Savage 16FCSS in .223/5.56. Weaver 800360 4-20x50 Mil-Dot Riflescope, Weaver Six Hole Rings, Weaver Multi Slot Base.
Set up involved learning about the new bolt release in front of the trigger guard: with the bolt open, move the trigger as far to the rear as it will go and simultaneously slide the bolt release rearward and hold it there while sliding the bolt out of the action. Mounting the Weaver base involved the discovery that the screws supplied with the base were too long and prevented the bolt from closing. The Savage manual cautions about this. Removal and replacement of the Accustock proved to be simple on this rifle. There is no wedge to deal with. The two action bolts are obscured by the bolt release and by the magazine release.
I cleaned the rifle with MPro7 and lubricated the action and bolt it with a dry Teflon aerosol and the bore with the same stuff applied using a new wool mop. Fired a bunch of 55 grain surplus ammunition (green tip) and did OK. Groups a bit over an inch to about two inches at 100 yards. MPro7'd again, lightly oiled patch through the bore.
Yesterday I removed the stock and reassembled it using an in/lb torque wrench starting at 20 in/lb front action bolt first, then rear action bolt. Then, using 69 gr ammunition as recommended by Savage, fired four rounds. I increased the torque in increments of 10 in/lbs and firing four rounds. No bore cleaning, no cooling time beyond the torquing. Groups became MOA or just sub-MOA at 30 in/lb and I stopped there. The barrel was unpleasantly warm after that. I let it cool and shot five four shot groups. Today I shot another five four shot groups. No additional torquing. Here are the best three of five from each day. The other two weren't much different except for the extended flyer or two which I blame on the jerk behind the trigger. Picking the best three rounds of four fired gets into the half MOA range. The rifle can do it, I'm sure. The scope is terrific.
Each band and the bulls measure exactly .22 inches. The rondels are 1.1 inches in diameter, four shots per group, all at 100 yards.
I also tried some Privi Partisan 69 gr HPBT stuff but the rifle didn't like it as well. It would be good enough for a woodchuck at 100 yards but a field mouse would probably escape.
I plan to get some more Fiocchi and increase the torque in five in/lb increments and see what happens.
The four round magazine easily holds five rounds.
I really like this rifle.
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