I have a savage model 11 in 243. I can’t seem to get good accuracy out of her. Just tried imr 4350 and imr4895. My projectile is 95g nosler partition. I wish to use it on deer. I’m loading to recommended oal 2.68”. Is the problem the weight of bullet?
I shot the 4350 (worked up to 42grs safely )yesterday and came up with maybe 4” group at 200. I expected tighter groups with such an inherently accurate round.
Any help is appreciated.
(Accuracy is certainly within minute of deer at 100yds, I just feel like something is off at 200)
Could be a scope/parallax issue as well. What do your 100 yard groups look like? Be honest. I'm talking 5 shot groups to confirm accuracy/precision of your load. Your rifle should easily be stabilizing a 95gr partition. The rifle may not like the powder/bullet combo. I'd also find where the lands are and back off by .020". This is outlined in most load manuals.
Also, consult a Nosler load manual or use Nosler's online load data. It's free, so you have no excuse not to use it. Powders I'd be looking at are RL17, H1000, H4831, RL19 and RL25.
You also don't say if this is a 3 shot or 5 shot group at 200 yards. Generally when I work up a load, I'll shoot 5 shots because that tells you much more than a 3 shot group does. After you have a good load worked up, then shoot your 3 shot triangles at distance. I do that a lot of times to get a good read on the wind.
Something to check on your savage is how the action feels in the stock too. Does it rock or move side to side without the action screws in? If it does, it should be glass bedded. Is your barrel freefloated? Or is there a lot of tension on one side, like I've seen on some savages? Savages can be shooting machines, but if there is a mechanical deficiency, it's going to be a dog. It's not always about the load.
I’ve gotten good accuracy with 41gr or so of I4350 and 100gr NPs in several rifles. I’d try getting closer to the lands if possible. Their OAL isn’t necessarily what yours should be.
Also, do your testing at 100. At 200 wind and other factors are likely to have an outsized effect on the results. After you get good groups at 100, then test out yonder.
That bullet isn’t too long for standard twist .243s at all.
Great post pappy.