Need some help with throat depth & bullet choice

[dharris]

Ok, new guy with a question - go figure. (honest I've searched and I'm still confused).

Going to try the F/tr world of competition this coming year. Easing in gently (read low $$) so I've started with a Savage Mod. 12 F/tr rifle, 30 inch barrel, 1 / 12 twist - purchased in Nov. this year. I've read about varying chambers in this rifle (95 Palma or Obermeier (sp?). or ??) and can't find a definite answer on what is in this gun. I would like to run the Berger 185 Jug round to help with wind if I can. I've measured the chamber with a Stony Point / Hornady gage and come up with the following data: (measurements with gage were from "seating" bullet into the lands fairly firmly, but just below where the bullet would stick and have to be "pushed" out from the front - so if this is wrong, please educate me).

Oal base to Ogive
2.857 3.2
2.889 3.234
2.886 3.229
2.887 3.23
2.889 3.232
2.8885 3.231
2.8865 3.23
2.885 3.229
2.8835 3.226
2.889 3.231
2.888 3.23
2.888 3.231
2.888 3.2305
2.8885 3.2305
2.8865 3.23
2.8865 3.229
2.886 3.23
2.8865 3.229
2.886 3.23
2.886 3.229


Std Dev 0.006871901 0.0015714
Avg 2.887026316 3.230052632
Median 2.8865 3.23

(forgot to mention that the first measurement was tossed for the calc's as it was a measurement error on my part - gage slipped after removing from chamber and I did not notice until making more measurements)

Now for the question. Using the 2.8865 median or 2.887 average measurements along with the 3.23 for base to Ogive, this puts the boat tail almost into the case (below shoulder). If I now set the bullet back 10 to 15 thou. the boat tail will be definitely encroaching on the case volume. From what I've read, that would hinder volume & ability to reach 2650 fps for this load without going over pressure???

Should I try the 185 and work up to see if I can make a load safely or just try to find a gunsmith here in No. Calif. to lengthen the chamber for me (anyone know of a good gunsmith familiar with Savage in Nor Cal?)? Or, just go to the 155 gr. to learn on?

sorry for the lengthy post / question

thanks for reading

Dave H.