Savage 16FlSS shoots horizontal groups?

[demented]

 Tried two factory loads, both shoot approx. 2" almost in a straight horizontal line at 100 yards. I  sent my Leupold Vari X-2 scope back to LP to be checked, they found no problem with the scope.  Mounts are two piece based, steel ring Leupold, all screws have blue Loc-tite used on them.  I've been waiting at least five minutes between shots, all firings are from a Lead Sled mechanical rest.  I've used this rest with other rifles with no problem of this sort occuring.  Any ideas as to what my problem could be?  Stock? Ammo? ME?? Thanks!

[ncsurveyor]

Is that 2" between consecutive shots, or a 2" group?

Does the string incrementally move or just willy nilly across a horizontal range?

Caliber?

Wind?

How many shots in the groups?

How many groups have done this?  How many haven't?

Is anyone else available to shoot it (to rule out you)?

Have you tried shooting it off of sandbags rather than the lead sled?

Factory stock? Is it pillar and/or skim bedded?

Jeff

[LaOtto222]

With out knowing the answers to ncsurveyor's questions (and they are pertinent) I am guessing it is either; you when pulling the trigger (heavy trigger pulls give inconsistent results) , parallax, not having the rifle perfectly level for each shot (do you use a level?) or your rest not being in the same state each time. I have a Caldwel one piece rest (it is pictured in my avatar). The back elevator screw comes into play with mine (yours too, I'll bet). When turning it up or down it shifts slightly to one side or the other. When adjusting it up or down, end by turning it the same way each time then adjusting the horizontal screw. Turn it so you go the same way each time so you end up screwing it down each time. If going up then go a little too far and then turn it back down until level. Try this...line up your cross hairs on the target, with out touching the gun or rest turn the adjustment screw slightly the opposite way you just ended. You will see a slight shift to the side. By ending up the same way each time you always end up turning it the same way. I really get better results using two bags and some talc powder for really precision shooting. Shooting tight groups is not an easy thing, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. Shooting tight groups off a bench is one thing that can lead to good load development, but can not be duplicated in the field. You can not lug around your bench, rests, etc with you. Let us know when you get the problem under control. Good luck to you

[demented]

Thanks for the replies!  Groups are three shot, individual group is 2" average.  Wind has not been a factor. No I have not tried sand bags, since the Sled has worked well with other rifles I own, I sorta figured it wasn't the problem.  I'll try bags.   Groups are well centered, just horizontal instead of the usual triangular pattern I'm used to seeing.  There will usually be one hole a bit higher or lower than the others (1/2"). Stock is factory Savage plastic. Caliber is .308.  I've gone through two boxes, one Federal Premium, one Remington, none have done anything different, all end in an almost straight line,   1-3/4"-2-1/2" center to center. 

[ncsurveyor]

I'll agree with LaOtto.

With the group being mostly horizontal, I'm inclined to think parallax 1st, especially firing off the sled. 2nd would be the trigger.  Is it an accutrigger model?  If so, how low have you got it?

[demented]

Thanks again.  I tried sand bags today, yep, same thing.  This is really beginning to bug me.  Accutrigger came set as low as it would go, actually too light for my taste in a sporting rifle.  I have it set in the three pound range, pull does vary a bit from shot to shot, guess its some sort of minor glitch in the trigger. I'm actually beginning to suspect the stock as being the cause, it flexes quite a bit from the action all the way to the forearm.  I wonder if it is the stock, if this rifle is worth the cost of buying a new stock.  Also since its a left hand model, just finding a stock might prove difficult.   As a control, I fired my Stainless Stalker 7mm mag both from bags and from the Lead Sled, had no problem getting under 1/2" with Federal Premium loaded with 160 gr. Nosler Partitions.  Perhaps I expect too much from a $500 rifle?

[Graybeard]

I'd tend to think that either the scope is moving side to side by a tiny amount or the action is moving in stock or there is a burr that is touching one side only of the barrel giving the inconsistency. I hate and despise those generic Redfield windage adjustable base/rings and avoid them like the plague unless there is no other option for a rifle. That would be my first guess at problem. I suspect replacing the base/rings with a different type will fix it.

But it is actually easier to first rule out the burr possibility and side play of action in stock. If you find neither I'd replace base/rings. Actually I'd replace them regardless.

[ncsurveyor]

Sadly, the savage synthetic stock leaves some to be desired.  If you have much DIY or mechanical inclination I would check to make sure your barrel is free floated and that your action is making contact with both of the pillars embedded in the factory stock.  Also, variable pull in the trigger is suspect.  I can't recall any of mine doing that, so this would concern me.

There are a number of aftermarket left hand stock makers; is this a newer centerfeed or older staggered feed?

I never had a  Savage that didn't shoot at or better than 1" at 100 yards with a three shot group.  But many of them I had to do some creative "wood working" on the stock.  I've only had one synthetic.  I prefer the wood.

Good luck.

[glockman55]

I have the same gun in 7mm, mag..minus the acc. trigger. I have replaced the trigger with a basix, about 2 lb pull on mine. I use Winchester ballistic silver tips in 150 gr. and on a good day I get 3/4" groups at 100 yd. Leupold vx III 4.5 X 14 X 50 scope. same plastic stock. maybe you'll have to try different ammo. It took me a while to find what my Rifle liked..



I know ...why three scope rings?   The gun was too light...