New video from Cadex Defence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR2FVaeVqaQ

Testing out the new Savage 10TR (and let the 700p tag along)

I got a chance to take the 10TR out for a test drive today, up at PCDHFC.  Not sure if the temperature is important, but it was probably hovering around -1 or so.  The rifle is pretty much as is out of the box except with the addition of a Blackhawk pivot bipod, GRG Magnum Muzzle Brake I got off Amazon.com.

Now the following findings are from a noob shooter, and on top of that, a noob to bolt action rifles and precision shooting.  I barely knew what MOA meant until just two weeks ago.  I'm sure some of you more advanced and experienced shooters could get better results, but these are my results:

First up is the Nosler Custom 168gr:

 At 100 meters, I got a group at 2.66 inches.  I had a feeling that one on the right was a flyer so I let off so I tried another group:

 

 My second group was a lot tighter at 1 inch.  

I tried the Nosler out to 200 meters and shot three 3-round groups, measuring 1.78in, 1.59in, and 1.7in.  This left me with a pretty good feeling.

Next up is the Remington Premier Match 175gr Match King BTHP.  Boy, that's a mouthful.

At 100 meters, it wasn't so hot with a 1.9in grouping.  Again, this is probably the result of user error (me).

I did three more 3-round groups and the results were 1.66in, 2.12in, and 2.19in.  they were all over the place, but maybe I was rushing, maybe I pulled a few shots, who knows. 

When I took the Remington Match Kings out to 200 meters, I was really wondering what I was doing wrong, but I ended up shooting two 3-round groups getting 4.18in and 3.5in.

That was pretty much all of the Nosler and Remington ammo I had with me today, so I decided to test out the Federal Premium 168gr Sierra Match King BTHP Gold Medal Match that I had left over from testing out my 700p.  It didn't do that great in the Remington, so I figure I might as well blast away a 5 round group and see how it did in the Savage.

The results were surprising to me, but then I thought back to all the reviews saying how awesome these were and the surprise faded away.  5 rounds in a 1.7in group at 200 meters.

Next up were some left over Hornady Match 168gr BTHP.  These did okay in my 700p, but I didn't have time to test them out extensively so I'll have to get another box to run through the Remington again.  

 I shot three rounds and got them in a 1.9in group, and then decided to blat off the 5 rounds I had left.  1.65in.  I was in awe.

 I had some good luck with my Savage, and I also had some good luck running some cheap ammo through my 700p a few weeks ago, so I thought I'd just run my 700 a bit.  I pulled out some Federal 150gr soft point blue box.

  At 100 meters with three 3-round groups, I got 0.9in, 1.6in, and 1.52in.  Not great, but not horrendous I suppose.

 When I went out to 200 meters, I started going down with the ship.  I ended up flopping out a 4in group.  I pulled out the few PPU 145gr stuff I had left and tossed that down the 200m mark.

 I may as well have taken the PPU out of the rifle and threw them at the target because 7.7in group is downright embarrassing out of a bolt gun.  Back to the drawing board with the 700.  Maybe it doesn't like cheap ammo after all, or maybe I was just so used to shooting the Savage, I got lazy with the Remington.

I decided to blow through a few rounds at the steel gong at 200 meters.  That made me feel better:

I also took a shot at the gong with my Savage, unfortunately, all I had left were 3 rounds of Federal blue box and I had no idea what the hold over would be in the Savage because I hadn't shot any through it yet, but I wanted to film the Savage in action along with the GRG muzzle brake:

I completely missed the gong on the last two rounds, but oh well, I'm positive I can nail it with Nosler, Hornady or SMKs.  Better luck next time I guess

New Savage LE/MIL Promo

After a week of anticipation, my new rifle finally arrived.  Haha, I'm moaning about a week, but some guys have been waiting since November last year.  This is the Savage 10TR, made available to serving and retired members of law enforcement or military only.  At $599.99 plus tax, it's a steal.  An equivalent rifle in Savage's line-up will probably set you back about $900-$1,100.  To get the same specs from Remington, you're probably going to have to spend at least $1,200-$1,300.  Here are some of the details on this guy:

Calibre: 308 Win

Metal Finish: Matte Blued

Barrel: 24" Heavy Barrel 1-10" Twist, 5r rifling, Threaded for 5/8-24 Muzzle Device

Base: 1 Piece EGW 0 MOA

Trigger: 2 1/2 lb AccuTrigger

Bolt Release: Front Of Trigger Guard

Stock: Black Synthetic Accustock, Beavertail Forend, (3) Swivel Studs,

Magazine: Detachable Box (4 rounds)

Bolt Handle: Oversized Tactical

Accuracy: Sub MOA

This one came from Frontier Firearms and it was very well packaged.  I was expecting the factory box completely exposed with the postage info on it, but it came wrapped in a cardboard wrapper, with no indication it was a firearm at all.  Even the packaging label said Frontier Taxidermy.  It was like Christmas, haha!

The rifle itself came wrapped in a plastic bag, and so did all the other components like the removable box magazine, the bolt and a bunch of other miscellaneous stuff.

The removable thread adapter.

The factory one piece 0 MOA picatinny rail.

Savage's AccuTrigger.

 

The 10TR's new bottom bolt release, which seems to be a bit of a pain for some, especially for those looking for chassis systems for this rifle.

Two sling points for those that want to sling their rifles and use a bipod I guess.

The removable box magazine.

 The thread protector taken off to expose the 5/8 x 24 threading.

It's not a bad looking rifle, and it's got a TON of bells and whistles.  The only thing I had a bit of a grip with, and to be honest, it's just cosmetic, but I'm not a fan of the AccuStock's profile compared to the HS Precision one that came on my Remington 700 Police.   Personal cosmetic preferences aside, you really can't ask for much more considering the incredible price.

 

I acquired a few items ahead of time, even before the rifle arrived.  There's the massive muzzle brake I got off Amazon.com, a Blackhawk bipod, a Bushnell Elite Tactical 5-15x40mm and the Weaver tactical 6-screw rings.  I have no idea how well the brake will work as there are no reviews on it's performance.  

The bipod is has the pivot feature, however the frame of the bipod hits the stock when you tilt it, so I might return it and pick up a Champion one.  I'm not ready to spend double for a Harris just yet.  

I ordered another brake as well, this three chamber one, with two ports on top.  It had about 7 reviews online, all of them more or less good, but I figure I'll go with the over-the-top Titanic brake.  My buddy Jay bought this one off me.

The extra high weaver rings give plenty of clearance between the barrel and the scope objective and sunshade.  Hopefully it will be enough when the XLR Chassis arrives.

Some shots I took with my cell phone.  

One issue I had with my new rifle was the overall length was a bit too long.  The 24in barrel, with the foot-long brake (I exaggerate)  makes it just too tall to fit in my locker.  My buddy Jay helped me cut a hole in the shelf to allow the brake to poke through:

My 700 barely fits as it is, but the Savage 10TR needed some extra room.

Anyway I'm going to take the Savage to the range on Monday to test her out.  I've heard the 1 10 twist only likes 168grain and up, but I'll see for myself.  If you want to check out a very informative, professional review, check out this place on Day At the Range