Well today was the first day at the range with the new rifle. I was a little apprehensive as this was the first Savage I ever owned, Savage VLP 204 Ruger. I have always owned Remington Rifles and switched this time due to all the talk about their accuracy. Well I was not let down, at least by my standards. This rifle is stock. I simply took it out of the box, cleaned it, scoped it, 6.5 X 16.5 Nikon Monarch, and shot it. I loaded 35 Grain Berger bullets over charges of Benchmark Powder. I loaded from 25.0 – 25.6 grains of powder in .2 grain increments. The bullets were set .020 off the lands for an OAL, to the Ogive, of 2.051. The weak point, as I was told on this forum would be, the CCI 400 Primers. They did start showing signs of pressure. As a side note I would post target pictures as soon as I figure out how. Also all groups were measured with a caliber center to center. Now, on to the Range
Charge Group (100 Yards)
25.0 Grain .463
25.2 Grains .358
25.4 Grains .836
25.6 Grains .295
25.8 Grains .494 (three were only .275 then I got a little over excited and choked on the 4th)
26.0 Grains .395
26.2 Grains .810
26.4 Grains .532
26.6 Grains .534
Here is one of the targets:
To me the above groups are phenomenal. I have never shot this good. Or should I say I never had a rifle that could. I think the rifle and ammo had more to do with it then me. As I am sure you all know this caliber is very easy to shoot. I can’t wait to make more loads and go back. Look out Ground Hogs.
. Job well done! Just wait till you get a few hundred through her and them groups tighten up. I'm still kicking myself for selling my VLP.
