Springy rest = bad accuracy?

[grelber]

Over the last couple years I've fiddled with quite a few loads and still haven't got my guns accuracy where it should be (now getting 5" groups at 100 yds).

I think the problem might be that I'm a moron.

First I haven't always payed proper attention to action screw tightness and correct tightening procedure, second I'm shooting off of an inexpensive adjustable plastic rest with rubber pads where the gun contacts the rest. The thing that has been consistent in all my load testing sessions is use of the same rest, action screws weren't tightened correctly during my last trip at the range but I think they have been correct during previous trips.

Anyway, rest works very well for my guns that have near zero recoil (22 and .17 hmr) and I'm getting good groups with these guns, does it make sense that a springy rest would give me accuracy problems with the Savage?

Thanks in advance for any insights.

[rangeball]

I have the same type of rest that I use for my .22 and AR. No problems, but when I used to shoot my slug guns from it, I got poor groups.

I think it's definitely a variable worth eliminating to test.

[pposey]

does that rest absorb any of the recoil from the ml2,,, if not thats a major difference from your other guns

[dannoboone]

First off, ya need something like this:
www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0009740805
Not only does it reduce the recoil factor, it has adjustments for
horizontal as well as vertical.

Secondly, (or maybe even first) have you bedded the action? The
area between the pillars of my MLII was high and actually made
a "rocking" situation until that was removed and the action
bedded. There are other situations which make bedding a good
idea.

You have a bad problem somewhere, the Savage should group
at least 2" on a bad day!

[grelber]

Thanks folks!
Will eliminate the rest & see where that takes me as a first step (tempted to buy the one in the link as it is near Christmas and the economy needs us), then look into the how too's of bedding if I'm still not happy. Nice to know ahead of time that maybe I could be on the right track as I was nearing the bowels of frustration.

For what it is worth, the guy shooting the fancy target rifle next to me Sunday also was an MLII owner (He said he got moa or better with his after very little time spent in load development, but otherwise seemed likable). He also said he had wrecked his last chrono when a sabot smacked it, not something I would have thought to look out for.

[dannoboone]

" He also said he had wrecked his last chrono when a sabot smacked
it, not something I would have thought to look out for."

Uh-huh. I thought a 1/4" plexiglass face would stop a magnum
sub-base. Wrong. (Still need to send that Chrony in for repair).
One would think a 3/8" plexiglass face would withstand a dinky
little old Harvester .45 sabot at about 3000fps too......but again,
WRONG!

[youp50]

As a matter of technique; Maintain some downward pressure on the rifle at the front rest. Most experience poor accuracy when leaving the fore end free to recoil as one does a center fire.