2876cb412ddb.jpg.html)

Second attempt focusing on 42.8-43.4
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q138/astone6/09fb6afe-9a32-406a-b3ff-ef66f1b03877.jpg (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/astone6/media/09fb6afe-9a32-406a-b3ff-ef66f1b03877.jpg.html)

Third attempt to work higher to see if 43.4 was just getting into accuracy node. The answer to that was a big NO. Worked from 43.4-44.6 gr
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q138/astone6/b07ecd27-2e21-4347-a8d0-4ba85e0e2a2d.jpg (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/astone6/media/b07ecd27-2e21-4347-a8d0-4ba85e0e2a2d.jpg.html)

[stangfish]

You have a 12 twist barrel. Try the 155 palma's or some 168's

[Topsail]

Might need some action screw tuning.
http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/savage-action-screw-torque-tuning/
Mine shoots 155 Noslers well with IMR 4064.

[Jetpig]

I would second IMR 4064 and maybe a bit lighter pill. Mine is a 7mm-08, not 308 but it seriously rocks with 4064. I am also not a Varget lover. I have always found powders that performed better across several calibers.

[missed]

I'm running 43 grains of Varget with a 30 thou jump. But a 10" twist 24" barrel.

[jonbearman]

Are your bullets factory freash or pulled bullets? The reason for asking is my friend bought the pulled bullets and they dont shoot well at all.

[missed]

I'm shooting pulls right now and they shoot awesome.

[earl39]

I tried Varget in mine with less than stellar results. Changed to BLC-2 an get MOA or less at a grand with 175MK's. Not home so I don't have the load with me but for me Varget flat sucked. The flip side is that the guy I sold the remainder of what I had said it shot just fine. Long story short change powder.

[wbm]

I would second IMR 4064

Me too. Start with 41.5gr IMR-4064 with the 175 Sierra. All the 308's I have had would shoot that load.

What don't you like about the 43.1gr Varget Load? Looks pretty promising to me.

[supergolfer18]

Not liking any because the charges above/below any given load is not printing same POI. I am doing an OCW test. I need my load to work very close no matter if it is 88 degrees or 75.

These are factory fresh bullets from Midsouth

Just seen too many rifles shoot this bullet/powder combo well that mine would be the one that didn't like it. 1-12" should be fine as Berger goes up 185 with 12 twist

Berger and JBM states I am just above 1.6SG, so it is stable

[stangfish]

Berger and JBM states I am just above 1.6SG, so it is stable

I have seen it done and was aware they said that. I have also struggled to the point of giving up on heavies in the 12 twist. Then I decided to do what many told me to do and go to 155's. The results were impressive. So, and this is just me speaking my mind, what works on paper can often be dificult in the real world. It wouldn't hurt to try something different would it?

[supergolfer18]

wouldn't hurt but will now have to try to find some light bullets to try

[mugsie]

You need to perform a ladder test. There is plenty of info on how to conduct one, but basically, work from min charge to max charge in 2 grain increments. Try to shoot at 300 yards if possible. You will find a few charges where they all strike at a similar elevation. Do not worry about windage, it is elevation that matters. Once you find a group all about the same el, then break that down in half grain increments and you'll find your rifles sweet spot. This is the best way and quickest method to find an accurate load.

[homefrontsniper]

god people get some 155 scenars or 155.5 bergers and some imr xbr 8208 . lapua brass and jam them suckers hard. Get them up to 3000 m.v. or more.. All to ez. ( As lord vader said to luke )

[supergolfer18]

Only have 200 yard range. No 8208 either. Only Varget

[Dennis]

I wore out a 12 twist barrel, 28" long with 190 Berger VLD's.

It also shot 155.5 & 168's very well.

PM me if you want more info, or send your email and I will send pictures of my targets.

I shot many matches with the 190's.

Dennis

PS: I just looked at my target pictures. My 12 twist liked 155.5 and 190's the best, 168 smk's did pretty well also, but this barrel definitely like the Berger VLD 190's the best.

[supergolfer18]

have no idea about this rifle:frusty:

Did more testing and worked up to a good seating depth, and then tried shooting an OCW and got similar results. Top left was 42.5 and worked up to 44.0gr. I thought I was onto something when first shot of 43.4 hit same POI as the 43.1 group. But then it threw the last 2 low right. So proceeded to shoot 43.7 and once again it put first shot same POI as the previous 2 charges. But then again as you can see it threw the next 2 shots. But 43.1 shot a mid 2 group. So just to see I loaded some up and they shot like a shotgun this morning. Everything on rifle is tight and scope is good. Charges were weighed to the single kernel and everything was the same. Conditions were almost identical too
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q138/astone6/DSC_0627.jpg (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/astone6/media/DSC_0627.jpg.html)
Just am not seeing how it could be the bullet not being stable...... I thought this gun was suppose to competition ready out of the box