Disappointing day with my Savage F/TR

New to me but previously owned Savage Model 12 F/TR .308. I've been down the range a couple of times now with some reloads trying it out at 110 yards just for the set up. Of the admittedly limited number of loads I've tried, it refuses to shoot any much under an inch, although it seems to shoot pretty much anything under an inch! This seems to me to be a little bit poor.

Here's the list of loads:

150 grain Sierra MK - 40grains N140 - 44gn N140
155 grain Scenar - 44gn N140 - 46.2gn N140
168 grain Sierra MK - 41 gn N140 - 42gn N140
155 grain Sierra Palma (2156) 46.2 N140

COL varies according to bullet, measured with Hornady COL measure, but never exceeds 2.8", which seems a little short.

Some knowledgeable input would be appreciated.

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it refuses to shoot any much under an inch, although it seems to shoot pretty much anything under an inch!

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Sounds to me like you have a .308 that shoots pretty good and needs "load tuning". I would try some different powders and go with IMR4064 and H4895 and see what you get. One particular load that seems to shoot well in lot's of 308's is 42.5gr of H4895 with the 168gr Sierra Match bullet. Start at 40gr and work up.

By COL do you mean jamb length, that does seem short? If in error then you are probably jumping the bullet quite a bit. When you say you have looked at powders across a range, did you do this in increments of a few tenths (ladder test)? If all these answers are positive, then like wbm said you should look at another powder; mine likes Varget and RL15 with 168 and 175 SMK bullets.

I have had my best luck with the sierras loading them to manufactures COAL specs. The FTR barrel is 1:12 and shoots the 155s great with 44.5 varget. Not sure what your equivilent is there but I was thinking 140 or 150.

I have 42.5 grains of Varget behind the SMK 168 with 0.030" jump measures 3.2020" with the hornady lock and load measuring tool. It shoots one jagged hole at 100.

Oh yeah I'm shooting a 10" twist

The following Savage Model 12 F/TR load, for my rifle, shoots five shot groups less than 0.300" at 100 yards and got me a second place in Saturday's 600 yard match, and I'm not much of a shooter.

Lapua brass
155.5 Berger
Federal 210 primer
46.8 Grains VV N150
Length to meplat ~ 2.910"
Length to ogive 2.208" using a Hornady Bullet Comparator
0.025" jump

You need to measure your barrel's freebore, and then begin by setting your OAL's at a given number. I usually start at setting my bullet jump at 20-thousands off of the lands. Then I will move closer and farther in increments of 5-thousands. It's rare that I put the bullet right up against the lands.

For a .223 (which I know your not shooting) I usually just set the OAL to the SAMI setting as I find fooling with the OAL doesn't do much on a .223. But....that's just me. Don't take that to the bank!!

Dave

Is the action bedded? That might be something to try, as well as torquing the action screws. Also, you didnt mention your scope, what kind of glass do you have on this?

Sean

Yes the chamber/freebore is short on the F/TRs. At least they are on both of mine. My .308 comes in at 2.801 COAL and 2.224 BTO using 175 SMKs and the Hornady gauge. I'm in load development now and so far the best load I've had is 41.7 gr Varget, 175 SMK, Lapua brass, Winchester primers, BTO 2.204". That's a .020 jump and gives me a COAL of 2.781" and 2696 fps average velocity. This load will bughole 5 rnds at 100 yds. If it ever stops raining down here I'll test it at 300 yds.

Sounds like you gun is fine you just need to find the right load. I agree with davemuzz, set your seating depth at .020 jump, do some testing, find the best load, then start fine tuning your seating depth. By the way, if your planning on shooting past 600 yds don't go with the 168 gr SMK. It wasn't designed for it and doesn't work well. Stick with the 155 palma or go to the 175 if you want to stay with Sierras.