Average group

[kdvarmint]

In all your factory Savages, without anything other than reloading work, what average group sizes are all of you getting? (consistently, not your single best group) I'm loading in 22-250, 243, and 308. Wondering how I compare?

[helotaxi]

My older .243 shot everything into an inch. Everything. Normal group with reloads and minimal load development was right at .75" That rifle is now a .308. I used 10 rounds to get used to the different feel and zero the scope and then shot the last 10 of the box (cheap Federal 150gn spire points) for a group. 10 shots in an inch.

My 12FV in .223 shoots right around .75" as well with my reloads. The loads still need some work as does my technique.

[dolomite_supafly]

My 223 shot .4-.6 while working up loads. My perfect load for the gun produces sub .4" with some regularity. All my loads are gone through making sure they are as close to identical as possible. I uniform primer pockets, flash holes and trim all the same length. The projectiles are weighed, OAL checked then bearing surface checked using two .221" comparators. You would be surpassed how bearignsurface lengths differ. The longer the length the more pressure producing higher velocities than those that have a shorter bearing surface. It may be overkill but I enjoy doing it and it seems to help.

Dolomite

[dcloco]

Model 10 in 308 (with LOTS of rounds down the barrel) keeps everything at .75 or less.

110, single shot, large shank, 24" factory barrel shoots 69 gr Sierra or Nosler under 1/2".

110, single shot, blackened stainless barrel in 300 Win Mag, shoots 180 gr Noslers under 6" at 800 yards and 208 AMaxs at 1000 to 1200 at 8.5".

12, repeater, in 204 keeps everything in the .6 and under range. Likes the 40 gr VMax the best.

[5spd]

My FP10, .223 is at .750" max 99% of the time with the 50g Vmax, small as .333" big as 1.250" when Im just dinking around.

[EMgun08]

Model 12 LRPV 22-250 1:12 twist factory barrel averages ~.4" @ 100 off a rest in my last 12 groups (5 shots per group). Components are: Lapua brass, H380 & RL-15 powder with Sierra and Berger 50-53 grain bullets.

-EM

[kdvarmint]

Thanks for the replies. I asked because I've been working with my model 12 varminter series, 26" 1-10" twist 308 win.
My groundhog load last year averaged around .75-.8 168gr. A-Max, 41.7gr. Varget, Rem. brass, Fed #210 primer. Seated .020 off lands.
This winter I bought a Bell & Carlson varmint-tactical pillar bedded stock.
Loading 175 SMK over Varget (not nailed down yet but around 44.7gr) Lapua brass Fed #210 primer. Seated just touching lands. Will play more with seating. Last loads were in the .6s
Shooting "at" hogs out to 1k yards. Longest kill 590.
Also starting to work with my sons model 11 243. Was shooting 105 A-Max over IMR 4350 38.2gr. WIN brass fed 210. .020 off lands.
Got some 100 SGK to try. Looking for 1 load for both groundhog and deer.

Wanted a better idea of how much was too much to expect. Keep responses coming. Love to hear what you all are getting.

[Slowpoke Slim]

Well my only unmodified Savage is my Stevens .223. It will regularly shoot into the .4's with my handloads and only a stoned factory trigger.

All the rest of mine will shoot bug hole groups, but they're all modified from factory stock.

[82boy]

I can say I have shot a lot of factory Savages, and all of the varmint heavy barrel guns would average in the .5 area for a 100 yard 5 shot group, I can say all of them would shoot a occasional .3 100 yard 5 shot group. (This would also shrink the average.) The light barreled guns would shot 3 shot 100 yard groups in the .3s, and if you watched the heat on them they would shoot .5 100yard 5 shot groups. I have shot local matches for the past few years, that has a factory class, and most people shooting them with a savage will average .5 100 yard 5 shot groups. Some of these competitors are tough and I have seen with good conditions, competitors with LRPV in 223 average in the mid to high .3's for a 5 shot 100 yard group.

[Hammer]

.

With the same rifle and loads and even shooting from a bench...

Some shooters can consistently shoot much tighter groups than others.

Tony Boyer does it with quite a bit of regularity.

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[kdvarmint]

.

With the same rifle and loads and even shooting from a bench...

Some shooters can consistently shoot much tighter groups than others.

Tony Boyer does it with quite a bit of regularity.

.

Any advise for the average shooter where to look for information to improve ones own shooting?

[1Shot]

...Best thing to do is find somebody that's a good shooter at the range & just start asking questions...The list is VEEEERYYYY Long...

[82boy]

Any advise for the average shooter where to look for information to improve ones own shooting?

This book is a great start, and it is cheap.
http://rimfireshooting.com/index.php?showtopic=265

[kdvarmint]

Any advise for the average shooter where to look for information to improve ones own shooting?

This book is a great start, and it is cheap.
http://rimfireshooting.com/index.php?showtopic=265

Kinda hit the nail on the head as to what I had in mind. Thanks, it looks good, I'll probably get it.

[pbcaster45]

My 10FLP still has its orginal barrel (+3000 rounds) and it shows no signs of slowing down. It will put 5 shots in one hole at 100 yards with Federal Gold Medal Match, a little better with handloads.

[helotaxi]

It will put 5 shots in one hole at 100 yards with Federal Gold Medal Match, a little better with handloads.

It doesn't make a hole with handloads? ;D

[pbcaster45]

I forgot to measure the group! I knew someone would notice!

[Rocca]

ive NEVER bought a factory rifle (Remmington, Ruger, or Savage) that I couldnt get .5" or better groups with after load development.

[helotaxi]

^^^ I would say that you've been extremely lucky.

[BoilerUP]

Any advice for the average shooter where to look for information to improve ones own shooting?

I've found trigger time and simply putting rounds downrange does a lot for me; research online & watching others also has helped.

I know I've got a ways to go before I get anywhere close to the real capability of my equipment.

[kdvarmint]

Any advice for the average shooter where to look for information to improve ones own shooting?

I've found trigger time and simply putting rounds downrange does a lot for me; research online & watching others also has helped.

I know I've got a ways to go before I get anywhere close to the real capability of my equipment.

I "think" I shoot pretty decent, but I'm not really around anyone who shoots competition or anyone I'm confident is really better than me. Not that I'm over confident but I would love to see an "expert" shoot my gun to see how it does without me. I might find out I really suck!

[kdvarmint]

Any advise for the average shooter where to look for information to improve ones own shooting?

This book is a great start, and it is cheap.
http://rimfireshooting.com/index.php?showtopic=265

82boy Thanks. I've been reading this book and finding more info than I'd hoped for. Great recommendation!