Model 10 sba accuracy should be what?

[wtex]

Hi, picked up a model 10 sba in 308 recently, but while trying to sight it in ran across a box of hot Federal 180gr that was blowing some of the primers out. Contacted Federal and they disavowed all responsibility for it because they were over a year old, never the less had to take it apart to get the primers out of the action. Once I put it back together shots weren't anywhere close to the previous settings and wouldn't group at all.

Read up on torque settings and have tried some different ones, most 3 round groups now are in the 1-2 inch range at 100 yds, a couple under 1 inch. For a heavy barrel Savage this doesn't seem right, have an old Stevens 200 in 223 with a light barrel that will put 4 shots in a half inch and 5 in 3/4. Have tried a range of ammo with it from standard hunting loads from Remington, Federal and Winchester to some nicer stuff from ADI and handloads. I'm expecting it should be capable of shooting a 1 hole group, is that reasonable?

Thanks for the help!

[wbm]

I'm expecting it should be capable of shooting a 1 hole group, is that reasonable?

No.

Once I put it back together shots weren't anywhere close to the previous settings and wouldn't group at all.

Do you mean the groups you were getting with 180gr Federals that were blowing primers or some other types of ammunition?

[wtex]

Not with those Federals, won't shoot anymore of those but will break them down for components. When I reassembled the Model 10 originally I didn't torque the action and the shots were erratic. After torqueing it to 35lbs front screw 30 rear screw I'm getting 1-2 inch groups at 100 yards with several ammo choices, which is what I would expect out of standard hunting rifle. I'm thinking a heavy barrel should shoot better than that.

[CFJunkie]

I also believe that your .308 should shoot better than that.

However, not every .308 likes heavy bullets.

Try 168 or 175 grain Federal Premium Gold Medal Match ammo with either SMK bullets or Berger bullets. All my .308s shoot them well.
One of my .308 performs best with heavy bullets from 175 gr to 200 gr. The others perform best with 150 gr to 168 gr bullets.

My two latest .308s shoot 3-round group averages in the 0.35 range and 5-round groups in the 0.448 to 0.455 on average.
But one shoots the lighter bullets, especially Tipped Match Kings 3-round groups under 0.3 on average and under 0.4 with 5 round groups.
The other shoots the 175 and 195 TMKs 3-round groups under 0.3 inches on average and 5-round groups under 0.44 on average.
That rifle doesn't have a wide a spread between the light and heavy bullets like the one that prefers the light bullets.
My oldest .308 shoots 5 round groups in the 0.5 - to 0.6 range.

I have never had .308 Federal match ammo blow primers even though most factory ammo is loaded pretty close to Pmax.
I think Nosler is loaded about 100 fps hotter and Norma is loaded about half way between the Nosler and Federal GMM.

It is possible that your chamber is a bit tight - that raises the pressure a bit.
A tight chamber was enough to cause high pressure indications in one of my 6.5mm Creedmoor rifles with ammo way below Pmax.

[charlie b]

Someone in here sent back their varmint rifle because it was not a one hole shooter. Savage used their test load and confirmed it shot less than 1MOA and returned it to the owner (do not remember if they shot a 3 rnd or 5 rnd group).

Savage lists their test ammo in the FAQ part of their web site. For .308 Win it is 168gn Federal Gold Medal Match.

[Dave Hoback]

There is nothing wrong with it. For you to think you will have 1 hole groups with ANY rifle is a bit unrealistic. You said in the first post that you had A COUPLE groups under 1”. That is testimony to it being capable of shooting sub MOA. You need to find what your rifle shoots well and stick with it. Preferably by way of reloading. I have always found that my reloads, even with simple case prep, are more accurate than the BEST factory ammo.

Lastly, a heavy barrel is no more capable of accuracy than a Varmint or even Sporter barrel! Simply that the heavier barrel is less prone to warpage & harmonics.

[olddav]

wtex
I read you did some torque test with your stock. I wasn’t clear on your procedure so I would like to offer this link that help me.
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/...rque-settings/

Hope this helps, (if you still need any)

[wtex]

Thanks olddav, I appreciate that, I can always use more help! I've seen the article briefly but need to go back and read it in depth. Took the model 10 back out today, hot and windy. Retried a couple of the previous torque settings with different ammo, most groups 1-2 inches, seems to like the 35-30 in/lbs more with a wider range of ammo. Did happen to load up some 155gr hp that shot a clover leaf measuring 7/16 inch center to center, now if I can do that consistently!

From what I've been able to tell, it seems to like bullets around 150gr and does worse the higher I move up in weight. Match ammo is generally 168gr or heavier, and it doesn't really like it, and it does really bad by the time I get up to 180gr. So it makes me think it is a stability problem, may try some even lighter loads, will see if I can find some good 130gr bullets to work with.

[CFJunkie]

wtex,

With a 1:10 twist, I doubt you would have stability problems up past 200 grain bullets
I think your barrel just prefers lighter bullets. I am surprised that it doesn't shoot 168 match bullets well.
Even my light bullet .308 still is respectable with 168 grain SMKs and more than respectable with 168 TMKs.

Try some good match bullets in the 150 to 155 range.
In my .308 that likes the lighter bullets, I have had the best results (0.399 and 0.410 5-round group averages at 100 yards) with Sierra 155 TMK #7755 bullets with IMR4166 and IMR4064 powder. If you don't hand load, by some Federal Premium Gold Medal Match ammo in 150 grain or Nosler Custom Competition in 155 grain and see if you see a difference.
If you haven't tried them already, FPGGM 168 comes in SMK or Berger bullets and is just about the 'reference factory ammo' for .308 rifles.