Whats next for me? (Savage 110e .243 Win)

[thegeneric]

Got a great deal on my first bolt action earlier in the month. Came with a laminate thumb hole free float stock and a Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14. I have no previous experience shooting scoped rifles from a bench. 22in 1/9.25 twist I believe. Using a bipod and rear sandbag

First trip, my buddy helped me zero in the rifle at 100yards. Ran out of ammo and couldn't shoot a group, but my last round was .5inch of my point of aim. Zero'd. Shot HSM 95gr.

Second trip, brought Remington Core-lokt 100gr and the cheapest ammo I could find (Monarch 100gr soft point). Core-lokt was all over the place while the Monarch managed 1.25 inch 5 shot group at 100. Was very happy as a new shooter and how cheap the gun/scope combo was for me.

Today, brought the Monarch ammo again. Since the 100yard lanes were all taken up, tried at 200 yards. I was very hesitant because I have not shot at such range. Also used a different rear bag where you are supposed to keep it squeezed with your left hand. Five shot group was 1.5inch. Again I was very pleased with myself.

Is this the upper limit of the rifle? Should I try different ammo to see if I can do better (any recommendations?)?

Do you have any tips/tricks that you can share with me about shooting from a bench that you wish you would have known when first starting out?

Thanks!

 

[HB]

Sounds like you are doing very well for your first times out. The decision to experement with more ammo really comes down to what you want to do with the gun. If you want to hunt with it, it is currently more than accurate enough. If you want to get into shooting for accuracy, getting the best group will become your goal.

HB

 

[slowr1der]

Sounds pretty good. You might be able to get some better groups though. I'd try some Federal Power Shok rounds as well as some Hornady SST rounds to see what they will do.

BTW Remington ammo has never shot well for me in anything I've tried it in. I'm really not sure why people like the core lokt round at all. Just like their guns I've dealt with in the last few years have been crap to put it nicely. Remington used to be a name you could associate with quality. Now I don't think they make much of anything if anything that is quality.

 

[Kawabuggy]

Thegeneric, about the only way I can see that you could improve upon what you have done so far would be to start hand-loading for the rifle. Even doing that though, I think you are going to find it difficult to improve upon what you have already accomplished. Those numbers, for that distance, are very impressive.

Your eyes are being opened to the true potential of Savage fire-arms. Welcome to the Brotherhood of the Barrel Nut. If you are unsure of what this means, go to www.savageshooters.com

 

[thegeneric]

So the consensus is that without spending a buttloads of money on a bull barrel etc etc, this is the max of what the rifle should be doing and my shooting skills are not skewing results?

I went on my first two hunts this year, but I am unsure how often I will go in the future.

I dont think i will go down the handload path just yet...I dont have the space, desire or start up money just yet.

 

[hometheaterman]

Well, the Savage Model 10 in .243 I've shot which has been the only .243 Savage I've shot has shot around .4-.5" groups with handloads using Hornady SST bullets and around .8" groups with Winchester Power Points and Federal Power Shoks. The Federals shoot about 1.5" lower in POI, but they shoot about the same size groups as the Winchesters. The Hornady SST's also shoot under 1" groups.

So the one I've shot shoots quite a bit better than that. It's the basic Savage package deal from Walmart, but I don't know if your model is going to shoot any better than that or not.

 

[aubie515]

Shooting better ammo should tighten up those groups. Pick up a pre fit Savage barrel from Shilen, Pac Nor, McGowen or Benchmark and you will see amazing results.