LOVE my new Savage!

[Dan-o]

So, I posted a couple threads on here this week;  One asking for feedback on Savage 111's and one asking for feedback on 7MM Rem Mag vs 300 win Mag for deer/elk.

In the end, I got the Savage 111 Combo with the Acutrigger and the BDC 3X9 scope.

I took a couple types of factory ammo to the range and sighted it in Friday afternoon, and I am IMPRESSED.

With either type of factory ammo, I was able to shoot 4-shot groups that I could usually cover with a nickel.

Now, I am not an accomplished marksman by any means;  I practice enough to be proficient to hunt, and I don't take iffy shots (try to be sure to stick within my abilities).

I picked up some Winchester 150 Gr soft points (for deer) and some Federal Premium with 160 grain partitions (for elk).    Right off the bat, both types of ammo shoot just great.

I personally have never shot groups this tight.  I've seen guys/gear that can do better, but this is a new best for me!!!!!

Thanks all, for the constructive input on both previous posts.   I love this site.....

Dan

[FC]

So far all of the Savage rifles I have shot were very accurate with ammo they  liked, yours will probably start getting even better after 200 rounds or so.

[Huntbear]

Now if you had a camera to show us pictures!!!!!   

[wraithen]

DO NOT clean that barrel after break in very often. I have to clean my blind magazine more than my barrel. Barrel HATES being clean for some reason.

[Biggerhammer]

It really makes for a good season and feeling going into it confident about your rifles accuracy and performance. That 160's will be the ticket for elk! Good to hear your pleased with your purchase.

[buckfvr]

I sure hope I get similar results from my new 111LRH in 7remmag.  Finally got rings and scope, all is set up ready to go, will start shooting in the next day or so.   

[wraithen]

Dan-o, if you don't mind my asking, which 111 package did you go with? I was looking and I'd rather they sell the inexpensive ones without the scope. Just seems that unless you want a stevens or axis, you gotta pay for a scope and I want a nikon, just not a bdc.

[DoubleJ]

What caliber?

[Biggerhammer]

What caliber?

150 and 160 grainers, I would be banking on 7 Mag.

[FC]

DO NOT clean that barrel after break in very often. I have to clean my blind magazine more than my barrel. Barrel HATES being clean for some reason.

Sounds like it's not really broke-in yet!

[wraithen]

If it's not broken in yet it never will be. Fired over 1500 rounds through that barrel and it's a .223

[FC]

If it's not broken in yet it never will be. Fired over 1500 rounds through that barrel and it's a .223

I had to lap both of mine, they would foul so fast it was ridiculous but now you can shoot them quite a bit before accuracy starts to fall off.

The .308 I lapped at about 4-500 rounds if that is any indicator for you.

[Dan-o]

Dan-o, if you don't mind my asking, which 111 package did you go with? I was looking and I'd rather they sell the inexpensive ones without the scope. Just seems that unless you want a stevens or axis, you gotta pay for a scope and I want a nikon, just not a bdc.

I got the combo with the BDC.........     

I'm no optics expert, but the guy behind the counter that i trust said it was a pretty good scope.   I know it works for me.........       

The glass looks really clear to me, and I sure could settle the cross hairs nicely, so it works for me.

What scope do you like (in case I get an unexpected inheritance)?

[Dan-o]

What caliber?

150 and 160 grainers, I would be banking on 7 Mag.

Yes sir.   7MM Rem Mag.

[Dan-o]

If it's not broken in yet it never will be. Fired over 1500 rounds through that barrel and it's a .223

I had to lap both of mine, they would foul so fast it was ridiculous but now you can shoot them quite a bit before accuracy starts to fall off.

The .308 I lapped at about 4-500 rounds if that is any indicator for you.

So about lapping........

Is that a process whereby you somehow smooth out he rifling so that it's less "sticky"?

How do you do it, when and why do you do it?

[wraithen]

Dan-o, if you don't mind my asking, which 111 package did you go with? I was looking and I'd rather they sell the inexpensive ones without the scope. Just seems that unless you want a stevens or axis, you gotta pay for a scope and I want a nikon, just not a bdc.

I got the combo with the BDC.........     

I'm no optics expert, but the guy behind the counter that i trust said it was a pretty good scope.   I know it works for me.........       

The glass looks really clear to me, and I sure could settle the cross hairs nicely, so it works for me.

What scope do you like (in case I get an unexpected inheritance)?

I dig nikons a lot. I just prefer the plain jane nikoplex or mildot setups. I play with my rounds too much for a dedicated bdc to work.

[Dan-o]

Dan-o, if you don't mind my asking, which 111 package did you go with? I was looking and I'd rather they sell the inexpensive ones without the scope. Just seems that unless you want a stevens or axis, you gotta pay for a scope and I want a nikon, just not a bdc.

I got the combo with the BDC.........     

I'm no optics expert, but the guy behind the counter that i trust said it was a pretty good scope.   I know it works for me.........       

The glass looks really clear to me, and I sure could settle the cross hairs nicely, so it works for me.

What scope do you like (in case I get an unexpected inheritance)?

I dig nikons a lot. I just prefer the plain jane nikoplex or mildot setups. I play with my rounds too much for a dedicated bdc to work.

Yeah, I figured I could get a couple pet loads that the rifle really likes and then just figure the yardage for the various reitcles......   I know it's a poor man's solution, but hey..........       

[FC]

So about lapping........

Is that a process whereby you somehow smooth out he rifling so that it's less "sticky"?

How do you do it, when and why do you do it?

Sort of, you are actually trying to get rid of the fine tool marks left over from machining the barrel and smooth the larger ones. I use jb bore-paste on a nylon brush to accomplish this, it takes quite a while. Come to think of it I had to do this to my SS barreled AR too.

I did it when I got tired of my rifle's accuracy dropping off in 20-30 shots because there was already so much copper fouling.

[wraithen]

Haha, mine gets better with fouling!

[FC]

Haha, mine gets better with fouling!

Mine do too but the first clean, cold-bore shot is right on target. 

[wraithen]

My first cold shot if its clean is a half inch low and left. After that it's on the money. I shoot it waaaay too much when I go to the range to worry about cold bore shots. I'm on the wetside so anything I may encounter will be close enough not to care.

[DoubleJ]

Haha, mine gets better with fouling!

My Savage/Stevens .308 is the same way.  I keep it spotless in the safe but when shooting it to sight it in or taking it hunting, I'll run a 4 round magazine through it as soon as I leave the house and take it out into the field dirty.  Much better groups and accuracy after a few fired round

[DoubleJ]

My first cold shot if its clean is a half inch low and left. After that it's on the money. I shoot it waaaay too much when I go to the range to worry about cold bore shots. I'm on the wetside so anything I may encounter will be close enough not to care.

Also this.  I archery hunt but the boys use the rifle, mostly east side but, we've never worried about cold vs. warm barrel.  Accuracy at 100 yards seems to be within an inch or so between cold and warm barrels.  We tried shooting round after round and we've also tried waiting for a period of time between shots for the barrel to cool, down.  No real difference in accuracy that I can tell and it's not fun to sit there while a barrel cools

[MadHatter]

My first cold shot if its clean is a half inch low and left. After that it's on the money. I shoot it waaaay too much when I go to the range to worry about cold bore shots. I'm on the wetside so anything I may encounter will be close enough not to care.

My Rem 700 .308 is the same way... Although my clean bore is 1/2" high and 1/4" right, but as soon as it is fouled it is right on the money.  Cold bore puts me 1/4" high at 100 though, so I just take it down two clicks for the first shot, then back up after that...

Sent from my sniper hide...

[C-Money]

Congrats on your new rifle Dan-o! Sounds like a shooter!