Which ammo?

D

DCW

Guest
I have a L579 heavy barrel Sako that I bought in 1969 new. Back then, using my fancy, dancy, Lee custom loader I could get 5 shot 1/4 " groups at 100.
I'm thinking that I might want to try some competition soon. What factory ammo (boo, hiss) would be my best bang for the buck.
Thanks, David
 
need more info

several factors. What caliber are you shooting? What distance are you shooting? What twist barrel? what type of compeition are you wanting to try (i can assume in factory class)?
 
It's a .243. Distance, since I have a 12x scope, probably 100yds starting out. Twist, I'll have to look that up
I used to use 85gr HPBT Speer bullets.
 
You might want to go to the factory forum. Your rifle would probably not be accurate in todays factory class. You need a good Savage and also not a 243. Not trying to discourage you, but don't spend any money on it if you plan on doing well.
Butch
 
Butch, what does it take to be competitive in the factory class? What size groups?
 
Well I'm probably going to upset you, but your rifle will maybe shoot 1 .250-5shot group in a day. I would just about bet the farm that it won't average .499 agg. for a 5 shot group. That is 5-5 shot group average. I'll see if I can search some of the club matches results and point you to them.
Butch
 
If you do a search on the Tomball Club matches you will see the factory class winners usually score 245to247 and with around 8xs. They have some really hot factory rifles. You can shoot a 50 on a target if you just touch the ten ring either inside or outside. I think you could shoot a .743 or barely touching the ring on one side and another ring exactly opposite and score a fifty. The ten ring is .500 in diameter. you can shoot in the 9 ring,but touching the ten ring will give you a ten.
They are probably .400 rifles and they are with factory rifles that come with BR chambers. I'll try to get Vic or Gary to chime in as they run a lot of matches.
Butch
 
In My experience...

DCW said:
Butch, what does it take to be competitive in the factory class? What size groups?
Click to expand...

After near twenty years of running Hunter score matches which also allow factory class rifles at the Austin Rifle Club, it takes a score of at least 235 and above to be competitive. In the last few years the Remington and Savage sniper type 308's and Savage rifles of any caliber have dominated with scores of 235-242.

In my opinion, really competitive scores are never shot with "factory" ammo consistently. One had better learn to reload and find the load one's rifle likes. One may win a couple of factory class local matches, but when the next lot of that factory ammo comes into play...anything can happen. Factory rifles seem to reach a plateau of accuracy and that's as far as they go without extensive modification which takes them out of the factory class and into the modified class with questionable results. Sometimes great...but sometimes with very little improvement.

To illustrate:

Jan 2010...1st place factory; 226/1X, 220 Swift, Savage
Feb 2010...1st place factory; 193/3X, 223, Savage
Mar 2010...1st place factory; 234/2X, 308, Rem

In the last three years we've had five factory shooters move up to Benchrest Hunter rifles with excellent results.:)

However...if what you state regards your Sako is true and consistent, you ought to win many matches with that rifle.

Virg
 
Last edited:
Factory

At our last Club Match, Buddy Pulling shot a 90's vintage Winchester Varminter in 308. He nailed a 248 with 13 x's. Of course, he uses his carfully crafted handloads with 135 grn Berger Bullets. Those particular Winchesters were known for being a cut above.

Being competitive in Factory Class with any type of over the counter ammunition is just not going to happen.

It sounds like you have a pretty good shooting Rifle. Since this is Benchrest.com, you do realize that nobody believes you have a 1/4 inch group Rifle. But, as was stated before, a Rifle that is capable of consistant .400 to .500 groups can compete in a Factory Class if the shooter does his part.........jackie
 
.243

use varget or I-4064 . 85 sierra bthp or a berger 88. lapua brass
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top