I bought this rifle after finally succumbing to "you have to give Savage a try" thing. Bought the 10FP that came with the Choate for $600+tax.
I shot it in it's factory configuration 26" barrel at first working up loads with IMR-4895 and R15 using 168 SMK's and Amax's. While the velocities were good at 2750 ish the accuracy wasnt there. I tried many combinations but to no avail. I was bummed as my FN SPR and Rem spsv shot great right out of the box, the Rem by the way with no work up, it really shot well straight from the box. The best this savage would do was 3/4"-1" consistant 5 shot 100 groups.
I didnt have anything to lose in my book and decided to chop the barrel back to 20 inches, recrown and threaded it for a Thruster brake. While I had the barrel in the lathe for work I decided to go ahead and skim bed the "V" block. After doing the rifle shot about the same, maybe a tad bit better.
Fast forward to 2 weeks ago and I found some Varget and right away went to work. It didnt take long to see favorable results with the 168 Amax so I switched to the SMK to see what they would do. The Sierra shoots slighty better than the Hornady and with 1/2 gr less powder to get the same speed.
After shooting several 3 shot groups that grouped tightly I settled on 45.0gr of Varget in a Fed case and 210 primer with a 2.840 OAL with the Sierra Match King. This is averaging 2650fps out of the 20"tube and isnt max but shoots ok.
I shot these 5 shot groups back to back to confirm my load.
I then took it to 400 yards and came up with these. Had to dial up 8 clicks. Notice how simular these group are to one another, I mean the arrangement of the holes.
I did a little dozer work and was able to extend my reloading room range to 600 yards a couple of days ago and have been banging a steel target I made.
After dialing in +15, this was my first 600 yard 3 shot group.
Shot a few more but with 5 shot groups. This one was right at dark and could barely see .
A couple more...
This is my last group I shot, I dont exactly know what I did but I blew the last shot by dropping it at 6 o'clock, spoiled a 2 1/2" groups that was actually pretty centered.
I am now pretty happy I did not give up on this rifle. I was skeptical just like anyone about the Choate stock. It's a decent cheap alternitive in my opinion.In reality after painting it, adding weight to it and texturing the grip the stock is pretty darn solid. I have seen plenty of more expensive rifles here do the same thing and better but for the money spent, at the end of the day this Savage does well in my book.
I shot it in it's factory configuration 26" barrel at first working up loads with IMR-4895 and R15 using 168 SMK's and Amax's. While the velocities were good at 2750 ish the accuracy wasnt there. I tried many combinations but to no avail. I was bummed as my FN SPR and Rem spsv shot great right out of the box, the Rem by the way with no work up, it really shot well straight from the box. The best this savage would do was 3/4"-1" consistant 5 shot 100 groups.
I didnt have anything to lose in my book and decided to chop the barrel back to 20 inches, recrown and threaded it for a Thruster brake. While I had the barrel in the lathe for work I decided to go ahead and skim bed the "V" block. After doing the rifle shot about the same, maybe a tad bit better.
Fast forward to 2 weeks ago and I found some Varget and right away went to work. It didnt take long to see favorable results with the 168 Amax so I switched to the SMK to see what they would do. The Sierra shoots slighty better than the Hornady and with 1/2 gr less powder to get the same speed.
After shooting several 3 shot groups that grouped tightly I settled on 45.0gr of Varget in a Fed case and 210 primer with a 2.840 OAL with the Sierra Match King. This is averaging 2650fps out of the 20"tube and isnt max but shoots ok.
I shot these 5 shot groups back to back to confirm my load.
I then took it to 400 yards and came up with these. Had to dial up 8 clicks. Notice how simular these group are to one another, I mean the arrangement of the holes.
I did a little dozer work and was able to extend my reloading room range to 600 yards a couple of days ago and have been banging a steel target I made.
After dialing in +15, this was my first 600 yard 3 shot group.
Shot a few more but with 5 shot groups. This one was right at dark and could barely see .
A couple more...
This is my last group I shot, I dont exactly know what I did but I blew the last shot by dropping it at 6 o'clock, spoiled a 2 1/2" groups that was actually pretty centered.
I am now pretty happy I did not give up on this rifle. I was skeptical just like anyone about the Choate stock. It's a decent cheap alternitive in my opinion.In reality after painting it, adding weight to it and texturing the grip the stock is pretty darn solid. I have seen plenty of more expensive rifles here do the same thing and better but for the money spent, at the end of the day this Savage does well in my book.
