This update includes a range report using the stock trigger / setup of the Savage MKII F.
Once boresighted and ready for the range, a quick and easy way to see if the scope needs additional tightening is by using witness marks. Plain white masking tape lightly applied before and after a ring will let you know if the scope is sliding back and forth, and is evident by any "crinkle" in the tape while shooting.
I had gone out 2 days ago to get my zero at 50 yards. Using the bore sight method described earlier, was able to put 5 rounds in 1" or less at 50 yards after 5 sighter shots. On the way home I stopped by the local gunsmith for a trigger pull reading on his scale. 6 POUNDS 6 OZ. and a mile of creep!!! Obviously this will be the very first modification, and i was amazed at the results once i got "used" to the nasty trigger. 1" spots on target.
Time and daylight was in short supply that day, so i went out today. the conditions were less than stellar, however i'm eager to move ahead with the project, so i shot my baseline before doing any modifications.
27 degrees, 12 m.p.h. sustained wind (at least it was sustained, can adjust for it) from 9:00. Shot off the bipod and rear bag from bench. Skies were overcast.
50 yards on 12x, 6lb. 6 oz. trigger. Rifle was leveled by lining up the crosshairs with line drew with a level on secondary target just above the primary target. Any shots that I knew beyond a resonable doubt that was pulled (again 6lb, 6oz trigger) are circled. 1.5" spots on target.
50 yards, 12x magnification.
The 50 yard told me a few tales.
1. The stock trigger stinks and has to go or get modified.
2. The rifle "as is" seems to shoot good groups with the higher end ammo as well as the lower end ammo used.
3. The POI was different than my original zeroing target, I could only believe it was the conditions shot, and my getting used to the trigger.
100 yards, 14x magnification.
Above all, the trigger needs work / replacement. Trying to stay within the "Low Budget" will perform a simple modification by reducing the spring coils in increments.
The 100 yard told me a few tales.
1. Remington subsonics - I get the same results with my "tweaked" MKII BV, no surprise in the performance.
2. The high velocity rounds were shot 2 mils hold UNDER on 14X magnification, to keep it somewhere near the bull.
3. The match type ammo (in my opinion) definately holds the wind better than HV.
4. I'm sure the wind and the nasty trigger effected the group, however as my hometown range suffers from wind, it would actually be easier to find a day with a 12 mph wind than a calm one, and after the trigger mod, will be comparable.
I felt that even after mounting the scope as low as I can, I still had to stretch my neck a little to get a decent alignment. The drop in the stock is fine for open sights, however with an optic on top, a little too much drop. This'll lead to a future mod for a cheek piece. i have done this before,
ECONOMICAL CHEEK PIECE
but will look for a Wal-mart low budget "somewhat presentable" alternative.
Some rough edges in the molding marks of the plastic stock will have to be sanded down for comfort and looks.
The scope didn't slip, and remained (suprisingly for the price of $69.00) as clear and bright from 4x to about 15x where it started to get grayish, but the target was still viewable enough to shoot on 16x. The return to zero was right on with both elevation and windage.
I wanted to do some 200 yard work, however the wind grew to 15mph sustained, gusts to 17, and started to change direction. Way too many variables for an objective baseline.
On the silhoutte shooting side, even with the trigger and wind, it still shot acceptable enough (at least from the bench) for chickens (42 yards) to rams (109 yards) as is. however on the "tactical trainer" side, not quite so much.
We'll make the modifications, and compare to the baseline data of how much better or worse (fingers crossed) the Low Budget mods will make. I am confident that the groups will shrink, especially the 100 yarders.
Next update: LOW BUDGET .22 TRAINER - trigger mod./freefloat
Once boresighted and ready for the range, a quick and easy way to see if the scope needs additional tightening is by using witness marks. Plain white masking tape lightly applied before and after a ring will let you know if the scope is sliding back and forth, and is evident by any "crinkle" in the tape while shooting.
I had gone out 2 days ago to get my zero at 50 yards. Using the bore sight method described earlier, was able to put 5 rounds in 1" or less at 50 yards after 5 sighter shots. On the way home I stopped by the local gunsmith for a trigger pull reading on his scale. 6 POUNDS 6 OZ. and a mile of creep!!! Obviously this will be the very first modification, and i was amazed at the results once i got "used" to the nasty trigger. 1" spots on target.
Time and daylight was in short supply that day, so i went out today. the conditions were less than stellar, however i'm eager to move ahead with the project, so i shot my baseline before doing any modifications.
27 degrees, 12 m.p.h. sustained wind (at least it was sustained, can adjust for it) from 9:00. Shot off the bipod and rear bag from bench. Skies were overcast.
50 yards on 12x, 6lb. 6 oz. trigger. Rifle was leveled by lining up the crosshairs with line drew with a level on secondary target just above the primary target. Any shots that I knew beyond a resonable doubt that was pulled (again 6lb, 6oz trigger) are circled. 1.5" spots on target.
50 yards, 12x magnification.
The 50 yard told me a few tales.
1. The stock trigger stinks and has to go or get modified.
2. The rifle "as is" seems to shoot good groups with the higher end ammo as well as the lower end ammo used.
3. The POI was different than my original zeroing target, I could only believe it was the conditions shot, and my getting used to the trigger.
100 yards, 14x magnification.
Above all, the trigger needs work / replacement. Trying to stay within the "Low Budget" will perform a simple modification by reducing the spring coils in increments.
The 100 yard told me a few tales.
1. Remington subsonics - I get the same results with my "tweaked" MKII BV, no surprise in the performance.
2. The high velocity rounds were shot 2 mils hold UNDER on 14X magnification, to keep it somewhere near the bull.
3. The match type ammo (in my opinion) definately holds the wind better than HV.
4. I'm sure the wind and the nasty trigger effected the group, however as my hometown range suffers from wind, it would actually be easier to find a day with a 12 mph wind than a calm one, and after the trigger mod, will be comparable.
I felt that even after mounting the scope as low as I can, I still had to stretch my neck a little to get a decent alignment. The drop in the stock is fine for open sights, however with an optic on top, a little too much drop. This'll lead to a future mod for a cheek piece. i have done this before,
ECONOMICAL CHEEK PIECE
but will look for a Wal-mart low budget "somewhat presentable" alternative.
Some rough edges in the molding marks of the plastic stock will have to be sanded down for comfort and looks.
The scope didn't slip, and remained (suprisingly for the price of $69.00) as clear and bright from 4x to about 15x where it started to get grayish, but the target was still viewable enough to shoot on 16x. The return to zero was right on with both elevation and windage.
I wanted to do some 200 yard work, however the wind grew to 15mph sustained, gusts to 17, and started to change direction. Way too many variables for an objective baseline.
On the silhoutte shooting side, even with the trigger and wind, it still shot acceptable enough (at least from the bench) for chickens (42 yards) to rams (109 yards) as is. however on the "tactical trainer" side, not quite so much.
We'll make the modifications, and compare to the baseline data of how much better or worse (fingers crossed) the Low Budget mods will make. I am confident that the groups will shrink, especially the 100 yarders.
Next update: LOW BUDGET .22 TRAINER - trigger mod./freefloat
