Range Report: 6.5 creedmoor / XLR chassis / SWFA 5-20HD

lte82

Shooter
Full Member
Minuteman
Supporter
  • Mar 12, 2013
    2,237
    1,530
    Finally took out my 6.5 creedmoor for initial break-in and a little bit of testing. Conditions weren't the greatest for shooting bugholes but it was good enough to get a feel for the rifle and get a glimpse of what it's capable of.

    The gun:

    Savage 12 LRP in 6.5 creedmoor w/ the factory 26" fluted tube, XLR chassis, Ken Farrell 20 MOA base, NF Med-High rings, and a SWFA 5-20HD.

    I'm extremely impressed with the XLR chassis. It is ROCK SOLID and with a bipod and rear bag it feels like you are shooting from a sled.

    The SWFA I like, and maybe I just need to get used to it, but I prefer my Nightforce NXS. The NXS has much a much easier to control parallax adjustment, and I can dial it in quick. The SWFA took a little work. Other than that, the glass quality, as you know, is amazing.

    The Savage rifles continue to impress me with their accuracy. For a $900 rifle, I'm not sure what else I can ask for. I have a 30" CBI tube for it, but with the results from today, I think I'm going to shoot this one out first.



    My load was 123 SMK's, 42-43.5gr of H414, BR2's, and new Hornady brass run through a ball expander. 42, 42.5, and 43gr all shot well, but I always got screwed on the last shot of all of those groups from either wind, mirage, or both... Wind was between 0 and 5 mph crossing left to right. Best groups were .65" CTC, but up until the final shot all groups between 42, 42.5, and 43 were sub 1/2 moa. Zero pressure signs, so I think I may try to find a node a little higher up the ladder. I also think I should be able to get it grouping a little tighter once the barrel is broken in... it has exactly 50 rounds through it right now.

     
    Last edited:
    nice setup, I have the same scope on a 260 rem and really like that glass too.
    Looking at your groups, I would stick with the 42.5 gr as the vertical is negligible, it could be your node right there.
    congrats,
     
    Nice. Love the XLR chassis. And 6.5CM is a sweet round.

    I'd knock out 20 of the 42.5 grain, and really test that load thoroughly. 0.6 MoA seems the best we should consistently hope for, unless you spend some serious bux.
     
    I've got a savage 12lrp too. I really like the way that stock looks, my only gripe with the gun is its lack of adjustability. Do you think 1 inch rings would be tall enough with a 50mm objective scope? I'm thinking its probably not, but I could just dremel a slot off the foregrip for the objective bell to sit in but it'd be a damn shame to do that to such a nice chassis...
     
    I really doubt the 1" rings will clear but depending on the base it just might. I have 1 1/8" rings and I have just enough clearance to put a flip cap on it.