Tang touching..

I have tried ladder test with 3 different bullets -erratic results....
I recently pillar bedded the wood stock
after a lot of wasted ammo-& time
I checked the tang &
it was contacting a small portion of the stock nearest the bolt handle 1/4' at the most
I know its not supposed to touch & I releived it-
but would that be enough to cause erratic grouping?
as in one 1/2' group then 3 1' groups with same load?
I'm all ready to go waste some more ammo when time permits
& see if it was enough to make a difference
but I'd like some input from you guys anyway

Barrel's not getting too warm, is it?

I will typically cut away a little stock material to allow the tang to free float. I do have a .243 that has the tang resting on the stock & it still shoots better than me.
If you're getting a sporter barrel too warm, grouping will change. Usually not for the better....

its a varmit barrel
I shoot no more than 2 groups of 3 rounds
then let it cool off before next group
I usually bring 3 rifles
shoot one while the others cool
I hope it was the tang thang

Open it up & give it a try.
Best way to find out.....

God, I hate it when anything touches my tang.

uj

Didn't the astronauts drink Tang? All kidding aside, and I'm new to Savage rifles, the tang is not supposed to touch the stock? Checked my 12 LRP and it does touch. Should I relieve it and how far forward? Thanks

You will see professionals bed the tang with the rest of the action.(probably remington smiths but they do it.)

Things too look at when having accuracy issues. Soon as you notice issues. There are more but a good start.
Rifle
Barrel float
Action seated correctly and secure
Scope
Scope rings and base secure
Barrel nut torqued
Tang float?

Ammo
Barrel twist and length of projectile matched
Proven powder, primer projectile combinations(if possible)
Correct seating depth for projectile and chamber
Condition of brass ie... concentricity neck hardness correct sizing and oal.


200yd 308 with tang bedded <.3 MOA
My recomendation is to float it or to bed it but nothing in between.
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2f664812.jpg

Always float the tang on a savage. I've had a few friends come to me with savage rifles that they say they can't get to shoot. First thing I do is check if the tang is floated. Generally its not and floating it immediately shrinks group size and gets rid of the errant flyers.

floated the tang
its shooting under 1/2 again with both 178 amax and 180 SGK
Ive bedded a bunch of Remmy's -complete action tang to recoil lug works well
and it may work well with Savages - next time I bed one I may try it
but this one was almost free floated -when I relived it
it sure responded well
Strangfish's rifle done well completely bedded
completely floated works on all my savages
so either way should work well
but not partial