Savage Model 12 Palma

[Pietro Panama]

Bought NIB 1:13 twist for 600 YD competition. Desperate for guidance: cannot get to group---very frustrated.
This rifle supposed to be 155g shooter.
have tried Varget up to 46.0g behind 155g B155VLD, B155Hybrid, Lapua 155 scenars, Sierra 155 HPBT, Sierra 155 Palmas--------trying to find THE bullet----no conclusive results. Today shot B155VLD at +.002 into lands, at lands, -.002, -.004,-.006, -.008 with 46.0g Varget-----no groups? Had thought 46.0g Varget was the sweet spot??? Chronos at 3050 with low ES.
have also tried Winchester 760 with 47.0g---various bullets.
seemed like some success with 150s.

still looking for a direction.

if anyone has experience with this specific rifle, please help.

[Code4]

Try < 150's.

[Troymn]

What size groups are you getting? What MOA@yardage is your goal?
Improving on 3 MOA I can help, improving 1/2MOA I can not help.
Troy

[Pietro Panama]

Troymn: getting 2+ MOA. Want 1/2MOA.

[Troymn]

Did you recheck your scope bases and rings? Screws tight AND not bottoming out? Have you tried a back up scope? I am new to savages but I read several posts about the importance of having a floated "tang". Barrel is floated? Actions screws torqued?

If you have tried over 4 loads (which it sounds like you tried several more) and groups are 2+ MOA I would re-look at the basic rifle components.
Hope something I said may help
Troy

[Pietro Panama]

Can you call me at 918-630-9478.

[Troymn]

PM sent

[dcloco]

Are you starting at 46.0 Varget and 47.0 of 760? Or working up loads?

Google "Audette Load Ladder" and "Modified Audette Load Ladder".

EVERY barrel is different.

Is your loaded round runout less than 0.001? If not, start there AND use the load ladder method.

[supergolfer18]

from almost everything I have seen you should be jumping those bullets. Just about all info points to 15-45 thous jump from touch. I am going through similar issues although my model 12 FTR is grouping around 1" and wanting 1/2". I am making a big change of different powder and switching bullets.

I also am going to try the Savage action screw torque setting test to try to hone in the setting that "tunes" the rifle


I would pick a mild shooting load, since you have worked up to 46 and would shoot groups at -15, -20, -25, and -30 and so on(jumping the bullet/seating deeper in the case) and find where your rifle shoots the smallest group.(***watch for pressure as you will be seating the bullet closer to the powder than you are being into the lands***). Once you find the seating where it shoots best then go back and try your powder charge work up in 0.3 gr using Dan Newberry OCW method or a ladder test shot =300 yards or further out

[MrMajestic]

Try some IMR 4064. How was the break-in, done yet? Some of the factory tubes can be stinkers to get smoothed out. Try some Tubbs lapping bullets. Just brainstorming here......

[jonbearman]

Have you tried federal gold metal match through this gun?Untill you can be sure it wont shoot commecial ammo you wont know if it shoots the way it was intended.If you have to send it back dont tell them you shot handloads.

[missed]

My experience with Sierra bullets is they like to jump. My 175g SMK 308 load jumps 40 thou.

I would first load the minimum powder load and load 3 at it 3 at 0.5 grain more, 3 at 0.5 grain more....till your at max load. See what groups best out of that. You may be hitting them hard enough that it has the barrel harmonics jacked up

Like said above check your runout, scope/sight bases, action screws torqued? . Do you have another rifle to shoot to see if it may be your technique ?

[Pietro Panama]

Thank you all for your inputs. To elaborate on some of your recommendations:
Checked scope base, rings, pic rail. All seemed OK, except TPS clamp ring nuts were not loose, more than finger tight, but not as tight as tight as they should be. Tightened.
Disassembled stock, cleaned mounting surfaces, retorqued to 30in-lb, and will retorque rear as a I shoot again.
Use Hornaday device to measure to lands, and set jump from that number.
Use Wilson seater---so runout should not be issue.
Neck size with Forster shoulder bump sizer with .337 bushing.
Leupold 8-25 Varmint scope, TPS rings, picatinny 4 screw base. Reseated ring bolts up against rear surface of pic notches.
Primer pockets reamed, flash holes chamfered, Lapua brass, Thumler cleaned.

Went to range yesterday, but turned around and went home. TOO many AR-15 Walmartians that got guns for Christmas.

Next step:
Shoot 6 groups of 5-B155VLD loaded from -.002 to -.020 with Varget 46.0g-3050fps to see if those scope rings were the issue.
I am thinking that I am pushing my load too far, based on comments on blog plus friend who says to get down to 2800fps--away from max. I thought speed was good, but he says not always? Going to go back to 44.0g start load, 44.5, 45.0. 45.5, 46.0--------got thru sequence again, and refresh conclusions.

Might also explore Winchester 760 powder again.
Might also try 150g bullets again. Someone told me I would do better with 155g, but was doing reasonably well before I switched. Suspicious of my 1:13 twist 30" bbl.

Have to figure this out before I go insane.

Not usually a forum type, but appreciate your thoughts.

[missed]

With that being a new barrel speed will not be your friend. My flcp-k did not like loads much over min powder loads when it was new, once I got ~100 ish rounds down the barrel I was able to speed them up more. Also is this your first Savage? My Savage barrels like it dirty, My 22-250 may as well be a shotgun with a clean barrel right now. But same thing only like 50 rounds down the barrel.

Armed walmartians now that is disturbing!!

[supergolfer18]

I was told by several shooters who know their stuff to load the 155 to a velocity of 2950-3050 fps. So it appears you are close. Also would not be afraid to jump more than 20.

I would load in 0.3 increments instead of 0.5gr