Good Factory Load for Savage Axis 7mm-08

[lambo_mt2]

I recently bought a Savage Axis in 7mm-08 for my daughter. Took it to the range yesterday and put some Winchester 140gr Powerpoint ammo through it. To my surprise the groups were not good.

Apparently the rate of twist on the gun is 1 in 9.5 I would think this supports a larger grain for the 7mm-08, but 140 is pretty standard for a hunting rifle in the 7mm-08 as I understand it. (this will be the big-game getter for the kid).

While every gun is different - I'm surprised this ammo wasn't a good fit. Anyone have experience with an ammo that worked well in this specific gun?

 

[NoSecondBest]

A little more info might help some. Did this gun shoot well with another brand/wt. of bullet or is this the first time you shot it? The model you have has the synthetic stock without the accustock feature I believe. I've owned a couple of Savage rifles (I'm a big Savage fan so don't take this the wrong way) that had their synthetic stock. I could not get them to shoot. The Savage stocks are unbelievably pliable and move all over the place when shooting. You can actually gently push on them in any direction and get them to move. I had to put different stocks on the guns and then they shot fine. Is your stock demonstrating this feature? If so, you're not going to overcome the accuracy problem changing bullets. What kind of groups were you getting?

 

[sc outdoorsman]

I don't know how much you shot it and this may not help, but some Savages take a few rounds to break in the barrel and then they shoot better with a dirty bore. It may be the rate of twist as you are thinking, but I would make sure the scope mounts are good and tight make sure the action screws are good and tight Then shoot a few different brands of ammo to see if you find one it likes, but also to break the barrel in some.

Edit: I just remebered a member at another forum having the same problem and he said these shot great in his rifle.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/2FEP708A-1.html