New ELR world record set with a factory Savage 338 lapua!

[Mike 338]

Well with all due respect to the "shooter", there has never really been any shortage of them, or good guns either.
But a check of the records will find that even at 1000 yds there has been a shortage of "repeat performers". So how is that explained?

Wind

 

[yobuck]

Wind

That's for sure a very large part of it.
So how are the best of them dealing with that? At least at 1000 yd benchrest?
Looks to me as though many of them are spending more on a front rest than the price of a Savage, and getting all 10 shots off in under a minit.
Apparently the best way to read wind is to avoid it if possible.
So what does that say about those who claim they can?
Especially at more than 2000 yds?
I just happen to own 6 lefty Savages in various chamberings and I'm satisfied with all of them for what they are and do.
But i guess i missed seeing any Listed at the recent world open shoot at Williamsport. I think maybe i saw one action was used for a build.
But surely that's all gonna soon change?

 

[Mike 338]

Ha ha, I don't think custom gunsmiths have anything to worry about. All those fancy rifle shooters at some point or another have had factory rifles in their hands and know what they can do. They still opt for the custom stuff for a reason. But hey... if you just happen to have one that shoots great with you behind it, why not use it? It's like when some dude who golfs on a public course wins the U.S. Open. That's not the place where you find most of the talent which is why it's such a great story. Me... I don't have 4 years and 8 thousand $ to wait on a custom build. I can't even justify the cost of the chassis he used which is fine cause I don't have the chops anyway. It's nice to know though that if I did have the chops, I could piggly-wiggly something together that I could afford and show up with the rest of 'em.

IMO, a story worthy of all the attention it receives.

 

[yobuck]

Ha ha, I don't think custom gunsmiths have anything to worry about. All those fancy rifle shooters at some point or another have had factory rifles in their hands and know what they can do. They still opt for the custom stuff for a reason. But hey... if you just happen to have one that shoots great with you behind it, why not use it? It's like when some dude who golfs on a public course wins the U.S. Open. That's not the place where you find most of the talent which is why it's such a great story. Me... I don't have 4 years and 8 thousand $ to wait on a custom build. I can't even justify the cost of the chassis he used which is fine cause I don't have the chops anyway. It's nice to know though that if I did have the chops, I could piggly-wiggly something together that I could afford and show up with the rest of 'em.

IMO, a story worthy of all the attention it receives.

The difference is that the dudes using cheap clubs on the public courses never get to even qualify for the U S Open.

But all it takes is just showing up at places like Williamsport for a chance to become famous.
Hell somebody there would probably even loan you a gun to shoot.
Best to bring your own Savage though if your the fussy type. Lol

 

[gohring3006]

It's hard to justify a custom when a off the shelf Savage 112 magnum target shoots like this. Mine is bone stock, all three action screws tightened by hand. No bedding.
It comes from the factory already blueprinted. So they claim.

15 shots with 285 eld.
Single digit SD and Es.
No seating adjustments, I just loaded to Sammi spec and shot a charge of 89.5 grains of H1000. It put 5 shots in dang near in the same hole so I rolled with it. That was with about 20 shots thru the rifle. Its a little slow, (2750fps) but lobs them in real nice. I've shot that load for two years now, with no adjustments. Hex coated bullet.

 

[yorke-1]

I have talked a load of people out of my rifles and to learn the sport by getting them set up with a good factory rifle with good optics and tell them to use good ammo, practice shooting and prove their drops and many are happy. Still, most, over time, come back for a full custom rifle and not one that has done that has ever said, man, i wish i was still shooting a factory rifle after they have experienced the results of a good, top quality custom rifle.

Obviously this factory rifle shoots but please do not make it sound like custom rifles are a waste because todays factory rifles are so good, that is certainly not accurate, especially when you look at a decent number of factory rifle samples. A very significant percentage of them are very poor quality and it shows in their down range performance.

I've owned and shot a much higher percentage of custom rifles with mediocre performance or significant manufacturing faults than I have factory rifles. In fact, if I can find factory rifles in the chambering or configuration I'm looking for, I'd pick that any day over a custom. I've thrown too much money away on "premium" work over the years, only to get a finished product back that didn't perform as well as the franken-guns thrown together in my garage or put together by some no name local smith or just a guy with a lathe.

A skilled shooter can make even a mediocre gun look good, and that's what happened here.

 

[Bravo 4]

I've owned and shot a much higher percentage of custom rifles with mediocre performance or significant manufacturing faults than I have factory rifles. In fact, if I can find factory rifles in the chambering or configuration I'm looking for, I'd pick that any day over a custom. I've thrown too much money away on "premium" work over the years, only to get a finished product back that didn't perform as well as the franken-guns thrown together in my garage or put together by some no name local smith or just a guy with a lathe.

A skilled shooter can make even a mediocre gun look good, and that's what happened here.

This has been my experience with my own rifles. I've went through a few reputable builders only to be let down. Now I'm not saying a factory is "better" than a custom, I've just had too many problems on the custom side. The cost hasn't been acceptable to the reward as a whole. I'm getting to where I'd rather just do a Savage or Remage on my own. 4 of the last 5 factory rifles I've messed with have shot exceptionally well, as in 1/2 moa and below out to 800 yards (some with factory ammo). The one exception of late is a Rem 700 Long Range in 7mm mag. It is a buddy's rifle he wants to get ready for a cow elk hunt coming up. It is shooting most every factory ammo into 1 to 1.25 moa groups out to 600. Than will serve him fine until he starts loading his own.

 

[Deleted member 71114]

I am trying to figure out what a fancy rifle is? Theres a lot of chatter on what represents what and in all honesty ***

The target was 36"x36" you had only three shots, you had no support or spotters and you were under a time restraint and "only three shots" to get it done. If you hit two out of three to bad to be you. There were 40 + people watching, it was videoed and it was part of the NRA ELR match held at Camp Atterbury.

Randy had a Savage action and barrel sitting in a after market stock with a after market trigger as well as using a Vortex Golden Eagle scope and a Cold Shot base.

Running solo with no help or spotters and getting it done - the first three shots "of the day period" by the rules and three hits. I will also mention I did not see all the BS of the Fancy Shooters looking at Randy cross eyed and laughing at him or in a belittling way that a few here expressed when he walked up to the line or was shooting.

To all of you who think theres a huge split in our shooting community and believed this Randy Wise guy was snickered at and belittled at that event, **** You for assuming that this is the way you think and assume things go down. Everyone one at Camp Atterbury that was there at the NRA National ELR event were on the same page and supported each other light guns or heavy we wanted to see folks exceed their own expectations.

I truly hate the **** Wads that assume things and only help in destroying our shooting community.

Osoh

 

[jasent]

Well said!

 

[ATH]

get real tired of seeing these WORLD RECORD hits at extreme range where they have a wall of steel at 5000 yards, shoot all day and accidentally have a bullet tumble into the steel and call it a world record. I call that a waste of time, money, components and barrel life personally.

I have always said an moa group at 2k would impress me much more then any single HIT at 5000 yards.

The significance is this WASN'T shooting all day at a wall of steel to make a hit, it was three consecutive on-target hits from a cold bore. And I agree with you, the settings where they are allowed to walk them in or just get lucky are completely uninteresting.

As for customs...
1) I agree that factory rifles have really improved. I find it rare I can't get a factory rifle near, at, or a bit below 1/2MOA with minor work (trigger, bedding, etc).
2) IMHO the weak point in a factory rifle is usually the barrel. Slap on a good aftermarket barrel, Savage or Remage, and now I have a rifle which pretty much meets any need I have. I compete on the same range as the topic of this thread and placed 3rd at 2000 yards with a Remage hunting rifle in 338 Edge built on a Stiller action. By far the cheapest gun on the line that day. Therefore I have limited interest in most custom rifles. I do own a custom rifle and I have several prefit barrel rifles built myself which are more accurate. The builder would be recognized here.
3) Where I find customs interesting is where they offer something unique I can't do myself and the claims are more than accuracy. Kirby I find your offerings unique because you make things that occupy a needed niche that can't be gotten elsewhere. Not sure I'll ever justify one, but I see the value in what you offer.

 

[bigngreen]

Well again no intent on slighting the shooter or the accomplishment here.
But the fact is that every match has a winner.
But winning a match or even lots of them, isn't the same as setting a world record.
And the fact remains that no one has ever duplicated their own world record or beat it.
It matters very little actually as to being the so called best and using the so called best in order to set a new record.
It's a thing called proper timing, with it we could win, without it we lose.
And it's true with most things in some form.

There are guys going back to back records, look at 1000 yard IBS.

 

[jasent]

Why was osoh deleted? One of the most knowledgeable folks on this forum?? And the best post in this thread. We all need to stick together

 

[Bravo 4]

He "mouthed" Len and told him to delete his profile, so Len obliged.
I do agree he had some good input and on the post you mentioned, but think it could have been articulated a bit better. Saying we need to stick together and then F-U you d-wad, are a little contradictory. Not that I'm above thinking that, but saying that in someone else's house gets frowned upon.

 

[jasent]

He "mouthed" Len and told him to delete his profile, so Len obliged.
I do agree he had some good input and on the post you mentioned, but think it could have been articulated a bit better. Saying we need to stick together and then F-U you d-wad, are a little contradictory. Not that I'm above thinking that, but saying that in someone else's house gets frowned upon.

we've all had bad days. Many times I've said things that I shouldn't have. Thankfully it hasn't been permanent damage. I wasn't there and did not read those words. Permanent delete just dosent feel right to me. A wealth of knowledge just gone. Maybe a few more folks just headed to the hide for info