ButchA

Hey guys...

I was at the rifle range over the weekend, and figured I'd double check the scope on my new/used Savage .308 rifle, and also brought along my trusty, tried 'n true, Marlin .30-30 rifle with plain open sights.

First up: Marlin .30-30 rifle w/ open sights, set up at 50 yards. I love the feel, and love the historical "vibe" it gives off. Love the smiles and comments it brings to other shooters at the range (i.e. Oh yeah man, ya gotta love an old lever gun. I had one back when I was 17). At 50 yards, plain open sights, I was hitting the bullseye and getting about 1" groups. I keep it zeroed at 50 yards and use it for close in action in the heavy woods, brush and thickets. There's just something about an old lever gun that can't be explained... I'll never part with it... [8D]

Next up: Savage .308 rifle with 3-9x32 scope (yeah I know, I need to upgrade the scope [&o] ), setup at 100 yards. This is an older Savage model 110 with nice checkered wood stock that I picked up used at the gun shop. This rifle is perfect to me. It was just one of those things back when I picked it up for the first time. I could close my eyes, shoulder the rifle, and open my eyes, and I'm looking right square down the crosshairs of the scope, every single time. You know how it is... this rifle spoke to me and said, "take me home", so that was that. Anyway, the .308 bolt action has a considerable amount of punch compared to the .30-30. But the thing that amazes me is the accuracy! I fired the first shot with it and noticed that it was just a tad off (1" low and left). A few tweaks on the elevation and windage, and I zeroed it right into the diamond shape bullseye. Then I fired more shots to make sure the scope was set and the rifle was properly zeroed in. When I mention accuracy, I'm talking accurate with a capital "A"!!! [8D] OMG, I put 5 rounds right in the bullseye at 100 yards - and three of the rounds are touching each other right in a row! Maybe it's the rifle, maybe it's the legendary accuracy of the .308 cartridge, 'cause I know very well it's not me - I've never been THAT accurate before... So, after those rounds with the .308, I figured it's all set and needs nothing more, so I packed up and headed for home. The ammo I was using was Federal Fusion 165gr.

In summary - the .308 bolt action rifle kicks the snot out of an open sighted .30-30 rifle! (I know, I know, I know.... DUH!!!!!!! )

Now I just have to figure out which will be my primary deer rifle for camp this season. I mean, I love the old .30-30 and the feel of it, but after seeing how wickedly accurate the Savage .308 is, I think I just might have to leave the old .30-30 home. The .308 just blows it away...

I wonder what the trajectory is on the .308 if I have it sighted dead on at 100 yards - if I can cleanly shoot out to 200 yards with it set at 100.

Rebel Hog

Fed.150gr NP


Click Here for the Web Ballistics Catalog

ipscshooter

I'd think it's more the rifle being very accurate than the "legendary accuracy" of the cartridge.

If you're dead on at 100 yards with a 150-165 gr bullet, you'll be in the vicinity of 3 1/2 to 4 inches low at 200. If you sight it inabout 1 1/2 to 2 inches high at 100 yards, you should be dead on at 200.

ButchA

Thanks guys... [8D]

Thanks for the link, Rebel Hog...

http://www.federalcartridge.com/ballistics/Ammo_Ballistics.aspx?id=305&firearm=1&bc=0 .435&muzzvel=2820&bulletwgt=150

SHORT RANGE
50............100...........200............300
-0.2..........(*)...........-3.6..........-13.2

LONG RANGE
50...........100........200.............300....... .......400............500
0.7...........1.8........(*).............-7.8...........-22.7..........-45.8

ipscshooter

www.remington.com and www.winchester.com also have ballistics tables.

savage3006

The rifle is very accurate. I can shoot better than MOA with the right cartridge and I am not the best shooter on the range. For ballistic info and table you can go to: http://www.eskimo.com/~jbm/calculations/calculations.html

ButchA

That what I figured... Savage rifles are known for their accuracy. [8D]

Here is what I was using for a target. http://www.uspalma.com/Targets/PDFs/Medium%20Distance%20Scope%20Target.pdf

I had a bench rest and aimed squarely on the center diamond. two rounds were near the top of it, and 3 were near the bottom, all right in a row, touching each other. I should go back out again, and get the trajectory up about an inch high at 100 yards.

Anyway, here is the rifle the blew away my old classic Marlin .30-30: This is my new/used Savage 110 in .308:

whitetaildreamer

Hey Butch, as you know I have a Savage preference (have a few and also a 30-30 Marlin), so I say go for the .308. Sounds as if you have been putting it through it's paces so why not give it a try. Bring the 30-30 along with you just incase you will be walking some thick bush. Best of luck.

ButchA

Thanks.... Yeah, the Marlin .30-30 will now be asecond string, backup. But, when you think about it, I just can't leave it home. I have to bring it with me to the deer camp. I got my first buck (small 3 pointer) last season with it, remember?

Out in the George Washington Nat'l Forest, there is a mixture of big overlooks, that go for hundreds and hundredsof yards. There's also some serious, wicked thick, brush and briars, where you can't even see 25 yards. So, I guess I have the best of both worlds.

Close in brush busting in the thickets: Marlin .30-30
Longer shots overallup on the ridgetops, overlooks: Savage .308