Free bore on 308 win 12VLP

[Yotewhacker]

Checking the free bore on my model 12 VLP to get an idea what length to seat my bullets, and I was shocked to find the lands so far out.
To touch the lands, I would have to load a Hornady 168 gr hpbt to an OAL of 2.941", which of course does not leave enough bullet shank supported in the case neck. In spite of the long bullet jump with standard coal, it has shot some .5 to .75 moa groups.

I would be curious to know if anyone else owning the same model 12 has measured their chamber. :-\
I checked one of my 10FP's and it is at least .100" shorter.

[MARK25-06]

i load mine 2.818" .020 jump hornady hpbt 168

[LG]

My 10 FP also has a lot less free bore than that. COAL to touch the lands is 2.815" with Hornady 168gr HPBT bulllet.

[RKG]

My 12 VLP measured out at 2.8053" +/-.0003" with a Sierra 168 MK just touching the lands. I have (for the moment at least) settled on 2.791", as these loads (42.2 RL-15; CCI LR; new Winchester brass) shoot better than I do.

While I'm no expert, I've measured a number of rifles for others. In general, the numbers you report are what I've seen with R-700s; I've never seen a Savage that long. I'd question your measurement.

[Yotewhacker]

My 12 VLP measured out at 2.8053" +/-.0003" with a Sierra 168 MK just touching the lands. I have (for the moment at least) settled on 2.791", as these loads (42.2 RL-15; CCI LR; new Winchester brass) shoot better than I do.

While I'm no expert, I've measured a number of rifles for others. In general, the numbers you report are what I've seen with R-700s; I've never seen a Savage that long. I'd question your measurement.

I agree, I will measure carefully again.

[Yotewhacker]

I talked to Savage this morning about what I perceive as excessive free bore in my barrel, and the customer service rep told me that Savage uses a longer free bore than most other firearms manufacturers. ???

That is not what I have learned from feed back, and reading other threads on this site. :-\

[lucy123]

My adams and bennett is 2.930. I am loading to 2.90.

[Yotewhacker]

My adams and bennett is 2.930. I am loading to 2.90.


What bullet are you loading to that length?

[Tightgroups]

That long of a free bore on a 308 doesent surprise me at all, a lot of 308s, and other large caliber factory chambers are that long and shoot quite well.
My non Savage, factory stock 308, when using 168g SMKs loaded to 2.800 OAL has about .100 jump, and it shoots under .5" consistently at 100, and has done less than half that at times. So dont necessarily think shortening it, or jamming the bullets will always improve the accuracy, it might, or it might not. Mine doesn't make any difference, except when there over 2.840, they wont fit in the detachable mag.
But with my 22 and 6MM BRs its a different story.
Mike

[darkker]

Yotewhacker,
MOST of my Savages have long throats, and both of my FP's have VERY LONG throats.
My 10FP loaded with 175 Gr SMK's won't touch until 2.928"!!!

[Yotewhacker]

Thanks for all of the replies, I don't think I will worry about the amount of freebore, and just load most of my bullets as long as the mag will allow. I think that my mag can take up to 2.925, but my 168 and 178 amax shoot best at 2.910