new build

[swadiver]

just finished my first bolt action build.



Savage Target action
Criterion 28" .308 bull contour barrel
XLR Industries Element chassis system
Murphy Precision stainless steel 10 moa scope base
Vortex precision matched scope rings
Sightron SIII 8-32 x56 scope

just finished break in and starting load development. already seeing 5 shot groups in the .3's, .4's, and .5's at 100 yards. think it's going to be a good shooter. Jim at Northland Shooting Supply supplied the barrel, recoil lug, barrel nut, action wrench, and spent lots of time helping me with the install. great place to work with. i probably going to get a .223 Criterion barrel from him in the near future

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06449_zpsucb6gzqu.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06449_zpsucb6gzqu.jpg.html)

[Rick_W]

Very nice!

[strut64]

Looks to me like you decided to go top of the line. I would like to see some targets.

[eddiesindian]

Roger that. Let's see some holes in paper. Nice.

[scooterf79]

Very nice! Looks awesome! Targets please.....😉
Scooter

[swadiver]

targets will be forth coming!! thanks for the comments. i had built a bunch of AR's before, but never a bolt action. once you have the proper tools, with the Savage system, it's pretty easy. I am going to take my original 10 FCP-SR action and Accustock and put a .223 Criterion barrel in it. probably go with a 1 in 12 twist to shoot the those light, very accurate 40 to 60 gr varmint and match flat base bullets. i love making bugholes! this will be a 100 to 200 yard gun. low recoil of course, so my wife will want to shoot it as well.

maybe some day, I will go the traditional route of buying a Krieger or Bartlein blank barrel and having it worked up by a smith. thing is, i am not sure i am a good enough shooter to see if the traditional route will provide more accuracy over these pre-fit barrels. that being said, some of the reviews of Criterion barrels i have read stated that their Criterions shot as well as their Kriegers or Bartleins.

[Kadams1563]

I too just ordered a Criterion barrel for my 6.5 CM build. The research I did showed me that I really wouldn't benefit from the much higher priced barrel blanks. I'm sire I'll will be happy with my pre fit.

[swadiver]

just finished my first bolt action build.



Savage Target action
Criterion 28" .308 bull contour barrel
XLR Industries Element chassis system
Murphy Precision stainless steel 10 moa scope base
Vortex precision matched scope rings
Sightron SIII 8-32 x56 scope

just finished break in and starting load development. already seeing 5 shot groups in the .3's, .4's, and .5's at 100 yards. think it's going to be a good shooter. Jim at Northland Shooting Supply supplied the barrel, recoil lug, barrel nut, action wrench, and spent lots of time helping me with the install. great place to work with. i probably going to get a .223 Criterion barrel from him in the near future

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06449_zpsucb6gzqu.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06449_zpsucb6gzqu.jpg.html)




getting some time on the new build and working with 168 gr and 175 gr SMK's with RE-15 and Varget. getting groups in the .3's, .4's, and .5's. pretty happy with the barrel. two issues, though. I may be having some scope issues. i am seeing some erratic groups and the scope is having focus issues. on one shot, it jumped completely out of focus and the shot went as a flyer. i checked the scope mounts and the scope base mount for tightness and tightened up the base a bit more. going give it one more try on tuesday, but it may be going back to Sightron. the other issue is, ME! i think the barrel will out shoot me. I have seen some 4 shot groups in the .2's.

some pics. all 5 shot groups at 100 yds. 168 SMK's and 175 SMK'shttp://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06453_zps0komnqmh.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06453_zps0komnqmh.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06454_zpsoygghuee.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06454_zpsoygghuee.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06455_zpsuyaqdn0o.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06455_zpsuyaqdn0o.jpg.html)

[yew plucker]

Now that is a rifle!

[zap]

I like it, ALOT, and great shooting !
If it is shooting that good off the get go, it will only get better. Have you tweeked the seating depth yet ? That will probably bring those groups in even tighter.
Also, you can tweek that 3rd action screw(front trigger gaurd) at 5" pound increments, to watch the groups tighten or go the other way.

[swadiver]

thanks for the comments. went out yesterday and tried some Berger 150 gr flat base bullets. i had used their 55 gr .223 bullets in my Krieger barreled AR, and they were amazingly accurate. I figured the .308 version might be a winner as well.

all i can say is WOW!! flat base and Berger seem to be a winning combo. won't be shooting these beyond a couple hundred yards i imagine, but for close range work, awesome

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06456_zpsa9okkacl.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06456_zpsa9okkacl.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06457_zps819m03fc.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06457_zps819m03fc.jpg.html)

I guess flat base bullets can be made very concentric more easily then boat tails, but the boat tails, "ride the wind" better so do better at the longer ranges. so far, it looks like these Bergers are my go to short range bullets and the 175 gr SMKs will do the longer range duty. like to try the Berger VLDs or the Hybrids but all the Bergers are SO pricey. looks like they are worth it though. these are the best 5 shot groups i have ever shot with any rifle. hope i can repeat them

[swadiver]

****! I have been hit by the bolt action build craze! I thought that i was hooked on doing AR's only!

seen above, i just finished my .308 build. i liked doing it so much and really like the results that i decided to use my now unused Savage short action to build up a budget .223 build. I like the caliber, easy to reload and accurate. i am also hoping to ween my wife off her Savage .17 HMR only shooting ( which she shoots awesome), to move on to some center fire action. she doesn't like big bangs and big recoil, so the .223 is perfect. here is the result:

1) Savage 10 Short Action (previously on a Model 10 FCP-SR .308)
2) modified Accutrigger (pull weight about 10 to 12 ozs)
3) Criterion .223 chambered, 26 in, heavy varmint contour barrel, 1 in 9 twist
4) EGW HD scope rail
5) Choate Tactical stock ( nice stock for 200 clams)
6) cheap 6-25x x56 UTG glass ( for now, looking at Nikon Monarch fine cross hair reticle scope in the near future)

this rifle is intended for bench rest shooting out to 300 yds (the longest range close by where i live). i have only fired 20 rds since break in, but already seeing .3 to .5 inch 5 shot groups at 100 yds. (55 gr FB Bergers and 69 gr SMK's). got to love Criterion barrels.http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06461_zpsbgavfxqn.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06461_zpsbgavfxqn.jpg.html)

[fgw_in_fla]

I see you pulled the sling swivels out of the stock. I just got one about a month ago & that was the only thing I didn't like about it. Aside from that, its comfortable and looks real mean with a fat barrel and a 5 port break on the end.

I'm still undecided which action / barrel will reside in the Choate stock. Decisions, decisions....
So far its been a 300 win mg, and a 30.06.

Nice looking toys you got there, kid.
Welcome to your new addiction.
Stick with us & you'll be frantically buying powder by the truck load and swapping barrels every 2 weeks.

[swadiver]

thanks for the comments!! addiction is right! having a lot of fun, though...... the Choate stock seems very good for the money. question. if you put a higher recoiling action in it, will you feel the need to bed it in anyway? the aluminum bedding block is supposed to allow you not to bed, correct?

ordered my Nikon 6-24 fine cross hair scope for this rifle

[fgw_in_fla]

I had mine set up for a 30.06 with hot loaded 180's. With that comfy squishy recoil pad on the end of the stock and that stout block of aluminum in it, I think recoil was negligible - quite tolerable.

And I'm almost ready for that 2nd shoulder surgery and I didn't whimper at all.

To answer your question, I believe the stock is designed to eliminate the need for bedding.

[mike21]

Here's a pretty good, and recent discussion on bedding them:

http://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?47053-help-needed-bedding-a-Choate-v-block

[swadiver]

Here's a pretty good, and recent discussion on bedding them:

http://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?47053-help-needed-bedding-a-Choate-v-block


thanks for that. not planning on bedding mine as of now . shooting pretty good already and i have hardly started any load development.

[swadiver]

thanks for the comments. went out yesterday and tried some Berger 150 gr flat base bullets. i had used their 55 gr .223 bullets in my Krieger barreled AR, and they were amazingly accurate. I figured the .308 version might be a winner as well.

all i can say is WOW!! flat base and Berger seem to be a winning combo. won't be shooting these beyond a couple hundred yards i imagine, but for close range work, awesome

all 5 shots at 100 yards

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06456_zpsa9okkacl.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06456_zpsa9okkacl.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06457_zps819m03fc.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06457_zps819m03fc.jpg.html)

I guess flat base bullets can be made very concentric more easily then boat tails, but the boat tails, "ride the wind" better so do better at the longer ranges. so far, it looks like these Bergers are my go to short range bullets and the 175 gr SMKs will do the longer range duty. like to try the Berger VLDs or the Hybrids but all the Bergers are SO pricey. looks like they are worth it though. these are the best 5 shot groups i have ever shot with any rifle. hope i can repeat them

a short update on this build. this is a real 1/4 MOA shooter. if you are considering a pre fit barrel for your Savage action, you can't miss with a Criterion. both my .308 and .223 continue to shoot amazingly well

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06479_zpspvzzmj3m.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06479_zpspvzzmj3m.jpg.html)http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06478_zpsocpthkhq.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06478_zpsocpthkhq.jpg.html)
http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06475_zpsuumojuss.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06475_zpsuumojuss.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b629/swadiver1/DSC06481_zpsdiwilbzh.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/swadiver1/media/DSC06481_zpsdiwilbzh.jpg.html)

[Warrick]

Very nice build , and a great shooter to boot!

[swadiver]

thanks a lot!