Not too shabby - part ii

[Dave Hoback]

Oh, I apologize. No, nothing I can point to at this very minute. I’m referring to shooters I’ve seen both online & witnessed personally over the last 3 decades I’ve spent shooting. And not factory rifles. I didn’t realize that is what you meant. I took as if you asking if it’s possible period. Although, there have been more than a few people here who were getting those results from their new Savages as well.

[charlie b]

It's possible, but, not 'normal'. Took my two rifles, both heavy barrel, quite a few rounds to settle into less than MOA levels and more to reach 0.5MOA. Only one of the two was really able to stay below 0.5MOA.

Like Dave said, it would not be capable of a 5 or 10 shot string unless you waited for the barrel to cool completely between shots. FWIW, back when I hunted I would shoot 3 rounds, one at each target. Then clean the gun. Shoot three shots at three targets again. Repeat. That would make a 1st round group, second round group and third round group. Rarely were they all in the same place, but, the 1st round group might be a small group and wound be offset from the second group by a certain amount. Same with the 3rd round group.

Savage used to mention that when they tested std hunting barrels they would shoot a 3 round group. If it was less than 1 1/2" it passed. Heavy target/varmint barrels were 5 rounds and 1". That used to be on their FAQ page a few years ago, but it is gone now so not sure if policy is the same.

[Taidog1]

Dave & Charlie,

Thank you for the replies. Helpful.

Over the years, I've owned multiple rifles of another manufacturer, each rifle repeatedly, dependably delivering well under MOA. I may go that route again? Was just asking for options.

Thanks again.

Cheers.

[J.Baker]

Definitely possible, but you have more factors to contend with - the main one being increased barrel harmonics with a smaller contour. I would actually say 1/2" to 3/4" is pretty easy to attain with a properly worked up handload, even with a pencil barrel. Smaller than that is possible, but I wouldn't count on it being the norm unless you get a real hum-dinger of a barrel.

The biggest thing is KNOWING and ACCEPTING that with a smaller/lighter barrel contour you're not going to be able to maintain accuracy over as many consecutive shots as you would in a heavy barrel due to heat buildup causing the POI to rise. The choice of cartridge will also affect this due to how much powder is being burnt. If you limit yourself to shooting 3-shot groups rather than the typical five you should be ok. In a smaller cartridge (.22 Hornet, .222, .223, etc.) you can often still get away with 5-shot groups before heat becomes an issue, but once you step up to a .308 diameter case there's too much powder being burnt to stick with 5-shot groups.

[charlie b]

Dave & Charlie,

Thank you for the replies. Helpful.

Over the years, I've owned multiple rifles of another manufacturer, each rifle repeatedly, dependably delivering well under MOA. I may go that route again? Was just asking for options.

Thanks again.

Cheers.

Well under MOA is a LOT different than under 0.5MOA consistently. I would hazard that most Savages will do under MOA with the right loads and some offer more leeway in that regard. There are very few off the shelf rifles that can consistently shoot under 0.5MOA with factory ammo. There are exceptions but it is still a crap shoot at that level. Quite a few in this forum have Savages that have done it, just not all of them.