Factory savage 223 barrel probs

[vmaxpro]

I just picked up a new Savage 10 in 223, went to the range to test out some different loads. I was getting frustrated with it very badly! I tried many different ladder loads and so on , this thing just wouldnt shoot. So I decided to work up a ladder load with 52gr amaxs, 53 gr vmaxs, 55gr NBT, but all of them jammed into the lands. That worked out very well! It seems that this gun will only shoot jammed really hard, like .030" . If I jump .010-.050 it shoots shotgun patterns. Any guess's as to why? Measuring fired brass the shoulders only growing .0015 so it seems as tho its spaced right.

 

[MarkS]

vmaxpro

I start everything jammed 20 into lands and work up from there. Most all my loads say into the lands.

Mark Schronce

 

[MrMajestic]

Problem solved! Good job!

Seriously, Savage barrels can take much effort breaking-in. My 16 in .223 took 75-100 rds. but now it is a consistent 1/2 MOA rifle with the 75 gr. A-Max.

It might change when things finally get smoothed out.

 

[hogpatrol]

+1 on MrMajestic. On a couple Savage 17 rimfires, 250 rounds before they got consistent & accurate. From what I've read on many forums, Savage barrel quality can be spotty.

 

[vmaxpro]

Yea this thing copper fouls extremely bad too. I just ordered a 1:8 twist 223 and a 1:10 twist 300wsm barrel for both of these guns from Mcgowen. I hope the Mcgowens shoot ok!!! Im not so sure about Savage anymore honestly, when I pulled the barrel off a couple guns the threads were packed with chips and coolant, among many other problems.

 

[MrMajestic]

KG bore products can be your best friend!

 

[tenring]

the threads were packed with chips and coolant, among many other problems.

That'al teach ya not to drink soda and eat chips while yer cleaning the gun.

Seriously, what kind of coolant and chips and how did they get there?

 

[Redhighpower]

I would suggest that you purchase a David Tube barrel finishing Kit. It has bullets coated with an abrasive from course to fine. Load up the bullets and follow the instructions.

 

[BoilerUP]

My 12FV 26" .223 factory barrel shoots 75gr HPBT into five shot 0.4" groups @ 100yd, loaded 0.010" off the lands with 24.0gr Varget.

 

[lal357]

my factory 1-9 barrel that is in the safe would shoot 75 amax's in the .3's @100yds and .8-1.3" @ 300 yds the only reason i took it off was i wanted to make it a 308. i also picked up a Mcgowen 1-8t for another savage i have i bought used to shoot 80gr. pills but its not throated to shoot 75-80gr pills but likes 69gr smk's .

 

[ChuckMiller]

vmaxpro, your on the right track, get a good barrel, life's too short to waste on barrels that foul or require effort to shoot well. I found a deal on a 10 locally, NIB...wanted it for a donor action and the price was right. Pulled the barrel and traded it to a buddy for his sons rifle, my buddy owns a Hawkeye bore scope. Can't say I didn't warn him, "this is one of those accurate Savage factory barrels!", well....that is a warning, right? He's a dyed in the wool Savage man, just rolled his eyes at me. Inside of that barrel looked like a commercial for how not to make a barrel, takes him forever to clean it and loses accuracy after 20 rounds, "hey, it's a hunting rifle, right?". Get ya a good prefit and never look back, you'll make it up in copper remover you won't have to buy. Only thing Savage on my rifles is the action, barrel/stock/trigger wear another name.

 

[cb1229]

have you thought of bedding and make sure barrle is floated my lrpv shot 2 dead on then get flyers no matter what you did so i devconed it in and every thing it shoots is dead on took small group in factory class br match 2monthes in a row last year talked to a savage gun smith and owner of sharpshooter supply and he informe me that they use a belt sander to finish there stainless actions so they dont fit exactly in stock so maybe try bedding and i shoot every thing in mine soft seated so they are into the lands i only neck size good luck

 

[vmaxpro]

Thanks for all the responses! I got my new barrels in, ended up going with a 7 twist on the 223. The mcgowen shoots very very nicely and has zero copper issues. Broke in in less the 10 rounds so I'm happy! The 7 twist shoots the 75's amaxes pretty sweet. I could only get them to stabalize above 65 degrees in the factory 1:9

 

[mattt]

My sav 12 f/tr 223 shoots .187 groups at 100 yards with factory barrel. Of the 3 sav competition rifles I bought the 223 is the only one I have not replaced the barrel. The 223 has won a few f/tr matches at sac valley .

 

[Catfish]

If the gun is shooting accurately I would recomand you not fire lap. Fire lapping will help with brass fouling, but it will eat out the throught and shorten the life of the barrel. Every time you clean it use JB bore past and a good copper cleaner and it will eventually quit the bad copper fouling.