Things I've learned...

[lwh723]

I know we have a FAQ section, but I've had a few things I've wanted to mention, and I'm sure others will add more.

I don't want this thread to get cluttered with discussion so please only post to thread if it's with tips or tricks. if you want more detail on something, start another thread, and we can link back to that thread from this thread.

So here's go... I'll add more as I remember. (These aren't all original to me.)


*DO NOT leave sabotless guns loaded for extended periods of time. I've not had issues leaving them loaded for a couple of weeks, but powder residue hardens and can eventually cement the bullet in place causing potentially dangerous pressures. I left my gun loaded for 3 months after this season, and I had to hammer the bullet out to get it to move.

*First shots do load harder on a fouled bore. IMO, it's not because the barrel heats up, but because powder residue hardens as it sits. I try to size my bullets so they're loaded on a fouled cold bore shot, but not to loose for a warm bore.

*When driving out the cocking piece retention pin for the 700ML bolt nose kit, start on the side where the pin is recessed in the hole.

*Check the front 2 scope base screw holes and the front action screw hole before trying to remove a 700ML barrel. If the screws were too long and got into the barrel threads, that needs to be fixed before unscrewing the barrel. If you don't do this, good luck!

*This is nothing new, but be ready for frustration if you want to do a lot of shooting with sabots in the summer. Unless I absolutely have to, I don't target practice with sabots if it's over 60F.

[Dave W]

To beat the hard loading on a fouled bore, I check my zero the day before season opens and then reload immediately at the range or soon as I get home. Savage Shooter tip.

Powder lots numbers can affect accuracy and velocity. Always check two different lot numbers side by side on the same day and under the same conditions.

Temperature can have an affect on loads, check your hunting load in as many different conditions as you can, especially cold temps.

Different bullets types size differently.

Vacuum hose works nicely to index a full formed bullet to the lands if the gun has a brake.

When shooting multiple powders on the same day, throw away the first shot when you switch powder types. Not always, but at too high of a percentage for my liking, the first shot ends up out of the group.

[airborneike]

Apply a small dab of lubricant to the bolt retainer screw on the Rem 700 ML. Will slow down the erosion, wear and roughness quite a bit.

Big +1 on removing frontbase screws before removing barrel!

[Richard]

I like to keep a small dab of grease on the end of the cocking piece. Every time you open the bolt the tip of the cocking piece rides from the bottom of the grove (in the fired position) to the little notch in the cocked position. The grease will ease this a bit and prevent wear.
On a CF action, a dab of grease on the cam (the part of the handle that is soldered to the bolt) and also behing each of the two locking lugs. This eases opening and closing beside preventing wear.

[cuda]

To make loading on a tight or fowled barrel easier use a lubed wad.

[moto357]

Put a mark on your ramrod at unloaded and loaded lengths to prevent future double loading!

[mrbuck]

Great tips . Thanks .
Chris

[12ptdroptine]

This is a very good thread
I have learned to take only the components for one load to the shooting bench. I have a little basket that is black. In it I put 1 bullet
1 sabot
1 booster
1 main charge
1 primer
Short starter
Funnel
The.little black basket is perfect for this. I look in it each time before I shoot to make SURE the funnel and short starter
1 empty powder tube
1 empty booster tube
Are where they are suspppsed to be.
Drop

[bestill]

Stick alox is awesome sizing lube.
Definitely use witness mark on ramrod.

[eml9]

Do not apply Teflon tape over sealing shoulder on the savage breech plug ...some of you probably read a thread I started a few months back about this ... I taped around the sealing shoulder and it was somehow trapping gas, making a fizzing sound after firing .. When I removed the plug it popped like a kids cork gun...

Eric

[rambler]

This is something Tom Post recommended to me: Only use non metallic anti seize.

[Deleted]

Put a piece of masking tape or something similar over the end of the barrel on any loaded sml that gets put away, stored etc..
Seeing that tape will be an instant reminder that a gun is still loaded, even months later..

Keep a very detailed/good data/log book every range trip of every shot and for every load, include every detail you can think of, up to and including weather and wind. This will save tons of confusion or frustration down the road when you are able to look and see exactly what each load did. Saves some time and money, trust me. (Dave W)