Range report for savage 243 varmit

[bbutler]

I took my savage 12series 243 with bull barrel to the range for the second time today. I shot 9 shots within a dime group at 50 yards and the 10th bullet drifted up about a half inch it shattered my nerves . Well i said oh well Ill just shoot 10 shots at 100 yards and the group was about 2 inches. I moved back to 50 yards and the group was an inch,but sometimes I can shoot 3 or 4 shots within a dime group or even one hole shots at that. It seems to drift off on the 4th or 5th shot ,and somrtimes come back to the close group. Besides the first nine shots my rifle is grouping 1inch at 50 yards within 10 shots and 2 inches at 100 yards within 10 shots with federal and remington ammo. Is this all i can get out of the box? (THANKS GUYS) Oh and tis was with a cold barrel.

 

[rangerruck]

do a free float test with a dollar , out at the range with a dollar. mark any sticking points with pencil. then heat er up fast with about 10 to 15 fast fired shots. then repeat the free float test.

 

[rangerruck]

one more thing, the 243 is probably most notorious for being one of the worst case designs ever, it gives off all kind of funky pressure spikes and velocity spreads. So even after making sure of your free float, and doing any sanding that it needs, it still may do this sorta stuff. you may have to go with a premium mfgr bullet, expensive, or handload, to get the problem to go away.

 

[danurve]

bbutler; You mentioned Federal & Remington ammo - if it was express ammo I'm impressed it grouped that good. Not trying to slam Rem factory ammo but take a close look at it. Now they do make a higher grade CorLokt as well. My vls shot the Fed Premium 85gr hpbt great. It uses the Sierra Bullet. Not sure what your Savage has for a twist rate but try some premium 70-90 grrain stuff if your not reloading.

rangerruck; I kind of agree about the case. I destroyed a few learning to full size new or once fired. One reason I like neck sizing.

 

[bbutler]

Did I screw up that bad by getting a 243?