Factory Savage,How much is too much to expect?

[kdvarmint]

I am working with a savage varmint series model 12 in 308 win. 26" barrel 1-10" twist. Currently averaging .75" groups. Would like to get it .5 or less. Wondering how much accuracy is too much to expect. Anyone with "personal" experience with savage I would appreciate your input. Not interested if you don,t like factory. I know custom is better, and maybe will go that route in the future. But for now, I want to squeeze all the accuracy I can out of my rifle. Just want to know when it gets to the unrealistic point.
Currently working loads for 175 smk. Doing well with 8208xbr and varget. But just starting. Got Lapua brass on the way. Also, I am not green, but somewhat new to reloading. Been at it for 3 or so years. Confident in my abilities but not cocky. I know I don't know it all. OK you get the point, I'll shut up now. Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[artbosco]

I am working with a savage varmint series model 12 in 308 win. 26" barrel 1-10" twist. Currently averaging .75" groups. Would like to get it .5 or less. Wondering how much accuracy is too much to expect.

A .250" or 33% improvement is doable. 100 yard, .75" groups are exceptional for hunting purposes, and OK for some paper punching matches in the factory class.

Keep refining your load work up and you might see a little more improvement. Beyond that, you will have to think about a new barrel, something like a Krieger, before things really start to improve, assuming the load is correct. Lapua is a great choice in brass. Good Shooting.

 

[tipper999]

Out of the box stock Savages shoot sub-moa at 100yd. If not happy, tinker,tinker,tinker! ???

 

[Steve Blair]

Both my 12F Savages needed bedding. The trigger can be adjusted fairly well and should not be a big factor. The Savage factory barrels are somewhat variable. Some shoot very well, others should just be recycled.

My factory 6BR barrel will get down to .3-.4" five-shot groups at 100. My factory 6.5-284 barrel could be used as an example in a borescope lesson. It will not shoot worth a damn. If your assessment of the present barrel is that it will not perform as you want, you could acquire one of the aftermarket drop-in Savage barrels. Drop-ins from reliable barrel makers generally perform well.

Good luck. I hope you find the sweet spot with yours.

 

[260Ravage]

I am quite sure that your gun will perform well with tinkering, as tipper999 stated. Bedding is in order,,,,maybe a different trigger. I own two BVSS models that came alive after a bit or manipulation. I bought them both as 'used'. FWIW, in regards to the .308: Do not overlook RE15 for powder. Also, try different bullets and weights. You'll get there,,just be patient and try,try,try.

 

[260Ravage]

I forgot something: The Lapau brass is a good move. That brass was the biggest improvement to shrinking my groups.

 

[kdvarmint]

The stock that's on it now is the plastic factory cheapo. I just ordered a Bell & Carlson tactical medalist with aluminum bedding block. Trigger is Accu Trigger adjustable down to 6oz. very crisp.
Looking through my log, I had some luck with Reloader 15 last year working with 168 A-max. Was comparable to Varget, not quite as good.

 

[RonAKA]

I have a Savage in a 6BR. It will do three shot groups down to the .1's at 100 meters. However I have about a one in 10 shot flyer issue that opens average groups up to about 0.4". Some things to try:

Bed the stock. It can make it less sensitive to action screw torque. If not, you could try this tuning method for Savage Action Screws.

http://savageaccuracy.com/2010/02/01/how-i-tune-a-savage-receiver/

Try some Berger target bullets. So far I've found changing bullets makes the biggest difference. Also try changing the seating depth. Mine does best with a 0.010" jam. Varget should be a good powder, unless it is not filling the case. If not, then you may want to try something a touch slower. H4350?

Are you using a bushing die? If so, you could select bushings to give about a 0.001" increase in neck size by seating the bullet. I only size about 2/3 of the neck so the back 1/3 stays full size to help center the case in the chamber. Forster make good bushing/bump dies that give you good control of case sizing -- bump shoulder 0.001", and only size 2/3 of neck.

On shooting I found out when the air temperature cooled off, mirage becomes a significant issue. Not hard to make a barrel mirage shield.

 

[mattri]

You may do a little searching re the tension on your action screws, seems to affect Savages more than others.

My bone stock .243 Stevens would do around .3-.5 @100.

 

[carrollshooter]

My 12 VLP DBM in .308 will average about 1.1 MOA using my best loads. I have done a lot of tinkering with the bedding with little change. I keep thinking something is wrong in the bedding or some action stress is rearing it's ugly head. I can often get three or four shots in .6 MOA but not five. Federal Gold Medal Match is no improvement over my best handloads. The barrel does not walk with heat or shoot worse after 40 shots without cleaning. I will try a couple more attempts at rebedding and maybe lapping the reciever threads and barrel nut and adjusting the nut tension but I have little hope for dramatic improvement. Has anyone tried installing a McGowen barrel from Savage Barrels.com? The price looks good but I would want to see a lot of improvement over what I have now. I don't mind paying more for a better barrel than McGowen if I can get a good prefit but this is not a benchrest gun. A consistent .4 MOA five shot group would make me happy.

 

[acloco]

Every barrel, is, well, like a new date! Have to find out what tickles her fancy.

I bought a well used varmint weight 308 barrel that shoots .5's, but, had to find what it likes. 168 AMax seems to be THE bullet with Varget. Vary your seating depth.

 

[Steve Blair]

Has anyone tried installing a McGowen barrel from Savage Barrels.com? The price looks good but I would want to see a lot of improvement over what I have now. I don't mind paying more for a better barrel than McGowen if I can get a good prefit but this is not a benchrest gun. A consistent .4 MOA five shot group would make me happy.

I have a McGowen 30" bull 10" twist .308 installed in a 12F. The barrel shoots very well but copper fouls more than I would like. With 1137 shots down the tube, the fouling has not noticeably improved. Shilen and several other makers offer Savage drop-ins. Shilen Select Match barrels have always shot well for me.

 

[Travelor]

I am a kind of Savage Nut and have a number of them.

My 308 Savages are 110FP an 10FP models. The one still in the "Tupperware" stock has averaged .6 MOA since new many years ago with 168 Gr SMK's. The big deal with the gun as you are aware is the stock being flexible - doesn't mean they wont shoot in them, it just means you have to be careful as to where you support them and on what. I think you will love that B&C stock you have ordered and you will get your .5 MOA guns with just adding the stock.

One think I have found is that my guns just hate Hornady bullets. Measure and weigh them and you will see why.

When you get your new stock, try 46 grains of H4895 and a 168 gr SMK seated to maximum magazine length. I think this will bring a smile to your face.

George

 

[kdvarmint]

The stock came this week. Will put it on this weekend. Got some more 175 smk's laoded up in the Lapua brass, with Varget, and IMR8208xbr. Got just under 1/2 inch groups (just under) with them in Winchester brass and factory stock. Looking forward to see results with new brass and stock. Will play with action screw torque also.

 

[kdvarmint]

Here's the gun with new stock.

 

[RonAKA]

Have you bedded the action?

 

[kdvarmint]

Have you bedded the action?

No. Haven't shot yet, will see how it does first.

 

[kdvarmint]

Can't say I can really see any improvement with the Lapua brass or the new stock. Stock is very comfortable to shoot. Here are two best groups. Varget pretty consistent with win. brass and factory stock. Don't expect alot better than this, but hope to see it consistently. Will keep workin on it.

 

[RonAKA]

It can't hurt to bed it. For loads I would be tempted to stay with the Varget, but try a Berger 155 match with BR-2 primers. Where are you at for jump or jam? They may shoot best jammed 0.010-0.015 into the lands.

 

[kdvarmint]

It can't hurt to bed it. For loads I would be tempted to stay with the Varget, but try a Berger 155 match with BR-2 primers. Where are you at for jump or jam? They may shoot best jammed 0.010-0.015 into the lands.

Just touching the lands. Bedding may well be in my future. I will keep tweaking.