Savage Shadow 300 WM trouble

[HuntingBronco]

Hey guys - just looking for some thoughts here. Have a Savage Storm in 300 WM. This model has a pretty light weight barrel. It seems to be shooting a little erratic. Switched scopes, still goofy. Another guy at the range shot it, same deal. Action is tights. (55 in/lbs front and rear) Switched for known good glass from another gun. Pic rail and rings are torqued to spec and loctited. Load - Peterson Long brass, Berger 205 Hybrid, 77.5 H1000. Getting great ES. When I start my shooting session - I'll get 1.5" groups - then as I try different seating depths, neck tension, etc to see if I can tighten things up, the groups just go to heck. Giving maybe 10 minutes between shots. Groups are opening up to 3"-6" and POI shifts at 100 yds.

This is thin, lightweight barrel - only thing I can figure is I have to wait longer between shots. Is that reasonable? Should I be looking at something else?

Pics added to ahow typical first group and example of exact same load after trying to evaluate alternatives. Not real confidence inspiring in underlying system.

 

[Barrelnut]

IMO, 3"-6" POI shift is more than the barrel heating up.
That's a light rifle and recoil must be really fun.
With that much recoil the action might be shifting in the stock. I don't think that model has the accu-stock with the aluminum bedding block. They probably leave it out to cut down on weight. Think you may need to bed the action in the stock
Also double check everything with the scope rings. Scopes could be slipping in the rings.

 

[nealm66]

If it were me, I'd set the seating back to where it was giving 1.5 groups and good es. Then I'd try a harmonic dampener adjusting out .5 inches until it's punching 1 hole. If this works then just have to deal with how it looks. This has worked for every rifle that I've ever used it on as long as it's not free floated barrel. Worth a shot for $10

 

[HuntingBronco]

Thanks guys. Accustock with "mini chassis". Action is anything but rigid. Bolt gets sticky when I put it in a hog saddle.

I am experiencing the shift even when I change nothing. My COAL is 3.440, max mag length, still jumping .120 to lands. Barrel is free floated from Savage. Actually, acts like it would like a pressure pad.

Also, should have said I am in Michigan, so no altitude to speak of and it is a 1:10 twist.

I agree the POI shift is really making my head spin. Gun has a very effective radial brake, so recoil is not so bad. Shot with and without brake, no difference.

 

[just_jon]

Savage torque spec for the Accustock is 45 foot pounds. May want to back off a bit and see if things improve.

https://service.savagearms.com/hc/en-us/articles/214238343-What-is-the-torque-spec-for-my-action-screws-

 

[MagnumManiac]

I bought a Rem 700 SPS in 300RUM….skinny barrel heats up hot enough to burn you after 2 shots.
The stock will warp as it heats up, this may be what's happening with your rifle.
I am going to bed the recoil lug and leave the barrel free floated, if it requires more than this, it will get a different stock, maybe a HS Precision Sprter stock.
It's a donor anyway. Fun to shoot though.

Cheers.

 

[nealm66]

10 minutes between shots so I doubt it's anything heating up. If you're confident in your shooting a light 300 wm, I'd still try the harmonic dampener If only bullet seating is opening groups up like that

 

[Dolch]

Hey guys - just looking for some thoughts here. Have a Savage Storm in 300 WM. This model has a pretty light weight barrel. It seems to be shooting a little erratic. Switched scopes, still goofy. Another guy at the range shot it, same deal. Action is tights. (55 in/lbs front and rear) Switched for known good glass from another gun. Pic rail and rings are torqued to spec and loctited. Load - Peterson Long brass, Berger 205 Hybrid, 77.5 H1000. Getting great ES. When I start my shooting session - I'll get 1.5" groups - then as I try different seating depths, neck tension, etc to see if I can tighten things up, the groups just go to heck. Giving maybe 10 minutes between shots. Groups are opening up to 3"-6" and POI shifts at 100 yds.

This is thin, lightweight barrel - only thing I can figure is I have to wait longer between shots. Is that reasonable? Should I be looking at something else?

Double check your torque.
Seems like the correct toques is 25-35 in/lbs

I had one that I couldn't get to shoot till I realized it was toques too much.

 

[Rflshootr]

A bedding job would probably help.

 

[HuntingBronco]

10 minutes between shots so I doubt it's anything heating up. If you're confident in your shooting a light 300 wm, I'd still try the harmonic dampener If only bullet seating is opening groups up like that

I may have not stated that clearly - even if I don't change seating depth, etc and go back to what I started with, it won't shoot as well as it did when I start the session.

 

[HuntingBronco]

10 minutes between shots so I doubt it's anything heating up. If you're confident in your shooting a light 300 wm, I'd still try the harmonic dampener If only bullet seating is opening groups up like that

Pretty comfortable with my shooting - always learning and boomers are definitely more challenging. With the brake, it's no big deal.

I have a limbsaver I could try. Might just break down and try a lighter bullet. I have some Hammers, but for reasons beyond this thread, I really wanted to make the Berger work.

If a barrel heat problem, no bullet choice will fix that.

 

[Tiny Tim]

If you leave the barrel "dirty" and go back to the range another day, does it start out shooting well? If so, it could be a fouling issue. Savage barrels have a reputation for being "rough". Agree with others, sounds like something moving.

 

[HuntingBronco]

If you leave the barrel "dirty" and go back to the range another day, does it start out shooting well? If so, it could be a fouling issue. Savage barrels have a reputation for being "rough". Agree with others, sounds like something moving.

Yes. Been trying to clean, but not to base steel.

 

[WildBillG]

Have you tried seating the bullets out further that may help. Trouble is your rifle would become a single shot. You could also try the 210 VLDs they may shoot better from your gun.