Savage Weather Warrior .308 W/Accu Trigger Revisted

I have taken the .308 to the range a couple of times lately trying to decide on a load for deer season which is rapidly approaching. On my August 11, 2008 post, I mentioned that the 150 grain Winchester power Point was the most accurate factory load I have tried.

That still bears true, however I am currently out of Winchester Power points, so lately I have tried (5) additional loads and will probably hunt with the Remington 150 grain Core Lokts this fall. A week ago, I tried some Hornady 150 grain SST loads at 25, 75 and 150 yards. I fired a total of five rounds which could be covered by the palm of my hand for all three distances collectively.

Totay I tried an additional four loads consisting of, Remington 150 grain Core Lokts (TOP LEFT ON THE TARGET) which shows five total shots fired, (3) at 100 yards and (2) at 150 yards. This load also passed "the palm of the hand test". Admittedly not very scientific, and yet at any distance you can place five shots that the palm of your hand will cover, you have a more than adequate deer load. Center to center spread for the five shots is 3.25 inches.

(Top Right) on target is a three shot group from Black Hills 165 grain SP. One and 3/4 center to center three shot group at 100 yards.

(Bottom Left) on target is a three shot group with Federal ammo using Nosler Ballistic Tips. Two shots cut the same ragged hole with a third opening the group again to one and 3/4 inches center to center at 100 yards.

(Bottom Right) Federal 150 grain Power Shoks. Three shots went into one and 1/2 inches center to center at 100 yards.

One might be thinking, "What is your point in all this?"

 A fair question, deserves a fair and honest answer. I have accumulated a lot of factory ammo for the .308 over the years, and simply wanted to see what the rifle would do with a variety of factory loads.

The Savage is no different than most rifles, in that it likes some loads more than others. If I wanted to get back into hand loading, I am sure I could work up a load that would shoot under an inch all day long.

I take a certain amount of comfort in knowing that here is a rifle that will shoot a wide variety of factory ammo in the 150 grain and 165 grain persuasion, well enough to go deer hunting and take shots out to 200 yards.

Yes, the different bullets shoot to a slightly different point of impact, however a short visit to the range, and a couple of groups off the bench would allow me to adjust that point of impact to around 2 inches high and centered at 100 yards. There is that out of state hunt scenario to consider again and two of the loads the gun shoots best can be found in just about any Mom and Pop store that sells ammunition. Those two loads are like two peas in a Pod, in the Win 150 grain PP and the Remington 150 grain CoreLokt.

Rifle Statistics:

Savage mdl 16 Weather Warrior .308 W/accu trigger
Dual Pillar bedding
Free floated and button rifled barrel with 1 in 10 twist
Stainless BBL and action and black Synthetic stock
Bushnell 3X10X40 Elite 3200 with Rainguard
6.5 LBS and 4 round detachable magazine
Handles like a dream and shoots a wide variety of ammo under 2 inches out to 150 yards and in many cases, out to 200 yards
Short enough to handle well in a still hunting situation

It is a HARD rifle not to like..

Dan

Proverbs 20:4-6 "The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?"