The Rifleman, Barnes, and his Savage
My friend, Dwight Scifres, hails from Montezuma, Indiana, and often goes by the handle of "Rifleman." Unlike most, ex-marine Dwight has a strong background in long-range shooting and as a military shooting instructor. Also, unlike many, Dwight works with a firearm not to change things merely for the sake of change-- instead, he works with a gun with a purpose in mind . . . that being getting the most out of his firearm for his purposes, and his intended use.
After all, it matters not what anyone else does with their equipment, what matters is what you, yourself, can achieve. The rest is conversational trivia. Dwight has taken a path with a goal in mind-- that of the proper combination of scope, rifle, sabot, projectile, and powder to allow for confident long range use assuming reasonable field conditions. Dwight has achieved his goal:
Outfitting his Savage 10ML-II blued model with a properly fitted and bedded laminated stock, you can see the recent range results @ 300 yards. You might find a sub-5 inch group at 300 yards impressive. It becomes more impressive when you learn that it was shot with a gusty 10 mph crosswind, and Dwight actually made a sighting change after the first shot. Though some may feel that a 10X scope isn't quite enough tube at 100 yards, it most certainly is with an accomplished marksman even at 300 yards.
For the record, Dwight uses a 200 yard zero: translating to approx. 3-7/16 in high @ 100 yards with this scope, bases, and rings-- and this rifle. The combination of Vihtavuori N120, the Barnes Original 300 gr. spitzer soft point, and the orange MMP .458 / .50 sabot has been a good one in many rifles for me, and Dwight has adjusted it for his own personal recoil comfort level. It is a dandy.
Action screw torque is an overlooked but important item, as Dwight has discovered. Courtesy of Fred Moreo at "Sharpshooter Supply," here is the listing of recommended values for Savage rifles:
ACTION SCREW LENGTHS
Short set....used on the "F"( tupperware stocks)
front- 1.100"
rear- 1.510"Long set....used on the "G" & "B" (birch and laminated stocks)
front- 1.170"
rear- 1.570"
Note: The latest production Low-Profile stocks uses a short front screw(1.100")
ACTION SCREW TORQUE SPEC'S:Factory Synthetic Stocks = 25-26 in/lbs
Hardwood Stocks = 45 – 65 in/lbs
Laminated Stocks = 45 – 65 in/lbs
Aftermarket Synthetic Stocks = 45 – 65 in/lbs
For the 10ML-II, Henry Ball feels that 25 in/lbs is ideal, regardless of stock. That comports closely to Rifleman's own findings.Even the most carefully manufactured rifles, using the most modern manufacturing steels and techniques, still remain individuals. Most have a bit of trouble accepting that; perhaps that is why all too often we are consumed with "what the other guy" is using?
Marksman Scifres' example should show that the potential of a true MOA 300 yard rifle exists in the Savage 10ML-II, assuming you put in the requisite time and develop the necessary shooting skills to go along with it. Who knows, maybe you can do a bit better? If you do, Rifleman Dwight Scifres is the type of individual that will be the first to congratulate you-- but for now, congratulations to Dwight for a job well done.
Note for Mil-Dot fans: one dot = 36 in. @ 1000 yards, 3.6 in. @ 100 yards (or per 100 yds.) Same 200 yard zero, dropping to the 2nd dot elevates POI by approx. 21.6 in., equaling quite dead deer at 300 - 330 yards. Naturally, you need to shoot your own rifle to confirm.
Contact: Randy Wakeman, 12362 S. Oxford Lane, Plainfield, IL 60585
By phone: (815) 254-2135 Email: randymagic@aol.com
