Savage help

[cecil30-30]

Went back to the range today with my Savage ML II.I was shooting 43grs of AA5744 with a 250gr XTP. This is the results I got.Im really not sure what to do to get the group to shrink..I thought I was onto something the first 2 shots,but after number 3,I just didn't know.I tried my best to give the barrel time to cool down between shots.I shot all 5 shots over a span of 1.5hrs.I tried to space them out equally while I was shooting my other guns I took with me. The scope and mounts and are all tight.Do you think I'd get any other results with 44grs of powder? Or do you think I need to switch bullets? No scope adjustments was made this time at the range...

 

[bigtex]

What kind of scope do you have on your rifle? Looks like your scope could of gone bad the way it is scattering your shots.
Reason I ask is I tried a couple of the cheapo Bushnell Banner scopes and about the time I got my rifle sighted in the scope would go haywire. Finally invested in a Leupold and problem solved.

 

[cecil30-30]

It has one of the new redfield 3-9x40 on it.

 

[feldmutze]

Where's that "new redfield 3-9x40" made?

 

[Roost 1]

If you get tired of messing with it I would be glad to take it off your hands....lol

 

[mike243]

Have somebody else fire a few rounds.thats plenty of time to cool off.even a hot barrel should do better.borrow somebody elses scale & SEE IF YOURS IS OFF.NO NEED TO SHOOT IT JUST COMPAIR CONSISANCY sorry caps hit on my kindlefire.

 

[Deer Assassin]

id try a different load

but id suspect scope or mounts

 

[cecil30-30]

Where's that "new redfield 3-9x40" made?

It is made in Oregon,by Leupold.Has a full lifetime warranty.

 

[cecil30-30]

id try a different load

but id suspect scope or mounts

It has a set of 1 piece talley scope mounts on it.Brand new.

 

[pressfit]

Shoot it with the iron sights and see what you get..

 

[hayman]

Which sabots are you using ? Does it load pretty tight ? I went through the same thing with mine till I swapped sabots

 

[scn]

With shots 1,2, &4 right in there, it may be that you slightly pulled shot #3, or perhaps the load wasn't centered as well.

The Quickspin jag for loading was designed for competition shooting. It seems to really help the consistency of the loading/shooting. They are in the $22-25 range and IMO are worth the cost.

From some articles I read, the Savage seems to do best with a 300 gr. bullet. I've settled in on the Barnes Origional with the orange MMP sabot and 44gr. of AA5744. That load has shot well in at least 3 Savages, and does well on big deer as well.

But, before I gave up on what you have, I'd shoot again. The 1,2 &4 group was pretty good.

 

[MRUTVOL]

Let me just say that not all savages will shoot the same loads the same. Each has its own personality so to speak. I have been shooting them over 10 years and have tested various loads b/4 I found one that was consistent for my guns. I have 2 of them and I shoot different loads in both. I do use the same powder load of 60 grns VV120 but bullet wise they are different. In one i shoot the barnes expander bullet in a 250 and 300 gr using the black mmp sabots. The other gun for whatever reason will not group the same bullet as well as the other. In it I shoot the barnes original 300 grn. with the orange Sabot. It loves that load. The factory made savage was designed with the 300 grn bullet in mind although lighter bullets do well in some as well. There are some who have had custom made guns that perform at a much higher degree of performance but you better have deep pockets if you decide to go that route. Sighting in one this time of year can be tricky with the heat. I have a barrel cooler that I made from a design that was give to me by another shooter and it cools the barrel down more quickly. Also I keep my sabots cool in a cooler. When the plastic gets soft from heat it will effect the pattern. Odds are what you sight it in for now will be a different impact point come fall. If I were you b/4 I switched powders I would venture up to a 300 grn XTP or the Barnes expander bullet. Also the MMP sabot is the best for the Savage and both mine love dirty barrels. By that I mean unless you shoot a bunch I would not clean the barrel. I have one that has not had a swab in it in 5 years and the other 3 years. Cleaning the breechplug and repalcing the vent liner after betwenn 50 and 75 shots is about the only cleaning needed with the smokeless powders. The 4744 powder is probably the one that leaves the most residue compared to some other powders. The VV 120 I use leaves very little carbon to speak of. Good luck getting yours zeroed in. Some times it is a piece of cake and others take a little more research. Hope this helps you a little.Good luck and keep searching.

 

[cecil30-30]

Thanks for the info MRUTVOL,I was over on Dougsmessage board and a few of the guys thought I should try the 300gr XTP first before I switch anything.I went ahead and ordered some 300gr XTP's.As soon as they get here im gonna give them a try with 44grs of 5744.

 

[Bowtech Man]

What sabots are you using

 

[cecil30-30]

mmp short black sabots

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

try the regular length black MMP's.

 

[cecil30-30]

Im gonna buy a barrel cooler.Guy off of dougsmessage board sells them.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

I have never had a problem with the barrel getting to hot. The sabots are your culprit I am betting.

 

[Andy S.]

I have never had a problem with the barrel getting to hot. The sabots are your culprit I am betting.

x2

 

[fairchaser]

Try changing your cleaning methods. Even though the smokeless powder leaves little residue compared to black powder, you are still shooting a hot plastic sabot down the barrel and it leaves some residue each time. The hotter the barrel, the more it leaves with each shot. Try the cleaners specifically designed to clean plastic residue from barrels.

 

[250savage]

300 gr barnes expander 44 gr 5744 is my best load in two different savage ml. i had the same results with the xtp

 

[cecil30-30]

I have never had a problem with the barrel getting to hot. The sabots are your culprit I am betting.

x2

Im useing the sabot savage reccomends.Which sabot would you guys reccomend trying?

 

[TheLBLman]

The Quickspin jag for loading was designed for competition shooting. It seems to really help the consistency of the loading/shooting. They are in the $22-25 range and IMO are worth the cost.

SCN,

Is the same as the SpinJag, or have you found something better?
http://www.spinjag.com/spinjag_original.php

 

[Andy S.]

Which sabot would you guys reccomend trying?

I wish I could give you more advice, but I did not do very much experimenting with my setup. I have posted this in other posts, but I will post again in case you missed it. My first combination was 43 grains of IMR SR-4759 coupled with a Hornady 250 grain SST red sabot/bullet and I have never looked back. Judd (ewc on here) recommended this load to me. Another friend of mine shoots this combination as well and has been very pleased. I ordered the MMP sabots, identical to the ones that were shipped with my MLII, but I never had the need to shoot them. I would suggest trying the 300 grain as someone else suggested, then possibly try the ones I listed here to see what results you get. I have read where others struggled with their fickle Savage in the beginning, but once they got her dialed in, she was money and they became very happy owners of the MLII. Do not let this hurdle kill your confidence to the point of giving up. It will just take a little more of your time and a little more tinkering with to find the exact combination your setup likes and prefers. Best of luck with your endeavor and keep us posted.

 

[TheLBLman]

Should one generally expect to improve accuracy by switching from the Barnes Expander to the Barnes Original?

And am I correct in thinking the Barnes Original is a copper-plated lead bullet as opposed to the 100% copper Expander?

 

[scn]

The Quickspin jag for loading was designed for competition shooting. It seems to really help the consistency of the loading/shooting. They are in the $22-25 range and IMO are worth the cost.

SCN,

Is the same as the SpinJag, or have you found something better?
http://www.spinjag.com/spinjag_original.php

You are correct on the name. I like it.

 

[holstonangler]

Should one generally expect to improve accuracy by switching from the Barnes Expander to the Barnes Original?

And am I correct in thinking the Barnes Original is a copper-plated lead bullet as opposed to the 100% copper Expander?

As a general rule for savage I have always read that .458 bullets are almost always more accurate than .451 or .452 bullets, due to less plastic (sabot) between the barrel and the bullet.

 

[Hill Country Hunter]

try the regular length black MMP's.

There are two different diameters, HPH12 and HPH24. I have a Savage that will shred the tighter HPH12s using the same loads that shoot great with HPH24s. In the cold, HPH12s will barely load at all; once I did get one stuck. Other guys' barrels are looser and they need the HPH12s because the HPH24s are not consistent for them. You need to get both sizes and see which your Savage prefers.

You might try Harvester sabots, too.

 

[Hill Country Hunter]

Im gonna buy a barrel cooler.Guy off of dougsmessage board sells them.

In this heat and humidity, make sure to swab your barrel if the cooler you use is actually cold to the touch. Condensation in the barrel does not make for consistent powder burn.