Accuracy Tips for Savage?

[Rialb]

It seems like most people agree that a Savage is a good way to get into long range shooting on a budget price. So I am planning on a Savage 11G in .308. That is the wood stock model and it has the accutrigger.

So, what are some tips on tweaking a little more accuracy out of these rifles? Are there any online sources for the how-to? Are there any books covering this subject? Parts sources?

One of my first projects would be a glass-bed job. I realize they are dual pillar bedded but a glass job should still perk it up. Any tips on this? Things to avoid?

Any and all tips, suggestions, warnings and sources of info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[AJ Peacock]

The best online source is Savageshooters.com, a membership for the site is $12/year and well worth it for all the articles and expertise.

I'd personally set the headspace to minimum and change out the recoil lug and barrel nut at the same time. I'd get the tools and parts from sharpshootersupply.com You'll need a headspace gauge as well.

Freefloat your barrel and you are all set to go.

The reason I'd swap the recoil lug and barrel nut are that the ones that come on the rifle are famous for not being flat/square.


AJ

 

[Rialb]

Thanks. This info will get me started. Any other ideas?

 

[mkg]

Rialb,

Since you said one of your first jobs would be to bed the action I have one little piece of advise.

Make sure the safety tang is free floated , a piece of tape under the tang when bedding will do the trick.

Mike

 

[Rialb]

Thanks all. The more that I'm finding out about Savage, the better I like them.

AJ: I now subscribe to savageshooters.com. The few things I've already read on there are already worth the subscription price. Thanks.

 

[geargrinder]

Thanks all. The more that I'm finding out about Savage, the better I like them.

AJ: I now subscribe to savageshooters.com. The few things I've already read on there are already worth the subscription price. Thanks.

I'm one of the moderators over at savageshooters. I split most of my online time between here and there.

Be sure to check out the monthly email bench rest competition over there. That is the section I moderate. It is free and is a ton of fun. My shooting skill have greatly improved from it. It's forced me to shoot every month, not just in the few weeks before hunting season.

Couple more tips for the savage. Don't let the barrel heat up, especially on a sporter and don't clean the barrel too much. Many savage barrels shoot better dirty. That is the case on my 220 Swift and 300win. I'll clean them once a year, need it or not.

 

[Rialb]

Couple more tips for the savage. Don't let the barrel heat up, especially on a sporter and don't clean the barrel too much. Many savage barrels shoot better dirty. That is the case on my 220 Swift and 300win. I'll clean them once a year, need it or not.

Thanks for the tips. Not cleaning my bbl often is something that I'll keep in mind about the Savage. It goes against everything I've been taught and practiced but I will keep that tip in mind.

 

[geargrinder]

I was about to throw away my heavy barrel 300win. No matter what loads, hand or factory, would it do better than 2 inches at 100 yards. I switched scopes, bases, rings. Everything I could think of.

I had about given up. I had just shot two 5 shot groups that were about 2-2.5". This is normally when I would quit an go home and clean up. My brother was with me. He asked to try it, just to prove that it was me and not the gun. He shot a group just under an inch.

Hmmm... I couldn't let him him think he was a better shot than me. So I shot another group. It was just over half an inch.

I thought maybe the barrel was finally broken in and everything was fine. So, I went home and cleaned it.

Guess what? Next time to the range...a 2" group. But, then after another couple 5-shot strings, the groups dramatically shrank again.

I finally figured out what she liked. At least 15 shots to foul. Then she's good to go. Now, it's once a year or when the groups open up. I've got about 300 rounds since the last cleaning with no signs of lost accuracy. I was smacking rocks last weekend at 1100 yards.

Good luck with your Savage. Spend some time figuring out what it likes.

 

[Forester]

About the shooting better dirty. My .308 Savage settles in after a couple of shots, and holds the same accuracy level for about 50-75 shots. Closer to 75 or so if I am shooting Bergers and RE-15. Closer to 50 with RE-7 and the 110 V-Maxs. Either bullet/load gives half minute or better accuracy or a very regular basis.

 

[doublelung]

I was about to throw away my heavy barrel 300win. No matter what loads, hand or factory, would it do better than 2 inches at 100 yards. I switched scopes, bases, rings. Everything I could think of.

I had about given up. I had just shot two 5 shot groups that were about 2-2.5". This is normally when I would quit an go home and clean up. My brother was with me. He asked to try it, just to prove that it was me and not the gun. He shot a group just under an inch.

Hmmm... I couldn't let him him think he was a better shot than me. So I shot another group. It was just over half an inch.

I thought maybe the barrel was finally broken in and everything was fine. So, I went home and cleaned it.

Guess what? Next time to the range...a 2" group. But, then after another couple 5-shot strings, the groups dramatically shrank again.

I finally figured out what she liked. At least 15 shots to foul. Then she's good to go. Now, it's once a year or when the groups open up. I've got about 300 rounds since the last cleaning with no signs of lost accuracy. I was smacking rocks last weekend at 1100 yards.

Good luck with your Savage. Spend some time figuring out what it likes.

I thought it was just me I can't remember the last time I cleaned my heavy Savage factory chambered 300 Win Mag varmint rifle. Just before hunting season I shot a 6 1/4" group @ 820 yards with a dirty gun.

 

[cva54]

you all got me wondering now dirty or clean I gess there is only 1 way to find out. And for info on bedding go to stocky stocks .com thay have all the info on pillers and bedding and more