MikeSSS
10-27-2009, 08:46 PM
I wanted a sporter weight cast boolit rifle. Lee's 312-185R worked good in a 26" Win 94 30-30 so I decided on a bolt gun in .308. I wanted a Stevens 200 but found a Savage 16 FSS, it's a stainless steel sporter weight with an AccuTrigger. The stock fit too tight around the barrel and tang so I opened that up some, lubed the AccuTrigger that was already set to minimum, installed Weaver bases, Burris Signature tall rings (plastic insert) and an old Simmons 6.5x20 44 mag scope.
Off to the range with 312-185R, gas checked, Alox lubed, seated so the gas check mouth is just inside the base of the neck. The lead was range lead, the cases were range pick up RP but really clean and FL sized. Charge was 16 gr of 2400 and 27.0 of Varget. Distance was 100 yards.
This is group one.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l57/MikeSSS_01/PA300090.jpg
YES!
This is group three.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l57/MikeSSS_01/PA300091.jpg
More YES!
The 27 gr of Varget loads were just a bit less accurate but left gravel of hard soot in the barrel, it actually prevented seating rounds until cleaned out. 27 gr isn't enough Varget.
Velocities were around 1580 fps for 16.0 gr of 2400 and 1630 fps for 27.0 gr of Varget. Primers looked the same, mild but not too light, for both loads.
The one in five flyers were my fault, I'm really rusty and unsteady on the bags and out of practice in getting a consistent hold. Yes, hold does matter a lot with a tupperware Savage stock but probably not as much as on my HS Precision stocked Remingtons.
Savage comments: Build quality is first rate on this Savage rifle. Savage does do things that keep the cost down but they are more in the line of brilliant design as opposed to cheap.
Next is to re-learn how to hold and shoot a rifle again. A part of that is to get a stable base for the rear bag. I'm putting it on a too squishy base bag because the edges of the rear bag are rolled under and act like little rollers under it. Another thing is to actually use the same bag positions under the stock all the time. Today the front bag was under the front bell of the scope and the rear bag was under the sling stud (removed) hole.
The AccuTrigger, after lubing, is a dandy hunting trigger. And this rifle will be used for hunting (just a few months till bee season).
Well, that's my story and I'm stick'n too it.
Off to the range with 312-185R, gas checked, Alox lubed, seated so the gas check mouth is just inside the base of the neck. The lead was range lead, the cases were range pick up RP but really clean and FL sized. Charge was 16 gr of 2400 and 27.0 of Varget. Distance was 100 yards.
This is group one.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l57/MikeSSS_01/PA300090.jpg
YES!
This is group three.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l57/MikeSSS_01/PA300091.jpg
More YES!
The 27 gr of Varget loads were just a bit less accurate but left gravel of hard soot in the barrel, it actually prevented seating rounds until cleaned out. 27 gr isn't enough Varget.
Velocities were around 1580 fps for 16.0 gr of 2400 and 1630 fps for 27.0 gr of Varget. Primers looked the same, mild but not too light, for both loads.
The one in five flyers were my fault, I'm really rusty and unsteady on the bags and out of practice in getting a consistent hold. Yes, hold does matter a lot with a tupperware Savage stock but probably not as much as on my HS Precision stocked Remingtons.
Savage comments: Build quality is first rate on this Savage rifle. Savage does do things that keep the cost down but they are more in the line of brilliant design as opposed to cheap.
Next is to re-learn how to hold and shoot a rifle again. A part of that is to get a stable base for the rear bag. I'm putting it on a too squishy base bag because the edges of the rear bag are rolled under and act like little rollers under it. Another thing is to actually use the same bag positions under the stock all the time. Today the front bag was under the front bell of the scope and the rear bag was under the sling stud (removed) hole.
The AccuTrigger, after lubing, is a dandy hunting trigger. And this rifle will be used for hunting (just a few months till bee season).
Well, that's my story and I'm stick'n too it.