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Howdy folks,
I've owned a Savage 10PC in .308 for about 4 months now, maybe 450 rounds fired, not a whole lot. This is my first non-.22 rifle, so it was a definite step up.
I started with a Nikon M-308 BDC scope, then got a Sightron SII Big Sky from SWFA's Sample List, and just this week went big with the new Sightron SIII 6-24x50 FFPMOA, sitting in Leupold PRW Medium rings and Warne Maxima steel bases. (The Nikon now sits on a R700 SPS, and the SII is on my 10/22.)
A PRI Quiet Control brake on the factory threaded bbl, Harris BRM-s bipod, Crosstac rear bag, and hokey Uncle Mike's ammo carrier stuffed with a rag for a cheekrest round it out.
Like a genius, I forgot to take mags with me, so I single-loaded through the mag well.
For the first few sessions I bought cheapo ammo to get some practice, and it was the only way to get brass for reloading. It was CBC 147 FMJ, and shot maybe 2.5" at 100 yds. Today, with my new scope, I shot four different factory loads, now that Cabela's has a much better stock.
Sighting in at 100yds with Norma USA TAC-308 150 gr FMJ, 7 shots
Total rounds fired: 27; first 100 yd group is shown, worst was 4"
Next up was American Eagle 168gr OTM, 2 5-shot groups
About the same, around 2", 10 shots fired
Silver State Armory 175 gr SSA HPBT
Again, around 2", so I think we can see a pattern developing, WRT my skill level. (The shot in the top right is for a different target, I'm not THAT bad.)
Total fired: 10 rounds; both groups ~2"
However, saving the best for last: FGMM 175 SMK, 3 5-shot groups on 3 targets
5/8"
1-5/8"
1-3/8"
These groups are representative of my shooting today; the Norma, SSA, and AE all shot about the same for me, ~2" at 100 yds. The FGMM almost made me look good. I was absolutely giddy after that first group, only to be ever-so-slightly let down with the next two.
So yes, better ammo (for your rifle!) = better groups.
I've fired a couple sub-MOA handloads (168 SMK over 37.9gr of IMR3031), so I've identified a couple options for now.
I've owned a Savage 10PC in .308 for about 4 months now, maybe 450 rounds fired, not a whole lot. This is my first non-.22 rifle, so it was a definite step up.
I started with a Nikon M-308 BDC scope, then got a Sightron SII Big Sky from SWFA's Sample List, and just this week went big with the new Sightron SIII 6-24x50 FFPMOA, sitting in Leupold PRW Medium rings and Warne Maxima steel bases. (The Nikon now sits on a R700 SPS, and the SII is on my 10/22.)
A PRI Quiet Control brake on the factory threaded bbl, Harris BRM-s bipod, Crosstac rear bag, and hokey Uncle Mike's ammo carrier stuffed with a rag for a cheekrest round it out.
Like a genius, I forgot to take mags with me, so I single-loaded through the mag well.
For the first few sessions I bought cheapo ammo to get some practice, and it was the only way to get brass for reloading. It was CBC 147 FMJ, and shot maybe 2.5" at 100 yds. Today, with my new scope, I shot four different factory loads, now that Cabela's has a much better stock.
Sighting in at 100yds with Norma USA TAC-308 150 gr FMJ, 7 shots
Total rounds fired: 27; first 100 yd group is shown, worst was 4"
Next up was American Eagle 168gr OTM, 2 5-shot groups
About the same, around 2", 10 shots fired
Silver State Armory 175 gr SSA HPBT
Again, around 2", so I think we can see a pattern developing, WRT my skill level. (The shot in the top right is for a different target, I'm not THAT bad.)
Total fired: 10 rounds; both groups ~2"
However, saving the best for last: FGMM 175 SMK, 3 5-shot groups on 3 targets
5/8"
1-5/8"
1-3/8"
These groups are representative of my shooting today; the Norma, SSA, and AE all shot about the same for me, ~2" at 100 yds. The FGMM almost made me look good. I was absolutely giddy after that first group, only to be ever-so-slightly let down with the next two.
So yes, better ammo (for your rifle!) = better groups.
I've fired a couple sub-MOA handloads (168 SMK over 37.9gr of IMR3031), so I've identified a couple options for now.
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