Chill pill gun .223 Savage Striker

[Bottom Fodder]

About 3 years ago I heard that a local range was planning on having some 300 yard steel matches I though that would be fun and I told self I’m going build a 223 just for that, I still had one unmolested Savage Striker so I order a barrel and 223 bolt head along with brass and 500 80 grain SMK bullets. When the barrel and head came in I installed mounted a spare scope and with just some generic loads I went to the range basically, just to somewhat sight the scope in and make all functioned ok as I was shooting I was thinking this thing is a hoot to shoot. A week later I learned the matches was not going to happen so basically the gun got put to bed until last month.when I got to thinking I need a gun to shoot that is fun and if it shoots under 1 MOA that all I need just to shoot ,chill and enjoy the ride. About that time the little 223 said pick me pick me. So I had a plan/ goal I’m going to shoot that gun for pure fun using powder and primer I had and don’t use in any thing now. So I looked had 3 pounds of H322 that I don’t use anymore and. Brick of REM 71/2 primers that don’t use. So I load 5 of 3 different powder charges with the bullets slightly jammed and said if any of three shoot 3/4 moa my ladder test is over because this is a chill pill fun gun NOT a competition gun! So I took it to the range two weeks ago and 1st shot reminded me the factory trigger on this gun is like driving down a dirt road and hitting every pot hole. So suck it butter cup learn to deal with it you’re not doing anything to the trigger because it’s a fun chill pill gun! So I shot 1 bullet from each load to to get comfortable with the trigger and somewhat adjust the scope. So now I shoot 5 of the first load dang 5 shots slightly under 1 Moa, second load around 3/4 Moa , third and hottest load under 3/4 MOA feeling this mite work followed up with the Remaining and they repeated. So I loaded up 15 of the higher load and went back today shot 3 at 100 still ok group will serve the purpose so I go to 200 and shot 3 little under 2 in elevation good so now is the 1st test 300 1st little left and real low as in real low but that’s what happen when you shoot 300 yards with your 200 dope lol SO I but my 300 dope in and I hit right around my aiming point. So here comes the main test I think I had 4 or 5 bullets left 4 in. Gong at 300 yards all solid hits mission accomplished. Can I make this gun more accurate 100% yes, but I don’t plan on it no time soon. This is chill pill gun just to ring steel at 300 when I won’t to.

Do you have a chill pill gun

 

[jelenko]

I don't. But, I think yours would be more chill if you replaced the trigger.
Not meaning to go do the rabbit hole on accuracy, but just the enjoyment of executing the shot.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

I don't. But, I think yours would be more chill if you replaced the trigger.
Not meaning to go do the rabbit hole on accuracy, but just the enjoyment of executing the shot.

There’s not really a replacement for these guns unless you convert it to rear grip. And beside I think if make you concentrate harder to work on the fundamentals

 

[jelenko]

Ah. I was thinking it was a rifle.

But.... "concentrate harder to work on the fundamentals" sounds like infringing on chill

 

[DShortt]

I've a Model 12 Savage in .223 I use for just that purpose. As you stated with your choice, it's 'rough around the edges' but it will definitely let you know when your fundamentals are bad and reward you when they're good. Cheap to shoot, easy to load for. I take it every time on practice days.

Edit - Come to think of it, it's basically a 'sanity check'. If I shoot that rifle poorly, then I'm going to shoot any rifle poorly that day under those conditions.

 

[JB10]

I have a real nice browning exlips xbolt. They are discontinued now, but its a heavy gun and very nice wood. Its in 6.5 creedmoor and i dont shoot it much. A few years back i wanted another 6.5 creedmoor beater gun that i did not care what it looked like as long as it shot okish. I ended up ordering a savage 110 tactical. Put a brake on it and a decent scope. Took it out with some friends and shot a 3 inch group at 1,025 years. One of my friends could not believe what the accuracy was compared to his $3,000 rifle. That gun has been a shooter and i dont care if it gets scratched up or what it looks like. Its just a fun gun.

 

[charlie b]

Mine is a Savage Axis in .223. It was a Walmart special with a medium varmint barrel on it. I've lost track of how many rounds through it, close to 7000 I think. It still shoots under MOA almost all the time and average is just under 1/2MOA. I have quite a few 1/4" groups that I got during load work. I use it to shoot soda cans at 600yd and could get 8 out of 10. Mine is limited since it is a 1:9 twist (and 22" barrel). 77SMK and 73ELD's work well with it.

I have way too much fun with it and it is the cheapest gun I own (not counting the Vortex PST on it ), and cheapest to shoot.