I have an older(pre accutrigger) savage 10FP 24" barrel that I am just starting to work up some loads for. I am set up with Springfield armory rnage finding 6X scope. I have used it for 5 years with factory ammo and good success out to 500m but i want to start getting my own lead down range. I loaded my own 168gr Combined Tech bullets and BLC2 powder. they shot well but wondering if you have any tips or ideas to really start to feel out an accurite load. Also, do you think I will need to put on a new barrel to get the best from my rifle? thanks
The other thing, besides the barrel, to check before you spend the money on load development is the bedding in the rifle. If the bedding isn't stress free, it will shoot better after it is properly bedded. I'm starting to think I should just bed the rifle when I bring it home, then go shoot it.
My Savage Model 10 benefitted a lot from being bedded.
What I do, not necessarily in order:
Get a good look at the barrel with a borescope. Check the crown, the chamber for roughness and concentricity, look at the throat and for any obvious issues in the bore.
Replace or adjust the trigger.
Dual Pillar + epoxy bed the receiver to the stock.
Make sure the scope is good and the mounts are tight.
That gets rid of the variables and leaves the load as the primary variable which greatly simplifies load development. A properly bedded rifle with a good barrel will be much less finiky about loads.
Fitch