I mounted a Leupold Vari-X II 3X9 scope on the rifle and went out to the range this a.m.
Well, my shooting skills handicapped the rifle a bit. So did the somewhat blustery wind conditions; still, the gun shows promise. Factory Corelokt ammo grouped about 1.5 inches (3 shots at 100 yards), and my Reloder 15 handloads featuring the Hornady 100 flatbase a bit better. Handloads with the Core-Lokt were a bit better yet; 1.25 at 100 yards and my last 4 shots of the day grouped into 2.5 inches at 200 yards. If I discount myself a flyer, the best 3 shots went into 1.25 inches at 200 yards, so it is a deadly deer rifle already.
Now I have to decide which I like better....the Savage or my Ruger Hawkeye in .257 Roberts.
Sounds like good shootin, and not a bad price either. You already know my advice ... hang onto both rifles!
My groups shrank when I dropped to the 87 g Speer bullets. Shot plenty of 1.5" groups with the 100's, though, and that's more than good enough for hunting.
I do recall that when I first got mine I removed the stock to reduce the trigger pull. It was a PIA getting that thing back together with the right screw tensions in the right order and the "accuwedge" in the right place. As I understand it they don't use the wedge anymore. Trigger is breaking at 3.25 lb now, which is just about right on a hunting gun for me.
