Range Report Savage 10 FCP-SR Range Day Results

[afate45]

First serious range day with my new 10 FCP-SR. This is my entry into the precision rifle world. I hope to soon upgrade to an AICS Chassis, but for now the gun shoots better than I can.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Details: </span>
Savage 10 FCP-SR .308, 24in barrel, Vortex Viper PST 6-24, Big Chubby MB
Distance: 100 yards
Temp: 55 degrees

<span style="font-weight: bold">Best Load: </span>
175 SMK seated with Redding Comp die
Lapua once fired brass, Lee Collet neck-sized
Fed 210m primer
2.810 OAL
Charge weights with velocity that grouped well (IMR 4064)
41.5: 2558avg
41.8: 2575avg
42.1: 2600avg
42.5: 2640avg
*no pressure signs

From the line (btw, the 168 AMAXs shot well with 43.8gr of 4064)

One of several groups I shot. I imagine it will shoot better than this once I can do my part more consistently. 175 SMK over 42.1gr IMR 4064.

Yes, that is a crack on the caliper screen...it hasn't been dropped and is accurate. Only has a crack because my flash hole deburring tool decided to pile drive the display after falling off the pegboard on my workbench

P.S. I now understand why some people say that bubble levels on a scope are there for just a vote of confidence. Every time I got behind the rifle, shot, it was spot on every time.

*edited for spelling error.

 

[AtOne]

Re: Savage 10 FCP-SR Range Day Results

Looks like a great start and welcome to the addiction

!

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Savage 10 FCP-SR Range Day Results

Great start...now you're hooked! It only gets better. Regarding anti-cant devices ("bubble" levels), shooting at 100 yd is a lot more forgiving with regard to cant than at 500 or 1000 yd. You might find one to be a little more useful at longer ranges.

 

[afate45]

Re: Savage 10 FCP-SR Range Day Results

Thanks for the welcome! I'm definitely hooked. Reloading for a bolt gun is much, much more enjoyable than reloading for pistol

I just need to learn to slow down, calm down, and keep the fundamentals consistent. I think my biggest challenge so far is getting comfortable behind the rifle. I think the most important upgrade at this point is some sort of adjustable cheek rest and length of pull, hence the desire for an AICS.

GS...you are probably right about the anti cant device. I'm really looking forward to stretching this out to distance.

 

[pcschwenke]

Re: Savage 10 FCP-SR Range Day Results

Great shooting. Hope my FCP-SR does as well.

 

[z71rat]

Re: Savage 10 FCP-SR Range Day Results

Love them Savages!! Very nice setup too!!

DK

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Savage 10 FCP-SR Range Day Results

Afate45,
I'd say you're doing pretty well with the setup as it is right now! As far as a stock upgrade, you might want to get behind an AICS chassis system and see how you like it before dropping the coin on one. I know a lot of people swear by them, but they don't agree with me very well as I am used to a more "traditional" stock (A5, T4) setup. YMMV.

Also, it's a little hard to tell from the picture angle, but it looks as though your rings are taller than they need to be (ie. there seems to be a lot of clearance between the scope bell and the rifle). One alternative to a completely new stock/chassis setup would be shorter rings. Along with that, you can to a certain extent adjust for the LOP and sight picture when you mount the scope. Of course there is a limit to how much, but you might be able to tweek your current setup just a bit so it feels more comfortable. Along the same lines, a buttstock cover might also help with cheek placement if you're finding the rings a little too high. You can gain a certain amount of extra comb height using pieces of mousepad as a spacer, if necessary. These suggestions are relatively inexpensive and may get you closer to your ideal comfort zone with your current setup until such time as you decided to swap out your stock, etc. Good luck with it!

 

[afate45]

Re: Savage 10 FCP-SR Range Day Results

GS,

Thanks for the advice regarding the stock. I will definitely get behind the AICS before dropping a grand on one. Being new to the game and all, I'm open to any advice. The A5 and T4 look great...definitely worth checking out.

Regarding the rings, you are right, they are a littler higher than I'd like to have them (Seekins Med. rings). The funny thing is that I can't go any lower with the Vortex Anti-Cant device installed. Kind of silly, I know, but honestly I didn't know any better when I purchased the rings. Plus, I was impatient and purchased all the accessories while I was waiting on a 10 day background check queue around Christmas. There was almost no info out there regarding good scope right height on a 10 FCP-SR with a Viper PST. I should have waited for the rifle and measured then I'll definitely get the scope as low as possible in the near future, probably at the same time I buy a new stock. The current height is fairly close to "acceptable" ranges...I can't remember exactly, but it is around .350 from top of the barrel to bottom of the objective (butler creek caps not included). I can definitely say this...once it's time to get a new stock, keep an eye out for a cheaply priced Vortext Anti-Cant device in the for sale section

Thanks for the tips on the mousepad. Sounds like the time to cannibalize a few mousepads and a couple feet of paracord! I've looked at the Karsten cheekrest, but I can't justify it since I plan to get a new stock within 2-3 months.

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Savage 10 FCP-SR Range Day Results

I'm currently shooting two GAP Crusaders and a Hospitaller in F-T/R competitions. The Crusaders both have McMillan A5s, whereas the Hospitaller has a Manners T4A with the adjustable cheekpiece. I use Badger 1.125" Alloy rings on all of them, which are a tad higher than the minimum height necessary for the scopes to clear, but I like them that way. For that reason, I also use the stock covers from Triad Tactical (link below) on all of them. The stock cover itself will buy you 1/8-1/4" extra cheek height. Because the Hospitaller has an adjustable cheekpiece, I raise that up about 1/4" and use the stock cover alone. On the Crusaders, which don't have adjustable cheekpieces, I added in a couple small rectangles of mousepad underneath to get the height I wanted.

Main reason I mentioned it was because it sounds like you're not completely comfortable with the ergo's of your current setup. Fortunately, that can be altered to fit you a little better at a very minimal cost while you're deciding on what to do for the long term. That way, you can continue to shoot [more comfortably] using what you already have, without dropping a lot of cash until you're certain which direction you want to go. Best of luck with it.


http://www.triadtactical.com/Triad-Stock-Pad.html

 

[uncledillers]

Re: Savage 10 FCP-SR Range Day Results

In the mean time ( before you swap out stocks) you can do a few little things to the accustock for some improved accuracy. I have a 10-PC and didnt have the money or the options for a after-market stock, due to the trigger guard bolt release.

I started with bedding the action, Anded a home made custom adjustable cheek piece, and filled the rear most part of the butt stock full of lead shot. Its heavy but its a pleasure to shoot, and I have no problem staying in the glass, on target throughout the shot cycle.

Iam still working on a finding my load, but have had a some really good results so far. Put 15 rounds into a 15inch square target at 1000m, and shot a 3 round group under 1 inch at 300m.

 

[afate45]

Re: Savage 10 FCP-SR Range Day Results

GS,

Thanks...I am going to order one of those stock packs from Triad. I was actually looking at those not too long ago, and you just sealed the deal for me. Definitely worth a the money while I find the opportunity to get behind a T4, A5, and AICS over the next few months.

Uncledillers, Thanks for the tips. I'm not very knowledgable about the relationship of harmonics within a rifle, so please excuse me if this is a dumb question... Did the lead shot in your stock affect your POI for any loads you've worked up so far?

Also...have you (or anyone else reading this) tried shooting the Hornady 178 BTHP Match at distance? I've read some great stuff about the bullet, having a .530BC it seems like a great alternative to the 175 SMK, which is what I mainly shoot right now. Also, I've been considering trying out Alliant PowerPro 2000MR. A few people who shoot Savages have recommended it. Any experience with it?

 

[shanejohnson2002]

Nice!

How does the Big Chubby work for you? I have an FCP-K that I'm in the next phase of tricking out, and I'm seriously looking at trying out MBs to see if there is an improvement over the factory.

I guess a more precise question, is does it live up to the claim of holding the sights in a 2" circle at 100 yards? (or equivalent)? If so, that's pretty impressive for any MB.

Also, you mentioned some kind of cheek rest. I *highly* recommend the good old tried-and-true Karsten. My aforementioned FCPK sports one, and I love it. For something less destructive to the stock, I also recommend the Blackhawk hawktex rests, especially the ones with the bags and ammo holders. Very handy for holding any spare bits you might need to bring.

 

[3GNR]

Question on your post

In the mean time ( before you swap out stocks) you can do a few little things to the accustock for some improved accuracy. I have a 10-PC and didnt have the money or the options for a after-market stock, due to the trigger guard bolt release.

I started with bedding the action, Anded a home made custom adjustable cheek piece, and filled the rear most part of the butt stock full of lead shot. Its heavy but its a pleasure to shoot, and I have no problem staying in the glass, on target throughout the shot cycle.

I am still working on a finding my load, but have had a some really good results so far. Put 15 rounds into a 15inch square target at 1000m, and shot a 3 round group under 1 inch at 300m.

Uncle D, I know this is an old post/thread, but: I am new to this forum, and I just picked up a new fcp-sr from ctd for $900 (It's been discontinued in Savages' 2014 lineup) so I'm reading up on it more than I did before buying it. I have a question about your post- you mentioned bedding the action, why would anyone want to do that to an accustock, which floats the barrel and is designed to not be bedded? I'm probably just a newbee missing something so forgive my ignorance.

I will post my range report after next Sat. just to add to the information. I put a new Vortex 4-16PST mil-rad, zero stop on it with the Vortex precision matched rings, and I have 100 reloads ready that are new Lapua brass, 43 g of Accurate 2520, CCI LRP, Nosler Custom Comp 175 grain HPBT. These are my go-to load in my Fulton-Armory AR.308 18.5 barrelled rifle which shoots just over 1 MOA out to 850 with a NightForce NXS mildot milrad zerostop 2.5-10x on it.

 

[afate45]

Well, I didn't think I'd ever see this thread come back to life, so I might as well take this as an opportunity to post before-after pics of the rifle in the original post! 3GNR - sorry, can't give you an educated response regarding your question...I'm still a new guy when it comes to this game. However, I can't imagine bedding an accustock. I certainly never needed to.

Anyways, threads + pictures = win...so here you go. Sorry for the mediocre quality phone pics. Same action/barrel as my first post, new furniture.




Group at 100y


Group at 547y (it shoots better than this, but I don't!)

 

[dmike]

Group at 547y (it shoots better than this, but I don't!)

afate45, great shooting and nice rig. In the original post you mentioned using once-fired lapua, can you describe the brass you're using now? What is the cartridge headspace before/after firing? I was helping my buddy with a load for his 20" 10FCP and based on his fired cases it seemed like his chamber was very tight, just curious what you've got. I was planning to use new lapua, I believe that starts out around 1.628". Nice work! And what is that black target, looks cool...

 

[afate45]

afate45, great shooting and nice rig. In the original post you mentioned using once-fired lapua, can you describe the brass you're using now? What is the cartridge headspace before/after firing? I was helping my buddy with a load for his 20" 10FCP and based on his fired cases it seemed like his chamber was very tight, just curious what you've got. I was planning to use new lapua, I believe that starts out around 1.628". Nice work! And what is that black target, looks cool...

Hey Mike,

That black target is a 100lb 18in steel plate. It's a permanent fixture at the range I shoot at, and as you can see a TON of people have shot it with magnums. There is no "ring" when you make an impact, it makes a loud "thud" and the target doesn't even swing. You have to hit it with a magnum to make it move.

I am using the same lot of lapua brass I started with, all has about 4 firings on it now. My brand new lapua brass measures (with a hornady comparator) at 1.616. After firing, it measures 1.621. I bump the shoulders back to 1.619 every time, and I also anneal every time. Growing only .005 is awesome, my 260 grows from 1.616 to 1.625. Much more stretching on the initial firing.

Also, I'm jamming in the lands at (if I remember correctly, I'd have to look at my data book) around 2.810 or so....I load 41.8gr of 4064 at 2.795 oal with 175smks.

Hope that helps...let me know if you need any additional info!

 

[mrbungle]

awesome shooting, man.

i have a FLCP-K in a mcrees too. i love that stock. i noticed how tight the chamber was on my new savage. my loads have to be 2.80 on the dot for the most part and i am touching the lands. my remmy i was running rounds out 2.90 almost.

the rifle is showing some promise right out of the box just like yours.

i am loading 44.2 grains of varget and getting 2780 FPS with 175 serria MK HPBT. the only pressure signs i am getting is carbon on the necks of the casings.

 

[dmike]

That black target is a 100lb 18in steel plate. It's a permanent fixture at the range I shoot at, and as you can see a TON of people have shot it with magnums. There is no "ring" when you make an impact, it makes a loud "thud" and the target doesn't even swing. You have to hit it with a magnum to make it move.

I thought that target had some kind of coating on it! didn't realize it was just steel that had been shot to hell.

I am using the same lot of lapua brass I started with, all has about 4 firings on it now. My brand new lapua brass measures (with a hornady comparator) at 1.616. After firing, it measures 1.621. I bump the shoulders back to 1.619 every time, and I also anneal every time. Growing only .005 is awesome, my 260 grows from 1.616 to 1.625. Much more stretching on the initial firing.

I load 41.8gr of 4064 at 2.795 oal with 175smks.

Hope that helps...let me know if you need any additional info!

That's great info, I appreciate it. I'll try your recipe this weekend and see how it goes!

I am trying to figure out why my new Lapua (measured on my RCBS mic) is reading so much longer than yours (on the Hornady comparator). I ordered a headspace gauge to "zero" my mic, should arrive next week. But you're seeing 1.616 and my shortest new Lapua is 1.626 (average for 30 cases is 1.628). How are we .01 off from each other? If SAAMI spec for the cartridge is 1.634-.007 would that mean that your new Lapua starts out about 0.011 below minimum spec and then stretches to .006 below minimum? I'm new to all this so I'm probably missing something simple.

And how are you doing your bump? It seems like even if you ran up to the shellholder in most FL dies you couldn't get down to 1.619.

thanks for the info!

 

[afate45]

And how are you doing your bump?

I bump with a Redding Body Die. My setup is a lee collet die, body die, and redding comp seater. I use a Forster Co-Ax press. Before I picked up the Co-Ax (which was back in early January), I would use feeler gauges to set my die up off the shellholder. It worked out pretty well. With the Co-Ax, I just slowly bring in the die until I get the number I want. I've tried several case lubes...the Lee stuff, Imperial sizing wax, and RCBS case lube. I'm a big fan of the RCBS case lube (the pad type, not the spray type).

Regarding the measurements, I am really not sure...now I'm wondering if something is up with my calipers! I looked back at my databook, and I bought these calipers when I bought my 308 dies, and I've been getting the same readings all along. I'm using the .400 insert from Hornady when measuring shoulder bump. I've needed an excuse for years to pick up a pair of Starrett or Mitutoyo calipers...maybe this is that time. From your measurements, it looks like we are exactly .01 off.


Mr Bungle - very nice! That's a pretty fast load for the 175s! If you're not getting pressure signs, keep it up! 2780 is about what I've pushed them to with PowerPro 2000MR and I didn't see any pressure signs. I've not tried Varget before because I settled on IMR 4064. I'm only pushing them to 2650. However, I have tried the 155 scenars with 2000MR and I pushed those to 3010fps. Super hot load, but really accurate and minimal pressure signs. I ended up backing down to 2900, but it was fun to shoot the 3k fps load.

 

[dmike]

I'm a big fan of the RCBS case lube (the pad type, not the spray type).

How do you do the inside of the necks?

 

[afate45]

How do you do the inside of the necks?

Mike - I don't use any lube...the Lee collet die doesn't require it. Also, sometimes new lapua brass is a little on the tight side. In that case, just for the initial prep of new brass, I'll run it through a Sinclair Expander Die and I use Imperial Wax for that. Also, I use a Hornady LNL Case Trimmer, and I trim to a uniform length after every firing.

You peaked my curiosity about my calipers yesterday. I went around measuring a bunch things with known measurements, and everything was 100% spot on. I wondered if there was something messed up when the caliper was extended when using the comparator body, but even then the measurements held true. I looked around online and found a few guys saying they were getting a reading of 1.619 with lapua brass, which is about spot on with what I'm getting. They also said they measured the base of lapua brass (right above the rim) at .469, and that's exactly what my brass measures. Are you using a hornady comparator to measure headspace? I'm wondering if my .400 comparator is slightly different than, say, a sinclair comparator. I'm not sure!

I would love it if someone with experience with this would weigh in! What is causing the discrepancy in our headspace measurements?

 

[dmike]

Mike - I don't use any lube...the Lee collet die doesn't require it. Also, sometimes new lapua brass is a little on the tight side. In that case, just for the initial prep of new brass, I'll run it through a Sinclair Expander Die and I use Imperial Wax for that. Also, I use a Hornady LNL Case Trimmer, and I trim to a uniform length after every firing.

You peaked my curiosity about my calipers yesterday. I went around measuring a bunch things with known measurements, and everything was 100% spot on. I wondered if there was something messed up when the caliper was extended when using the comparator body, but even then the measurements held true. I looked around online and found a few guys saying they were getting a reading of 1.619 with lapua brass, which is about spot on with what I'm getting. They also said they measured the base of lapua brass (right above the rim) at .469, and that's exactly what my brass measures. Are you using a hornady comparator to measure headspace? I'm wondering if my .400 comparator is slightly different than, say, a sinclair comparator. I'm not sure!

I would love it if someone with experience with this would weigh in! What is causing the discrepancy in our headspace measurements?

I agree, I'd like to understand. Yesterday the mailman delivered a Forster FIELD HS gauge, claiming to be 1.638. My RCBS precision mic puts it between 1.636-1.637, so about .0015 discrepancy between the two. Unless Forster is manufacturing stuff to better than +/-.001" precision, it's going to be hard to know which one is right but I'll consider the mic zero "gud enuf" and removing that variable from the discussion.

This is how I'm interpreting everything but maybe I'm thinking wrong so someone please square me away:

1. NO-GO chamber gauge is rated 1.634, base to .40 datum line. So if your bolt closes there's at least 1.634 of room in the chamber and a cartridge at the top of the spec range would have .000 clearance and the shortest spec cartridge would have .007 "slop".

2. If your rifle chamber is in spec and won't close on the NO-GO, we'll say it has up to 1.633" of space. If we loaded a new Lapua case that was 1.619, we could be looking at up to .014" of slop...double what the no-go says should get our attention as a potentially risky situation.

3. Wouldn't a short cartridge present the same headspace danger as a big chamber? In either case we have a cartridge that has too much room to rattle around.

So would a high-end manufacturer consistently put out brass that was .008 shorter than the SAAMI minimum?

And is your chamber, clearly a tack-driver, really .009 smaller than SAAMI spec of 1.630 (based on fired cases coming out 1.621)?

Feeling confused here.

EDIT: just re-read a post from FLIGHT762 on another thread, similar topic. He wrote:

{There was a thread here not too long ago where a member zeroed his RCBS mic with a 1.630 Go gauge and he found the RCBS mic read -.002", not at the 0 mark he expected it to. Only if you needed to know the exact 1.630" measurement in your chamber. My Hornady Headspace / shoulder .400" bump insert reads 1.611" on a 1.630" Go gauge. This is because my gauge has a .019" chamfer on it's rim, that's why it reads .019" short of 1.630". I made notes of this and any shoulder bumping @ 1.611" is actually 1.630". I just read the gauge where it reads. If I have a case that reads 1.614", it is .003" over the 1.611" (1.630" minimum). }

I believe he's saying his hornady is reading .019 off so he has to factor that in to his measurements...not an issue if you're just bumping brass for the same rifle.

 

[afate45]

I believe he's saying his hornady is reading .019 off so he has to factor that in to his measurements...not an issue if you're just bumping brass for the same rifle.

Good information! As you said, sure, it's not an issue if you're bumping the brass for the same rifle. However, little, pesky things like this bug me to no end. Now I want to fix it! Do you know if the Sinclair gauges have the same chamfer on the rim? I will look into this and see what I can find. Also, another option is to just pick up the go gauge and use that to measure the exact discrepancy. I could assume it's .019, but I'd rather be more precise and know for sure.

Thanks for the info, good stuff! This is why I love this site. Such a wealth of information.

 

[thesheepdog]

Savage lover here. I load 208gr HPBT in mine for 1000 yards and they work flawlessly. What twist is your barrel? I will test the Barnes MB 175's at 1000 soon to see if their claimed BC holds up at distance.