JJB:
Local gunshop has the 10 FP for $495 (blue, heavy barrel in choice of 20, 24 or 26".)

I picked the 24" and mounted a 4.5-14 Burris ballistic plex on it. Did a quickie barrel breakin today and got it zeroed for 2 1/2 day coyote hunt tomorrow. Had just shot a 58 round national match course HP match and the old eyes were really protesting but managed to get a 3 shot 100 yd group measuring .925" w/Win 53 gr. factory loads. Then found the 200 yd. crosshair to be right on the money (group opened up to a bit over 2" but the tired eyes made the horizontal 200 yd crosshair look like a swastica rather than a cross. Looking forward to giving it a better test later w/handloads and fresh eyeballs.

SSCoyote:
Thanks for the link. Will give it a workout after while.

I have the ballistic plex reticles on two of my hunting rifles and they work great!

Regards,
hm

Been shooting coyotes w/my 338 WM but felt the "need" for a little flatter shooting rifle, so picked up a new Savage 10FP in 223 Rem. This is my first smallbore and I recall that there is an issue with the correct twist to stabilize the heavier bullets, but cannot remember details.

This rifle has a 1:9 twist. In order to shorten the load development time, what bullet will stabilize best in this twist? Will it handle both the 55 gr and heavier bullets?
Thanks!

Regards,
hm

hm, Did you feel the need for flatter shooting or less punishment? Anyway, the 1:9 twist ought to handle the 55's and up just fine. It's the 1:12 or 1:14s that can't stabilize the biggies! GHD

GHD:
Actually, made a couple of bad range estimation errors last week w/mixed results. Both were actually 300 yd shots and I "guestimated" 200 yds. The 225 gr. accubond dropped enough on both to result in leg hits. The first was running straight toward me and bullet hit right front leg dead center and actually blew rear leg completely off. Unfortunately, the 2nd one was angled toward me and got away. I hate to cripple an animal so decided the 223 would help compensate for my lack of range estimating skills.

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Did you feel the need for flatter shooting or less punishment?

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Funny aside regarding the recoil. One night I was calling from a swivel seat on back of my pickup. Called a couple in at about 100 yds but they were in high grass and spotty brush. I had planned to use the spotlight to mark the spot on a hit, but best laid plans.............the rifle actually spun the seat about 10" resulting in quite a difficult locating chore. The mouse gun should resolve that problem as well.

Thanks for the info on the twist.

Regards,
hm

I just started varmint hunting again this summer for the first time in 35 years. The first thing I learned was that I probably needed a range finder. I sprung for a Leica and have been delighted. The first thing the range finder taught me was that I needed it much more than I thought! Even the relatively flat shooting .223 can't compensate for the errors I was making beyong 100 yrd.s. Enjoy your Savage!

holzauge:
It's been about that long since I last hunted varmints, too. Forgot how much fun it could be.

My 338 is a Savage and I just hope the new 223 shoots as well. The 338 shoots under 3/4" 5 shot groups @ 100 yds if I do my part. Now if the mouse gun will do that, I'll be pleased. They aren't much to look at, but pretty is as pretty does.

I have a Bushnell range finder, but where I am hunting, the grass is between knee and waist high and the rest is thick brush. Don't have much time to get a shot off and the Bushnell is often slow in getting a reading unless there is a large tree, etc. near the target. Most of our shots are at coyotes spotted while driving around and they have often spotted us, so shot must be quick. Guess I'm just gonna have to get better at range estimation and hope the flatter trajectory will cover my uh-0hs.

Regards,
hm

hm, Did you ever find the varmint after being rotated on seat? I can picture that one now! And like you, I prefer a clean miss to a hurt and injured animal!!! Whether it's a groundhog or a bigger varmint, I don't like the hurt ones and the crawl offs!!! Good luck with the Savage and let us know how it performs! I'm betting it will make you proud to own it!!! GHD

I'd bet the break in goes faster than expected!! There's a little difference in "pulling a button" and "hammer forging"!! And I'll bet the rifle is ready for the hunt on Monday!!! Good luck and post pics!!! GHD PS: Just for fun, try gouping and sighting in during the break in! You may be surprised at what you see!!!

GHD:
Yep, finally found the critter dead within 15 ft. of where he was shot. Problem was finding where he was standing when I shot. My buddy and I made quite a few circles without finding blood and we literally stumbled on the coyote about the time we were talking about coming back tomorrow in the daylight to resume the search.

That one was a new one on me, didn't realize the 338 had that much push, but first time I had ever shot it off a swivel seat.

I think the Savage is going to be just fine. Put the first round thru it this morning to begin barrel breakin. Didn't get hardly any copper out of it, so the breakin process may be a short one. Plan to get some more rounds thru it tomorrow and, if it cleans up quickly, maybe even get it sighted in. Hope so, because I have another coyote hunt Monday afternoon and would sure like to give it a shot (pun intended).

Regards,
hm

GHD:

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Just for fun, try gouping and sighting in during the break in!

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Hope to do just that tomorrow. Shooting across the course HP rifle match tomorrow (first one in about 4 years) and plan to stay after the match and do a little breakin/sight-in. May even get a round or two fired before the match, and, if barrel cleans up well, will go straight into the sight-in. That would be great, as this range is a 600 yard range and I can check the Burris ballistic-plex scope out at longer ranges, too.



Sure would like to get a zero tomorrow. Trying some Winchester 53 gr. HP factory loads as I do not have dies, etc. yet. Bought the WW as I have had good luck with their brass in other calibers.



Regards,

hm

how much did the savage set ya back?? i've been wondering if i might need a bolt action centerfire rifle and if i got one it would be a .223 cal. for lots of reasons...........

Hey HM-- i'm using one of those BP reticles on an ISSI AR .223 AI, and love it. I ran the #'s across Exbal Ballistics Calculator ( www.perry-systems.com ), and it was right on the nose for the 69 gr. Nosler (can't remember the vel. now-- i'm at work) for that reticle. It's a great program in that if u don't like the highest power zeros, u can recalculate until u find a magnification that's a better trajectory fit.