Savage 6BR Factory Rifle Delivers Superb Accuracy
Ace 600-yard shooter Terry Brady has been testing a box-stock, factory Savage 6BR F-Class rifle for AccurateShooter.com. This gun features a 30″, 8-twist barrel (0.100″ freebore), Savage Target Action, and heavy, laminated stock with 3″-wide fore-end. We know you guys have been eagerly awaiting the accuracy results. We’ll let the targets speak for themselves. Bottom Line: the Savage 6BR shoots… like a house on fire.
Savage Shoots under 1/2″ at 200 Yards
With Terry’s handloads (Norma 203B powder, CCI 450s, Berger 105s loaded .010″ into lands), the Savage produced three-shot groups well under 1/2″ at 200 yards. That’s right, TWO hundred. Measuring off Terry’s photos, using our target measurement software, one of the 200-yard groups was a measured .350″ or 0.167 MOA.
Orange target dots are 1″ diameter. Top row are 3-shot groups, center row (with 90gr factory ammo) are 5-shot groups.
Impressive Bugholes at 100 yards
At 100 yards, Terry had one 5-shot group with the Berger 105gr Match (non-VLD) that measured 0.140″ with our target measurement software. Measuring with calipers, Terry said this group was 0.279″ outside edge to outside edge. It’s interesting that Norma 203B shot tighter in this rifle than did Varget, as you can see.
Orange target dots are 1″ diameter.
Half-MOA or better with Lapua Factory Ammo at 300 Yards
The Savage 6BR also shot exceptionally well with Lapua factory ammo of two types, one loaded with 90gr BT Scenars, the other loaded with 105gr BT Scenars. Because Terry had a limited amount of factory ammo, at 300 yards, he shot three-shot groups. The 90gr ammo shot 1.490″ or about 1/2 MOA, while the 105gr ammo shot .780″, about 1/4 MOA. For comparison sake, Terry’s handloads (Berger 105s, 30.5 RL15) put FIVE shots in 0.650″ at 300 yards.
Complete Report Will Follow
We will provide a complete feature article on this rifle in the weeks ahead. That will include load data, more accuracy testing results, and Terry’s comments about the rifle. If someone in North Carolina can help Terry with a video camera, we’ll add video to the story.
So far Brady has been very impressed with the Savage overall, but he had two minor criticisms. First, he felt the Accutrigger spring weight is a bit too heavy, and second, he noted that the 1″-wide flat on the bottom of the stock at the rear is too wide for most bags: “It didn’t track well with my bag. I had to really hold the gun. Ideally you’ll want a bag with wider ear spacing.”
Overall, Terry gives the Savage an “A” grade: “For an out-of-the-box bench gun, it is well worth the money! I would recommend it to any shooter.”
I have just invested in my first 2 Savage rifles. A Model 10 FP, and a Model 12F/TR, both in .308. I’m glad to read about your success with the new Savage. I have yet to get mine scoped and out to the range. I live in Arizona, and it’s very hot this time of year. When the cooler weather breaks, and I get optics mounted, I’ll be shooting for sure! I only hope I get results like you have! That is some incredible shooting! Bill T.
sure glad to see one of the 6BR Fclass guns shooting well . I know of 2 top benchrest shooters that are mad as all get out. saying their gun’s where junk out of the box. So maybe this article will help them !
EDITOR: George, everything on Terry’s gun is box stock. He did adjust the action bolt torque settings, and experimented a little with seating depth. But note that even the factory ammo shot real well, and it’s jumping .025″ or so. Obviously, one needs to have a good trigger-puller like Terry to make it all work. FYI, here’s five shots Terry shot at 500 yards, with a clean rifle. The first shot out of the barrel went high right, then the next four grouped in just 1.02″!
500-yard Target Photo Link (paste this in Browser address window to view): http://accurateshooter.net/Blog/brady500ydx800.jpg
i have been shooting my 6 Br for about 2 months now and i am getting better groups than terry posted. i am using 80 grn bullets and a stiff load of benchmark, fed primers. groups in the 2’s at 100, and less than .5 at two. will be doing some longer range shooting in the next few weeks.
As a long time Savage fan, from the days when Savages were usually described as, “Accurate, but ugly”, mainly by Remington owners (You KNOW who you are), it’s good to see Savage has steadily improved its quality, shootablility, and appearance. Plus, they have become the leaders in technical innovation by going where no major manufacturer has gone before in a big way, mainly in varminting and competition. All the while at very affordable prices, and maintaining their reputation for accuracy out-of-the-box. What’s next, benchrest?
I just purchased a Savage F-Class in 6mm BR Norma. I live in Calif. and have to wait 10 days to pick it up. I was very excited to see the article on Terry’s rifle. I purchased a Bushnell 4200 Elete Tactical scope for my gun with Leupold PRW rings. I can’t wait to see more written on Terry’s gun, and yes a video would be outstanding! I am going to use Forster micrometer dies to load up some ammo. I purchased Lapua brass and some Varget to get started. I have Hornaday 75 gr. V-Max, 70 gr. Blitz kings and Nosler 95 gr. Balistic tips that I will load up for starters. I sure hope my rifle shoots like Terrys did.
Wish me luck.
I have been shooting my new F-class Savage in 6mmBR for about a month. WOW! I am now competitive in our local gun club matches, winning 100-200-300 yd aggregates twice out of the last four matches.
Price effective? You bet. About 1/3 what a low-end custom BR rifle would cost.
My best group to date is 0.377 at 300 yds. Average is 0.484 at 300 yds. For years I struggled to get those results at 100 yds.
Incidentally, Lapua factory 105’s shoot about 0.85 at 300 yards in this rifle.
Concluding:
I am 1000% satisfied with this rifle.
Thanks for testing this rifle and other comments.
Does anyone know how the savage LRPR in 6BR compares ??
I have had my Sav model 12 6mmbr norma for a few months and the barrel length is 29″ with a 1:8 twist. I can’t find any reloading information for a gun with these characteristics. All the data is for a much shorter barrel with longer twists. Can someone out there help me. I’m planning to use VV N150, 28 gn with 105 gn Berger VLD’s. I hope I don’t blow myself up.
G’day Anne G,
‘This is two years past your post and I assume you have gotten your 6BR to shoot well by now but for others reading this starting off… Try 105gr projectiles and 30gr of Varget (2208 here in OZ).
You should find that quite accurate to start with and it is just a matter of reading the many articles on various shooting sites and talking to fellow shooters about their favorite load.
Cheers,
FD
My 6BR LRPV has proven to be as accurate as the F class above using a load of 30 gn 2208 (Varget) with 105 Berger VLD’s. Purchased Sinclair bag adapter so it fits 3″ front rest and obtained one 5 shot group at 300 yards of .372″
Gotta love Savage!
Does anyone have any info on the difference between the savage 6mm br Norma in the f class 30” and the 29” bench rest , one any better than the other ? Any major differences in the accuracy of the 2 ?