6mmBR Help?...

[sgreen3]

Hey fellas I was finally able to bring my Savage Model 12BR hope a few weeks ago and was able to start doing a little testing. Needless to say thus far I'm not that overly impressed with it. I was able to shoot one decent group with it but haven't been able to repeat it. Not sure if maybe my loads are not were they should be for this rifle or maybe my shooting technique is off or if maybe I'm expecting to much out of the rifle itself. Just wondering what some of you more experienced BenchRest shooters might think. I've shot quite a bit of tactical bolt action matches but benchrest is a different world for sure. What would be some starting tips for what I have for a 200yrd benchrest newb?... Thanks in advance!!!!

Here is the rifle in question...

Here is the best overall target that Ive been able to shoot (an believe its not much to look at) But this was shot using 80gr Berger FB over 30.5, 31, 31.5, 32, 32.5 grns of Varget, in a Lapua case with the OAL at 1.833 which is .015 into the lands. All shot @ 210yrds

Here is one 4 shot group using 105gr Amx over 27gr VArget at 1.833 OAL ran out of time so this was all I could shoot of the 105s

 

[joshb]

Hey! New rifle,or used? Don't get excited just yet. What dies? What neck tension?Lapua brass(good), what prep? Turned brass? What primer? I'm working on my "new" gun. Shot a .156, then it went to 3/4. I did something. What? I'm figuring it out. It takes time and study. Josh.

 

[sgreen3]

Its a new rifle just unboxed it a week ago. I'm using Redding dies with just a standard full length sizing die. All brass was turned down to spec, and unfortunately I'm using just standard CCI 400 primers no one around me has BR primers. Yea I was so excited to finally get the rifle and to not see it shooting sub 1" groups is a little disheartening after everything I've read on the caliber as well as the rifle, but I'm sure I just don't have something quite right. Just need a bit of direction I think. Thanks for your reply!

 

[gotcha]

Three suggestions: (1)Try dry firing with your rest. Are the crosshairs moving when the sear breaks? (2) Try a variety of seating depths. (3) Use only one high quality bullet until you've proven to yourself it works in YOUR rifle or doesn't...............Then move on to a 2nd bullet choice if necessary.

 

[Bruce W]

To consistantly shoot small groups you also need to use wind flags. Even the mighty ppc is at a handicap without flags
I would imagine at 200 it would even be more important. Bruce

 

[potatoe]

I would work at 100 if you don't have flags, those 80gr's look like a shot gun though so I don't think thats all wind. I've never shot the 400's and I can't remember hearing anyone else shooting them either but I think you would be better off switching bullets. Im assuming its an 8 twist, if so get yourself some heavy bergers, the 105's (VLD target/hunting or hybrids) and or 108's.

Also what do you mean your brass is "turned down to spec"? I'd think that a factory gun would have a no turn neck. If you are turning them and using a standard die ( non bushing) you are loosing neck tension. Can you give us some more specs on your stuff, the chamber neck dia., barrel twist, brass- turned or unturned necks.

 

[Ggmac]

Wind flags for sure , make sure all screws are retorqued , make sure the frt action screw isn't hitting the bolt lug , make sure the bolt handle isn't hitting the stock .

 

[Ggmac]

Is the scope known to be good , what's the brass and primers look like , nothing unusual ?

 

[Tim Singleton]

Scope base and rings tight? It should be doing better than that looks like something is loose

 

[sgreen3]

Three suggestions: (1)Try dry firing with your rest. Are the crosshairs moving when the sear breaks? (2) Try a variety of seating depths. (3) Use only one high quality bullet until you've proven to yourself it works in YOUR rifle or doesn't...............Then move on to a 2nd bullet choice if necessary.

Ill have to try that and see what its doing. Sounds like a good idea Ill give that a try, should I stick with the 80gr Bergers or use the 105 Amx that I have? Any idea were I should for setting depth?

 

[sgreen3]

I would work at 100 if you don't have flags, those 80gr's look like a shot gun though so I don't think thats all wind. I've never shot the 400's and I can't remember hearing anyone else shooting them either but I think you would be better off switching bullets. Im assuming its an 8 twist, if so get yourself some heavy bergers, the 105's (VLD target/hunting or hybrids) and or 108's.

Also what do you mean your brass is "turned down to spec"? I'd think that a factory gun would have a no turn neck. If you are turning them and using a standard die ( non bushing) you are loosing neck tension. Can you give us some more specs on your stuff, the chamber neck dia., barrel twist, brass- turned or unturned necks.

Yes the rifle is a 1:8 twist, I have the 105 Amx here at the house now I can use, would those be good to start with? Should I bee starting at 100yrds to start with? Unsure on chamber neck dia, the brass is factory Lapua just full length sized Ive done nothing to necks. Sorry for the newbieness this is all a learning curve so far.

 

[sgreen3]

Wind flags for sure , make sure all screws are retorqued , make sure the frt action screw isn't hitting the bolt lug , make sure the bolt handle isn't hitting the stock .

What should I make sure the action screws are torqued to? Ill take a look at the other items you mentioned.

 

[sgreen3]

Is the scope known to be good , what's the brass and primers look like , nothing unusual ?

As far as I know yes, I bought the scope brand new its a Weaver T-36. Brass looked great no pressure signs or anything out of the ordinary.

 

[dkhunt14]

Is the bench solid? Is the front rest solid? From looking at the pictures the front rest looks flimsy. I would try another scope if the problem persists. Those groups like what Tim says. I think it is mechanical. Let someone else shoot a group to see if it gets better. Matt

 

[sgreen3]

Is the bench solid? Is the front rest solid? From looking at the pictures the front rest looks flimsy. I would try another scope if the problem persists. Those groups like what Tim says. I think it is mechanical. Let someone else shoot a group to see if it gets better. Matt

Yea my benches are 4x6 construction concreted into the ground. May be the front rest its a cheap Caldwell with one of their "wide" bags, that's not very wide, perhaps that could be an issue. Worst comes to worst Ill put that scope on a different rifle to test it out an see what happens. Thanks for your reply!

 

[joshb]

Do the "usual" check on base screws, ring s, etc. I started with the 105Amax and got good results jammed. Your barrel may need to be worn in a little. I love my 6br. It just needs some attention. Get some 450 primers if you can. Try some 105s with 29.2-29.6 Varget. Some go more, but I'm working with a node in that area with my gun. It'll get better. Keep poking at it.

 

[Tim Singleton]

IMO the 400 primer is just fine.
The 80 grain Berger is an awesome bullet in a 12 or an 8 twist. Along with 32 grains of varget should shoot very well.
Unless your just really jerking on the trigger I think you've got something loose somewhere.
A new out of the box rifle could have an action screw loose. Start by just checking all the action screws to make sure they aren't obviously loose then just eliminate all fasteners as being loose bases and rings

Are you hard holding the rifle when you're shooting?

 

[sgreen3]

Thanks for the reply Josh, ok yea I may just stick with the 105 Amx's right now since I cant seem to find any of the 105 bergers anywhere and my local shop keeps those in stock. An just see what I can get out of those. What kind of "jam" were you running on yours? Would the .015 I was using be in the ball park of were I should be?

 

[sgreen3]

IMO the 400 primer is just fine.
The 80 grain Berger is an awesome bullet in a 12 or an 8 twist. Along with 32 grains of varget should shoot very well.
Unless your just really jerking on the trigger I think you've got something loose somewhere.
A new out of the box rifle could have an action screw loose. Start by just checking all the action screws to make sure they aren't obviously loose then just eliminate all fasteners as being loose bases and rings

Are you hard holding the rifle when you're shooting?

Getting ready to pull the rifle out of the safe and check the action screws now, just to be sure. Not sure what you mean by hard holding but I am putting my check on the stock if that's what your referring to?...

 

[potatoe]

what kind of groups are you able to get with your tactical rifles?