Grouping Issues with my 22-250 model 10/110 predator hunter max 1 savage

C

Childers

New member
I bought a Savage predator hunter max 1 22-250 last year. It has the 24 inch heavy fluted barrel. I got a Nikon 4-12x50 scope, scope rings are lapped. I maybe have 3 boxes shot through it. I cant seem to get a good group even using a lead sled. At 100 yards I shot and hit the target, shoot again and it will be off about a inch or 2. I thought, well it may be dirty so I used a bore snake on it.
First shot after cleaning the bullet was 6 inches high. Shoot it again the bullet gets closer to the target. The next 3 shots were grouped together in a inch circle, next shot was a inch off. Not sure if my barrel is getting to hot or what. Having a heavy fluted barrel I wouldnt think this could be. Im shooting winchester varmint-x 55 grain ammo.
I called savage and they recommend me shooting Federal vital shok 45 grain or winchester silver tips. They said I should be able to group 4 bullets in a 1 inch circle at 100 yards. Im not even close.
Problem with buying new shells is that I have 25 shells left of the varmint-x shells. Should I super clean the bore and start over or buy new shells? Any tips will help. Thanks
 
Recheck scope mounts/rings, even your stocks 2 action screws, sounds like something is loose to me as it should be printing those shots just about on top of each other.
 
Just another thought. If everything 5spd checks out,amd its not better, stop cleaning the rifle and start shooting the 25 rounds you have left. I had a Savage once that hated a clean barrel. The more I shot it, the tighter the groups got. Usually my last few bullets were a bug hole. I know its sounds crazy but stuff happens.


Oh ya, welcome to the madness!!
 
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So if eveything checks out and is tight, I should just start shooting the shells I have until it starts showing improvements? What if by the 10th shell its not doing any better. Keep shooting?
 
I think all he was trying to say is that some rifles shoot better a little dirty while others shoot best clean. Just keep playing with the rifle till you find what works.

Do you use a torque wrench to tighten all your mounts? It is important to get them all to the same torque.

How are you using your lead sled? Some people like to strap their rifles to the sled or table, which is not good.
 
JMO and only mine, I don't like shooting off a sled. I prefer a front rest and a rear bag or a bull bag in front and a rear bag. Like I said just me.
 
Quote:JMO and only mine, I don't like shooting off a sled. I prefer a front rest and a rear bag or a bull bag in front and a rear bag. Like I said just me.

I agree. I also feel it is better practice than to shoot off a sled anyway. I look back to some of the things I used to do for a rest before I had much knowledge on guns and I just laugh at myself.
 
After reading your OP, can the bore snake and get some good cleaning gear. IMO the bore snake is good for field use. You may have some copper or powder fouling causing you grief.
 
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What kind of rings are you using?

If you have another gun that shoots well take it with you and shoot it as well. That way you can rule out the operator of the gun as being a problem.
 
I think I got leopold rings. Not a hundred percent though. Well before I start shooting it, maybe I should scrub the bore with some cleaner. Just incase there is some stuff in the barrel my snake missed. What do you think?
 
The Max 1 Model 10 has the Accu-stock which has a block in the stock and there are certain torque specs for it. I have the same gun in a 204. And a 22-250 in Model 10 Brush. Both are good shooters but I reload for both. Clean it good with some good bore cleaner. Has it never shot good groups? Or did this just start?
 
Try cleaning it woth patches and a brush. My axis 22-250 shot really good last year i cleaned it with the bore snake
And switched ammo. Then my accuracy droped off from what it was so i tried some different ammo a d still did t help. I did a little looking inside the barrel and i could see some copper build up i got a brush a d patches and some cooper cleaner and cleaned it that way and now my accuracy is back again.
 
Childers, I would try a lighter weight bullet as well as check the mounting of the scope. The two 22-250s I reload for don't shoot the the 55 grain bullets well at all. Go to the 52 and 45 grain bullets and give it a shot.
 
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