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A little help for an older newbie

I began Mid-Range matches late last season using a Mossberg 308 Tactical with a Nikon M-308 scope shooting Federal Match 168 gr.. 300 yds ok, 500 yds eh, 600 yds might as well have thrown rocks. In Oct I bought a Savage Mod 12 F-T/R 308, added a Vortex HST scope. With Federal Match 175 gr out of the box sighted it in quickly on a cold wet day. The beginning of March zero'd at 100 yds 19 rounds within a half-dollar. The next weekend first match, very windy day, an 82 point improvement (533/600), though 600 still needs work. My scope parallax goes from 500 to infinity. Any thoughts/tips/suggestions- new scope? Next match is early May, and I'll be stepping up to Match 185 gr Berger's.
 
I think you will have a hard time chasing high scores with factory ammunition in F Class, but if your having fun I would focus on having a good time. As for a scope I like a Sightron SIII 10x50 60 for F class I think it performs well at a reasonable price and the turrets hold their adjustment under recoil.
 
What bi pod are you using? A good F Class bi pod and a rear bag are important. Hand load to the rifles potential. Your glass will do for now but if your going to stay in the game you'll end up with better glass sooner or later. Sightron, NF BR series and the Vortex GE are all great scopes at the lower end of the price range that will last you forever. But probably the most important thing is get out there and shoot as much as possible. That will make the biggest difference in the beginning!!
 
Since the Savage FTR sports a 1-12 twist barrel they were designed for 155 grain bullets. Try some. I was always impressed with the accuracy.
 
i have seem 13 and 14 with the 155,
i think he can shoot a variety in that twist.
I had one for awhile. When I started climbing in bullets weights my long range performance started to waiver. I know that Savage uses 1-12 in their Palma rifles.
My 1-10 twists eat everything..
 
If you or your father are Vets ?
You can buy a Vortex GE at a great price . Contact Vortex Direct .
If you wish to stay with that Rifle ?
Rebarrel it . Randy Gregory Accurce Unlimited has Pre Fit Barrel that are VG.
Next Hand loading a must .

If you stay with that Barrel and Hand Load Berger 175 OTM with 4320 powder bore holes ....

Best of Luck ,
Don
 
maybe just more practice ?
it is a learned skill
Thanks for the time and thought. Practice at distance is difficult. Matches happen on a military installation by special arrangements, and not available for practice. Generally area ranges offer 100 yds. At 100 yds I'm drilling practice rounds within a half dollar.
 
What bi pod are you using? A good F Class bi pod and a rear bag are important. Hand load to the rifles potential. Your glass will do for now but if your going to stay in the game you'll end up with better glass sooner or later. Sightron, NF BR series and the Vortex GE are all great scopes at the lower end of the price range that will last you forever. But probably the most important thing is get out there and shoot as much as possible. That will make the biggest difference in the beginning!!
Thanks for the thoughts I'm using a TierOne titanium bipod, and a Protektor leather rear bag with ears. I had difficulty with the Vortex GE reticle inside of 800 yds (probably my vision). Thanks for the leads of NF BR.
 
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If you or your father are Vets ?
You can buy a Vortex GE at a great price . Contact Vortex Direct .
If you wish to stay with that Rifle ?
Rebarrel it . Randy Gregory Accurce Unlimited has Pre Fit Barrel that are VG.
Next Hand loading a must .

If you stay with that Barrel and Hand Load Berger 175 OTM with 4320 powder bore holes ....

Best of Luck ,
Don
Appreciate the time you've taken. I did have to laugh because I'm 62!, and my Dad is no longer with us. Seriously though a friend with the same rifle and a Vortex GE let me fire a few. Inside of 800 yds I had difficulty with the reticle, probably due to my vision. Hand loading isn't an option (and I understand the limitations of SAMI ammo) because I live in a small apartment downtown. My neighbors freak when ammo lots arrive and when I pack out to a match!!! Again I have to laugh, but most of the shooters' on the line are shooting 185 Bergers' obviously higher pressures with hand loads. I'll look at the barrel you recommended- THANKS
 
Since you can't load for it you might look into a tuner to get the most of factory ammo.
 
I think you will have a hard time chasing high scores with factory ammunition in F Class, but if your having fun I would focus on having a good time. As for a scope I like a Sightron SIII 10x50 60 for F class I think it performs well at a reasonable price and the turrets hold their adjustment under recoil.
Thank you for the reply. I am having fun, but I know better is available/out there for me to attain. Albeit at a reasonable cost! I will explore the Sightron model. I'm old(er) and have vision issues to begin with, but the impressive difference with my new rifle and upgraded glass have really gotten me excited. Thanks again
 
Since you can't load for it you might look into a tuner to get the most of factory ammo.
I hate to have to admit this, but many of the technical aspects I'm trying to catch up with. You have really thrown me a curve- what is a tuner? I haven't seen, heard, read about that term.
 
I hate to have to admit this, but many of the technical aspects I'm trying to catch up with. You have really thrown me a curve- what is a tuner? I haven't seen, heard, read about that term.
A tuner mounts on the end of the barrel and screws in or out on a very fine thread to change the barrel harmonics. They can be very effective. Do a forum search on tuners and you'll find plenty of threads to keep you reading for a long time.
 
A tuner mounts on the end of the barrel and screws in or out on a very fine thread to change the barrel harmonics. They can be very effective. Do a forum search on tuners and you'll find plenty of threads to keep you reading for a long time.
Well I can go to sleep having learned something valuable- THANK YOU I will search and read!
 
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If you're restricted to commercial ammunition for the time being, I'd suggest trying one of two Berger offerings (http://www.bergerbullets.com/products/ammunition/). The 175 OTM and 185 Juggernaut Target should both work in your setup. I shot the 175 OTM for several years in F-TR, making High Master with it in Midrange, and Expert in Long Range. At the time it was made by Applied Ballistics and the charges were hand weighed. Not sure exactly how they're doing it now that Berger has taken over, but I'd guess it's still head and shoulders better than most commercial so-called "Match" ammunition. If either of those loads shoots well in your setup, you'll have the added advantage of using a better BC bullet as compared to the 175 SMKs found in many brands of commercial match ammunition.

When you don't handload and therefore can't specifically tune a load to your setup, your best option is to try as many different types of commercial match ammunition as you can until you find one that shoots well out of your setup (i.e. half MOA or better at 100 yd). If you can find one with a higher BC bullet than the 175 SMK that groups well, so much the better.
 

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