hello --and I need a little help

[graywolf]

Hello folks! I am new here but not new to shooting and reloading.
Not an expert but not a newbie either. I am retired now and enjoy my time behind the stock. I hope this finds you all well.
OK I have a question about a rifle.
A dear friend has offered to get me a Savage Classic 14 in 308.
I will reload for this and I was wondering what you folks think of this rifle. I am concerned about the 1-10 twist of the barrel.
I have noticed that many of you shoot 1-12.
The rifle has a 22" barrel, walnut stock, hinged floor plate and high luster blue finish. The cost of the rifle will be about $630.00. I will use it for deer hunting with a 3-12 power scope.
I live up here in Maine. BUT I love to shoot from the bench in the nice weather. So do you think I can tweak that rifle into at least .375" at 100 yards given the right powder and bullet.
I would like to shoot at least 165 grain bullets. I don't think I would be happy if I could not do at least the 3/4 inch at 100.
I hope I have given enough information on my question and am very appreciative of any help.


Thank you
GW.

 

[rayjay]

If you already have a deer rifle then I would suggest getting something else, something a little more biased to the target shooting side of things. For the same price you should be able to get a Savage single shot model 12 BVSS in 223, 22-250 or 243. Either of these might make your goal without pounding your shoulder into oblivion like the 308 in a relatively light hunting rifle.

 

[Posit]

Agree with the above. I'm not personally familiar with the rifle, but think you probably should be able to get .75 MOA with the right load. BUT,!) if you intend to enjoy significant pain-free range time, I would opt for a smaller caliber,.22 to .25). Cheaper to shoot, and more fun when you're not getting thumped every time you pull the trigger. Probably a number of good rifles for the same or lower cost. If you don't have another deer gun, a .243 or 25-06 will serve both purposes.

 

[treeman]

i would be surprised if you could't get 1/2" groups at 100yrds

 

[graywolf]

Thank you for the help,yes I know the 308 has a goodly recoil.
I was very concerned with the 1-10 twist in the barrel and how that would effect the bullets I shoot. I have three reloading books and they all relate to a 1-12 twist. Also many people seem to prefer the 1-12. Can someone tell me why.

Thank you

GW.

 

[RJinTexas]

Graywolf, A few years ago 308 fever went through out deer camp and I ended up reloading for four different 308's, two 22" Tika's, a Savage wearing a 12tw 28" HV Pacnor and a Ruger 77 target model. My friend with the Ruger doesn't own one small bore. About 7 yrs ago when we started shooting prairie dogs he decided to just use his 308. I told him he was crazy it would be both costly and punishing shooting 200 to 300 rounds through a 308 daily. So I needed to find a lighter bullet that would group under 1/2". I tried Hornady 110gr Vmax and Sierra 110gr Varminter HP with little luck, then I tried 125gr NBT with 51.0gr / W748 = 3261fps, "speed kills". I was rewarded with sub 1/2" group accuracy consistently. I know this is not a varmint bullet but I dare anyone to try and convince my redneck buddy as he's now shot over 3000 rounds through this barrel and it's still drilling dogs. I have personally seen him string 8 hits in row between 450 to 480yds. To shorten a already too long story this bullet works equally well on our smallish Texas deer as well as 300lb feral hogs. I'm now loading this round for all 4 rifles, the powder charges are less in the Tika's shorter barrels one likes 49.5gr the other 50.0gr. I haven't found a 308 that doesn't love this load. I'm uncertain but I believe the 12tw & 13tw are very popular with the Palma shooter. If you choose to load this round Nosler's reloading guide #4 shows 51.5gr /W748 as max but I found it to be a little to hot and showed pressure signs, my QuickLoad program shows 51.0gr as max, so be sure and work up carefully,I hope this helps.

RJ

 

[graywolf]

Thank you that is some good info for me. As I have said my concern was the savage 1-10 twist rate. Why 1-10 when everyone Else seems to like the 1-12? I don't have a problem with 130 grain bullets and at a decent Vel. will knock a deer on it's but.
The deer here in Maine can go to 180 pounds. That may take a little heavier bullet.
Thanks again I have saved your info. I will have to look into the W748 powder, that is a new one for me.

GW.

 

[boogershooter]

The 308 bug has also bitten me about 10 years ago.And still is a favorite of many old schoolers,Great versatile round, I still havent grown weary of!

 

[22243win]

The 1-10 twist shouldn't present any problems. It should stabilize bullets from 100 to 220 grains. As far as accuracy goes, you should be pleased with a Savage. I have no doubt that most of the Savage's that I am familiar with will do that on occasion. That being said, I doubt any that stock Savage I've shot will agg that. I do have a 12 that I put a Shilen 6br barrel on and bedded that will agg that low. I doubt that there are very many factory sporters that will agg .375 day in and day out. The good news is that the Savage platform is easy to rebarrel and I believe a good barrel is the single most important part of the puzzle. Good luck.

 

[CZ223]

Howdy Gray Wolf. Where are you at in Maine? I live in Lewiston and work in Portland and am in the process of joining the Scarborough Fish and Game club. I was a member of Falmouth rod and gun for 15 years. Anyway, I may also be Savages number one fan. I currently own 8 heavy barreled Varmint models in everyting from 17HMR to 25-06. I do not CURRENTLY own a 308 though I have owned 2 of them in the past. I just don't need that much gun for poking holes in paper, or at least I haven't till now. My maine reason for joining Scarborough is that they have a 600 yard range and I am trying to decide between the new Savage F Class rifles in 308 or 6mmBR. The only thing holding me back from the BR is the additional cost to get setup for reloading. I already load for the 308.
Back to your questions, as someone has already pointed out, the 10 twist should be just fine especially for the heavier bullets. If you are only using this rifle for bench shooting and not hauling around in the woods you really should consider getting a BVSS, VLP or LRPV. Either of these guns will ride the bags better and the extra weight will help in controlling recoil. You might also want to consider a smaller caliber especially if you are only punching paer out to about 300 yards or less. I have 2 Savage 223 BVSS that will consistantly shot 5 shots under 1/2 inch and often much closer to 1/4" at 100 yards. My 2 VLPs in 204 ruger are slightly better and will keep 5 under 3/8" pretty consistantly. The smaller calibers are cheaper to reload for and you can put hundreds of rounds down range and not feel it. If you want something a little mor potent than the 223 or 204 the 22-250 is also a good round an extremely accurate in my Savage bvss.

 

[therifler]

Thank you for the help,yes I know the 308 has a goodly recoil.
I was very concerned with the 1-10 twist in the barrel and how that would effect the bullets I shoot. I have three reloading books and they all relate to a 1-12 twist. Also many people seem to prefer the 1-12. Can someone tell me why.

Thank you

GW.

10 twist is good to go.