Advice on grouping

[rsbhunter]

Doing load work up on Savage 6.5 Creedmoor LRH...H4350, Berger 140 Elites, .010 off,Lapua cases, CCI br primers . At 100yrs, getting 1-1-1/4" groups but, 1st shot lands at say 12:00 o'clock, second shot 3/4-1" away (always 2nd shot) then third shot cuts hole of 1st shot....not that I'm a benchrest shooter, but I can group, so this is baffling....not just one group, but 9 out of ten.....just fluke, or problem with shooter or gun...shots are single Fed, so no speed shooting...Thanks for any help or advice.....

 

[LHSmith]

Off of bench? Type of rest, and optics?

 

[rsbhunter]

Off bench,adj rest on front, bag rear...might try large bull bag next time, but I've shot off the front rest before and did well

 

[rsbhunter]

Frontier 5-30 Hawk scope

 

[LHSmith]

Are you adjusted for parallax free @ 100?

 

[rsbhunter]

Yes, side adj for parallel.

 

[LHSmith]

I would try 4 shot groups to see what pattern develops. Try to do everything exactly the same from shot to shot. Be mindful of cheek pressure, trigger pull, gun hold, shoulder pressure, and position of stock in relation to bags. Does the 2nd shot always go in the same direction? I am a big believer in using wind indicators like survey ribbon for load development. Are you saying 1-1/4 is your best so far?

 

[rsbhunter]

Here are a couple pics... not always same direction, just always second shot...I have shot formal 4 position , so I was taught the fundamentals, and TRY to do everything shot to shot, but who knows ??? these are 3 shots 2 shots ,1st and 3rd same place, 2nd out

 

[rsbhunter]

You are right, 5 shot groups will be more telling.....

 

[LHSmith]

Have you tried different tensions on the action screws? Experiment with placement of front bag.

 

[rsbhunter]

The screw tension is my next range trip....these were at @ 30 in lbs front , rear @ 5in lbs front...Will move rear to 10, 15, etc to 30 and see what happens....might try higher on front if needed...wish these Bergers weren't pushing $50 a box, but we don't shoot to save money....!

 

[stacy]

MY SAVAGES LIKE 15 INCH LBS ON REAR AND 35 INCH LBS ON FRONT

 

[rsbhunter]

Thanks, I forgot the torque wrench on the first trip, so maybe the adjustment will be the difference..might jump rear screw in 10 in lbs to see difference, then fine tune....

 

[seymour fish]

Doing load work up on Savage 6.5 Creedmoor LRH...H4350, Berger 140 Elites, .010 off,Lapua cases, CCI br primers . At 100yrs, getting 1-1-1/4" groups but, 1st shot lands at say 12:00 o'clock, second shot 3/4-1" away (always 2nd shot) then third shot cuts hole of 1st shot....not that I'm a benchrest shooter, but I can group, so this is baffling....not just one group, but 9 out of ten.....just fluke, or problem with shooter or gun...shots are single Fed, so no speed shooting...Thanks for any help or advice.....

Presume you are starting off with a fouled bbl ?

 

[rsbhunter]

Yes, did break in , 1,clean for 10 shots, then 3,clean for 1st 30 or so rounds....might help with the torque, as well as more rounds through the bbl....

 

[boltfluter]

Is the rifle bedded? If not, that would be my next move.

Paul

 

[cjames]

You didn't say anything about powder charge. Mine likes 41 Grns of H4350 and you might try different seating depths also. Also my Savage 5 shot group on avg. is a 5/8's" that has 3 shots touching and 2 shots touching. It looks like 2 groups, but it is usually a 5/8" group.

 

[rsbhunter]

As far as bedding, it has the accustock, not to say a skim bedding wouldn't help. I started at 40.0 gr s, and went to 41. 8....I have 42.0 to 42.9 loaded in .3 increments to check for pressure and maybe an accuracy node to show....also have seated at .010 and .050 to check for change...have some 130gr OTM loaded at 10, 50 and 80 thou off for accuracy testing

 

[rsbhunter]

Also tried Hornady 140gr ELD match, both loads shot large! Need more work...

 

[500Stroker]

Somethings not right, I have the same rifle and it will shoot very tight groups.
Take your rifle to a qualified Gunsmith and have a through inspection done or send it back to Savage.
I assume you have checked for loose optic mounts.
Good luck