Puzzling results testing Savage 64

[merbeau]

Hi

I found a new Savage 64 for a good price. I ordered a Boyd's Barracuda stock for it, placed a Harris bi pod on the front end and a Bushnell 3x-9 40mm scope on it.

Went to the range with 17 brands of 22 ammunition and tested at 100 yards figuring that if any one brand would shoot 2 inches or less that would be sufficient for most non competition shooting (i.e., plinking). Temperature was 90 F, 30.09 pressure, 45% humidity, 810 feet elevation and wind was 3 mph.

It was not until the next to last brand Fiocchi Super Match SM 300 that the rifle shot 4 rounds that could be covered with a dime. With these rounds the rifle was shooting about 1 inch high and 1 inch to the left so I adjusted the scope and shot 4 more rounds and the group opened up to 3 inches. Shot another string with the same result.

At the point of sighting in 110 rounds had been fired. I checked the stock fit which was not loose, the scope mounts which were not loose and the bi pod mount which was not loose.

Do you think the barrel was fouled enough to impact the accuracy or any other suggestions?

Thanks

Robert

 

[Waynzee]

I would clean the barrel real good, move back to 25 yards and see what is going on then move out to 50, 75 then 100 yards. Also I've seen 22 barrels get hot and the bullet would start to walk or the group open up. 90 degrees is pretty warm.

 

[merbeau]

I would clean the barrel real good, move back to 25 yards and see what is going on then move out to 50, 75 then 100 yards. Also I've seen 22 barrels get hot and the bullet would start to walk or the group open up. 90 degrees is pretty warm.

Thanks for the suggestions. When I got home I ran a nylon brush with some Hoppes' Elite into the barrel and then followed with a jag and patch. The first patch came out jet black. Perhaps with the gun being new it fouled. The barrel could have become hot because at the time of day I was shooting the sun was striking the barrel. I have also thought perhaps the ammunition got hot but I kept all the ammunition in the shade.

I plan on going back within a week and will test like you suggested.

Thanks

Robert

 

[Waynzee]

Yep, good luck with it, sounds like you have some money tied up in your 22 with a new stock, scope and all. Hope it shoots good for ya.

 

[merbeau]

Yep, good luck with it, sounds like you have some money tied up in your 22 with a new stock, scope and all. Hope it shoots good for ya.

Just got back from the range and it appears the barrel was indeed fouled because the Fiocchi shot quarter size groups at 100 yards. And Aquila super match shot one inch groups.

Thanks again

Robert

 

[Waynzee]

That's pretty good from a 22. Sounds like ya got a good squirrel rifle there.