goalie
Member
After hearing all of the hype about the accuracy of Savage rifles right out of the box, I finally took the plunge. The purchase was instigated by the fact that I came into possession of a new Super-Sniper 10x scope, and a set of Warne tactical base/rings for the Savage accutriger action.
Upon recieving the rifle, I cleaned it, and unscrewed the ridiculous elevation knob/screw on the butt end of the stock. It appeared flimsy, got in the way of my off-hand, and I am used to using a sandbag in that location anyhow, so I prefer the rifle to be flat on the bottom of the stock.
I broke in the barrel and zero'd the scope with 20 rounds. I used a bore-snake after each of the first 9 shots, then every third shot for two groups, then after the last four shots. I let the barrel cool between shots for about 1.5-2 minutes, even when shooting the 3 and 4 shot groups. Here are my impressions and the accuracy results:
Stock: I have seen the Choate "Ultimate Sniper" stocks, and, to be honest, I was not impressed. The "Ultimate Varmint" stock, however, seems to fit my needs quite well. The barrel is free-floated, and the actions fits square and snug to the stock. The stock itself is rather heavy, but is also MUCH more rigid than the flimsy standard Savage synthetic stock. It is not a McMillan, but it is quite servicable, and I especially like the adjustable length of pull and cheekpieces (the rifle comes with extra spacers for both). I shoot lefty, and the cheekpiece does allow for reversal for us southpaws. The wide, flat surface of the forearm allows the rifle to be very stable when shot from bags.
Fit and Finish: The rifle is a matte black finish, and there are no noticable tool marks or blemishes. The extra-large bolt handle makes the bolt cycle smoother than I expected from a stock rifle, though it is not as smooth as most Remington 700 actions I have shot. Overall, I am quite satisfied with the looks of the rifle, but, then again, I am more of a function over form kinda guy.
Trigger: I had some serious reservations about the accutrigger system. I don't anymore. I left the trigger as-is from the factory, and on the LE 10FP models, it breaks between one and two pounds rather crisply. It is not a Jewell trigger. It is not a Timney trigger. It is, however, the nicest trigger I have ever shot on a bone-stock rifle, and, while not on-par with the super high-end triggers available, it is not a detriment at all to my ability to shoot this rifle, which, to be honest, is rather refreshing. The last stock, unworked-on Remington 700P I shot had a trigger that makes the accutrigger seem like breaking a glass rod. A thin glass rod.
Accuracy: I shot the rifle from the bench off of bags. No bipod or mechanical front rests were used. The rifle, once sighted in, shot a group for another THR member that was around an inch, and I had the final four-shot group end up around a half-inch to 3/4 inch one-hole group the first day while breaking in the barrel. This was done with minimal power reloads consisting of 39.5 grains RE15, 175 grain SMK bullets, Lapua virgin brass, and regular Federal 210 primers.
About a week later, the rifle was taken to Dakota County gun club and shot at 300 yards. Conditions were good, with 5-10 mph winds that were reasonably steady. This time the loads used were 40 and 42 grains of RE 15 and otherwise identical components. The rifle shot five groups at 300 yards that were all under three inches, the largest that I took home and measured was 2.8" and the smallest 2.1."
Today, the rifle was shot at 100 yards using 43.2 grains of RE15 and 43.6 grains of RE15 and identical components as above, except the brass was once-fired and neck-sized. The rifle shot between 1/2" and 1" groups every time, and, again, the scope's zero was in the 10 ring out of the case. A total of 8 five-shot groups were fired, with none over an inch, and two that were closer to half an inch. (FWIW, the seating depth for these loads was 2.820")
Scope/Rings/Base: I was using a SuperSniper 10x42 fixed power scope on a Warne one-piece base and Warne tactical rings. The scope has accurate, repeatable adjustments with it's target knobs. You are able to zero the knobs, and, after the first 100 yard break-in/sight-in session, I did so. The "adjusted knob" zero was dead on when we went back to the range. The glass quality is above average, but not on par with high-end Leupold or Ziess. The image quality does decline at the edge of the field of view slightly. Eye relief is generous. Parallex adjustment and focus adjustment were easy. The scope has about a zillion MOA of elevation adjustment (actually, over 100 MOA), and, if I counted right, should be good out to 1,000 yards, not that I'd hit anything out there.
Overall Impression: I was skeptical. I know how the internet shrinks 2" groups to 0.2" with alarming regularity, and I was not sure if I really believed all of the hype about the accuracy of the Savage rifles. I cannot say just how good my personal 10FP shoots, I just know that it can shoot better than I am personally capable of shooting at this time. I am amazed that for such a low price, one can buy a rifle that is accurate enough to allow someone to try out precision, long-range shooting without severely handicapping them. At 300 yards, the difference between another THR member's tuned-up Remington 700 and my stock Savage 10FP was noticable to me. There is no doubt that if one is willing to spend the bucks, there are better/more accurate rifles out there. Then again, if you DON'T have the bucks, and still want to play the game without giving up any chance of being competetive, the Savage is a rifle you should take a long, hard look at. It is my humble opinion that this rifle, with high end glass, would be a better investment for someone looking to shoot longer ranges than a more expensive rifle and skimping on the glass.
Now I just need to get me one of those single-shot Savage Varmint .223's to play with.
Disclaimer: The above range testing was done in the presence, and with a fellow THR member. While I only took home a few targets to measure accurately, I have tried to accurately convey group sizes. If anything, I have tried to error on the side of larger groups rather than smaller. I hope John feels free to comment on the rifle in question's performance in the event that my ego deceived my eyes.
Upon recieving the rifle, I cleaned it, and unscrewed the ridiculous elevation knob/screw on the butt end of the stock. It appeared flimsy, got in the way of my off-hand, and I am used to using a sandbag in that location anyhow, so I prefer the rifle to be flat on the bottom of the stock.
I broke in the barrel and zero'd the scope with 20 rounds. I used a bore-snake after each of the first 9 shots, then every third shot for two groups, then after the last four shots. I let the barrel cool between shots for about 1.5-2 minutes, even when shooting the 3 and 4 shot groups. Here are my impressions and the accuracy results:
Stock: I have seen the Choate "Ultimate Sniper" stocks, and, to be honest, I was not impressed. The "Ultimate Varmint" stock, however, seems to fit my needs quite well. The barrel is free-floated, and the actions fits square and snug to the stock. The stock itself is rather heavy, but is also MUCH more rigid than the flimsy standard Savage synthetic stock. It is not a McMillan, but it is quite servicable, and I especially like the adjustable length of pull and cheekpieces (the rifle comes with extra spacers for both). I shoot lefty, and the cheekpiece does allow for reversal for us southpaws. The wide, flat surface of the forearm allows the rifle to be very stable when shot from bags.
Fit and Finish: The rifle is a matte black finish, and there are no noticable tool marks or blemishes. The extra-large bolt handle makes the bolt cycle smoother than I expected from a stock rifle, though it is not as smooth as most Remington 700 actions I have shot. Overall, I am quite satisfied with the looks of the rifle, but, then again, I am more of a function over form kinda guy.
Trigger: I had some serious reservations about the accutrigger system. I don't anymore. I left the trigger as-is from the factory, and on the LE 10FP models, it breaks between one and two pounds rather crisply. It is not a Jewell trigger. It is not a Timney trigger. It is, however, the nicest trigger I have ever shot on a bone-stock rifle, and, while not on-par with the super high-end triggers available, it is not a detriment at all to my ability to shoot this rifle, which, to be honest, is rather refreshing. The last stock, unworked-on Remington 700P I shot had a trigger that makes the accutrigger seem like breaking a glass rod. A thin glass rod.
Accuracy: I shot the rifle from the bench off of bags. No bipod or mechanical front rests were used. The rifle, once sighted in, shot a group for another THR member that was around an inch, and I had the final four-shot group end up around a half-inch to 3/4 inch one-hole group the first day while breaking in the barrel. This was done with minimal power reloads consisting of 39.5 grains RE15, 175 grain SMK bullets, Lapua virgin brass, and regular Federal 210 primers.
About a week later, the rifle was taken to Dakota County gun club and shot at 300 yards. Conditions were good, with 5-10 mph winds that were reasonably steady. This time the loads used were 40 and 42 grains of RE 15 and otherwise identical components. The rifle shot five groups at 300 yards that were all under three inches, the largest that I took home and measured was 2.8" and the smallest 2.1."
Today, the rifle was shot at 100 yards using 43.2 grains of RE15 and 43.6 grains of RE15 and identical components as above, except the brass was once-fired and neck-sized. The rifle shot between 1/2" and 1" groups every time, and, again, the scope's zero was in the 10 ring out of the case. A total of 8 five-shot groups were fired, with none over an inch, and two that were closer to half an inch. (FWIW, the seating depth for these loads was 2.820")
Scope/Rings/Base: I was using a SuperSniper 10x42 fixed power scope on a Warne one-piece base and Warne tactical rings. The scope has accurate, repeatable adjustments with it's target knobs. You are able to zero the knobs, and, after the first 100 yard break-in/sight-in session, I did so. The "adjusted knob" zero was dead on when we went back to the range. The glass quality is above average, but not on par with high-end Leupold or Ziess. The image quality does decline at the edge of the field of view slightly. Eye relief is generous. Parallex adjustment and focus adjustment were easy. The scope has about a zillion MOA of elevation adjustment (actually, over 100 MOA), and, if I counted right, should be good out to 1,000 yards, not that I'd hit anything out there.
Overall Impression: I was skeptical. I know how the internet shrinks 2" groups to 0.2" with alarming regularity, and I was not sure if I really believed all of the hype about the accuracy of the Savage rifles. I cannot say just how good my personal 10FP shoots, I just know that it can shoot better than I am personally capable of shooting at this time. I am amazed that for such a low price, one can buy a rifle that is accurate enough to allow someone to try out precision, long-range shooting without severely handicapping them. At 300 yards, the difference between another THR member's tuned-up Remington 700 and my stock Savage 10FP was noticable to me. There is no doubt that if one is willing to spend the bucks, there are better/more accurate rifles out there. Then again, if you DON'T have the bucks, and still want to play the game without giving up any chance of being competetive, the Savage is a rifle you should take a long, hard look at. It is my humble opinion that this rifle, with high end glass, would be a better investment for someone looking to shoot longer ranges than a more expensive rifle and skimping on the glass.
Now I just need to get me one of those single-shot Savage Varmint .223's to play with.
Disclaimer: The above range testing was done in the presence, and with a fellow THR member. While I only took home a few targets to measure accurately, I have tried to accurately convey group sizes. If anything, I have tried to error on the side of larger groups rather than smaller. I hope John feels free to comment on the rifle in question's performance in the event that my ego deceived my eyes.
