Savage Impulse 30-06 poor accuracy with factory ammo

Hi Folks,
Finally got a hold of several flavors of 30-06 ammo (good names: Hornady, Sierra, Federal, etc.) and I'm trying to find out what this thing likes the best. It doesn't seem particularly accurate with anything...all copper or jacketed, 150gr, 165, 178 and 180gr. All groups (rested) at 100 yds are 2+ inches for 5 shots. I did the "precision barrel break in procedure" if that offers any insight...I'll take any suggestions how to tighten groups up. If you have a handload that gives good accuracy out to 400yds (with a white tail standing there) I'd love to hear it.
Thanks!

if it likes nothing, check the crown with a Q tip.

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Originally Posted by Blue Avenger

if it likes nothing, check the crown with a Q tip.

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Thanks Blue...tried that. No 'snags' of the cotton, but looking at the crown closely under magnifier and light, it does seem a little ragged around one part of the perimiter. I can't say for sure, but maybe 30-45 degrees? I've only ever cleaned from the breech end, and brass jags on coated rods. Hate to do it, but is this a 'send it back to Savage' kind of a thing? Is there a home-test for crown squareness?

Do you have other rifles that perform as they should? Are they large capacity cartridges like the .30/06? When you say you are shooting from a rest, could you describe your rest setup? Sandbag? Pedestal and rear bag? Bipod?

If the crown shows a burr, many people will take a round headed brass screw of the appropriate size, chuck it up in a drill and with lapping compound smooth out the problem area. This will not help if the crown is cut off square, however. Brownells sells tools suitable for lapping crowns, as well as recutting muzzles.

What scope are you using?

I’m not familiar with the stock. Is it bedded?


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Ok, more info:
Rest is a plastic Caldwell rifle rest--not lead sled but acceptable. On a concreete shooting table.
Scope is a Vortex Venom 5-25 x 56 in good rings. (Torqed w/ FAT wrench)
Calm day...with cool down time between strings of 4.
Yes, I have other rifles that are more accurate, or at least I shoot them better.
My old Sako Finnbear in 30-06 shoots all this same ammo in tighter groops with lower power Bushnell scope.
My Savage 308 (maybe a BVSS? Hbar, fluted, Stainless) does better with an old Simmons Whitetail scope.
I don't know if it's bedded...it is factory, I haven't changed anything.

I'm scared to do any machining on this thing--I paid a good price and waited a long time for it. I'd like it to be 'right' from Savage, and not have to fix it.
Thanks for your time and input!

Take the barreled action from the stock and take some pictures. Unfortunately savages like being tinkered with.

You may be surprised what a little love will do.


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Do a search on the internet for Vortex issues.

Swap a different scope on it.

I would try another scope and if the issue still persists, send it back to Savage so you can hopefully have it back in time before deer hunting season.
I've never heard of any accuracy issue's with the Impulse line, but there's always a first for everything.

Any update to the accuracy issues with your rifle ?

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Originally Posted by shoots100

Any update to the accuracy issues with your rifle ?

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Hi Guys, sorry for the radio silence, it's been a hectic year. In case this is of some use to you folks, I'll give a quick summary: yes, rifle is better. I used it last season (including one misfire...that was the loudest click I ever heard) and decided with the accuracy issue, and the misfire, I sent it back to Savage. They were very nice, and I just got it back a couple weeks ago. I've re-mounted the scope, and it did better in the first 6 shots of sighting in than it ever did before. I called Savage to ask what they did, they only told me that they replaced "some small parts", it's still the same rifle/barrel/action/stock/bolt/etc. So, I'm looking forward to starting my testing of ammo all over again, but I can share with you that the person at Savage told me that they used Hornady Outfitter CX 180 grain ammo for testing my rifle, and the other flavor they use is Federal Premium 180 grain.

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Originally Posted by Zeek586

I just got it back a couple weeks ago.

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So you sent it back to Savage last year and just got it back ?
All Impulse 30-06 rifles have a 1-10 twist, so it should be accurate with almost any weight projo, but I've had great success near and far with the 178 grain ELDX with the larger .30 cals.

SJC