New rifle, optic help + breakin ?

Status
Not open for further replies.
E

erict

Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2005
Messages
410
Location
Clarksville, TN
I just bought a new rifle that I want to get a better scope for.

Excuse my ignorance but I'm not too familiar with long range shooting. I own 3 AR's, 2 AK's, and several pistols but this will be my first bolt rifle.

It's a Savage with accu-trigger, ultimate varminter stock, and bull barrel. The barrel nut was removed and the bull barrel was machined and spaced by ER Shaw barrels. I won't be using it for hunting (I usually use my uncle's 30-06 700bdl). I might take it out on a short walk hunt but it weighs 16 pounds so it's not too likely.

Right now there is a Simmons 3x9x40 scope on it and I'd like to get something a little nicer. I can get ahold of a Leupold scope in the same size (Vari x 1 or 2) for around $150 and I'm wondering if it would be a good upgrade. My price range is $300-$500 if I can get something alot better in this range.

The guy I purchased the rifle from said he was going to buy a "super sniper"
scope for it. Would this scope be the way to go?

I only want to shoot 150-350 yards or so. That's all the room I have and don't really see myself using it for anymore than that.

Also, should I break this barrel in by cleaning it after each of the first 10 shots?

Thanks for the help and sorry for such a long post.
 
That rifle is beautiful. What is it chambered in?

I can't really give you any highly credible advice cause I've never had such a heavy-barreled sniper-oriented rifle.

But I can tell you what I have learned, and what I used to break in my rifles.

Just go to the range, make sure you are on paper at 100 yds (bore-sight it if you have to). Shoot about 5 rounds, check the groupings. Let the barrel cool. Shoot another 5 rounds, check the grouping. Let the Barrel cool. Then clean the gun with only a swab, don't use any oils or solvents. Then repeat the process.

After you have attained good groups and have packed it up to go home, use a full cleaning kit using solvents and everything then when you are done lightly oil it. Then before the next time you go to the range, swab the barrel to remove the oil and action.

I am no expert, but thats what I have learned to do.

P.S. I want your rifle.
 
My barrel break in procedure.

Here's what I do, but there's 1,001 opinions about break in.

Clean the barrel before you shoot a single round. Don't scrub, just swab with 1 patch solvent and enough dry patches to get rid of the solvent.

Take a boresnake and a box of ammo to the range. Run the snake through every two rounds. The first 20 rounds will lap any machining marks that may interfere with accuracy and the boresnake will pull out any "funk" that gets loosened up.
Then forget about it and enjoy your rifle.

As far as scopes, anything 3-9 should do you and the Leupold will be a better scope than the Simmons. Having said that, I use a Simmons Aetec 3-9X44 on my Savage .308. Wider objectives will give you better light transmission, but anything over 44mm and you'll need higher rings or bases on a Savage. Not too huge a deal to 300 yards, but higher sight plane over bore axis can cause some weird problems if you decide to stretch it out.
 
On barrel break in - I'm not touching that one. Everyone has their opinion. For scope info get over to the SWFA site and ask some questions on their board. The better you can define your application the better info you'll get. Once you narrow it down check their Samplelist. There is just too much to consider for a short answer. In general I would not spend any money on a VX-1. You can get a lot better glass for the same money. I am not a Leupold fanatic but I have ended up with two on my rifles because they were the best fit for my applications. Ultimately you have to decide what looks good to your eye. If you are just punching paper it is much easier to get good performance at any price point than if you are looking for a hunting scope. You won't worry so much about low light, field of view etc. You will (may) worry more about tracking and return to zero etc.
Super Sniper by all accounts is an excellent choice for bench shooting. I believe they are fixed 10x. I don't own one as all my guns get used for hunting. You should have no problem getting what you need and want for $500 or less. Good luck...
 
Break-in procedure:

1: remove rifle from box
2: swab bore
3: go to range
4: load
5: shoot

Special break-in procedures have never proven to yeild any real results, and, since two identical rifles can shoot differently with all other variables being the same, it likely never will. Some of the best shooters I've ever known never put anything down the bore other than bullets. In truth, you're more likely to damage the bore cleaning than shooting hundreds of rounds.

*This does not hold true for firing corrosive ammo; prompt cleaning is a must.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
My first bolt action rifle,savage model 110
Replies
9
Views
846
Frog48
F
S
  • Locked
New Rifle and Optics Mounting
Replies
2
Views
360
ugaarguy
ugaarguy
0
  • Locked
Help me find a good rifle.
Replies
3
Views
306
06
0
A
  • Locked
target 10/22 SS, sell as whole rifle or part it out?
Replies
2
Views
927
Greg L
G
ChefJeff1
  • Locked
Congratulate me please, and then help me.
Replies
11
Views
585
MachIVshooter
MachIVshooter
Back
Top