After some weeks effort, I have my two primary centerfire rifles tuned up and in their final configuration.
Savage model 25T in .223 Remington:
(click image to see it larger)
This rifle has always grouped well, but had the habit of the zero shifting between shooting sessions. This was remedied with glass bedding, new Leupold vertical split rings and a Nikon P223 4-12x40 scope.
Here's my best group today at 50 yards, five shots into 1/4"
Most of the groups were more like this:
Winchester 1885 in 270 WSM:
This rifle also needed a scope, I had a Nikon prostaff 3-9x40 on it temporarily, a scope I keep around the shop for emergencies, but I noticed that the eyepiece got in the way of manipulating the hammer. A Browning B-78 owner clued me in on the Leupold compact Vx-1 2-7x33. This scope has adequate magnification and works out much better with this rifle.
Federal 130 grain Power-Shock factory loads shoot like this. - I have not tried to develop a full-power handload yet.
My reduced load, with Hornady 130 grain SP bullets pushed by 27 grains of AA5744 at 2048 fps, reliably puts five rounds into .450" at 50 yards. My son beat my best group of the day with the Winchester with this. (Three in one hole, on the right)
So I finally have both rifles about fixed up now. The Savage has a 5" sun shade coming, and I have yet to work up an accurate full-power load for the 1885. The 1885 also needs a nice comfortable sling, and some shooting sticks.
Now I can go back to working on my .22's, and a custom 98 Mauser I've been working on seemingly forever.
