Accuracy Problem

[buck66]

I just purchased a Savage Model 10 Precision Carbine (.308). I also purchased a Weaver Grand Slam Tactical 3-10x Scope. I mounted the scope using an EGW Base and Burris Tactical Rings. I lapped the mounts, and leveled the scope, and made sure every thing was secure. Shot a box of cheep PMC 150gr and half a box of Remington 168gr match. I couldn't get a group of less than 4" at 100 yards and the group was all over the place (my friend shot it also and didn't get any better group than I did).

I am thinking that it must scope but would like to hear any other suggestions. I plan on pulling the scope and remounting it step by step before I send it back.


Thanks

 

[Firecat]

I know that this may seem like a simple question, but is everything tight? Check all of your mounts, bases and guard screws. Something seems out of whack. May find that it is something simple. Savages have a better track record with their newer rifles. So I would check all of the little things first. If you have a scope that you could take off of another rifle, I would give that a try also.

 

[MrMajestic]

Has the scope moved in the mounts? Have the groups been centered the same? Barrel hot? I concur with the previous post that Savage out of the box accuracy is typically very good.

 

[RMulhern]

Try an 870 Remington with 000 buckshot!!

 

[Dr. Vette]

I'd blame the ammo before I would blame anything else. I have had rifles shoot a few brands of ammo horribly and then shoot the next one into a cloverleaf. My uncles 30-06 last week had 4 shots in 1 inch at 200 yard with one ammo, but 3 other types were 4-6 inch groups on the same target.

So, I'd try another brand. If nothing else be sure your trigger is adjusted, and inspect your crown. Consider bedding the rifle if "nothing" seems to shoot well.

 

[buck66]

Thanks for all of your inputs.

Scope Mounts Loose
I have ordered up all of my own scope mounting tools so as I said in my first post I will go step by step with remounting everything before I send anything back or deem anything bad. At that time I will pay very carful attention to all possible mounting issues. I think I did a pretty good job the first time lapping the mounts, leveling the scope, etc. and every thing seems to be good. This was the first thing I thought of but nothing seems to be out of whack. Unfortunately I don't have a backup scope to put on it. I am thinking about buying another but don't know if I want to sleep on the couch when my wife finds out since I just dropped about $1200 on this rig.

The Ammo
I know there can be a difference with how a particular rifle shoots certain ammo. That is why I choose the 150gr and the 168 grain bullets. That covers a good portion of the range for standard 308 weight bullets. The Savage has a 1:10 twist rate so I thought that it might shoot the 168gr match bullets better than the 150gr cheap bullets but there wasn't any real difference in group size.

The Rifle
I like Savage and expect good results from this rifle that is why I am holding the scope suspect. I purchased a Steven for my son for under $300. Mounted a Pentex scope on it adjusted the creepy trigger down a little and we were shooting 1.5"groups with Remington Core Locks at 100 yards (bench) with it. That is one of the things that made me choose the Savage.

To sum it up I am bummed. I don't get to buy a lot of firearms and this is by far the most money I have ever put into a rifle setup and I was very excited about it. You get out there and as the Sharpsman alluded to your group looks like a shotgun blast and not the precision tool you were expecting.

 

[highridge1]

I wouldn't remount everything to do with the scope. I would just make sure everything is tight. Then I would check the actions screws. I torque my 700 actions screws to 40 inch lbs. if they are good, Then it's ammo or scope.

 

[davewilson]

try a different scope that you feel is a good one.

 

[bigngreen]

Bummer!!! It looks like you have things fairly well covered, I would doubt the scope would be the issue but I would look at bedding that EGW base, I found it to be an issue with my model 12, as everyone else said make double sure it is free floated and also make sure the tang is free floated also with the Savage, I've heard that if you have an accustock that playing with the torque on the wedge can really change things though I have yet to get an accustock model to play with.
My model 12 will literally pitch Bergers into a 1 foot area at random at 200yrds but shoot a 7/8 group at 200yrds with an Accubond so some times you just have to find the sweet spot, you just hope it will be a wide one

Everybody makes a bad one every once in a while so I would aggressively figure it out and if it needs to go back to Savage for some work get it done soon under warranty.

 

[liltank]

I'm blaming ammo! Try some federal premium and black hills. Both ammo's you are using are not known for accuracy.

Tank

 

[zupatun]

Throw in a match bullet with 175 SMK and see what you get. 1:10 may like the 175's very much...

 

[7 loader]

Try tapping the scope (lightly)with a small rubber mallet at the rings after 5 shots. The screws my be loose ever so slightly. Tighten then shoot some moore. If not the ammo is most likely the prob. Try a ladder test with hand loads. this has worked for me.

 

[loosesniper2000]

Before I'd do anything, I would check the parallex. Make sure the scope is secure and without moving it move your eye back and forth. If the crosshairs move you've got a bad scope. This would be the only other thing I would try prior to remounting it

 

[buck66]

Before I'd do anything, I would check the parallex. Make sure the scope is secure and without moving it move your eye back and forth. If the crosshairs move you've got a bad scope. This would be the only other thing I would try prior to remounting it

Thanks for the input. Could I ask for some clarification on this? Not sure if I totally understand the proper procedure.