Rifle and ammo production processes have never been better

[Richard22]

Shot this four-shot, 100-yard group earlier today using a cheap factory rifle and three different factory loads. The rifle is a Savage Axis chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, with one shot each using Winchester 125-grain Deer Season XP, Norma 140-grain Whitetail Hunter, and two shots using Hornady 143-grain ELD-X Precision Hunter. The second shot with the ELD-X was necessary after I pulled a third shot.

I should add the first shot was taken with a clean, cold barrel. Needless to say, there was very little POI shift with the next shot, which in my opinion points to fouling no longer being necessary with today's factory barrels once needed to compensate for barrel imperfections. Keep in mind, the Axis is the cheapest centerfire rifle that Savage has ever offered, with this one being a model that has since been discontinued. However, I did put it through a break-in regime.

Personally, I attribute much of it to CNC machining processes that have become commonplace in the production of today firearms. One would also have to believe improved use of computer-controlled technology has also improved ammo production.

 

[Knight.54]

I can’t imagine what you’d do with a $5k PROOF rifle!

good shootin’

 

[Richard22]

I can’t imagine what you’d do with a $5k PROOF rifle!

good shootin’

Thanks, but I'm an average shooter at best who has a good bit of experience on the bench.

 

[Kauaihunter]

Agreed! We’ve recently had a Savage Trail Hunter Lite in .30-06 and a Ruger American Gen2 in 7mm-08 that we’ve been shooting quite a bit and they both do great. I got the Savage used for $355

 

[millerkiller77]

Shot this four-shot, 100-yard group earlier today using a cheap factory rifle and three different factory loads. The rifle is a Savage Axis chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, with one shot each using Winchester 125-grain Deer Season XP, Norma 140-grain Whitetail Hunter, and two shots using Hornady 143-grain ELD-X Precision Hunter. The second shot with the ELD-X was necessary after I pulled a third shot.

I should add the first shot was taken with a clean, cold barrel. Needless to say, there was very little POI shift with the next shot, which in my opinion points to fouling no longer being necessary with today's factory barrels once needed to compensate for barrel imperfections. Keep in mind, the Axis is the cheapest centerfire rifle that Savage has ever offered, with this one being a model that has since been discontinued. However, I did put it through a break-in regime.

Personally, I attribute much of it to CNC machining processes that have become commonplace in the production of today firearms. One would also have to believe improved use of computer-controlled technology has also improved ammo production.


View attachment 380699

Thank you for including that outlying shot in your pic. Most would have cropped it out . Fantastic shooting, even if it was from a Savage.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Shot this four-shot, 100-yard group earlier today using a cheap factory rifle and three different factory loads. The rifle is a Savage Axis chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, with one shot each using Winchester 125-grain Deer Season XP, Norma 140-grain Whitetail Hunter, and two shots using Hornady 143-grain ELD-X Precision Hunter. The second shot with the ELD-X was necessary after I pulled a third shot.

I should add the first shot was taken with a clean, cold barrel. Needless to say, there was very little POI shift with the next shot, which in my opinion points to fouling no longer being necessary with today's factory barrels once needed to compensate for barrel imperfections. Keep in mind, the Axis is the cheapest centerfire rifle that Savage has ever offered, with this one being a model that has since been discontinued. However, I did put it through a break-in regime.

Personally, I attribute much of it to CNC machining processes that have become commonplace in the production of today firearms. One would also have to believe improved use of computer-controlled technology has also improved ammo production.


View attachment 380699

What scope and mounting system? Just wondering if it was a package with factory mounted scope, or did you mount another scope? Great shooting by the way !!

 

[Dougfirtree]

Nice shooting! Funny how rifles keep getting more accurate and cheaper, while ammo keeps getting more accurate and more expensive...

 

[Richard22]

What scope and mounting system? Just wondering if it was a package with factory mounted scope, or did you mount another scope? Great shooting by the way !!

Thanks.

Leupold Rifleman scope, one-piece base, and rings.

Yes, let's not forget how sports optics are now as good as ever as well.

 

[It’s Bucky]

Agreed. I just picked up a RA Ranch in 22 ARC. Have about 100 rounds through it and it’s shooting great. The other day I dialed in at 100, verified drop at 200, trued velocity at 300, and then got a first round hit and follow up at 775 yards with factory 62gr ELD-VT. Very impressed. The 75’s and 88’s have been grouping well too, and I’m looking forward to putting them to use this fall.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Agreed. I just picked up a RA Ranch in 22 ARC. Have about 100 rounds through it and it’s shooting great. The other day I dialed in at 100, verified drop at 200, trued velocity at 300, and then got a first round hit and follow up at 775 yards with factory 62gr ELD-VT. Very impressed. The 75’s and 88’s have been grouping well too, and I’m looking forward to putting them to use this fall.View attachment 380869View attachment 380870View attachment 380871

Use those eld vts on anything alive yet?

 

[It’s Bucky]

Use those eld vts on anything alive yet?

Just prairie dogs, and they do a number. They’ll get put to work calling coyotes this winter. Going to shoot a deer and/or antelope with the 75’s or 88’s though. Leaning the 75’s. Fun rifle.

 

[MTGamecock]

Shot this four-shot, 100-yard group earlier today using a cheap factory rifle and three different factory loads. The rifle is a Savage Axis chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, with one shot each using Winchester 125-grain Deer Season XP, Norma 140-grain Whitetail Hunter, and two shots using Hornady 143-grain ELD-X Precision Hunter. The second shot with the ELD-X was necessary after I pulled a third shot.

I should add the first shot was taken with a clean, cold barrel. Needless to say, there was very little POI shift with the next shot, which in my opinion points to fouling no longer being necessary with today's factory barrels once needed to compensate for barrel imperfections. Keep in mind, the Axis is the cheapest centerfire rifle that Savage has ever offered, with this one being a model that has since been discontinued. However, I did put it through a break-in regime.

Personally, I attribute much of it to CNC machining processes that have become commonplace in the production of today firearms. One would also have to believe improved use of computer-controlled technology has also improved ammo production.

I can believe it. It's remarkable just how accurate the Savage Axis line of rifles can be. Last Black Friday, I bought a Savage Axis from Cabela's in 30-06. It was ridiculously cheap. For Cabela's club members, I think it was like $250, packaged with a cheap scope. I replaced the scope with Vortex Diamondback and installed a $20 M-Carbo trigger kit. I was working up loads this weekend for 180 grain Sierra Pro Hunter bullets (to mimic Nosler Partitions) and was pretty impressed with the groups I was getting. The photo below shows the best load-group just using sandbags (no lead sled or anything like that) from 100 yards. The 4th shot below the others was not a "flyer." It was a single shot fired from another load to test the chronograph, without really taking time to aim. I wouldn't shoot any competitions with this gun, but it's good enough for hunting.

Hunting ain't cheap, but that's not because you have to buy an expensive rifle to hunt (although buying expensive rifles is fun too).