I've recently had a .308 (10t) come in to my possession via a trade. It was a bolt action, factory barrel that shot 2-2.5" groups at 100yds. That was using Lapua brass, Nosler, Hornady and Berger bullets. Drove me insane for over a year trying to get something to group like I knew this rifle should.
It was a Savage, which are normally very accurate right from the gitgo, model 10 with an HS Precision stock, varmint fluted barrel. After many, many combinations still 2-2.5" groups.
First I skim bedded the stock. First attempt at bedding and it turned out wonderful. Much better than I thought and not as tough a job as I had always dreaded. Fear of the unknown defeats a lot in life.
That brought it down to 1-1.5". Pleased yes but not good enough for a .308. These things are supposed to drill holes at 100yds! So then I got on the all seeing internet, Google and just starting searching. I also talked to a local hunting buddy and with those two resources I started looking at the crown.
From the factory it was a recessed crown but there was no 45* exit point where the rifling stopped and end of the barrel began. Make sense? I looked at my Lothar Walther crown and it was there.....
With battery drill, brass machine screw (rounded head) and valve grinding compound, I started on it. After 10-15 minutes I was through. I cleaned the barrel thoroughly and grabbed the last load I had tried. I had five 175gn SMK's in Lapua brass, 44gn of Varget (.5gn over max according to Nosler8) and BR2's setting on the bench still.
I grabbed those and walked out back to the bench and proceeded to place five bullets on top of each other! I was very happy but felt "played". Again, fear of the unknown, kept me from trying that early on with this barrel. As we all say, YMMV>
