Help,Model 12LRP Loads

[Brux]

This is my son's 6.5 Creed and it has me stumped.I have tried 136 and 139 Lapua,140 SMK's and 140 Amax's and cannot get this gun to shoot anything consistent or group.It has been back to savage twice to get the throat fixed and as long as it shoots 1" or better it is good to go and I can get it to shoot under a inch,but not like a creed should shoot.Doe's anybody have any pet loads for this rifle or do you have a stock rifle the same as this one that will shoot?I have not done a ocw test on it but I have done a ladder test.You think your on to something one day and shoot the same thing the next day and it shoots like a different gun.
Thanks in advance.

 

[kansas]

My sons LRP is a .260 so loads will be different. We are using Lapua 139s and he shot a couple of 3 shot groups at 345 this morning that were right at an inch. Gun shoots great but I've read they are hit or miss on accuracy. If this one didn't shoot we were going to order a new Criterion barrel from Jim at Northland and stick it on there. Around $350 for a barrel in you're done. The first time you'll have to buy a barrel nut wrench, a go gauge and an action wrench but then you can change barrels when you want.

On another note, he has the HS Precision stock with the aluminum bedding and we torque front and back bolts to 57 in lbs.

 

[pawprint2]

I know this is going to sound like BS, but the 142SMKs really do out shoot the 140's in the 6.5CM, at least in mine they do. I wouldn't be surprised if you were able to reduce group size by 1/4MOA with very little work. I hope I haven't set you down a road that doesn't work out for you, but if you were in the Memphis TN area, I'd give you some 142's to try, that's how certain I am. Hope this helps.

 

[vagrendlier]

I am a fan of the 142's. If you go the barrel route, I would suggest Apache gun works. Jim ships a top notch barrel at a more than fair price. I would bet you a box of 142's he is $100+ cheaper than a CBI or Shilen and it will shoot .5" if you can.

 

[Brux]

Thanks,savage told me to torque to 35 in lbs but when I got it back from them 2 weeks ago the back was 40 and the front was 20 so I torqued both to 35.This one also has the new HS Precision stock.I have not tried any 142's,I don't have any.I have and still do load for quite a few different rifles with good success but this one is kicking my ass.As of right now I don't know which way to go.

 

[alexdawg]

I have one in 6.5 and it shot very well with 41.4 of H4350, up until about rd 20-25. It did not have the short throat others have seen. I put on a shilen and with 43 of H4350 it will shoot all day. Do the OCW and if you cant find something you like, screw another barrel on it and have fun. I have seen other guys at the range with them that could not find a decent load also. I have a Savage 12 fclass in 6br that cant shoot under an inch in a vise. 200 rds thru it and just ordered a criterion from Jim. Good luck and let us know what you find and do.

 

[djskit]

My guess is its more of a rifle problem than a load problem. Does ANY load shoot well? Have you tried hornady factory. If that won't shoot then it is a rifle problem.

Check this out: I've done this with my savage and seen tangible results.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/savage-action-screw-torque-tuning/

 

[jim_k]

If the action is not bedded, that is the first step. I know it's an HS Precision. My HS Precision shot 0.9" with every ammo in the world, then after bedding (and lapping) it shot .28". I would not recommend buying a new barrel or anything else until the action is bedded. That's just part of accurate shooting. Everybody who wins F-class matches has a bedded action. Anybody out there win a match without bedding? How many have done that?
Jim

 

[Brux]

The action is not bedded.The problem with the gun is it will not shoot anything consistent.It wont shoot factory or reloads on a consistent pattern.I put a different scope on it that I know is good and got the same thing.The best with factory that was snot was .70 and then you can shoot another group and it will measure 1.25.I have had other people shoot it and we all get the same results.I got lucky one day with a reload and shot a 5 shot group that measured .47,went home and reloaded the exact same thing and it shot .95.I reload for several rifles and do not have this problem.

 

[Brux]

With what I have already spent on factory ammo,reloads and sitting at home 4 days due to shipping this thing back and forth I could have already paid for a quality chambered barrel.

 

[lawman29]

Slug the barrel (could be a little bigger at the wrong end...)