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Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP Youth 7mm-08 #5858829 08/01/15 10:51 PM
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I bought one last year and sighted it in with managed recoil loads. After the season I swapped the plastic stock for a Boyd's and added a Limbsaver pad. The recoil with full loads is much more manageable for my wife and daughter. The problem I'm having is finding a factory load that the gun likes. 140 gr Core-lokts are all over the place. The silver box Winchester's in 140 gr are better at about 1.5" at 100 yds. This is with a good rest on a table with sandbags and me shooting. Before I go buy several different boxes of factory ammo, does anyone have this same rifle and, if so, what loads have you had success with? My other 7mm-08 will stack Core-Lokts into sub 1" groups so I've never had to look for an alternative before.

Re: Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP Youth 7mm-08 [Re: ETXsabre] #5859408 08/02/15 01:35 PM
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Something is wrong, that rifle should be shooting decent with a variety of ammo.

I would check and make sure the barrel is free floated and the action screws are at the correct torque amount.

Re: Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP Youth 7mm-08 [Re: ETXsabre] #5859430 08/02/15 01:54 PM
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Check torque on: Action screws, Base screws, Ring screws
Is the scope coming apart internally? Do you have another scope available to try on the rifle?
Does the barrel remain free-floated from the recoil lug to the end of the forearm?


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Re: Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP Youth 7mm-08 [Re: ETXsabre] #5859439 08/02/15 02:00 PM
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I had the exact same issue when I swapped my plastic stick for a Boyd's on my Remington 700. I ended up having it needed and all was well again. The barrel was free floated, but there was some uneven torque on the action that was giving sporadic results. It's back to shooting 3/4-1 inch groups using quality Hornady ammo.

Re: Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP Youth 7mm-08 [Re: ETXsabre] #5859706 08/02/15 04:56 PM
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Like FJG said, check all the bolts first. If all is well and you trust the scope, and it still shoots poorly, switch the stock back and see if it's still occurring. If it's still shooting poorly start trying different loads. I need to shoot it some more but initial testing with 140gr in my Ruger American was not great. However, the first group (3 shot) with Federal Fusion 120gr was 3/4" and the first two shots of the second group were touching (I yanked the third shot).


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Re: Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP Youth 7mm-08 [Re: ETXsabre] #5859796 08/02/15 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted By: ETXsabre
I bought one last year and sighted it in with managed recoil loads. After the season I swapped the plastic stock for a Boyd's and added a Limbsaver pad. The recoil with full loads is much more manageable for my wife and daughter. The problem I'm having is finding a factory load that the gun likes. 140 gr Core-lokts are all over the place. The silver box Winchester's in 140 gr are better at about 1.5" at 100 yds. This is with a good rest on a table with sandbags and me shooting. Before I go buy several different boxes of factory ammo, does anyone have this same rifle and, if so, what loads have you had success with? My other 7mm-08 will stack Core-Lokts into sub 1" groups so I've never had to look for an alternative before.


I also have a Savage in .243, and never was able to get Core-Lokts to group worth a crap. Seems to be a common problem. Mine likes Hornady 85 grain SST's. Can't speak to the Winchesters.

Check all the other items mentioned as well.


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Re: Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP Youth 7mm-08 [Re: ETXsabre] #5859859 08/02/15 07:00 PM
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All of my rifles shoot the Hornady SST ammo very well. It's my go to factory hunting ammo...

Re: Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP Youth 7mm-08 [Re: ETXsabre] #5860069 08/02/15 10:21 PM
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We have the adults version of the same package in 243 but swapped out rings to Talley one piece. The ones that came with it are truly crap. I think Talley rings are a small expense for a vastly superior upgrade on this particular package.


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Re: Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP Youth 7mm-08 [Re: ETXsabre] #5860281 08/03/15 01:45 AM
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Thanks for the input gentlemen. I had already checked the screws on the rings and bases before shooting. I'm not a big fan of the dovetail type rings anyway so I will probably switch them eventually. The new stock and bedding were done by an experienced gunsmith whom I have never received poor work from but I will still check for torque in the action. I really think all I will need is to find the correct ammo and I'll be good. I'm sure that the SST's will group but I'll never again trust them on game.

Re: Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP Youth 7mm-08 [Re: ETXsabre] #5959598 10/04/15 02:04 AM
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I went back to the range yesterday with a new box of Winchester 140 gr Power Point and a better rest and sandbag. The new loads shot 2 consecutive 3 shot groups that all 3 shots were touching in both groups. All I had to do was raise the vertical after the first group to get it 1" high at 100 which is where I like to zero. It is ready to kill now. The Boyd's stock and glass bedding has made a huge difference in accuracy.

Re: Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP Youth 7mm-08 [Re: ETXsabre] #5964655 10/06/15 11:20 PM
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Glad to hear it, have a safe and happy deer season!

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