Been out several times with my buddy and his brand new, Savage Predator 6.5cm with Athlon Midas shooting the 90gr varmint bullets and ELD match bullets and he cannot get it to hold a group. One minute the gun will shoot 2 touching and throw the rest like the scope and stock are loose. He took everything apart and put it all back together with a torque screw driver and it still shot all over the place. 100yards wasn't all that great but 200 its best group was maybe 3-4''. Could this gun not like this ammo to the point its shooting like this? I would figure it would shoot decently using the match ammo but no.
Savage Predator wont hold group.
- Thread starter Axis II
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the gun may not like that ammo. another thing is stock to barrel contact. or maybe you are changing how you hold the rifle, or where the rest is located. All of these can make groups larger or move point of aim. You did not say what type of rest you are using. I do know that my savage would not shoot well with front bag near the for end. From your brief description I would check the barrel to stock then try moving the front bag under the receiver.
I told him it was the ammo but to not like 2-3 different bullets I figure he would have found something it liked by now. He shot off a Caldwell front sand bag and rear bag and also off a bipod and rear bag. He said everything was free floated. When I looked at it, you could slide 2-3 pieces of construction paper under the barrel it was so open. He said it has an accu stock so shouldn't flex. I was just shocked 3 different bullets wont shoot well.
Could be the scope, could be the stock. My 375 Winchester patterned like a shotgun when I first bought it. The factory bedding was garbage. And my crown was not cut right. A trip to the local heavy gun expert got the stock bedded a d the crown cleaned up.
Try it with a different scope of you can. If it's still all over the place it might be the stock.
Try it with a different scope of you can. If it's still all over the place it might be the stock.
These are some sort of varmint bullet Hornady makes. Believe it or not those hold a better group than the match ammo. He wants to use it for varmint and predator hunting so chose the 90gr.
earlthegoat2
Member
Sounds like my Ruger American Ranch in 450 BM before I sent it back to Ruger.
Now it shoots sub-MOA with the right ammo
Try a different scope, may be a bedding problem, may be a barrel problem or headspace.
Now it shoots sub-MOA with the right ammo
Try a different scope, may be a bedding problem, may be a barrel problem or headspace.
If you are shooting the 90 grain bullets, the rifle twist maybe too fast for that bullet to stabilize, you should try a longer bullet, which will be heavier and the rifle twist can stabilize it. For a 90 grain bullet you need a slow twist and as @jmr40 mentioned above start with the 140 gr bullet.
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120 class Barnes would be a phenomenal fit for that, especially for hides, but nonetheless, does he have the capability to handload?
Working on that next
On handloading or otherwise?
Eta lots of out of stock but examples:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101891382?pid=675204
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023688186?pid=464536
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020722464?pid=344535
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1021978174?pid=518051
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018218060?pid=481663
Special attention to the flat bases, I handload Sierra prohunters for sheer accuracy, if you have a rifle that doesn't give you confidence with a flat base, it's moving on down the road, period. Iirc where you're shooting, 400 yds is a truly long shot. For predators and varmints at your ranges, try out a 120-140 flat base, if it doesn't make him proud, return to manufacturer. Best of luck sir!
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JFrank
Member
This was my first thought as well.
entropy
Member
BUT, could you slide them down the barrel when the gun was bagged? Savage plastic stocks are noodles, I bag my Axis II right in front of the magazine. Even with a bipod on, it will flex.
And get heavier bullets; as several have said, 90 is too light.
FL-NC
Member
I would check the scope base for tightness (I have gotten brand new guns where they where installed finger-tight with no threadlocker) as well as the rings. Next time, tell your buddy to bring a second scope that he KNOWS works right- I have removed my 4x scope from my 22 to test a problem rifle, just to see if it groups. Process of elimination.
I didn't check that. It has a threaded barrel and cap on the threads.
Three inch group at 200 yds is still well under 2 MOA. So I don't think this rifle has a real problem. I would try some different loads.
horsemen61
Member
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You sure they ain’t the 95 grain Vmax I’ve never heard of a 90 grain 6.5 Creedmoor load first off and second off my mentor couldn’t get the 95 grain Vmax to shoot worth a darn in his 1~8 twist barrel
I figure the accu stock fixed the flex issue.
He shot the 140gr Hornady match and still cant get under 2''.
I do know he took everything apart and checked with a wheeler screw driver at the range. Not sure about scope.
2'' at 100yards is pretty sad for a $900 rifle.
90/95gr eh, what's the difference?
Still doesn't explain the Match ammo not shooting well.
JFrank
Member
There are many reasons a rifle doesn’t shoot, if not mechanical as discussed or ignition such as firing pin fall or something dragging then it just doesn’t like the ammo despite the (match grade ) label.
Are you sure he’s not shooting 6 mm ammo in a 6.5 barrel ?
Are you sure he’s not shooting 6 mm ammo in a 6.5 barrel ?
What other shooters and scopes have been tried? And are the results consistent?
If they are then I would just contact Savage.
I don't know of any production gun that's shot for accuracy except the CZs, and I don't know if they're still doing that.
Buying a more expensive gun doesn't necessarily decrease the likelihood of getting lemon, especially since all of their barrels are produced on the same line.
Savage does have a history of taking care of complaints though.
If they are then I would just contact Savage.
I don't know of any production gun that's shot for accuracy except the CZs, and I don't know if they're still doing that.
Buying a more expensive gun doesn't necessarily decrease the likelihood of getting lemon, especially since all of their barrels are produced on the same line.
Savage does have a history of taking care of complaints though.
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