Results with Savage 12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor

[CFJunkie]

The following are the results with the Savage 12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor shot in Northern Virginia on Monday morning, June 17, at 100 yards. Temperatures from 77 to 84 degrees with winds from 3 to 5 mph. Altitude of the range is 250 feet above sea level.

The temperatures were warm enough this morning to require extended time for the barrel to cool, even with a barrel fan inserted in the barrel, and since it was in the 80s most of the time, the barrel never really got below 85 degrees. As a result, I only got to shoot 3 loads today because I wanted to leave the range by 11 AM. I don't know how you shooters living in the deeper south ever get your barrels cool.

All rounds were shot using Lapua brass and CCI BR-4 primers with an 8-32X56mm Benchrest NightForce scope with a NP2-DD reticle. All bullets were loaded to achieve a 1.360 msec. exit time which should be the sweet spot for a 26-inch 3% carbon steel barrel with a 0.040-inch recessed crown. The action screws were torqued to 35 in.-lbs. prior to this session.

For this session, I loaded IMR4451 powder and I planned the seating depths so all the different bullets would achieve the same jump to the rifling – 0.020 – and then adjusted the seating depth by less than 0.005 thousandths to achieve the 1.360 exit time.

I loaded the Sierra 130 grain “Game Changer” bullets #4330 called Tipped Game King (TGK) with about the same velocity as the 130 grain Sierra Tipped Match King (TMK) #7430 bullets to achieve the same exit time and jump. I had shot both the TMK and the TGK loads today right after each other so I would get about the same conditions to aid in a direct comparison. The TGKs have a thinner jacket than the TMKs to allow the TGKs to open up better when they strike game.
I also shot Hornady 143 ELD-X bullets for the first time with this rifle and wanted to see how they would perform against the 130 grain TGK.

The load description field shows the powder and charge, the O.A.L., the trim length, and the bullet exit time from the 26-inch barrel.



# Grps

Load Description

Bullet

Weight

Velocity

Average

Median

St Dev

1

2

3

4



3

IMR4451 39.0 gr 2.855 1.913 wf 1.360 * 75/81 deg. F. 35 in.-lbs.

Sierra TMK #7430

130

2700

0.392

0.367

0.044

0.366

0.367

0.442





3

IMR4451 39.0 gr 2.855 1.914 wf 1.360 * 71/77deg. F. 35 in-lbs.

Sierra TGK #4330

130

2702

0.321

0.329

0.089

0.211

0.293

0.364

0.416



3

IMR4451 38.8 gr 2.863 1.909 wf 1.360 * 72/67deg. F. 35 in.-lbs.

Hornady ELD-X
#2635

140

2667

0.298

0.316

0.035

0.257

0.316

0.320































9









0.335

0.342

0.070









































Today’s overall average of .335 was slightly better than last Saturday’s session. It brings the overall average of 5 round groups with this rifle to 0.376.

This load of Hornady 143 grain ELD-X bullets performed better than all any of the other hunting bullet loads with the 130 TGKs, which also are hunting bullets, but with only three groups it is too early to tell if this is representative result or an especially fortunate session when everything went especially well.

[CFJunkie]

The following are the results with the Savage 12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor shot in Northern Virginia on Thursday morning, June 20, at 100 yards. Temperatures from 76 to 86 degrees with winds from 3 to 7 mph. Altitude of the range is 250 feet above sea level.

The temperatures were warm enough again this morning to require extended time for the barrel to cool, even with a barrel fan inserted in the barrel, and since it was in the 80s a lot of the morning, the barrel never really got below 85 degrees. As a result, I only got to shoot 3 loads again today.

All rounds were shot using Lapua brass and CCI BR-4 primers with an 8-32X56mm Benchrest NightForce scope with a NP2-DD reticle. All bullets were loaded to achieve a 1.360 msec. exit time which should be the sweet spot for a 26-inch 3% carbon steel barrel with a 0.040-inch recessed crown. The action screws were torqued to 35 in.-lbs. prior to this session.

For this session, I loaded IMR4451 powder and I planned the seating depths so all the different bullets would achieve the same jump to the rifling – 0.020 – and then adjusted the seating depth by less than 0.005 thousandths to achieve the 1.360 exit time.

This morning I featured all Hornady 130 grain #26177, 140 grain #26331 and 174 grain #26333 ELD-M bullets.

The load description field shows the powder and charge, the O.A.L., the trim length, and the bullet exit time from the 26-inch barrel.



# Grps

Load Description

Bullet

Weight

Velocity

Average

Median

St Dev

1

2

3

4



3

IMR4451 38.9 gr 2.818 1.914 wf 1.360 * 73/76 deg. F. 35 in.-lbs.

Hornady ELD-M #26177

130

2698

0.332

0.280

0.111

0.256

0.280

0.459





4

IMR4451 38.9 gr 2.835 1.913 wf 1.360 * 76/78 deg. F. 35 in-lbs.

Hornady ELD-M #26331

140

2668

0.361

0.352

0.047

0.314

0.352

0.352

0.426



4

IMR4451 38.8 gr 2.863 1.911 wf 1.360 * 80/86 deg. F. 35 in.-lbs.

Hornady ELD-M
#26333

147

2640

0.318

0.314

0.044

0.273

0.290

0.338

0.369





























11









0.337

0.338

0.064









































Today’s overall average of .337 was Just 0.002 worse than the 17ths results. It brings the overall average of 5 round groups with this rifle to 0.374.

The results were anything spectacular today but each session seems to be bringing the overall average down a bit.

This rifle now has over 1,000 rounds fired and 835 rounds measured and recorded with 167 groups that used three different powders, two action screw torque settings, and two different scopes.

Tomorrow, when I have a bit more time, I will gather and provide an analysis of the results to date so you can see how powders and bullets performed.

[CFJunkie]

As promised, here is a summary of the Savage 12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor from its first use in mid March through the Jun 20 session now that there are 1,000 rounds down the barrel.


5 Round Groups Savage 12 FV 6.5 mm Creedmoor By Weight Hand Loads
----------------------------------------------------------- Best Load ---
# Grps Powder----- Bullet ----------------- Wgt.-- Avg. ----Avg, --Vel.
4 -------IMR 4350 Hornady Match # 26177 -- 130 --- 0.362 ---0.362 --2719
6 -------IMR 4451 Hornady Match # 26177 -- 130 --- 0.361 ---0.332 --2698
10------IMR 4350 Sierra TMK #7430 ----------130 --- 0.392 ---0.352 --2721
25------IMR 4451 Sierra TMK #7430 ----------130 --- 0.352 ---0.347 --2698
3 -------RL-17 ----Sierra TMK #7430 ----------130 --- 0.296 ---0.296 --2803
14------IMR 4451 Sierra TGK #4330 ----------130 --- 0.374 ---0.321 --2702
11------IMR 4350 Hornady Match # 26331 ---140 --- 0.409 ---0.419 --2683
21------IMR 4451 Hornady Match # 26331 ---140 --- 0.399 ---0.403 --2664
2-------RL-17 -----Hornady Match # 26331 ---140 --- 0.558 ---0.558 --2763
3-------IMR 4350 Berger Match # 26401 -----140 --- 0.395 ---0.395 --2684
9-------IMR 4451 Berger Match # 26401 -----140 --- 0.407 ---0.378 --2663
12------IMR 4350 Sierra Match King #1742 --142 --- 0.363 ---0.358 --2678
13----- IMR 4451 Sierra Match King #1742 --142 --- 0.362 ---0.324 --2663
3-------IMR 4451 Hornady ELD-X #2635 -----143 --- 0.298 ---0.298 --2667
10------IMR 4350 Hornady Match # 26333 ---147 --- 0.367 ---0.337 --2659
21------IMR 4451 Hornady Match # 26333 ---147 --- 0.388 ---0.373 --2638
167------------------------------------------------------- 0.374





5-Round Groups

35 in.-lbs. torque



Weight
Average
Median
St Dev
# Grps




130
0.361
0.353
0.0699
54




140
0.385
0.3685
0.0872
38




142
0.362
0.362
0.0519
25




143
0.298
0.316
0.0353
3




147
0.381
0.372
0.0702
31





0.369
0.367
0.0743
155













Only for bullets in torque test


35 in.-lbs. torque





Weight
Average
Median
St Dev
# Grps



130
0.358
0.348
0.069
41




140
0.385
0.3685
0.087
38





0.370
0.365
0.083
86













5-Round Groups

45 in.-lbs. torque





Weight
Average
Median
St Dev
# Grps



130
0.406
0.411
0.086
4




140
0.455
0.456
0.062
8




142








147









0.438
0.456
0.070
12




Group Averages by Bullet by O.A.L. Range - 35 in. Lbs. Torque
Bullet -------------------- Wgt. 2.805 to 20 2.821 to 30 2.831 to 40 2.841 to 50 2.851 to 65 Avg.-Best Jump Jump
Hornady Match # 26177 130 -------0.361------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------- 0.024
Sierra TMK #7430 -------130 ---------------------------------------------0.377------ 0.350 --------- 0.009 ----- 0.005
Sierra TGK #4330 -------130 --------------------0.395------------------------------- 0.321 --------- 0.074 ----- 0.020
Berger Match # 26401 --140 -------0.378 ------0.386 ----------------------------------------------- 0.026 ----- 0.056
Hornady Match # 26331 140 -------0.403 ------0.417 -----0.361------ 0.346 ----- 0.558 --------- 0.046 ----- 0.024
Sierra SMK #1742 -------142 -------0.372 ------------------0.338 ------0.357 ---------------------- 0.024 ----- 0.023
Hornady ELD-X #2635---143 ---------------------------------------------------------- 0.298 -------- ------------- 0.049
Hornady Match # 26333 147 -------0.378 ------0.361 -----0.394 ----------------------------------- 0.020 ----- 0.024

[DesertDug]

Great data, thanks for sharing.

1000 rounds with 5 round groups averaging 0.374" with a stock 12fv impressive indeed.

Will you keep up the testing till the groups start to opening and start to show that the barrel is getting shot out? Any predictions on what round count this will start to show?

[CFJunkie]

Now that the 12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor rifle has shot over 1.000 rounds since March 21st, I think it is time to close up this thread and finish my experiment with the factory plastic stock.

I believe it is now time to change the factory stock with plastic bedding and lots of flex to a more stable, aluminum rail, aluminum bedded stock to see if the more stable stock improves performance.
I’m still trying to decide whether to go with an Oryx aluminum frame stock or a more classic stock like a Hogue, B&C or Choate.
The Oryx stock makes the conversion to AICS mags very easy, but I am concerned that the flat stock without any drop will require higher rings to be able to get a comfortable cheek weld.
It is either an Oryx with an AICS detachable mag or sticking with the hidden mag on the 12 FV.
Actually, the hidden mag isn’t much of a problem with the 6.5mm Creedmoor 12 FV but the reduced space caused by the flange on the bolt of the .223 12 FV makes the hidden mag a PITA.

In this final post, I thought that it would be good to look at timeline of the performance over the 16 range sessions.

6173

As some others have reported on different threads, it seems to take a few groups for a new Savage to settle down, and my first session produced much larger groups than succeeding sessions. But I might simply have needed to get comfortable with a new combination of stock, barrel, and mounted scope.

Interestingly, another increase in group size occurred in the first session after the original Sightron scope was changed to a more expensive NightForce Benchrest scope. Note that after the initial three sessions and after the incredible lapse in accuracy with one load on Jun 4th, the session averages with the NightForce scope improved significantly from that point onward when compared to the Sightron scope.
Along the way, new bullet types made slight changes in averages, but it wasn’t always to increase them, some of the more recent additions actually improved the session averages. Some of that improvement may have been due to the NightForce scope.

Based on this data, I don’t think that I can make the case for a 3X greater investment in the NightForce scope, but it is easier for me to achieve those group sizes with the NightForce scope, even though the NightForce has 32X maximum power compared to the Sightron scope’s 36X power. It is more comfortable getting behind the NightForce scope consistently but the results don’t show all that much improvement, although the accuracy time line shows that, except for one anomaly, there has been a steady improvement since I changed to the NightForce scope.

I think the most telling analysis of the general performance of the Savage 12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor comes when the distribution of group sizes is performed without regard to bullet type, weight or powder.
6172

The distribution is slightly skewed toward the higher values but has a close to normal distribution shape. The graph provides some indication of the overall accuracy of the rifle even considering the edge performance of shooter induced variations on the high side (probably due to one or two load anomalies) and one serendipitously small group result (just 0.005 smaller than 0.1) on the low end in which the shooter may have pulled an otherwise stray round to make a tighter group than normal.
Yeah, fortuitous errors sometimes produce a better group instead of a worse group. Charts like this tend to identify events like that.

[varget204]

Had a BC Medalist 6 stock on my Savage SA,6 mm creedmoor,Switched to a ORYX chassis,the chassis is rock solid,zero movement,Accuracy has improved.Highly recommend,wish i had gotten it before the BC[It has full length aluminum block;But needs Bedded to eliminate movement] I would bet money your groups will get better w/ one

[Evlshnngns]

For the people that are skeptical about barrel time, here is someone else working the numbers. Quickload conversation starts at 11min 35 sec.

Thanks for sharing the journey CFJunkie.

[CFJunkie]

I claimed when I provided the last results that I would close this thread and change the stock on the 12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor. Well, I still wanted to shoot it and the new stock hasn’t arrived yet, so this post might be my last results.

The following are the results with the Savage 12 6.5 mm Creedmoor shot in Northern Virginia on Monday morning, June 24 and Monday morning June 25, at 100 yards. Temperatures on Monday were from 73 to 81 degrees with winds from calm to 3 mph. Temperatures on Tuesday morning were 79 to 82 with winds also calm to 3 mph. Altitude of the range is 250 feet above sea level. The Monday session was shared with testing the 12 FV .223 with 69 and 77 grain bullets so I had to complete the 12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor session on Tuesday morning.

All rounds were shot using Lapua brass and CCI BR-4 primers with an 8x32x56mm NightForce scope with a NP-2DD reticle. All bullets were loaded to achieve a 1.360 msec. exit time which should be the sweet spot for a 26-inch 3% carbon steel barrel with a 0.040-inch recessed crown. The action screws were torqued to 35 in.-lbs. prior to this session.
For this session, I loaded IMR4451 Enduron powder and I planned the seating depths so all the different bullets would achieve the same jump to the rifling – 0.020 – and then adjusted the seating depth by less than 0.005 thousandths to achieve the 1.360 exit time.

On Monday morning I shot Sierra TGK 130 grain bullets and Hornady ELD-M 140 grain bullets. On Tuesday morning I shot Hornady ELD-X 143 grain bullets and ELD-M 147 grain bullets.

The load description field shows the powder and charge, the O.A.L., the trim length, and the bullet exit time from the 26-inch barrel.



# Grps
Load Description
Bullet
Weight
Velocity
Average
Median
St Dev
1
2
3
4


4
IMR4451 38.8 gr 2.824 1.914 wf 1.360 * 73/76 deg. F. 35 in.-lbs.
Sierra TGK #4330
130
2700
0.339
0.345
0.071
0.264
0.294
0.396
0.403


4
IMR4451 38.9 gr 2.840 1.911 wf 1.360 * 75/77 deg. F. 35 in-lbs.
Hornady ELD-M #26331
140
2667
0.343
0.349
0.017
0..318
0.344
0.353
0.355


4
IMR4451 38.8 gr 2.856 1.913 wf 1.360 * 78/78 deg. F. 35 in.-lbs.
Hornady ELD-X #2635
143
2655
0..325
0.308
0.046
0.230
0.306
0.310
0.392


4
IMR4451 37.7 gr 2.838 1.908 wf 1.360 * 82/82 deg, F.
Hornady ELD-M #26333
147
2641
0.379
0.366
0.062
0.322
0.340
0.392
0.460


16




0346
0.342
0.052





















The two-day session didn’t have any spectacular results, but the overall average for all groups has now dropped to 0.371 from 0.374.
The 143 ELD-X bullets continue to impress but Tuesday’s results didn’t match the initial session average of 0.298. The combined average for the 143 ELD-X is now 0.313.

[CFJunkie]

I just checked the AICS mags for available O.A.L. and I am a bit concerned.

The .308 mag that I measured
the internal space in the mag and found only 2.832 available for seating depth. I probably would have to leave 0.002 more space to keep tips from binding in the mag, that would mean I would have to restrict the O.A.L. of my loads to 2.830.
Best results with the 130 TMKs come at 2.846 & 2.850+ O.A.L.
Best results with the 140 ELD-M came at 2.842
Best results wiht the 143 ELD-X came at 2.863.
Best results with the 147 ElD-M came at 2.835 & 2.838.
So the O.A.L.s that my rifle shoots best would not be available to me.

I also measured the AICS mag. for the .223.
The available space for O.A.L. is over 2.540.
That it really great!
There is no way a .223 can be loaded that long so the magazine is not a limiting factor, even though I load some of my best 77 gr TMK loads out at 2.344.
If the Oryx stock gets picked, it will be with the 12 FV .223 not the 6.5mm Creedmoor or any of my .308s. The .308 AICS mag is just too limiting for my most accurate reloads.

I probably will need to switch to x-high rings for my Sightron scope because the rear stock is straight in line with the barrel, like an AR even though there is no need for it to be since there is no recoil spring tube to deal with. The Savage stocks are all canted down a bit so the rings don't have to be so high to get a good cheek weld.
Checking the rear stock on an Oryx, it is about 1/2 an inch higher than the Savage stock.
That will make the rings I have on the Sightron about 1/2 an inch too low making it impossible to get behind the scope with the current rings.

[DesertDug]

What make aics mag did you get to measure? My metal 308 AICS I got from x-caliber has an internal max lenght of 3.910" so there would be plenty of room. If lenght is only concern, you may check other mags.

[CFJunkie]

The mag I measured was an MDT. I eventually found an AICS mag from Accuracy International with internal dimensions that would support a 2.880+ O.A.L. so that will work fine.
I'm hoping that the high rings on the NightForce scope with the 56mm front objective will get the optical axis high enough to let me get behind the scope comfortably.
If not, I will have to find some extra high rings and they will be expensive.
I expect to try the Oryx stock on my 12 FV 6.5mm CM shortly.
We'll see if the sturdier, less flexible stock can outshoot the cheap factory plastic stock.

I have a set of extra high rings on the way for my .223 so I can try the Oryx on 12 FV .223 with the 36X42mm Sightron scope. I'm hoping that will make the optical plane high enough to get behind the scope. Medium high rings that shoot great on the 12 FV factory stock were way too low ion the Oryx.
Fortunately, the AICS magazine for the .223 has more O.A.L. space than I could ever use.
Even a 77 gr bullet would be out of the neck if I ever loaded it out to the end of that mag.

[CFJunkie]

This is the second time that I claimed that when I provided the last two results that I would close this thread and change the stock on the 12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor. Well, I still wanted to shoot the 6.5mm Creedmoor and the new Oryx frame that arrived is mounted on the 12 FV .223 because the .223 magazine would accommodate the O.A.L.s that I want to shoot to get the best accuracy and the 6.5mm MDT mag wouldn’t. I had to wait for x-high rings for the .223 because the lowest setting for the Oryx stock cheek weld is 0.5 inches higher than the Savage stock and I couldn’t shoot it comfortably with the scope mounted so low. The x-high rings are now mounted and the action has been moved to the Oryx frame so I intend to shoot the 12 FV .223 with the Oryx stock tomorrow and will start a new thread to document its performance and then compare the results to the factory stock. The AICS mag with enough space for the 6.5mm CM O.A.L. I use hasn’t arrived yet, so this post still has data from the 6.5mm factory stock. When the AICS mag for the 6.5mm CM arrives with sufficient internal space to support the O.A.L. I desire, I’ll consider switching the Oryx frame to the 6.5mm. If the .223 results tomorrow are encouraging, I’ll probably order another Oryx frame. If not, I’ll try it on the 6.5 mm. If it doesn’t show any improvement in accuracy in either rifle, I guess a lightly used Oryx frame will be on the market.
The following are the results with the Savage 12 6.5 mm Creedmoor shot in Northern Virginia on Tuesday morning, July 2nd at 100 yards. Temperatures on Monday were from 74 to 86 degrees with winds from calm to 3 mph. Altitude of the range is 250 feet above sea level. Temperatures were warm so once I shot the first 10 rounds, I had to let the barrel cool until I could shoot the next set. I usually only got about 7 to 9 rounds down range before the barrel was over the 122-130 reading on the temperature strip I have on my barrel. It took a while to get the three loads finished.
All rounds were shot using Lapua brass and CCI BR-4 primers with an 8x32x56mm NightForce scope with a NP-2DD reticle. All bullets were loaded to achieve a 1.360 msec. exit time which should be the sweet spot for a 26-inch 3% carbon steel barrel with a 0.040-inch recessed crown. The action screws were torqued to 35 in.-lbs. prior to this session.
For this session, I loaded IMR4451 Enduron powder and I planned the seating depths so all the different bullets would achieve the same jump to the rifling – 0.020 – and then adjusted the seating depth by less than 0.005 thousandths to achieve the 1.360 exit time. This morning I shot Sierra TGK 130 grain bullets, Hornady ELD-M 140 grain bullets, and Hornady ELD-X 143 grain bullets.
The load description field shows the powder and charge, the O.A.L., the trim length, and the bullet exit time from the 26-inch barrel.


# Grps

Load Description

Bullet

Weight

Velocity

Average

Median

St Dev

1

2

3

4



4

IMR4451 38.9 gr 2.830 1.906 wf 1.360 * 74/74 deg. F. 35 in.-lbs.

Sierra TGK #4330

130

2702

0.250

0.267

0.076

0.146

0.241

0.293

0.318



3

IMR4451 39.0 gr 2.850 1.908 wf 1.360 * 78/82 deg. F. 35 in-lbs.

Hornady ELD-M #26331

140

2669

0.301

0.283

0.056

0.257

0.283

0.364





4

IMR4451 38.7 gr 2.852 1.911 wf 1.360 * 82/86 deg. F. 35 in.-lbs.

Hornady ELD-X #2635

143

2656

0..288

0.292

0.053

0.220

0.289

0.291

0.349





























11









0.278

0.289

0.071




































The first group of the 130 grain TGK was incredible - five shots into one ragged hole to start the day after one sighter to foul the barrel. The first three rounds were literally in the same hole and the next two enlarged it a bit to the right. I had great expectations after that but it went back to normal from there on although shooting a 0.278 average for 11 groups with the worst load barely larger than 0.300 is nothing to complain about.
The 143 ELD-X bullets continue to impress and today’s results bettered the initial session average of 0.298. The combined average for the 143 ELD-X with IMR4451 powder is now 0.304. Not bad for a hunting bullet. The 130 TMKs are also not shooting badly and performed best today, although the overall average for IMR4451 powder is 0.345.

[varget204]

The ORYX has adjustable cheek rest,lots of adjustment

[CFJunkie]

Yes, it does. I was able to use that feature with the x-high rings.
But with the original scope rings that fit the 42 mm front optic on the Sightron perfectly and obviously allowed the rifle to shoot pretty well (http://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?63914-First-results-with-new-12-FV-223), the adjustable cheek rest was at the bottom adjustment limit and the rings that were perfect for the 12 FV in the Savage factory stock were still too low for the straight (no drop) stock.

If Oryx wanted to provide the 'drop in' feature that they claim, they could have recognized that the 'AR look' they were trying to emulate was created and the shape was forced by its recoil tube that eliminates the possibility of 'drop'. Their choice added another $78 to the Oryx stock cost. IMO, I would have preferred to drop in the action and be able to shoot it without having to change scope rings.

To me the 'look' means nothing. The only thing that matters is that the rifle shoots accurately. All I wanted was a stock that didn't flex. I should have bought a Hogue with the full aluminum frame for 1/2 the price.

I had to get high rings on my Les Baer .223 also for the same reason, only the Les Baer is an AR with a recoil tube.

When I get the longer internal magazine I hope the high rings on the 6.5mm Creedmoor to clear the 56mm front objective on the NightForce provide enough clearance.

[varget204]

I have a Sightron III 10-50-x 60 medium rings,my scope sit about 1/8 " above barrel,have to raise check piece,5/16-3/8",wish barreled action sat lower in chassis,don't know why inletting was not lowered .100 to .125 more than it is; but the more i shoot it the more i like it. Have heard Hogue stock flexs ,on other sites

[CFJunkie]

Hogue makes two different stock for the Savage hidden mag models.
One has aluminum pillar beds but does not have an aluminum frame. I suspect that one would flex, especially if the caliber was 6.5mm Creedmoor and larger.
Hogue also makes a stock with an aluminum frame and aluminum pillar beds that is about $ 100 more expensive. I would think that one would not flex.

By the way, I just moved the Oryx to the 6.5mm Creedmoor 12 FV with the NightForce 30mm tube mounted on high rings and I was able to get a comfortable cheek weld with the cheek piece set at the same height as for the x-high rings on the 1-inch tube Sightron. It feels like it should work. I intend to try it tomorrow or Tuesday.

[Texas10]

Lot's of detail in your spread sheets, very good information. Thanks for posting.

Questions for you CFJunkie:

When torquing the action screws in your 12FV, did you torque both screws the same, or did you perform a torque tune of the rear screw as per this link?https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/savage-action-screw-torque-tuning/

Secondly, have you tried the new Hornaday A-Tip in your 6.5 CM?

[CFJunkie]

Torquing:
I tried several different methods to torque the action screws since I had to do retorque the action screws almost every time I cleaned the 6.5mm Creedmoor.
One time, I torqued the front screw and then torqued the back screw.
Then I tried torqueing each screw incrementally until they were both at 35 in.-lbs as recommended in the Savage manual.
Then I tried torquing the rear screw to 35 in-lbs. and then torqued the front screw the same amount.

As long as they were both torqued to 35 in.-lbs. the rifle shot great.
When I torqued the action screws to 45 in.-lbs. the averages were 0.1 inch larger.

Yesterday, I tried the Oryx chassis off my 12 FV .223 with the action screws torqued to 60 in.-lbs. and the 6.5mm Creedmoor shot about 5 % more accurately without any flex at all. It might do better when I get used to the different feel. It usually takes me at least one session to get comfortable with a new set up.

Today, I ordered another Oryx chassis for my 12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor. I put the original Oryx chassis back on my 12 FV .223 and shot it this morning. It shot about 12.6% smaller groups so far with the Oryx chassis than the factory stock (comparing only the bullets and powders that were shot with both the factory stock and Oryx chassis).
The Oryx chassis also seems easier to keep my set up on the .223 more consistent with the more stable chassis.

Hornady A-Tip bullets:
I haven't ordered any of those yet. I have had great results with the 130 ELD-M, 140 ELD-M, 147 ELD-M and the 143 ELD-X.
I saw that the A-Tips require a different seater for the seating die, so I really wasn't all that hot to go through that drill.