Savage Axis .223 Fair Shooter

Although it was windy yesterday (gusting to 15MPH), I finally got a chance to finish adjusting the Leopold 3x9x40 scope on the Savage Axis .223 that my Wife got me for Christmas 2014. I might add that I've replaced the factory trigger (8#+ pull) with a Timney set to 3#. I shot a lot of 4 shot groups using...... listed in increasing group size order.....

Hornady 40gr VMAX - a polymer tipped swaged lead core design

Nosler Defense 64gr Bonded Solid Base

Remington Premium Match 69gr Match King BTHP

Federal American Eagle Varmint & Predator 50gr JHP

The following three had very similar group size but larger than the 4 above.....

Remington 55gr PSP --5/8" group

Hornady American Whitetail 60gr SP Interlock --3/4" group

Federal Fusion 62gr SP --7/8" group


I shot 4 groups with the VMAX 40gr because the groups were all one ragged hole - all four 4 shot groups in my 40 yard backyard range! I just could not believe this gun and ammo was doing this. I'm not an experienced bench rest shooter and have not shot in years. I'm now wondering how this stuff might perform on a 100 yard indoor range.

First 4 shot group
http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r...0170125web.jpg[/URL]

Fifth 4 shot group after tweaking scope settings
http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r...0170125web.jpg[/URL]


I'm planning on staying with the 40gr VMAX for my small varmints around here. I might be shooting out to 150 yards max. It looks like with this round and sighted in at 40 yards, I'll need to hold over about 1.6".

Looks like you will be at an inch to an inch and a quarter moa at 100 yds. I think you might want to look at some ballistic tables before holding high at 150 yds. I believe if you are ~0 @ 50 yds., you will be slightly under an inch high @150 yds. and back to 0 @200 yds. This would be with the 40's.

Thanks from Team Savage. That might be a respecable group for this old man out that entry level rifle with factory ammo, ya think. I used the online calculator guys at gundata.org to come up with the 1.644" at 150 yards if sighted in at 40 yards. They used a MV of 3799FPS. I have no way to chron my Savage. I'm sure going to learn a lot more hanging out here.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r...0gr%20VMAX.jpg[/URL]