Under 3" group at 1000 yards on the cheap.

[Dawico]

You don't have to spend big bucks to shoot an impressive group.

Factory Savage rifle in .308, new stock, new trigger, and "nothing special" handloads scores a 3" group at 1000 yards.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/scottish-benchrest-shooter/

Well done sir.

 

[TxStetson]

I have a Savage 10-P that I used to shoot in F-Class competitions before I reloaded for 308. So yeah, I can see it.

 

[Frank59]

Jed Clampet could hit a fly on a barbed wire fence from a thousand paces!

 

[benenglish]

1. I'm actually more impressed with his aggregate of 6.756" over 4 groups. Assuming a reasonable bell-curve distribution, that means he stayed under one MOA with a .308 at 1K over the course of at least a half hour (assuming the targets were expeditiously worked by a pit crew) and possibly a much longer period of time. That's mighty good shooting.

 

[TAZ]

Every Savage I’ve owned has been a great shooter. Actually thinking of getting another in 6.5CM or 308 as a fun gun.

 

[BRD@66]

I don't think we ought to blame too much of this on the rifle. That' a dam fine eye.

 

[ed308]

That's impressive shooting.

 

[Younggun]

I don't think we ought to blame too much of this on the rifle. That' a dam fine eye.

Fine eyes don’t make bullets fly straight.


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[benenglish]

I don't think we ought to blame too much of this on the rifle.

It's interesting to break down some of the components that went into that group.

It's highly pertinent that he was shooting in the morning in a dead calm under conditions that, in my experience though not explicitly stated in the article, would have no mirage. So, his skill at reading conditions, whatever level it was, didn't enter into it much.

That's a big deal. If you take out the need to read conditions and assume that all equipment was in working order, then you're still left with infinite variables but only a few really big ones. The three biggest I see are:

1. His bench technique. It had to be perfect. The profile of the stock he chose would help with that but there's also the skill and experience needed to properly set up the bags so that the rifle properly rides them during recoil, enabling a perfect return to firing position. That a deceivingly difficult task when using a benchrest stock; it's crazy hard when using any sort of stock designed for field use. Big props go to the shooter for that.
2. His handloads. They may be "nothing special" but they still had to be close to perfect. When he calls them "nothing special", I think we can assume he's being a bit modest. He talks dismissively about bullet pull by describing with specific numbers the "neck tension". Most reloaders wouldn't know how to measure that in those terms so I'm betting his "nothing special" handloads are still assembled with more knowledge and care than I'll ever have.
3. His rifle. It had to possess sufficient mechanical accuracy to do the job. I can remember a time when guns that shot like this were exotic 35-lb to 150-lb unlimited class beasts assembled under a full moon by wizards of the lathe who called on dark spirits with secret incantations to complete the task. I think a goat had to be sacrificed in the process. Now, you can buy that sort of accuracy over the counter and, with just a new stock and trigger, actually make use of it in real-world competition. Amazing.

The more I think about this, the more I'm impressed.

ETA - The source article is here and it goes into greater and more useful detail, showing pictures of and/or discussing the range and the bag riders used by the shooter.

 

[jrbfishn]

That is good shootin there for sure. Whichever one you blame.

from an idjit coffeeholic

 

[FireInTheWire]

Mighty fine shooting. I love shooting when the wind is still. I'm also eyeing a Vortex Golden Eagle.

 

[avvidclif]

Did you see the ad for the new March scope??? 6x60x56. Internal adjustment for 400 MOA with 338LM. That's up to 4000 yds. Nice price tag too. $5k

 

[MarkB462]

That’s impressive. I’ve been looking into buying a long range rifle and it seems 308 is a great round and a lower price point than some of the guns using specialty rounds.
My sisters boyfriend shoots at 1,000 and he thinks 308 is good too since it will easily hit the 1,000 and is an excellent hunting round too.

 

[Younggun]

That’s impressive. I’ve been looking into buying a long range rifle and it seems 308 is a great round and a lower price point than some of the guns using specialty rounds.
My sisters boyfriend shoots at 1,000 and he thinks 308 is good too since it will easily hit the 1,000 and is an excellent hunting round too.

If you are planning for long range the 6.5CM will probably be a better choice, rifle costing the same price, and Hornady Black ammo at $20/box if you aren’t reloading. It shoots as well as any match ammo I’ve found on the shelf.


If just hunting I don’t think it would make a difference. But if your goal is long range the Creedmoor is probably going to serve you better. I have both and cut my teeth on .308.


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[ed308]

I prefer 6.5 CM over the .308 due to less recoil. But find .308 easier to reload.

Regarding scopes, Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 Gen 1 scope is on sale at Euro Optics, Cabelas, Amazon and Midway. Around $600 for the MOA and $649 for the MRAD. I pickup two MRADs this week. Returning the one from Cabelas since I saved $53 in tax through Euro Optics. Free shipping. Great scope at tht price.

 

[orbitup]

That's great shooting seein' as a 308 can't get there.

 

[orbitup]

Regarding scopes, Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 Gen 1 scope is on sale at Euro Optics, Cabelas, Amazon and Midway. Around $600 for the MOA and $649 for the MRAD. I pickup two MRADs this week. Returning the one from Cabelas since I saved $53 in tax through Euro Optics. Free shipping. Great scope at tht price.

I've been thinking of grabbing one of those too.

 

[W5LF]

Judging wind at various distances has always been my problem, at my age, 2 inch groups at 400 yards is great, the longer range of 1000 yards and 3" groups is truly great.