A while ago I posted this.....

I recently sold the only two savages that I owned, and I decided to remedy that when I had the opportunity to pick up a Savage 10 FCP chambered in 308 winchester (one of my favorite chamberings) last week. It has the new accustock and accutrigger.

This model does not feature the tactical stock. If not stalking, I’m sitting in a stand so a 9 lb rifle, though somewhat heavy is not too heavy. I did not want a 10 lb plus gun, I didn’t want a tactical stock and I didn’t want spend a grand plus, so I got the FCP.
Not a bad looking rifle. My gripe with Savage in the past has not been with the accuracy, but in eye appeal. This one appealed to me.





Some observations after a little fondling and an hour at the range:
The bolt release takes some getting used to as you have to pull the trigger , then while holding the trigger depressed you must push the bolt release in front of the trigger guard all the way down with the same hand while pulling the bolt out with the other hand. After doing it a dozen or so times I am becoming more competent with this.

I like the way the bolt fits and locks up in the receiver. Snug with some friction, no slop. I’ll probably take the receiver out of the stock in the future and do a little lapping, if I decide to make it part of my permanent collection.

I was pleasantly surprised at how short the chamber was cut. Most of the production rifles that I have owned have long cut chambers and you usually can’t set the bullet out to touch the lands. Jammed into the lands, the OAL’s using Stoney point modified gauge (measuring OAL, not off ogive) from short to long, all 150 grainers, Sierra Spitzer 2.775”, Nosler Partition 2.800”, Hornady Interlock 2.838”, Nosler Accubond, 2.872”.

First trip to the range, I didn’t have a chance to wring it out as I only had 45 minutes. Usually chrono all loads, but I shoot enough 308’s to know pretty much what they will do. My standard load is 46 gr. of RL-15. I’ve had excellent results with this load in about a dozen 308’s in Remington, Ruger, T/C, Weatherby, Kimber and now Savage. Usually shoot accubonds, ballistic tips and Sierra Spitzers in 150 grain configuration.

To start, I shot 4 rounds to get to zero with some old Peters factory 150’s.

Shots 5-7: 150 gr. Nosler ballistic tips over 45.5 gr. RL-15, Federal 210 M primers and 2.810”oal.



Shots 8-10: 150 gr. Sierra spitzers, 46 gr. RL-15, Fed.210m primers, 2.750” oal.



Shots 11-13: 150 gr. Nosler accubonds, 46 gr. RL-15, Fed 210m primers, 2.820 oal



Now whether this is a half minute rifle or not remains to be seen. I only fired three groups. The third group was the best. I stopped there. However it has been my experience after doing this with a hundred or so different rifles that when a particular rifle starts out this way, it usually is a shooter. I plan to do a little tweaking and try out some different OAL’s and load densities.
For the second outing I changed things up a bit. Loaded some 165 gr. HPBT game kings over 46 gr. Varget, OAL 2.670 (.030 off lands)
Here are the results of the second outing with this rifle.
These are two groups at two hundred yds. off the bench. Being as I am just a "fair shot", the rifle shoots pretty good.


Shots 14-16, first try at two hundred


shots 17-19, second try after adjusting elevation and windage.

As I said before, I think I found a Savage that's a keeper.
GWB

nice work GW! lemme know if you want to move that one along

Yeah, I'd say you have something to work with there..

I put an ER Shaw barrel on a Stand Alone Action and then a synthetic stock I picked up in the classifieds here for $25.00.. that one is chambered in 7/08...

even with an "ER Shaw barrel, that won't shoot because you get what you pay for" ( as I have been told), the rig shoots a lot better than what the 'experts' told me it would...

in that one I have played with 100 to 140 grain bullets..with powder charges of 30 grains of RL 7 and IMR4198...light recoiling 200 yd target loads..

mine has the 26 inch heavy target contour to it..

just got a 22.250 take off barrel, for it that I have not had a chance to shoot yet as it is hunting season... and I am recertifying my EMT license via the local CC...boy is that course ever intense.. teaching how to fill out all sorts of paperwork...doing that as I have decided to do volunteer work with search and rescue for our county...plus still run a business..and spend a little time on the PF telling Duhboy what a putz he is..