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1)I've been trying out a used pre-accutrigger Savage
2)The first 3 shots went into one .35 caliber hole, and then the next two groups of 3 opened up to about .63-.65"(using Federal Valu-Pak ammo from Wally World, 50 gr BTHPs w/ a "ball" type powder).
3)I took it to the sand pit today for some longer range(about 85-90 yds, with about a 5 mph head wind). At this range the groups opened up to a best of 1.25-1.75"... Does this sound about right for this type of rifle and factory ammo?
4)I do handload, but haven't put anything together for it yet. Shouldn't I be able to better these groups fairly easily with some good reloads? I'd like to see sub-MOA. Am I asking too much of it? Is the first 20 rounds I put through enough to copper the rifling up again so that accuracy would suffer?
1) You seem to have checked the obvious (scope tight, action screws tight, barrel free floated, etc.). How is the trigger? Pre-accutriggers can be made quite acceptable by a good smith. If trigger is rough and/or heavy, very difficult to shoot bug hole groups even with good ammo.
2) Have to agree w/Dan on the WWorld bulk ammo. Some rifles shoot anything you feed them, others are a bit more cantankerous. My FP10 shoots everything I tried in it well under an inch @ 100 (didn't try the WW bulk /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif). It really likes the 55 gr. Nos. BT's in front of H335 powder @ 3300 fps (a hot load but no pressure signs in my rifle). Usual precautions apply.
3) What type of rest are you using? Naturally, accuracy will not be as good off the tailgate of a truck as it can be off of a solid bench/rest. 1.25" may not be too bad over the hood or tailgate, but I would expect a bit better from a good rest.
4) Factory ammo has improved a great deal in recent years, but it is hard to beat a quality crafted handload tailored for your rifle. Most Savage rifles that I have had the opportunity to shoot will do moa or better w/good ammo.
How many rounds do you think the rifle has through it? The FP10 is the only Savage that I purchased new and, while it shot sub moa from the very start w/quality ammo (even w/Winchester white box /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif), the barrel was a bit rough and copper fouled pretty badly for the first 100 rounds or so.
As stated, it did not seem to hurt the accuracy, but I usually only shot 20-30 rounds between cleaning. After 100 rounds or so, it slicked up and now cleans very easily.
If your rifle has low round count, you may be picking up enough copper to affect accuracy.
For what it's worth, I don't think you have determined that the rifle is not a shooter. Give it a chance with several different factory loads (or better yet, work up a good handload) before giving up on it. JMHO.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes.
Regards,
hm
