Are the Chambers in Savage Guns Usually Large?

[Ernest T]

I finally got my modified case so I could start testing loads for my Axis II Precision in 6.5 Creedmoor, and don't much like the results. I sent Hornady a fired, un-sized case which measured 1.531" long, case head to shoulder, using a .400" insert. I wanted to use Hornady 140 gr. ELD Match bullets, but the measurement from case head to the lands with that bullet is 2.264. Using that measurement as a starting point would make that bullet over 2.920" long, which won't fit in my magazine by a wide margin. I have 100 unfired Lapua cases I've been working my way through using 2.820 as the cartridge overall length so I can use them in the magazine. Is is it normal for Savage rifles to have such a generously sized chamber?

[celltech]

Seeing how the Axis is a long action, can you pull the binder plate out of the mag (I assume it's a MDT) which will give you 2.960"?

https://mdttac.com/308-6-5-creedmoor...gazine-10-rnd/

[Ernest T]

Seeing how the Axis is a long action, can you pull the binder plate out of the mag (I assume it's a MDT) which will give you 2.960"?

https://mdttac.com/308-6-5-creedmoor...gazine-10-rnd/

Yes, I've got several options to address the issue. I was just wondering if this was common.

[celltech]

I don't have any OEM 6.5 barrels around, but I have several aftermarket that run 2.220-2.245" BTO for that same bullet. So comparatively speaking your Savage is a bit long...

[Stumpkiller]

My M11 is actually kind of tight to spec. Very little brass upset when firing.

[Whynot]

If I understand you right then you are really not talking about the chamber being oversized but having a long throat?

I don't shoot 140 eldm bullets but you can't guarantee you have a long throat just because 1 bullet puts you over the max case length to get to the lands.... long sleek high bc bullets do that- which is why they make custom reamers. That production gun needs to also be able to chamber the round nose hunting bullets out to sammi length.

I didn't even bother measuring the distance to the lands on my last gun during load development. You could tell the bullet was not in the lands- and it needed to be mag length so it would have been pointless to measure. Being close to the lands is overrated (with a few exceptions)- and you can usually find a load or bullet that will take the jump.

[hamiltonkiler]

They do it for dumb arses like me that like loads hot and fast.


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[Steeltrap]

I've found that (just my personal load development history) seating the bullets .020 (twenty thousands) from the lands was usually the "sweet spot" for most calibers. Some were fussy and had different lengths (I had a 7-30 Waters that got wonky if the bullets were set back farther than .010).

I'd go with the above recommendations of seating the bullets to the length your magazine will allow and try different powders and powder weights from reliable sources and see if that gets you the results you want.

If that proves difficult, you could always load them longer than your magazine allows, firing them single shot, and see if that gets you the results. If so, then the link provided above to buying an aftermarket magazine that may give you the "needed" room may be the way to go.

Just my $0.02.

Well, with inflation I guess it's now $0.03.

[Ernest T]

Thanks for the input. I'm starting with magazine length cartridges and working backwards away from the lands in small increments using four different powder weights. I'll let you know how that goes. I'm loading and shooting a lot and learning a little so everything's good!

[Whynot]

Thanks for the input. I'm starting with magazine length cartridges and working backwards away from the lands in small increments using four different powder weights. I'll let you know how that goes. I'm loading and shooting a lot and learning a little so everything's good!

Best way to approach it... as a fun and learning experience. If you are learning something from each round you load then the ones that shoot horrible still are not a waste.

One thing that can help out.... when you get to the OAL that you are going to use- then seat some bullets a few thousandths deeper and see how they shoot. This will give you a good idea of how the load is going to respond as the barrel wears and the bullets start jumping further. As stated earlier- I really don't care how far the bullets are jumping- but do want a wide degree of how much things can change and still be shooting good.

[Stumpkiller]

Don't panic. I have some bullets (i.e. Swift Scirocco II) that actually do better with a 0.060" to 0.065" jump. You have to play around and experiment.