Savage 12 is getting more accurate!

I found some loose screws and the proper ammo to shrink my initial groups by quite a bit! I believe three of the scope ring screws were not tightened with one being finger tight. The rear scope base screw was not tight, and the trigger guard screws were finger tight.
I also used a box of match reloads my father produced instead of his "work-up" loads for the rifle.
Finally, I removed the bipod and shot off of a solid sandbag rest. POI changed drastically by nearly 12", but the groups tightened up!
Still not great, but it's getting better!

[@11mchristo]

I enjoyed the 2 videos on your dad's Savage. Hopefully there will be more. Torque everything to spec. The most accurate loads are almost never found at max powder charges and over. Buy a box of premium match-grade ammo and see if things tighten up. Savages usually shoot lights out unless the barrel is shot out. Looking forward to follow ups.

[@longshooter457]

Hope this works out for you. That is the exact rifle I have in mind of getting myself.

[@TheSuburban15]

Ditching the bipod was probably key. I think you just need to find a hold the rifle likes. You have a pretty light trigger. Try to just pull the rifle slightly into your shoulder with your strong hand, and just touch off the trigger without touching the rifle any more than absolutely necessary. You shouldn't see much jiggle of the crosshairs on the target. It would be easier with a front rest that's adjustable for height and windage.

[@michaelthompson7570]

Subscribed,interested as I have an older mod12 in 223 varmint with stipled wood stock. Bought used with an external adjusted scope owned by some collector who liked to buy,improve guns accuracy to the max then stuff in a safe. Used it fairly heavily in prairie dog shoots after installing leupold scope. Still shoots tight groups despite an obvious barrel irregularity felt while using cleaning rod. Think I may have had a squib and stuck bullet that required field surgery. Good luck with a great rifle