Inaccurate Savage .308Win fixes?

[AFDoc]

Hi Gang!

I have a Savage 11 Hog Hunter in .308Win that has never been very accurate; it has always been about a 4MOA rifle. I’ve fed it dozens of different types of ammunition. I’ve changed the stock. The scope has always been tight with appropriate torque on the the rings and bases. The trigger is not an issue.

I’m wondering if I have a chamber or crown issue? Do you have some possible solutions or suggestions?

Thanks. I appreciate your thoughts and consideration.

 

[bfoosh006]

No offense... but 4MOA is down right dismal... can you post a photo of the crown ?

And is there ANY dragging of the cleaning patches when you are swabbing it ?

How well does the action fit into the stock ? ... no wiggling right ?

IMHO, your chamber would have to be really fubar'd to cause that kind of accuracy.... as in rough chambering and extraction.. so I kind of doubt that is it.

 

[AFDoc]

No offense... but 4MOA is down right dismal... can you post a photo of the crown ?

And is there ANY dragging of the cleaning patches when you are swabbing it ?

How well does the action fit into the stock ? ... no wiggling right ?

IMHO, your chamber would have to be really fubar'd to cause that kind of accuracy.... as in rough chambering and extraction.. so I kind of doubt that is it.

To say this rifle has been “down right dismal” its to actually downplay its lack of performance!

Savage 11 Crown 6:00 to 12:00

• AFDoc
• Nov 5, 2017

Savage 11 Crown 12:00 to 6:00

• AFDoc
• Nov 5, 2017

I have never looked at the crown under magnification like this before. Do we have problem there in the Crown 6:00 to 12:00 picture?

 

[illinoisburt]

Chamber issues would be more likely to cause extraction or feeding issues rather than accuracy problems. A damaged crown can be a problem but it should be fairly easy to see something is wrong like a dent of gouge that touches the rifling. Instead start by eliminating possible variables. How is your shooting technique and form? Solid bench or prone with sling and bags? What type of bases and mount are you using? Do you have another rifle which does shoot better for you? Has anyone else shot the rifle with similar results?

Edit -- looking at the crown in your pics I dont see any obvious large damage I wouls expect could cause the issue you are experiencing.

 

[AFDoc]

No offense... but 4MOA is down right dismal... can you post a photo of the crown ?

And is there ANY dragging of the cleaning patches when you are swabbing it ?

How well does the action fit into the stock ? ... no wiggling right ?

IMHO, your chamber would have to be really fubar'd to cause that kind of accuracy.... as in rough chambering and extraction.. so I kind of doubt that is it.

The answers to your other questions are:

2.) There is no resistance whatsoever when passing cleaning patches.
3.) The stock fits snug and perfect, torqued to 45in-lb.

 

[AFDoc]

How is your shooting technique and form? Solid bench or prone with sling and bags? What type of bases and mount are you using? Do you have another rifle which does shoot better for you? Has anyone else shot the rifle with similar results?

My technique is satisfactory. I’m a MN country boy with some military training. This rifle has always been shot while supported on sand bags. It has never shot well enough to take to the field. I have numerous rifles that perform at or near 1MOA. Yes. Others have shot this rifle with similar results. In fact, this was one of the first things I tested. Was it me? Sadly, the answer is no.

 

[illinoisburt]

My technique is satisfactory. I’m a MN country boy with some military training. This rifle has always been shot while supported on sand bags. It has never shot well enough to take to the field. I have numerous rifles that perform at or near 1MOA. Yes. Others have shot this rifle with similar results. In fact, this was one of the first things I tested. Was it me? Sadly, the answer is no.

Which rings and bases are you using? I have seen issues with picatinny and weavers looking mated but not playing nice.

 

[LoonWulf]

Contact savage about it, their reputation is bassed on providing consistently accurate rifles, i bet they do something about it.

As to fixes check stock to action fit, high spots excessive wiggle etc, and that the magazine box isnt somehow getting pinched.

 

[Stevenvalleyky]

Is the barrel free floated all the way around and down the barrel? Almost sounds like the barrel could be making contact with the stock somewhere.

 

[HB]

Sell it as you've already put more money into the gun than its worth

 

[AFDoc]

Which rings and bases are you using? I have seen issues with picatinny and weavers looking mated but not playing nice.

Warne Maxima base with Warne rings.

 

[AFDoc]

Is the barrel free floated all the way around and down the barrel? Almost sounds like the barrel could be making contact with the stock somewhere.

It is free-floated. There is nothing contacting the barrel.

 

[AFDoc]

Sell it as you've already put more money into the gun than its worth

I could not sell this rifle with a clean conscience.

 

[AFDoc]

What is this circled in red?

 

[wild willy]

If it was mine I think I would rebarrel a Savage is about the easiest and cheapest to do.

 

[someguy2800]

See if savage will re barrel it. If not pick up a new barrel on ebay and chuck the old one in the bin.

 

[jmr40]

It would have been back to Savage long ago if it were mine.

 

[AFDoc]

It would have been back to Savage long ago if it were mine.

In retrospect, that would have been the smart thing to do. I’ll keep your advice in mind if there’s a next time.

 

[Sunray]

"...4 MOA is down right dismal..." Not if it's consistent. Perfectly suitable for a deer rifle("Hog Hunter" is marketing). A Savage 11 is not a target rifle. It's a hunting rifle. No need for a hunting rifle to be 1 MOA accurate.
"...this circled in red..." Scratch, probably caused by a cleaning rod. Likely that it could be lapped out. The crown itself is fine. Barrel looks like it could use a bath though.
"...It is free-floated..." Guarantees absolutely nothing. Not all rifles like a floated barrel. I'd suggest you put a pressure point in as the free floating doesn't work with that rifle. Takes a dab of bedding material about an inch or so aft of the end of the fore stock.
Mind you, the whole thing may have been caused by changing the stock(what material?) in the first place. Moreso, if you didn't bed the new stock. However, consistent is more important than the size of the group. Could be the "torqued to 45 in-lbs." too.
"...on E-Bay..." Funds the people who want to take your firearms away from you.

 

[AFDoc]

"...4 MOA is down right dismal..." Not if it's consistent. Perfectly suitable for a deer rifle("Hog Hunter" is marketing). A Savage 11 is not a target rifle. It's a hunting rifle. No need for a hunting rifle to be 1 MOA accurate.

I didn’t specify how or where I was using it. I am not pleased with how it shoots, and you assume too much here.

"...this circled in red..." Scratch, probably caused by a cleaning rod. Likely that it could be lapped out. The crown itself is fine. Barrel looks like it could use a bath though.

Cool. I will learn about lapping a barrel. And yes, it needed a cleaning.

"...It is free-floated..." Guarantees absolutely nothing. Not all rifles like a floated barrel. I'd suggest you put a pressure point in as the free floating doesn't work with that rifle. Takes a dab of bedding material about an inch or so aft of the end of the fore stock.

This sounds like a crap-shoot to me. The “how much” and “where is best” might require a lot of experimentation; further, I don’t want to potentially damage this stock.

Mind you, the whole thing may have been caused by changing the stock(what material?) in the first place. Moreso, if you didn't bed the new stock. However, consistent is more important than the size of the group. Could be the "torqued to 45 in-lbs." too.

Negative. I made the decision to try a new stock after the rifle shot poorly (I consider 4MOA performance to be poor!) out of the box. I have also tried numerous torque settings at both the front and rear screws. There has been little difference no matter the amount of torque.

I will ask the gunsmith to bed the stock when I take it in tomorrow.

"...on E-Bay..." Funds the people who want to take your firearms away from you.

Yeah. I probably won’t use Ebay.

 

[243winxb]

Float the Magazine: Internal box.
The action screw can be tightened on the magazine. This lets the receiver move around in the stock.

If the rifle was taken apart/modified, the magazine may not have been installed correctly.

 

[bfoosh006]

This might sound stupid.... but try it.... seriously.
How did you install the rings ? ... I have seen this specific thing happen ( 3 different times ) before with LaRue Tactical mounts.. the ones that have vertical rings like yours....

You MUST tighten the bottom screws first, to 25 in/lbs....installation instructions from Warne.

Installation Tutorial – Maxima Quick Detach Rings
Remove the 4 screws from both rings. Place the scope in the ring halves and re-insert recoil key. Start all 4 screws on both rings and tighten bottom screws to 25 in/lb* max. Place rings onto the bases with the recoil keys in the slots. Push each ring towards the muzzle to seat the recoil key and tighten QD lever, thumb & forefinger tight. (there is no need to over tighten QD lever) Adjust eye relief and level the reticle. Once both are correct, tighten the top screws on both rings to 25 in/lb* max.
*After tightening, pull QD levers out to index them to the desired position.


Every time with the LaRue Mounts installed as per the instructions ( bottom screws tightened first) accuracy improved....

I don't know why... I do know it worked for those 3 different rifles.

 

[LoonWulf]

Float the Magazine: Internal box.
The action screw can be tightened on the magazine. This lets the receiver move around in the stock.

If the rifle was taken apart/modified, the magazine may not have been installed correctly.

With savages centerfeed mag boxes this is actually pretty difficult to do as the mag box is attached to the stock and dosent contact the action... usually
They are possible to pinch tho as ive done it or the little metal rear tab gets moved out of place a bit. Its a good place to start as any.

The suggestion about correctly torquing vertical split rings is a good one as well.

 

[243winxb]

With savages centerfeed mag boxes this is actually pretty difficult to do as the mag box is attached to the stock and dosent contact the action... usually
They are possible to pinch tho as ive done it or the little metal rear tab gets moved out of place a bit. Its a good place to start as any.

Good to know. Thank you.

 

[Mr. Hill]

Call savage and see what they can do for you.