Savage VLP 22-250 9" twist trouble!

[CanusLatransSnpr]

As you can see I'm new to this forum. I shoot a Savage 12 VLP in 22-250 with a 9 inch twist. My problem is that for some reason I can't consistently shoot small groups to my liking. My best group came from 40 gr. H-380, 55 gr. Nosler BT .005 off lands. This one shot about 3/8" after subtracting bullet diameter. Then I tried a max load of Varget, 36.5 gr., same everything else and the group was poor. Everything I've read states Varget is superior powder. Perhaps it is in my cleaning regimen. I clean after every session. 2 patches soaked with Butchs, brush 8-10 times, 1 patch soaked with Butchs, patch until dry, 2 patches Shooters Choice, let sit for 10 min or so, patch dry, then 1 patch Rem Oil. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[savageboy]

Don't want to discourage you, but for a stock barrel, etc. a 3/8" group is pretty standard. If you want better, you will need to- 1. play with the loads/ seating depth 2. Bed the rifle. 3. Replace the barrel 4 replace the trigger. 5. Get a better scope and mount set up. After all that you have the potential to go to .25" ish more consistantly vs. .37". You gotta decide if that slight gain is worth it to you. To me it is as I shoot at 1000yds and everything matters. My Varmit rigs, I have stock rifles, etc.

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

I was wondering if I was expecting too much from my rig, or for that matter, myself? I've been brought up that the rifle can shoot better than I can and I forget that sometimes! Another note, the first load was with new Rem. brass and the the second load was with fire formed Fed. brass. If that makes any difference. Thanks for you input!

 

[savageboy]

Its a $500-600 rifle. To get that extra .15" better group, you are going spend some $- and that dosen't guarantee anything. In theory if you go with a $300 Shilen or = barrel, a $100 SSS trigger, a $25 + your time bedding job you should be able to get it in the .3's always and .2's ocassionally or better if you get lucky.

 

[RJinTexas]

Back off the powder a little, try this standard tried and proven load and see if your groups don't srink.

38.0 gr - H380
any good 52 gr match bullet

RJ

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

I purchased this rifle back in January for $900 new and put a 3-12x42 nikon monarch scope with leupold rings and bases. The thing that discourages me is that occasionally I could stack bullets with factory Fed ammo loaded with sierra blitz king 55s. These bullets jump .165 before they get to the rifling and then I load my own ammo and I get junk groups. Maybe the sun was just shining on my tale those days! LOL!

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Thanks RJ! I have been reluctant to shoot anything lighter than 55s because the folks at savage told me that was the lightest bullet I could shoot. Will the 52 match bullets have good terminal effects on coyotes, groundhogs, etc.

 

[dmickey]

Sierra does not recommend the use of match bullets on live game (varmints, etc.) The reason is that the match bullets are designed for maximum accuracy and not for reliable expansion. They may expand or they may just pass through the animal causing a slow painful death.

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Thanks Dennis! I didn't think they were acceptable for varmint hunting. I went out and shot last night and with the exception of the fouling shot, I shot a .313 group after you take away the bullet diameter. If anyone was wondering it was with trimmed to length, fire formed Fed. brass, Win LR primer, 36.5 gr. of Varget, 55 gr. Nosler BT .005 jump.

 

[MarkS]

CanusLatransSnpr,

If you are shooting 0.313" I would not worry about it That is great for a factory gun. H414 have been my powder for a 22-250 and 22-250AI, you may give it try.

Mark Schronce

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Thanks again Mark! Before I buy any more powder I think I may want to invest in a new powder scale. The Lee safety scale, that came with my kit, I just don't have a whole lot of faith in. Seems like I am constantly resetting it to zero.

 

[pdog06]

My 22-250 load is also 36.5gr and 55gr vmax or NBT's. I also shoot 38.5gr H-380 with the same bullets.

If you just shot a group in the .3's then you're onto something, but one group doesnt make it "the load". I'd work off that load and see how it responds. Try a couple more groups of the same load, then try some with the seating depth changed a bit(try a .015-.020 jump to see if it likes it. My 9twist vlp likes a .020 jump.).

You also didnt say whether your groups were 3 or 5 shot groups, and at what yardage. I always shoot 5 shot groups with a heavy barreled gun, and start at 100 yds till I get one I like, then move to 200.

 

[gambleone]

Yes, you want to make sure your scale is true. A good basic scale that is accurate is a Redding Model #2. Watch the air current. It doesn't take much to throw you off.

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Pdog & Gamble thanks! My groups are five shot usually at 100 yds. Here lately with the onset of deer season, archery and firearm, it has been difficult for me to get out and do any shooting. I hunt with a firearm and I don't want to mess up anyones archery hunt around where I live. I'm gonna get a new powder scale and play with bullet seating depths and see if I can't find that preferred load. Just got a box of Sierra 55gr. Blitz Kings and I would like to see how these shoot.

Thanks again everyone for all the great suggestions. I've found this to be a friendly and informative community and am grateful to have access to this.

Mike

 

[people]

RJinTexas He hit the head of the nail with his comment about a 52gr match bullet and H380. I have not seen a 22-250 that dose not sing with that load. Everyone I know uses Hornady 52gr HPBT Match with H380 and it does a number on PD and coyotes. I have also been known to use 55gr BT with a max load of varget. I would try the 52gr match and see where that takes you.

 

[SaminVirginia]

I've shot an 8 twist barrel in 22-250 for several years now... seems to shoot bullets in weights from 55-80 pretty well.
My favorite are 68 grain bullets. I get killer groups shooting the 68's with AA-2700, w-760 & H414.
Lighter bullets may over stabilize in the fast twist barrel.. If you're getting .313 groups now , you're doing very well already. I had my barrel throated for the 75grain A-maxes for long range groundhogs.... super accurate, but they would not expand on the critters..it was like shooting a nail at them...good luck. Sam

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Thanks Sam! I have gotten so much good advice from this thread its not even funny! Everybody has had good thouhts and suggestions. Thanks!

Mike

 

[flyinlizard]

If you wish to try differant bullets go to www.bulletsamples.com you can order small quantitys of
premium bullets and Tom is great to deal with..

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Good call flyin! I didn't know there was a place to get small bullet samples. I'll have to give Tom a try! Thanks!

Mike

 

[M700]

That is a good idea, trying quite a few different bullets... However, I'll toss in another recommendation for the 52 or 53 gr Sierra match hollow point and H380. Very accurate load, and yes, it does a fine job on varmints.

You are getting what I would consider very good results from a production rifle if it will consistently shoot .3's.