Savage 308 FTR range report

[broncman]

I finally got to shoot my new FTR savage today. Had a few 168 amax so I loaded five with 44gr Varget and 44.5 gr. Took some federal factory ammo as well.

First, the harris bipod will not stay tight. Completely different shape than the bottom of the stock. Looks like a Duplin is gonna be next.

Second, the accutrigger is totally different than my Jp AR trigger. It is set way to low. Cant tell of any break at all. Once the accutrigger spring is taken up, it fires with little pressure at all on the trigger blade. It snuck up on me several time!

With no load work up and lack of familiarity it still shot 1/2 moa for both loads!

Gonna get another bipod, up the trigger weight till I can feel the end of the accutrigger piece and the beginning of the trigger itself.

I also got to figure out hold, hard or a soft hold, but it was very impressive for my first go at it. Lot differnt than my 223 AR F/TR gun.

 

[Billch]

Congrats on the new F/TR.

I've have mine for several years now and I still think its some of the best money I've ever spent on a firearm. I'm sure that there is some confirmation bias involved but I don't recall reading a review stating "I bought a Savage F/TR and it shoots like crap". Boringly good is the norm. While discussing load development for it with a friend of mine, he suggested that finding a bullet/powder combination that did not shoot well might be more of a challenge than one that did. :

I too started with a Harris. The fit to the stock was less than ideal as you've discovered. Even after the addition of an intermediate adapter plate between the stock rail and bi-pod it just wasn't stable enough for me. I use a Sinclair now. Much better. I like the Harris but not for this rifle.

I bought another single shot target action for another build. I was surprised at how light the accutrigger was set at the factory. Totally unusable. Out comes the adjustment tool... twist, check... done. It is the same pull weight as my F/TR now. I've read complaints about the accutrigger. I don't have any. Maybe I just don't know any better (probably) but it works fine for me.

I wonder sometimes if other people who own this rifle have as much fun with it as I do.

B

 

[memilanuk]

First, the harris bipod will not stay tight. Completely different shape than the bottom of the stock. Looks like a Duplin is gonna be next.

Something that may be worth trying... what we did back before all these new fancy bipods were available

Go to the hardware store and get some 80-100 grit sand paper. Preferably something good quality, like Norton 3X, with PSA backing (pressure-sensitive adhesive). Doesn't really matter if its a sheet or a disc for a sander. Cut a couple strips ~1/2 wide by 2-1/2 - 3" long and put them on either side of the fore-end rail where the Harris bipod contacts the fore-end. Now when you snug down the bipod screw, it won't go *anywhere*. Might need to periodically replace the strips... like once every year or so.

YMMV,

Monte