I keep my guns meticulously clean so assuredly that is not an issue.

As far as the ammo being hot - i cannot comment on that. I know it is cheap. And that might be the issue. I suspect highly that it is. The Savage is a very accurate gun and this ammo is s***. I wonder if it only wants to be fed high quality ammo.

I am going to shoot it in two days and I am going to shoot four types of ammo through it - three high(ish) quality ammo brands and then my reloaded ammo - but I am using brand new brass, etc.

So with that info, i'll look forward to your responses.