savage predator .260 accuracy problem

[Mxracer532]

I could use some help, I loaded up some Berger 140's at 41.5gns and 42gns of H4350. C.O.L of 2.92 (just a hair off the lands) and 2.95 C.O.L. (into the lands). Groups were terrible at over 2" @ 100. I also shot some 120gn Barnes tsx factory loads and they were not impressive either. 1.5" or so.
anyone have any ideas? I fully expected the Bergers at 2.95 C.O.L to be under an inch. HELP I planned on using this gun in a month for my spring bear tag. But as of now my custom .243 shooting 95 gn Bergers is going. Easy .5" 5 shot group @ 100.

 

[westcliffe01]

So only 2 powder loads and jammed vs a tiny jump ? 42gr is listed as being a max charge, but depending on seating depth - who knows ?

If I were you, you should load some with a 0.020 - 0.030 jump and then a range of charges from 40.5 in half grain increments to 1 gr over the listed max charge.

Make sure everything else about the rifle has been ironed out. Trigger adjusted ? Bedding optimized ? Recoil lug and nut + barrel checked for clearance except for back face of lug ? Tang floated ? Action screws torqued (leave the one behind the trigger guard, it is a wood screw). Scope base bedded ? Scope base fasteners loctited ? Rings moved forward on the base (if it is a picatinny style).

Once you find a powder node that looks decent, then tweak the jump to see if it makes a difference.

 

[gohring3006]

sometimes those bergers shoot pretty good with a slight jump to the lands if u got time to test them seat them a little deeper

 

[Mxracer532]

The gun is relatively new so alot of extra stuff hasnt been done. Bedding ect.. ect..
I will check everything over before I try again. I dont have a way to measure the jump to the lands though. I have never had a problem getting them to shoot with them seated into the lands.
I thought 42gns was just over the listed max. It showed absolutely no pressure signs.

 

[gohring3006]

The gun is relatively new so alot of extra stuff hasnt been done. Bedding ect.. ect..
I will check everything over before I try again. I dont have a way to measure the jump to the lands though. I have never had a problem getting them to shoot with them seated into the lands.
I thought 42gns was just over the listed max. It showed absolutely no pressure signs.

if ur going into the lands with over max charges that's good just be careful but try backin them of the lands let them jump a little it might be all u need I might try a different powder,primer setup befor I spend the money on bedding, trigger and lapping every rifle is different even thoug they're the same so to speak,

 

[skyfish25]

My 6.5 Creedmoor like a lot of jump. I think it was over .060" with the bergers. Then it was less than .250" at 100.

I know it is a different animal, but may be worth a try.

 

[smokeumm]

I just purchased a savage predator hunter 260 Rem three weeks ago. I'm still in load development phase, but as for now these are my results.
Berger 140 hunting vld, h4831sc, Lapua brass, fed match 210primers.
First I put 30 plus rounds down the barrel to semi break it in.
Then found my max charge, and backed off one grain, which put me at 45 grains.
I then attempted Berger's COL test, and found out the farther from the rifling's the worst the groups got.
All testing was done at 150 yards, with bi-pod and rear sandbag.
Bullet seated .005 jammed into the rifling's shot under an inch, 5 shot group
.040 jump 1.5 inch group
.080 jump 2.5 inch group
.120 jump 4 plus group
All tests used 45grains of H4831sc powder.
Since this is intended to be a hunting rifle I'm hopping to stay away from jamming the bullet.
Next I'm going to test the COL around the rifling's, then play with different powder charges. All in all, I'm happy with this rifle, I'm pretty confident this rifle should be shooting consistent 1.5 to 1.0 inch groups at 200 yards, and that's with me behind the trigger.

 

[Mxracer532]

I just purchased a savage predator hunter 260 Rem three weeks ago. I'm still in load development phase, but as for now these are my results.
Berger 140 hunting vld, h4831sc, Lapua brass, fed match 210primers.
First I put 30 plus rounds down the barrel to semi break it in.
Then found my max charge, and backed off one grain, which put me at 45 grains.
I then attempted Berger's COL test, and found out the farther from the rifling's the worst the groups got.
All testing was done at 150 yards, with bi-pod and rear sandbag.
Bullet seated .005 jammed into the rifling's shot under an inch, 5 shot group
.040 jump 1.5 inch group
.080 jump 2.5 inch group
.120 jump 4 plus group
All tests used 45grains of H4831sc powder.
Since this is intended to be a hunting rifle I'm hopping to stay away from jamming the bullet.
Next I'm going to test the COL around the rifling's, then play with different powder charges. All in all, I'm happy with this rifle, I'm pretty confident this rifle should be shooting consistent 1.5 to 1.0 inch groups at 200 yards, and that's with me behind the trigger.

Thanks, let me know what you end up with.

 

[smokeumm]

I will let you know!
Just so you know, I didn't do a torch action bolt test, but I did set my front action bolt at 35lbs and rear at 30lbs (the trigger guard is like 15 or so)... Who knows if that made a difference, but that's what I hear is most popular.

 

[Engineering101]

mxracer532

The 140 Bergers group around 1 inch at 200 yards out of my Savage 260 LRP. I run them 0.003" off the lands. The load is 44.6 gr H4831SC in Lapua brass which gets me 2,700 fps out of a 26" tube.

If you want to know how far off the lands your bullets are use this trick: Take your worst piece of brass and size it for loading (with no primer). Split the neck with a hacksaw and file off the burrs. Put a bullet in the case mouth and put it in your rifle and close the bolt. Pull the round out of the rifle and measure the length. Do this several times to ensure you are getting a consistent reading. The reading should be within 0.002" every time. If the bullet sticks or whatever, adjust neck tension until you get consistent results. You want to be able to move the bullet around in the neck by hand but not easily. You can also use this aid to setup your bullet seating die.

 

[Mxracer532]

mxracer532

The 140 Bergers group around 1 inch at 200 yards out of my Savage 260 LRP. I run them 0.003" off the lands. The load is 44.6 gr H4831SC in Lapua brass which gets me 2,700 fps out of a 26" tube.

If you want to know how far off the lands your bullets are use this trick: Take your worst piece of brass and size it for loading (with no primer). Split the neck with a hacksaw and file off the burrs. Put a bullet in the case mouth and put it in your rifle and close the bolt. Pull the round out of the rifle and measure the length. Do this several times to ensure you are getting a consistent reading. The reading should be within 0.002" every time. If the bullet sticks or whatever, adjust neck tension until you get consistent results. You want to be able to move the bullet around in the neck by hand but not easily. You can also use this aid to setup your bullet seating die.

Thanks for the advice im gonna give that a try.

 

[smokeumm]

I'm calling load development quits for now. Later this year I might do a ladder test for fun. This is what I used. Fed match 210 primer, lapua brass, H4831sc power, and 140grn berger hunting VLD's.



After testing seating depth, I determined approximately 0.003 into the riflings seem to work the best. Then I tested different powder charges, and anywhere between 43.5 to 44 grains was the most consistent. All tests where done at 185 yards (limited rifle range), it shoots consistent 1.5'' five shot groups. Most times two or three shots touched or very close to touch with one or two fliers to push the group to 1.5". My COL is 2.938". If using a Hornady Lock N Load bullet comparator the COL is 3.271 (if set at zero) that is the more accurate measurement.



Good luck with your bear hunt, update us with your hunting details???

 

[BrentM]

Interesting that some people are not willing to do seating depth testing. On my savages, all 5 of them, they like jump. .100 to .125. My latest 6.5-284 likes .125 and has done .19 MOA at my 200 yard zero when I do my part. Due to other variables, wind, shooter etc, I have shot mostly .3 MOA. At 630 yards I had 1" 3 shot group going then pulled the next two for a total 3" group or .48. I had a serious brain fart going on for some reason. What is interesting is that these rifles do shoot fine at little to no jump but the bullet is not seated in the case neck far enough for my liking. None shoot bug holes though. Just decent, but the sweet spots are better with jump. I do realize that powder has a lot do with it too. So my thought is simply to not be scared to run a complete test. I seem to find something that works with .0, .015, .025, .050, .075, .100, .125, .150

 

[Mxracer532]

Ok did some more testing. .010 jam & 42.5gns of H4350 BR2 primers.