Savage Model 16 Accuracy

[youngbuck2]

Question for the gun nuts on here. A couple years ago I picked up a NEW savage model 16 .300 WSM on an auction with the intention of it being my elk gun. However i am struggling to get consistent grouping with it. I've been shooting Winchester Super X 180gr. bullets through it. Im going to switch rounds and see if that helps but I thought Id ask the experts. At 200 yrds im withing a 12" circle, but try and would like to be within 3" circle at that distance.

I know its the gun and not the shooter because I can usually drive tack with my .270 out to 300 yrds. And Ive had other people shoot it, same inconsistency.

Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[hunter25]

Start with the basics. Make sure everything is tight. Rings, bases, action bolts. Is the scope a known performer?

That's beyond horrible accuracy with any bullet under normal circumstances

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[youngbuck2]

Not sure on the scope yet....bought it new for the gun. Nikon buckmaster 4x12x40 with BDC. If i was consistently missing to one direction id would think more of a scope issue, but could the scope be a reason for the spray?

 

[youngbuck2]

This is the only scoped weapon I have had any issues with. Thats why im asking for input because its foreign to me.

 

[AKaviator]

It may be the scope, I had the rear objective on a Burris scope break at the threads once. It wasn't easy to notice but it sure gave me poor accuracy from an otherwise accurate rifle. Inspect it well and assure that it's mounted properly.

I have a model 16 7mm-08 and it's a tack driver

 

[dirtclod Az.]

Clean the barrel then re-foul it?

 

[youngbuck2]

I have shot the same factory rounds through both clean and dirty barrels. Im headed to the range this afternoon with a clean barrel and fresh box of Hornady ammunition. Hope this will bring things together. If not, ill turn to the scope.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

This Savage is supposed to be very accurate. I would lean towards a scope/scope mount problem. Do you have another scope that you know is good you could mount on it? If after you have checked all the tightness on all the screws, you still have an issue, I'd call Savage & Nikon and tell them what you are experiencing.

Good luck.

 

[youngbuck2]

Well, it must’ve been the ammo...partially. Or maybe the grain? I switched from 180 gr. Winchester, to 165 gr hornady ammo. The same stuff I shoot in my .270 and my groups have come within 6”. I also made a scope adjustment, changing my sweet spot a bit. Another couple visits to the range Before we leave and I should have it dialed in! Thanks for all the feedback and help!

 

[youngbuck2]

Ill piggy back off this thread to avoid starting another. I hunted elk this year with my .300 WSM we talked about in this thread. I ended up missed an elk at 608 yards, it sucked. Any on my way to look for blood, i ended up slipping and taking a rough fall on the gun. Knowing I brought my backup .270, I wasnt going to take the chance. Low and behold I shot my first elk the following day.

Anyway my question is - what can I do, if there is anything to increase penetration or pass through? I shot my bull at 352 yards, hit it all 4 times in the vitals and not 1 bullet passed through. No blood, nothing. Im just concerned that if I had to been able to see the animal down.......

I shoot 140 gr. SST Hornady Superformance round through my Thompson Center Venture .270.

Thanks in advance.

 

[dirtclod Az.]

Why are you shooting at 600yds?If can't get closer STOP HUNTING!!!
Savage is my go to gun always VERY accurate weapons.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Ill piggy back off this thread to avoid starting another. I hunted elk this year with my .300 WSM we talked about in this thread. I ended up missed an elk at 608 yards, it sucked. Any on my way to look for blood, i ended up slipping and taking a rough fall on the gun. Knowing I brought my backup .270, I wasnt going to take the chance. Low and behold I shot my first elk the following day.

Anyway my question is - what can I do, if there is anything to increase penetration or pass through? I shot my bull at 352 yards, hit it all 4 times in the vitals and not 1 bullet passed through. No blood, nothing. Im just concerned that if I had to been able to see the animal down.......

I shoot 140 gr. SST Hornady Superformance round through my Thompson Center Venture .270.

Thanks in advance.

IMO 140 he is too small for elk. 180gr is what I and my hunting partners shoot. We have had many that pass through and some that don?t.
I?ve also shot a few with 160gr and have had the same outcome.

 

[youngbuck2]

Why are you shooting at 600yds?If can't get closer STOP HUNTING!!!
Savage is my go to gun always VERY accurate weapons.

Why not? I practice at that distance and was comfortable with the situation. But, thanks for your feedback.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Why not? I practice at that distance and was comfortable with the situation. But, thanks for your feedback.

Guys

Please don’t turn this into a long range debate.

Stick to what the OP posted and the hijacker.

Thanks

 

[Hilltop]

Your problem with non pass through is your bullet choice. The SST is designed for thin skinned game like antelope and deer. Hornady manufactures several bullets suitable for elk. I shoot 165 grain interbonds out of my 30-06 and have had numerous pass throughs out to 500 yards- my personal limit. I would encourage you to do some research going forward on bullet selection as well as long range killing power for your specific gun/bullet combination. Your 270 combined with the SST bullet is not a good combination at 600 yards. Here is some good reading for you - https://www.chuckhawks.com/elk_cartridges.htm

 

[youngbuck2]

Your problem with non pass through is your bullet choice. The SST is designed for thin skinned game like antelope and deer. Hornady manufactures several bullets suitable for elk. I shoot 165 grain interbonds out of my 30-06 and have had numerous pass throughs out to 500 yards- my personal limit. I would encourage you to do some research going forward on bullet selection as well as long range killing power for your specific gun/bullet combination. Your 270 combined with the SST bullet is not a good combination at 600 yards. Here is some good reading for you - https://www.chuckhawks.com/elk_cartridges.htm

Hilltop thanks for your help. Just to clarify, my .270 is/was my backup weapon on the trip. It is set up for hunting whitetail here in MN. (our season closed sunday, we left monday morning) The reason I shot the 140s through it. I was hunting with my .300 and 165gr. rounds prior to falling. I knew it was undersized a bit but surly thought i would get pass through at 350. Always learning i guess. I wouldnt have attempted a shot outside of 400 with my .270 as that is my limit with that setup. I learned a lot this year, things I never knew/learned over the last 5 trips. Next year will be a much different year in terms of weapons and setups.

 

[tim]

youngbuck

my bull this year was a boom flop situation. one shot elk went flop. The bullet did not pass thru. This was with a 338 win mag at 400 yards with a 225gr accubond. The bullet does not always pass thru. just a fyi.

 

[RICMIC]

Hilltop nailed it...he beat me to the response. I have never had much luck using Superformance ammo, as far as accuracy goes, and that is for three different rifles. It's great to have the extra velocity, but not if it costs you accuracy. Your rifle may like a particular load or bullet, but the next one may not, and only range time can reveal that. You also have to be aware of the remaining energy that your bullet has at those extended ranges, and the BC of the bullet is more important than a little extra speed. The only rifle that I shoot SSTs in are my Ruger mini-30 7.62X39, and that is primarily for zombies.

 

[Hilltop]

Hilltop thanks for your help. Just to clarify, my .270 is/was my backup weapon on the trip. It is set up for hunting whitetail here in MN. (our season closed sunday, we left monday morning) The reason I shot the 140s through it. I was hunting with my .300 and 165gr. rounds prior to falling. I knew it was undersized a bit but surly thought i would get pass through at 350. Always learning i guess. I wouldnt have attempted a shot outside of 400 with my .270 as that is my limit with that setup. I learned a lot this year, things I never knew/learned over the last 5 trips. Next year will be a much different year in terms of weapons and setups.

I think it's great your asking the questions and trying to learn. I misread your post/question so thought you took the 600 yard shot with the 270. If you like the Hornady ammo, I would give those interbonds a try. I have shot them for everything from antelope to elk for the last 20 years with zero complaints. They have enough expansion to deliver the bang flop kills on deer sized game but they are bonded enough that they hold together going through an elks front shoulder. In any event, congrats on the success this year and good luck going forward!

 

[youngbuck2]

I have had great luck with the SST round in terms of accuracy and fatality on both deer and elk. However Im going to take your guys' input back to the drawing board and see if I can find a bit heavier factory load that shoots the same. I am going to do this for both my .270 and .300.

So, what factory ammo do you guys have the best luck with or prefer. At this point Im open to any manufacturers other than remington. (bad luck in the past, both rifle and shotgun). Ive also reached out to a guy about building a custom round for me, but well see where that goes.