New here, bought a Savage.

[E Bob]

I joined because I just got a Savage 10T-SR in .223. Short action, 24" threaded barrel and Accustock. If you guys have any recommendations to get the most out of it I'm all ears. I'm impressed with the rigidity of the stock and can't find many worthy upgrades. It's wearing a Bushnell Engage 2.5-10x44, but I just go to the range so I'm wanting more magnification.

I also can't decide between a bipod or bags.

 

[Steel head]

Precision underground bags are awesome

Budget for a bipod?

you’d be surprised how far you can shoot a 223 with 10x

 

[E Bob]

Precision underground bags are awesome

Budget for a bipod?

you’d be surprised how far you can shoot a 223 with 10x

I'll check those bags out, thanks! I don't have much experience past a Harris-style, not even a real Harris. I like the idea of an Atlas 5-H that lowers the center of gravity, but $400 to do the same thing wow. (Shows how much I know about bipods.)

 

[Jackomason]

Welcome! I've thought about upgrading my wifes savage to a MDT oryx chassis. Also there are a lot of other "upgrades" available but I'd suggest keeping the (savage specific) add-ons to a minimum. Use the gun hard and shoot the crap out of it. If you love long range you'll end up with a decent back up/truck gun...

Be careful. If your married you might want to sit down and have the money talk now...

 

[spife7980]

I'll check those bags out, thanks! I don't have much experience past a Harris-style, not even a real Harris. I like the idea of an Atlas 5-H that lowers the center of gravity, but $400 to do the same thing wow. (Shows how much I know about bipods.)

A nice bipod is a worthwhile investment, no doubt... provided you care to invest in it. I would look into the harris notched leg swivel bipod for like 100 bucks or maybe even the magpul for the same price in the interim.
Your decision seems based primarily on budget, not peak performance.

A great bipod is nice but I wouldnt spend as much on it as I did the whole rifle though. If you get into it, great, invest later.

 

[Steel head]

I'll check those bags out, thanks! I don't have much experience past a Harris-style, not even a real Harris. I like the idea of an Atlas 5-H that lowers the center of gravity, but $400 to do the same thing wow. (Shows how much I know about bipods.)

The 5H absolutely blows away a Harris!
The stability level isn’t even close.


I’d really look it a atlas CAL, it’s a bipod for a bit less that will absolutely not hold you back now or in the future and if you shopping for bipods you really should consider the future.

 

[E Bob]

I didn't buy better scopes until I looked through one. I don't think I need a nice bipod because I simply don't understand what it offers.

 

[Steel head]

I didn't buy better scopes until I looked through one. I don't think I need a nice bipod because I simply don't understand what it offers.

The Harris and magpul are decent starters.
If your scope shopping cameralandNY had som sweet deals on budget scopes recently.

 

[E Bob]

The Harris and magpul are decent starters.
If your scope shopping cameralandNY had som sweet deals on budget scopes recently.

I'm thinking about getting a Mueller 8-32x44 since I already have 30mm rings and will just be taking it to the range. Does this sound too cheap?

 

[Jackomason]

I wouldn't do too much till I knew I liked it. A Harris is just fine for varmint/budget rifle especially one will minimal recoil. You'll have to push yourself with that .223 and figure out what's actually holding you back from your goals.

There is something to be said about using gear that doesnt hold you back and just works. But that's not always wise or realistic.

 

[spife7980]

I'm thinking about getting a Mueller 8-32x44 since I already have 30mm rings and will just be taking it to the range. Does this sound too cheap?

Too cheap, no, but I would buy the althon argos btr they are clearing out instead, they only have the MOA version in stock still, no MILs, but thats really not going to be a big deal.

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

 

[Powder_Burns]

Shoot the shit out of that savage and be a sponge, soak up as much information here and at the range as you can. Hold off on any purchases for now, just learn as much as you can and down the road you will have a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t which will save you a lot of money in trial and error in the long run.
For starters get some good bags to support the rifle with. You can start cheap and get whatever bags are at walmart for $20...they will break and you will eventually want to upgrade. You want a taller bag for the front and a smaller bag for the rear to support the buttstock. Many of us have a shopping cart full of bags and miscellaneous gear we don’t use anymore. Don’t dive into the deep end out the gate and put a $500 bipod on a $400 gun.

 

[Lightning8]

I have a similar Savage with 1-9 twist. It likes 62 to 73 grain projectiles. The Nosler 77 CCs work - 75 ELDMs did not work well. You may find success with the 69s and maybe the 73 ELDMs. Good luck!

 

[Steel head]

Too cheap, no, but I would buy the althon argos btr they are clearing out instead, they only have the MOA version in stock still, no MILs, but thats really not going to be a big deal.

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

A better option.

Shoot the shit out of that savage and be a sponge, soak up as much information here and at the range as you can. Hold off on any purchases for now, just learn as much as you can and down the road you will have a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t which will save you a lot of money in trial and error in the long run.
For starters get some good bags to support the rifle with. You can start cheap and get whatever bags are at walmart for $20...they will break and you will eventually want to upgrade. You want a taller bag for the front and a smaller bag for the rear to support the buttstock. Many of us have a shopping cart full of bags and miscellaneous gear we don’t use anymore. Don’t dive into the deep end out the gate and put a $500 bipod on a $400 gun.

this is good advice.

Get a good bag and shoot.
Then you'll learn what you you really want or need

 

[E Bob]

Thanks guys. The one thing I don't want to cheap out on is ammo. I bought this to get good groups and if the ammo doesn't do its part what's the point.

I've been wanting to give Athlon a try. Fun fact: Athlon and Bushnell are only 10 minutes from eachother, and also 10 minutes from my house. Both have lifetime warranties = win win.

 

[Simonsza1]

Agree the Harris notched leg is probably great for you now or the cal is definitely a buy once cry once item. If you have the capability or someone you know does a good bedding job would improve that rifle. Think about a stock pad maybe from triad to get your face up and lined up properly with the scope. Otherwise have fun and buy ammo also don’t let all the savage haters on the hide bring you down just shoot a lot and enjoy, welcome to the hide btw.

 

[Simonsza1]

Also mkmachining has awesome prices on the Athlon optics and gives a discount for hide members.

 

[XLR308]

@E Bob welcome and if you are looking for an upgrade stock at a very competitive price have a look at the CHOATE stock with the A5 pattern.
I have one on a 300wm and they are very solid with an anschutz rail embedded in the for end.

 

[E Bob]

Shoot the shit out of that savage and be a sponge, soak up as much information here and at the range as you can. Hold off on any purchases for now, just learn as much as you can and down the road you will have a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t which will save you a lot of money in trial and error in the long run.
For starters get some good bags to support the rifle with. You can start cheap and get whatever bags are at walmart for $20...they will break and you will eventually want to upgrade. You want a taller bag for the front and a smaller bag for the rear to support the buttstock. Many of us have a shopping cart full of bags and miscellaneous gear we don’t use anymore. Don’t dive into the deep end out the gate and put a $500 bipod on a $400 gun.

I think you're exactly right, I have a bad habit of not leaving well enough alone. I have my rifle and scope, just need some bags and good ammo. I don't see the point of buying cheap ammo if I'm trying to make every one count. Do you have any opinion on this?

 

[Powder_Burns]

Absolutely,
if you are learning how to shoot at 100yd you don’t need premium match grade ammo by any means.
You are learning your marksmanship fundamentals, learning how to run your gun. You would be better served buying remington plinking ammo and subscribing to the online training. The online training is the cost of a box of 20 rounds a month. Its a better investment for you than buying a few boxes of match grade ammo and shooting 2 moa groups with it because your fundamentals aren’t solid yet.

 

[Simonsza1]

Depends what you can find right now but Hornady match will probably be the cheapest good shooting ammo, actually heard decent things from the Hornady black also but no first hand knowledge on factory 5.56 ammo

 

[E Bob]

Absolutely,
if you are learning how to shoot at 100yd you don’t need premium match grade ammo by any means.
You are learning your marksmanship fundamentals, learning how to run your gun. You would be better served buying remington plinking ammo and subscribing to the online training. The online training is the cost of a box of 20 rounds a month. Its a better investment for you than buying a few boxes of match grade ammo and shooting 2 moa groups with it because your fundamentals aren’t solid yet.

Ah, so if I'm going to start out inaccurate, there's no point in wasting $1.20/round ammo, good point, thank you! I was ready to buy that Nosler. So I'll start out with the 10x scope, regular brass, and an average bipod or bag and see where I'm at. That way anything I change as my skill increases can be calculated. But first I must start out and shrink my groups with what I've got. That sounds more fun than buying things I don't need, I'm having a revelation right now.

 

[Steel head]

I’d really try Federal Gold medal match with the 69smk.
It pretty much hammers in any decent 223.

 

[Powder_Burns]

Ah, so if I'm going to start out inaccurate, there's no point in wasting $1.20/round ammo, good point, thank you! I was ready to buy that Nosler. So I'll start out with the 10x scope, regular brass, and an average bipod or bag and see where I'm at. That way anything I change as my skill increases can be calculated. But first I must start out and shrink my groups with what I've got. That sounds more fun than buying things I don't need, I'm having a revelation right now.

Buy that bulk M193 55gr stuff and shoot the hell out of it. You will end up with some nifty ammo cans that way too.

 

[E Bob]

Is the consensus that the heavy stuff works best? Has anyone found good accuracy with the light stuff?

Buy that bulk M193 55gr stuff and shoot the hell out of it. You will end up with some nifty ammo cans that way too.

Interesting you say that, I have some M193, but everyone says I shouldn't shoot 5.56 in my .223, yet I've never actually seen anyone test that out or have heard of an overpressure event actually happening. I haven't tried it myself either.

 

[jpspeeddemon]

Thanks guys. The one thing I don't want to cheap out on is ammo. I bought this to get good groups and if the ammo doesn't do its part what's the point.

I've been wanting to give Athlon a try. Fun fact: Athlon and Bushnell are only 10 minutes from eachother, and also 10 minutes from my house. Both have lifetime warranties = win win.

how far are you planning to shoot? there are some excellent cheaper options for the 55gr loads which would serve you well out to 300 or 400 yds. If you want to shoot past that think about the heavier loads <65grains.

 

[E Bob]

how far are you planning to shoot? there are some excellent cheaper options for the 55gr loads which would serve you well out to 300 or 400 yds. If you want to shoot past that think about the heavier loads <65grains.

My range is 100 yards. My friend's house is up to 700 yards, but we usually shoot 250-300 yards. One of the reasons I wanted a .223 is because (I'm quite fond of it) and he has a Savage 6.5 Creedmore and I want to outshoot him with my .223. But for 90% of the time I will be at the outdoor 25-100 yard range.

 

[Chickentoast]

Don't put any money into the rifle itself (stock, trigger). It will likely shoot under 0.5" @ 100yds out of the box. You may need to bed the stock, rail, and tune the trigger, but none of that costs money, and you learn a lot along the way.

A backpack up front and some beans in a sock at the rear will get you shooting. Since you're going to a range, they may have sand bags you can use.

If you want to spend money, spend it on glass that can move to another rifle.

 

[Powder_Burns]

If you don’t have a 5.56 chamber then you should probably stick to the remington green box stuff. Anyway the idea is to get as much trigger time to start, and when you get to the point you are shooting the smallest groups you can at 100, and you feel like the ammo is the weak link in the chain then go ahead and start upgrading. But really, look into the online training, so you aren’t picking up bad habits and hurting yourself in the long run. Its easier to learn something right the first time than to unlearn bad habits and correct your technique.

 

[XLR308]

Is the consensus that the heavy stuff works best? Has anyone found good accuracy with the light stuff?



Interesting you say that, I have some M193, but everyone says I shouldn't shoot 5.56 in my .223, yet I've never actually seen anyone test that out or have heard of an overpressure event actually happening. I haven't tried it myself either.

The rifle will tell you what it prefers but the twist rate you have will dictate what the heavy end of the spectrum will be.
I have a 24" 1-8 twist WOA barrel that shoots everything from 45 grain to 75 grain very well.

 

[E Bob]

24" 1:9 factory barrel on mine.

Also, thank you guys for all of this, great advice in here.

 

[spife7980]

I would expect the 69 grains bullets to be the max of what you will dependably stabilize. You may get by with some of the blunter 70+ gr bullets but the longer ones wont. Just test a box before you invest in hundreds of dollars in 70gr+ ammo just to make sure it will work like you hope and not hit the target sideways or like a shot gun spray.

The 69 fgmm loaded with the 69 sierra matchking is a good recommendation.

 

[Chickentoast]

RE: ammo - my experience with 223 is that it is very variable and unless you're buying premium ammo, don't expect sub-moa groups. I had a Tikka that shot <1/4" with expensive stuff (Fiocchi Exacta 77SMK and HSM 55 grain blue tip), 2-3" with regular ammo, and ~5" with garbage like Tula. I spent a while thinking it was me, or my optic, or the mount, or the stock, etc...

My Savage, which is 20" and 9 twist, has seen 15 rounds of Hornady 75 grain Steel Match, which it shot approx ~1", some of the previously mentioned Fiocchi, which it shoots ~3/8", and handloads from 50-75grains, which, when optimized, all shoot under 1/4". I loaded some 80 eld-m's, but haven't tried them yet - and they may fail to adequately stabilize at longer ranges, but the 75 eld-m is proven for me out to 1K.

 

[Alabusa]

You've already gotten a lot of good advice. If you must upgrade your scope, look at the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50. I have one on a 22-250 and it does a great job. I routinely shoot it out to 400 yards and it tracks perfectly and is always spot on. It has good glass for the money.

Contact Doug at CameralandNY for a really good deal on anything Athon. He goes by @gr8fuldoug on the Hide and is a very nice and knowledgeable guy to deal with.

The Precision Underground bags are absolutely great bags and don't break the bank.

The Harris 6-9 notch leg bipod will not hold you back and will serve you well for quite a while. There is plenty of time to upgrade later as your skillset grows.

Don't overthink your shooting. Make sure you have fun while doing it and not get so wrapped up in the "I gotta shoot 1/4 moa groups or nothing".

Down the road, really consider reloading, if you don't already. That is where you will learn to get the most out of your ammo per dollar spent.

 

[MCHOG]

Don't get too caught up with the gear race. It's tough to keep it simple in the excitement of getting a new rifle. I'd suggest making the relatively small investment (in the grand scheme of things) in some training. The online training videos offered here are excellent. That will help with the rifle and gear setup as well.

 

[E Bob]

That's a very nice resource and will definitely look into that after my first range session because I'm sure that will start my hunt for accuracy. Speaking of gear, I'd like to put a muzzle brake on because it has a threaded barrel, does anyone have on opinion on doing this to a .223?

 

[Simonsza1]

That's a very nice resource and will definitely look into that after my first range session because I'm sure that will start my hunt for accuracy. Speaking of gear, I's like to put a muzzle brake on because it has a threaded barrel, does anyone have on opinion on doing this to a .223?

Buy ammo instead

 

[Chickentoast]

Brake is completely unnecessary for a 223, as is wearing camo and a bowie knife to the range LOL. Please don't be that guy!

 

[E Bob]

Brake is completely unnecessary for a 223, as is wearing camo and a bowie knife to the range LOL. Please don't be that guy!

Haha! I'm the furthest from that guy. I do have a bowie knife though...$9.99 at Harbor Freight (you know the one). Nicest letter opener I've ever had. And my camo has been hung up in my closet for quite a few years.

Come one guys, it's gotta have one of these!

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

Welcome to the Hide! I think you made a great choice by getting a .223 instead of jumping in with a 300 win mag or something else that’s going to make it tougher to build good habits.

For the scope you’re considering, I understand wanting to get something with a large top-magnification number. If you have the chance, you might look through one of the Mueller’s when it is mounted on a rifle (I think you said they’re not far from you). I don’t have any experience with Mueller, so this doesn’t reflect on any of their products, but a 4-power scope that goes to 32x might have a less-forgiving eye box. Maybe their scope is great, but it’s frustrating trying to fight your gear just to get a good scope picture. That’s energy that could be better spent elsewhere. Of course, you don’t have to crank the scope up to 32x, either.

Regarding ammo, I was breaking in a Bravo Company pistol this weekend that has one of their BFH barrels. With a red dot sight, it was grouping pretty well with Australian Outback 69 grain .223 ammo. If that stuff shot that well in a bullet hose, it might do pretty well in your Savage (even without a JP tank brake).

 

[E Bob]

Funny you say that, I was looking at a Benelli R1 and realized that's a full-out hunting rifle with features I will never need or use and I just want to make holes on paper. I'm glad I didn't spend that kind of money too. Yeah the magnification number gets me thinking it will make shooting easier. But I'm going to see how well I can group with my 10x first. Small eye relief is annoying too.

I would kind of like to paint my stock though, I see some really good paint jobs out there. Just so it's not plain black.