thomis
Member
Finally had a chance to stretch out to 100 meters last evening with my new Savage Model 14 Classic .308 Win.
Some background info:
Two weeks ago; When I received the gun and before I mounted the scope, I removed the stock, seated the recoil lug and bbl by pointing the bbl up and lightly tapping the butt of the stock, then replaced the stock screws. I mounted the scope (Warne bases, Leup rings, Leup vxII 3-9X40). I then took 14 shots across the chronograph to check some hand-loads and to put it on paper at 35 yards. I posted those results in this thread.
Results from last evening:
All handloads were varying measures of IMR 4064 behind a Hornady 150 BTSP.
My first group was about 7" using 45 grains. Something clearly wrong. After cool down, I shot 4 more. This time using 42 grains. Groups were a little tighter but still way off. I let my spotter shoot to see if it was me. His results were the same. Let it cool down for 20 minutes.
Next, loaded some factory Remington Core Lokts and shot a little better, a 4" group. It got me thinking.. Across the chronograph, the Rem factory loads were similar in velocity to the loads closest to max charge so I decided to try the max charge loads. Groups tightened significantly. Group size was less than 1.75". I thought I had it nailed that it liked the max loads so I shot a volley of 44 grain loads to prove my theory, fully expecting the groups to open up. That group was .75". Now confused but happy, I loaded one more time and fired one last volley of 43 grain loads. Another .75" group.
What I gather from this is that I should concentrate on a load around the 43 - 44 grain mark.
I have not cleaned the bore yet, and I plan to do so before I return to the range.
Can you spot something I'm missing or have any further advice? I'm expecting a lot from this rifle and caliber.
Some background info:
Two weeks ago; When I received the gun and before I mounted the scope, I removed the stock, seated the recoil lug and bbl by pointing the bbl up and lightly tapping the butt of the stock, then replaced the stock screws. I mounted the scope (Warne bases, Leup rings, Leup vxII 3-9X40). I then took 14 shots across the chronograph to check some hand-loads and to put it on paper at 35 yards. I posted those results in this thread.
Results from last evening:
All handloads were varying measures of IMR 4064 behind a Hornady 150 BTSP.
My first group was about 7" using 45 grains. Something clearly wrong. After cool down, I shot 4 more. This time using 42 grains. Groups were a little tighter but still way off. I let my spotter shoot to see if it was me. His results were the same. Let it cool down for 20 minutes.
Next, loaded some factory Remington Core Lokts and shot a little better, a 4" group. It got me thinking.. Across the chronograph, the Rem factory loads were similar in velocity to the loads closest to max charge so I decided to try the max charge loads. Groups tightened significantly. Group size was less than 1.75". I thought I had it nailed that it liked the max loads so I shot a volley of 44 grain loads to prove my theory, fully expecting the groups to open up. That group was .75". Now confused but happy, I loaded one more time and fired one last volley of 43 grain loads. Another .75" group.
What I gather from this is that I should concentrate on a load around the 43 - 44 grain mark.
I have not cleaned the bore yet, and I plan to do so before I return to the range.
Can you spot something I'm missing or have any further advice? I'm expecting a lot from this rifle and caliber.