Where are all these 1/2MOA Savages coming from?

[Erik_J]

Here is an update on my rifle, a 12FV in 223 from Cabelas. I am hand loading 69 grain SMK over IMR 8208 powder. This is a 1/4" group and the one just prior to this one was 1/2". These are great little rifles!

Richard


Richard, how much powder did you use for that group? I just bought my 1st jug of 8208 to try with my 12FV and cache of 69gr SMKs. PM me if you don't want to post in public.

Thanks!

[deerhunter99]

Well my 116 weather warrior 6.5x284 norma is deadly accurate !!!

[Rackfreak210]

X2!


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[rckendall]

Erik, I don't mind sharing at all. I wasn't sure anybody was even looking at these posts with interest. I have been testing with 23.6, 23.7 and 23.8 grains of IMR 8208, loaded at mag length. This one was 23.8 grains, which is about max according to one of my manuals. I saw early on that this load had good potential, so I called Sierra to get current info from them. I was assured that I could go a little higher in my testing, but found that the accuracy fell off above this. So, this is where I will load until something changes.

Richard

edited to add: I am using Lake City brass and Remington 7 1/2 primers. I tried CCI 400 and they cratered heavily.

[Fotheringill]

1. shooter
2. handloads and the related charge, speed, seating depth and bullet
3. wind
4. model, twist and barrel and trigger
5. maintenance and gun improvements, i.e bedding
6. telling the truth

Don't cherry pick targets for display and posting. Be honest. I doubt whether anyone will denigrate someone's poorer shooting or think less of the shooter. If they do, F 'em.

As stated above, trial and error will get you to the end of the road, maybe before you need a new barrel and have to start all over again and maybe not.

[want2ride]

Put 5 five shot groups on one target and average them. That is pretty much representative of the accuracy of that rifle.

The more shots the more representative of the statistical normI figure if you can shoot 3 out of 4 groups under 1/2" then you have a 1/2 inch gun. I figure I am throwing the 4th out of the range and not the gun. Since I last posted I finally got my LRP broke in and whether it was me or the gun, I am now under 1/2 by my measure where I was 3/4" a month ago.

[Erik_J]

Thanks, Richard! Your info gives me a good starting place, given we have the same rifle. I am using Lapua cases (1st time) so I'll start at the lower end and work up.


Erik, I don't mind sharing at all. I wasn't sure anybody was even looking at these posts with interest. I have been testing with 23.6, 23.7 and 23.8 grains of IMR 8208, loaded at mag length. This one was 23.8 grains, which is about max according to one of my manuals. I saw early on that this load had good potential, so I called Sierra to get current info from them. I was assured that I could go a little higher in my testing, but found that the accuracy fell off above this. So, this is where I will load until something changes.

Richard

edited to add: I am using Lake City brass and Remington 7 1/2 primers. I tried CCI 400 and they cratered heavily.

[rckendall]

1. shooter
2. handloads and the related charge, speed, seating depth and bullet
3. wind
4. model, twist and barrel and trigger
5. maintenance and gun improvements, i.e bedding
6. telling the truth

Don't cherry pick targets for display and posting. Be honest. I doubt whether anyone will denigrate someone's poorer shooting or think less of the shooter. If they do, F 'em.

As stated above, trial and error will get you to the end of the road, maybe before you need a new barrel and have to start all over again and maybe not.

Years ago while taking a photography class, the instructor told us that if you want to be a better photographer, stop showing your bad pictures! So this came to mind with the comment about cherry picking targets to show. Yeah, I get that. But as I have been working up loads that suit the rifle, a few good groups have come along, all in the 23.6 to 23.8 grain range. Of the three in the photo, the worst is about 9/16", two are 1/2", and the real good one is 1/4".

So, I'll stand by my claim that I have a 1/2", box stock Savage rifle. Yes I have a bipod and a scope, but that is standard equipment I think.

3102

Richard

[CBryars2]

Just tested Lapua Brass on Stealth 6.5, 2 5 shot groups .48 & .56, control was my std Hornady brass, 130 gr Berger OTM with 40 gr H4350 - it shot .58. That is with a new suppressor, so still tuning. Prior to suppressor, 1/2 was normal for the rifle. Stealth 300 WM - smallest group .29 at 200. Only Stealth I have that is not 1/2" yet is 338 Lapua. Still working that one up. The suppressor appears to have changed the harmonics so having to tweek some loads.

All are pretty much stock, changes to Luth MBA 3 or MBA 1 depending on rifle. Break-in was Tubb Final Finish.

[Palmaris]

Yesterday. 2 shots, Hornady 147 Grains ELDM
http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/Palmaris/896B93B9-D74E-43B8-A332-4BBF1BB4656D_zpsx0igko2h.jpg (http://s563.photobucket.com/user/Palmaris/media/896B93B9-D74E-43B8-A332-4BBF1BB4656D_zpsx0igko2h.jpg.html)

[curly84]

These are not your grandfather's savages these are THE Next Generation!



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[Idaho]

777, I had the same problem. Tried reloading to find the load that the rifle liked. The factory tube was a POS. I tried factory "Match" ammo, all manuf. Handloads with different bullets, weights and powders and charges. Finally gave up on the original barrel and put a McGowan 26 inch varmint barrel with an 8 twist and had the action bedded at the same time. It is now the tack driver that I wanted.

In the process of getting to this point I've learned a LOT about reloading. It is not as simple as running brass through the dies and seating bullets but that is for another page on here.

I was very unhappy with Savage out of the box accuracy. Now, if I ever buy another one, I will just resign myself to the fact that it may take a LOT of work to get the accuracy that I want from a new gun. In fact, with the money that I've spent on this thing, it may be better to go with a custom gun right off the bat.

[davinman]

.5 MOA with a new Savage, no problem. I have a 12FV in 308 win that shoots 5 shots into 1/2" regularly @ 100 yds, in fact it will shoot 3 shots into 1/2" at 200 yds. I also have a 12FV in 223 that shoots between 1/4"-1/2" 5 shot groups all the time with 3 diff loads, and we're talking about a 400 dollar gun no mods just a decent vortex viper scope. I can post pics for the non believers out there. Let me tell you, these Savage rifles do shoot great!

[dwayne.james.10]

12LRP today with two different Hornady Ammo

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170605/7ae5176ccf9b67a427609952efb18425.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170605/3b0250114d9acfb0a2ed09663a3bcfa1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170605/7c9352d6e753b3f91c4f828d48ce20dd.jpg


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[m12lrs]

I believe the definition of "Half Inch Gun" varies among shooters

For me 5 five shot groups on the same target. Score (including the so called flyers) and average. Pretty good representation of average group size

What is yours?

[dwayne.james.10]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170605/c41a4b382e626790d31f32667daa0172.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170605/67974b275b97a458d0faac9e22dddfd0.jpg

I will shoot 5 shots groups on my next outing. I only shoots 5 shots groups with my Sako and Tikka.


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