Range Report Anybody had problems runinning 300 gr SMK's in a Sav 110 BA?

[WaltHer]

So my friend finally got his Savage 110BA/ATACR/Spuhr setup up and running. We went out to the range yesterday to test some different ammunition. We tried Herters/250gr, S&B/250gr., HSM 250 gr, and my DTA SRS pet handload (his HSM virgin brass/92.0 gr Retumbo, 300 gr SMK, Tula LRM, 3.65" COAL). While zeroing/ammo testing we had the best results with the HSM 250, the S&B had a 2 MOA higher POI but decent groups, the Herters were somewhat inconsistent. The worst (apprx. 2.5 MOA, wandering Horizontal baseline, and not repeatable POI from group to group) came from my handloads. I have thoroughly vetted the bullet/powder/COAL in my DTA, he substituted HSM brass and Tula primers (no GM215M available for over a year). There were no overpressure signs on the handloaded brass, but there was a little harder bolt lift than with the 250's. The fact that we both had good success with the factory loads makes we want to rule out shooter or rifle/scope/interface problems. We didn't have a chrono available for yesterdays session.

First and foremost my friend is concerned about the "1:10 twist only" markings on the SMK box due to the 1:9 twist rate of the 110BA. It looks as though their are plenty of people on here having fine results with the 300gr. SMK/Savage combo. I had hoped that my pet loading would work well for him so it would be easy to share the cost on components, etc. I am fine going into full load development mode, but before I waste anymore of my time and my friends money I wanted to see if anyone else has had compatibility problems with the 110BA and the 300gr. SMK. Thanks for any info.

 

[mrbig]

I had a 110 FCP-HS and it was very accurate with all of the 300 gr bullets but with factory ammo you would have to take a hammer and open the bolt and a cleaning rod to extract the brass,,I finally found a couple loads I could shoot that would not lock the rifle up and they were both loaded with Lapua brass and H1000 at 83 grs and Retumbo at 84 grs and even then one would stick ever so often,,I finally got tired of messing with it and stripped the barreled action and sold the stock, bottom metal,magazine,muzzle brake and Accu-trigger,the barreled action is in the bottom of the Cumberland river,,

none of the barrel makers would sell me a 338 LM chambered barrel for the Savage action,,I was told the Savage action was not big enough and the bolt needed to be at least .750 to handle the big LM boltface,,

from my experience with the 110 FCP I would highly recommend a 338 RUM or 338 Edge for as good or better performance and safe reliable function,,