While I agree about the package scope being a weak link I assume this config was bought due to budgetary reasons, so unlikely you'll trash it at this point based on our suggestion to do so.

So the first thing I would do is check the mounts - bases and rings screws. If that checks out ok, I would agree with the suggest to empoly some help of a buddy, etc. I think we've all had those days and doubting our equipment certainly doesn't help when saddling up behind it. Some sandbags for a rest to help steady things- a must IMO. Don't keep shooting, 1 group of 3 shots then break - no rush. Don't make any adjustments until you can verify its grouping with some normality. Chasing a bullis a sure way to a big headache.

By your description I suspect either scope/mount or shooter error. Try addressing these areas first. If you can get a spare verified scope to tryat the rangein the event nothing is solved with mounts, rest or shooting tech.

Good Luck

I was at the local pawn shop today. They had a used bushnell elite 3200 for sale for $100 with nothing wrong with it but ring marks. I offered 50 and the clerk countered 75, and I walked out grinning from ear to ear. that was until my buddy caught up with me at lunch and gave me a sob story about needing a good cheap scope. Well at any rate he got a good scope for $75. My point is a decent reliable scope can be had for reasonable amounts of $$$. No need in keeping that simmons any longer than absolutely necessary. If you hunt with that scope make darn sure you don't bump it on anything, or your zero will most likely be off.

There you go using logic again!

Ever hear the joke about logic?

Joe was walking his dog one day and runs into a guy on the corner with a sign that says: "I can tell you five things about your life using logic"

Joe ask the guy what he means. street preformer tells him for a dollar he'll show him. so joe pays a buck.

Performer says: "I see you have a dog"

Joe: thats obvious

Peformer: I say you are Hetrosexual, married, have kids, have a managerial job, and you drive a pickup.

Joe: "holy cow, you could tell that just from my dog!"

performer: Logic tells me that men with dogs usually have children. Logic tells me that men with children usually are hetrosexual. logic tells me that hetrosexual men with children generally are married. Logic further dictates that hetrosexual married men with children that arewalking a dog in the middle of the day are either unemployed or have a managerial job. and I guessed on the truck.

Joe was thoroughly impressed. A few block later he runs into a friend bob. He tells bob he has a new trick and wants to demonstrate it. Joe asks: "Bob you got a dog?"
bob: NO
Joe: ******!

Thats pretty good but don't quit your day jiob.

This is very true, holding the barrel or resting it on something dampens the barrel. Obviously, a tiny change in the way the barrel vibrates can have inches (or more) effect downrange. Another way to think of it is that the gun's points of contact when sighting in should be the same as when you're shooting in the field.

Your scope must be loose or you ARE flitching. You should know it if your flitching though or you might be movingwhen you goto pull the trigger if your(not to say afriad) but i guess bracing for the recoil you might be moving when you pull in thetrigger and that could be causing it to be very unaccurate.But make sure you check yoru scope. It sounds like its loose

What is a "ball and dummy" exercise?!

I think that's the one where you have your buddy load your rifle and he puts a dummy round (no powder or no primer or just hand feeds an empty case). If you flinch and the gun dosen't go off, you might be the problem not the scope.

I would not make this statement lightly, I can surely understand hesitation on this suggestion, IT IS MOST LIKELY A BAD SCOPE! I am not being crass. I stopped selling Simmons many years ago, I did not want my name associated with. I have had much experience with the Savage/Simmons Package, a local business sold many in our area, and MOST scopes would not hold true. Add in that you are shooting a 3006 I say waste no more ammunition. Sorry to say also that the mounts I saw with that package would be on my list of upgrades. More bad news, in my experience Tropy Bonded will not shoot well in all guns.

Good news, the Savage Rifle is a super value and as a rule very accurate. I suggest you buy leupold bases and rings, and buy something like a Nikon Buckmaster for $200. If you really can't afford a $200 scope try BSA or the lower line of Leupold or Nikon. There are hundreds of combinations you can buy, I just mention products I have had good success with on a budget.

Good luck!