Savage 111 Accuracy Problems?

[Tiger1358]

I got a Savage 111 Trophy Hunter XP in 300 Win Mag(with Nikon BDC scope that came with it) that is being inconsistent every time I go shoot with it. I was gonna shoot it to check the zero before the bear season but the rifle was shooting all over paper. This is not the first time it does that. I know it's not me for sure, and not the ammo either. I think it's either the scope or the barrel. The rings are cheap aluminum rings, but I used Locktite, so it should hold just fine. Has anyone experienced similar problems with these guns? Thanks

[Dan-o]

My guess is bad scope or bad mount.......

[Bob33]

What changed since the time it used to shoot well?

[jrebel]

Every.....and I mean EVERY.....Savage I have ever shot has been an amazing shooter.  With that said.....I guess there are some bad apples in every batch. 

Now that we have taking care of the disclaimers....   My guess is the scope or the shooter.  If you say it is not you...then it must be the scope.  When you bought it did you take the scope off and locktite / torque the scope base screws?  Did you locktite the ring screws?  Most factory combos (rifel scope) I have boughten have had loose screws and no loctite (OK...all of them).  That would be my first thought. 

If that is not the issue, I would switch scopes and see what happens. 

It that is not the issue, I would clean the barrel with a good copper solvent and make sure the stock is torqued down approptiately. 

If that is not it, I would sell the gun to me at a drastic discount because it probably is a lemon.     Then you can go buy a Tikka because they are awesome.   

Good Luck....

[JeffRaines]

I would also check the barrel channel, I had one that was touching at the very end that would do exactly what you're talking about. Make sure it's free floated all the way. Clean out the bore really well, and if you're still using those cheap scope mounts it comes with I'd change those out asap, I wouldn't trust them on any magnum caliber. Might be okay for 243/260etc but anything more I'd switch em.

[Tiger1358]

 When I bought the rifle ,the barrel wasn't completely free floated,it was touching the stock a little bit, so I removed some plastic from the front part and assembled everything. The copper equilibrium seems to be alright since I shot just a little more than a couple boxes so far. The bases and the rings are perfectly tightened with blue locktite as well.
However I've heard some complaints about the Nikon BDC scope that comes in this combo, I had some issues with it when trying to adjust the zero when I first got it. I'm also planning to put Warne steel base and rings on it, instead of those cheap aluminum ones.
Since i bought this combo i wasn't confident in it because of not shooting consistently. When i first got it, i shot 1/2 MOA groups with it,but now it's not the same...I was wondering if anybody else has had similar problems with this combo?

[Magnum_Willys]

I would try that scope on a different rifle or a different scope on that rifle or both.  Let us know what you find.  Good luck.

[Miles]

I had an identical problem once.  After trying a bunch of stuff I swapped the scope out.  It shot amazing with a new scope.

I would start with the scope...  doesn't matter the brand or age, they can all fail.

[Tiger1358]

I'm gonna call Nikon to see how long it takes to repair the scope, since it has lifetime warranty. It sucks when things like this happen just a couple weeks before the hunting season.

[baker5150]

I had a similar issue with the same gun a few years back.  We determined it was possibly the scope and I took the entire set up back to Sportsmans warehouse, where I purchased it, and they just swapped the scope out with one from another combo.  Havent had an issue since.  Couldn't ask for better customer service. 

[Tiger1358]

I had a similar issue with the same gun a few years back.  We determined it was possibly the scope and I took the entire set up back to Sportsmans warehouse, where I purchased it, and they just swapped the scope out with one from another combo.  Havent had an issue since.  Couldn't ask for better customer service.

Was it the Nikon BDC scope or the Bushnell?

[Stein]

I've never shot a 111, but I would bet $500 on the scope/rings.  I bought a combo once before and ended up throwing away the scope and rings.  For under $300, you can get a perfectly reliable Vortex and decent rings and never worry about it going wonky in the middle of a hunt.

[baker5150]

I had a similar issue with the same gun a few years back.  We determined it was possibly the scope and I took the entire set up back to Sportsmans warehouse, where I purchased it, and they just swapped the scope out with one from another combo.  Havent had an issue since.  Couldn't ask for better customer service.

Was it the Nikon BDC scope or the Bushnell?

It was the Bushnell, which is now firmly mounted on a pellet gun.   
I upgraded to a Leupold and haven't shot it since.

[Tiger1358]

I had a similar issue with the same gun a few years back.  We determined it was possibly the scope and I took the entire set up back to Sportsmans warehouse, where I purchased it, and they just swapped the scope out with one from another combo.  Havent had an issue since.  Couldn't ask for better customer service.

Was it the Nikon BDC scope or the Bushnell?

It was the Bushnell, which is now firmly mounted on a pellet gun.   
I upgraded to a Leupold and haven't shot it since.