My assessment of my new Savage LRP

[mnhntr]

I finally got in a serious range day with a chronograph. I was limited to 100yds and the setting is 45 degrees, wind from my back at 10-15, partly cloudy, and the range has a good covered bench. The rifle is a Savage LRP in .260 Remington, 26in barrel, with a Bushnell Elite 3200 10 x 40 mildot scope, Warne 20moa base, Burris Extreme Tactical rings, and a shooter's ridge bipod. I used Winchester 7mm-08 brass run through a RCBS fl size die. I used Federal match LR primers. Berger 140gr hunting VLDs and 142gr SMKs for bullets over H4350. I shot all groups from sitting and on the bipod without a rear rest. I can say first and foremost, if you have never shot a target accu-trigger it takes a lot of getting used too. My groups were 5rd with one or two called fliers in most groups due to the trigger. I am going to adjust the trigger before another range session to bring it to at least 2 lbs. The factory setting is way too light for me. I used 40.5gr of H4350 as a starting load, and went up to 42gr in .5gr increments, seating the 140gr VLDs touching the lands and 0.010 off the lands for each load. I also loaded the 142gr SMKs touching the lands with 42gr and 43 gr of H4350. I only had 12 SMKs which is why the two group limit. My best group with the Bergers was 41gr H4350 seated to the lands which was 3.28in using a Hornady Comparator. The group was .75in and the avg velocity was 2850fps with an extreme spread of 46fps. The best of the two 142gr SMK groups was 42gr H4350 with the bullet seated touching the lands. The group measured .6in and averaged 2870fps with an extreme spread of 61fps. The 43gr of H4350 under a 142gr SMK was not bad either measuring .70in and averaged 2882fps with an extreme spread of 68fps.I did get 2900+ fps twice using 41.5gr of H4350 and a 140gr Berger VLD. I am anxious to do another range day before th big freeze sets in here in MN. I will post some pics this weekend. I am very happy with the rifle and I know the groups will improve with a better rest and shooting prone. Also some more load testing.

 

[WildRose]

Sounds like success to me. With so few rounds down the pipe your groups are already tightening up nicely.

Be sure to follow their barrel break in directions to the letter though.

I know from personal experience it is way too easy to just get hooked on shooting the new toy and to then try and shortcut the process.

Post some pictures!

 

[mnhntr]

I used the Speedy Gonzales break in procedure. I read about him in a few bench rest articles and his process seemed reasonable and far easier than mine. I used to shoot and clean 1rd for the first 5 then shoot and clean 5rds for the next 20. I also like his cleaning process with Sweet's 7.62 and Butch's Bore Shine.

 

[the shotty]

Good to hear you got a good one, I love mine! I just got 200 pc of new lapua .260 brass (thank you to all the sponsors for the give away contest!) And havnt had the chance to play with loads anymore. Mine was really liking the RP .260 brass with 44 gr oh h4350 but was seeing too much pressure so I backed it of to 43 gr which gave me acceptable groups and 2879 fps with 140 gr amaxes. Do you have an ultimate goal for this rifle? (competition;hunting, targets)

 

[mnhntr]

I am going to toy with some long range competitions but the primary use is going to be 600-1000yd coyote hunting. I needed something that surpassed the .223 when the wind was up.