Finicky rifles

[SaskShooter]

I have a problem with my .22 WMR... kinda sorta.

My Savage 93G is just one of those rifles that must be shot PERFECTLY in order to shoot any kind of group. I tried shooting at 50 yards today, and I just couldn't get it under 1.5 inches, which is ridiculous because I was just using the same rifle and ammo a month ago to nail gophers/blackbirds/ground squirrels out to about 140 yards every shot.

After a lot of frustration, and trial-and-error I finally seemed to "get in my groove" and put 4 shots in .11", of course I pulled the fifth to .5".

Now, I know I wasn't flinching THAT badly before, because I had a few failures to fire and even then my crosshair never moved more than 1/4" when I squeezed the trigger, but when I was flinching on live rounds the bullet would often be off by almost 2". Maybe a bit much lock time I guess.

This rifle ALWAYS challenges me, but when I stay consistent and follow through, it rewards me with some of the best groups I've ever seen from a rimfire.

Anybody else have a finicky little moron of a gun that just loves to make fun of you?

 

[TXshooter]

Are you shooting the cheap ammo or the good stuff. I know from experience that the cheap stuff can shoot anywhere from good to horrible depending on its mood that day

 

[SaskShooter]

Are you shooting the cheap ammo or the good stuff. I know from experience that the cheap stuff can shoot anywhere from good to horrible depending on its mood that day

It wasn't the ammo, I know that the accuracy problems today were all my fault. I've shot every kind of ammo through this gun, and if I don't do my part it kicks my *** every time.

I was using Winchester Supreme 34 grain hollowpoints today, but the gun's real favorite is very expensive and rare 33 grain Remington Accutips. Both loads will do one-hole at 50 yards when I focus, focus, focus!!!!!

The gun absolutely hates CCI TNT ammo and Winchester Dynapoints (DO NOT get me started on those loads).

 

[TXshooter]

Ha I know exactly what you mean with those rounds I tend to shoot the winchesters and they kill the feeder wire eatin squirrels pretty good.

 

[Browninglover1]

My 22 mag would shoot groups less than half an inch at 100 yards with the 30 grain V Max loads but only when I was shooting prone with a rear bag. If I'd go to the range and sit at a concrete bench my groups would open up to around 1.5 inches. After LOTS of tinkering I discovered the problem, the gun liked to be held TIGHT! If I would pull the gun into my shoulder really tight when shooting from the bench I could get my groups back down to the half inch mark.

When I read Broz's thread about getting a solid rear rest to help with your long range groups I immediately thought of this situation with my 22 mag. When I would lay down prone with the back bag, it would lock the rifle in super tight to my shoulder and would allow it to shoot to its full potential.

The weird thing is that I've done the same thing with all my rifles and none of them have seemed to care besides that 22 mag.

 

[barnesuser28]

a savage 17hmr. will shoot consistant .5 inch groups at 100 yards if i do my part if not 1-1.5 inch groups.

 

[Dr. Vette]

I had to try 6 or 7 brands/types of ammo in my Savage 17HMR to find the best one, though 2 or 3 of them shoot quite well. In addition, these Savages are very picky with regard to screw torque. I've also bedded mine (which is much more difficult than bedding a regular bolt action rifle) to help and that seemed to make a difference in repeatability.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

My marlin xl7 in 270 is "that" way. It'll pitch tight groups for my brother and not for me some days, the next day it won't shoot well at all. The next day it's pitching .5 moa or less. It think it's the plastic stock or an easily fouled barrel, but I'm working with it till I figure it out because it's a gift from my wife for Christmas. It shoots better when it's cold out, so it has to be barrel or stock.

 

[SaskShooter]

In addition, these Savages are very picky with regard to screw torque. I've also bedded mine (which is much more difficult than bedding a regular bolt action rifle) to help and that seemed to make a difference in repeatability.

Amen to the screw torque issue! The rear action screw just seems to back itself right out after a box or two of ammo.

My gun strings out vertically over 2 inches unless I tighten the mother loving crap out of the action screws, but I'm all out of LocTite right now so I can't really fix that problem yet.

 

[Joe King]

Amen to the screw torque issue! The rear action screw just seems to back itself right out after a box or two of ammo.

My gun strings out vertically over 2 inches unless I tighten the mother loving crap out of the action screws, but I'm all out of LocTite right now so I can't really fix that problem yet.

Finger nail polish! great thing is if there's a woman around you have an unending supply of just about any color you want

 

[SaskShooter]

By the way, the screw torque issue can be relieved somewhat by placing a fairly large washer over the base of the rear screw so it doesn't just dig into the stock and loosen up.

BUT it does look a bit ugly.....

 

[Poor eyes]

You mentioned difference in groups, if you stand or sit at bench, if you where glasses, make sure they are on straight, when sitting at bench, with ear protection on, you can move your glasses slightly, that will affect, any one with a stigmatism.
One thing I do, at the range, is bring a second gun, which I know, is a tack driver, after I have problems with the first gun [main reason for range visit] shoot it, if it preforms great, then is 80 percent, gun not shooting well, other 20 percent, is how it fits you, trigger pull, barrel to stock mounting, only my method. [ the sun plays a part also.