Originally Posted by
big honkin jeep
I like the Lee Deluxe set because it comes with everything including the shell holder and the collet neck sizing die. No case lube necessary with the collet die and they produce some very good ammo using fire formed brass that fits my chamber exactly. IMR 4350 was listed by Nosler as the most accurate powder tested with165s and since I tried it many moons ago I have found it to be the cats pajamas. I team it up with 165 Sierra game king HPBTs CCI br2 primers load it to touch the lands and it shoots the lights out in several of my -06s.
If you have a trigger with a sear adjustment screw (3 screw) just tuning it up can make a huge world of difference and doesn't cost anything (except a piece of .043 music wire for the trigger return spring) very crisp and breaks at the first movement like a great trigger should.
A lot of guys complain about stock flex but I have never really had a problem with it. If you want a DIY project bedding the factory stock is fun, educational and can help by improving the mating surfaces to near perfect tolerances, Again doesn't cost hardly squat. ( a package of JB weld, some shoe polish, painters tape, a couple of big rubber bands and some bolts that fit the action with the heads cut off)
Maybe even stiffen the fore end if you find stock flex an issue.
Savage bolt guns have an excellent well earned reputation for their out of the box accuracy so that is where I'd start. A little load development, Tinkering and tuning as well as being a great hobby can also turn em into "What are you shooting those tiny groups with?" head turners at the range. Of course the "Cork Sniffers" will usually make a couple of excuses pack up their $3000 customs in the latest chambering and leave if you tell em that a spray painted Savage with some JB weld and hardware store wire in the trigger will shoot like that. :)
And yes this really happens... a lot