The Social Regressive

Here's how I mounted and base-bedded the Evolution GunWorks 20-MOA Picatinny base for the Savage Axis.

After four months of trigger work, load development, stock shaping, and action bedding, the "1000 Yards for $500" Savage Axis rifle is heading to a 600-yard match! Let's see how it does! First, a disclaimer. I know the premise was to prove the rifle's effectiveness at 1,000 yards, but unfortunately I had a nasty reaction to antibiotics the night before the BIG match at Tulsa's Red Castle Gun Club. They only host two of these matches per year, so we will all have to wait until October. Until then, I plan to find some private land where we can set up a target at 1K. Overall the rifle performed well, but as I shot it became evident that I need to make a few improvements. First, the rifle needs more stability. The Boyds Pro Varmint stock has a rounded forearm, and the gun is overall lighter than optimal. Adding some lead weight to the forearm and buttstock will correct the weight issue. As for the rounded forearm, I can either flatten it or start using a bipod. I still need a thin cheek riser; I have to raise my face a few millimeters to see through the scope. While we're on the subject of the scope, the Simmons 44 Mag was a real pain to look through. The turrets and reticle are fine; it's the glass that ruins the whole thing. The image at 24X is total garbage, as you might expect for $100. Overall I would call the experiment a success. The barrel was accurate and the upgraded trigger was a pleasure. With a few tweaks (like throwing out the scope) the "1000 Yards for $500" Axis should perform perfectly well in the 1,000-yard match. -The Social Regressive

With one week left until the 1,000-yard and 600-yard matches, I am finally boresighting, zeroing, and testing our Savage Axis project rifle. Boresighting is easy; no lasers needed. Just remove the bolt and look through it. Point the bore at an object. Then look through the scope and see if it is pointing at the same object. Adjust the scope if it isn't. Ta-da!!! The scope that I am zeroing is the Simmons 6-24x44mm Mil-Dot scope. So far the turrets are tracking well. The glass is awful. I take back everything I said about the resolution being fine. If you are curious to know what your eyesight will be like at your 120th birthday, just look through this scope. After I got the scope zeroed I tested some minor variations of the Hornady ELD Match loads that we tested a while back. Tweaking the neck tension and bullet seating depth mostly led to a sticky bolt, though, so I'll stick with the original winning formula. Subscribe to see the match results next weekend! - The Social Regressive

Better fit, feel, and finish for the Boyds Pro Varmint Stock using basic hand tools.

Learn how to action bed the Savage Axis to the Boyds Pro Varmint stock. Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive

Installing and leveling the Simmons 44 Mag 6-24x44mm Mil-Dot rifle scope was pretty easy. I did need to modify the Weaver base, though. The Savage Axis sports a long action - even if you have selected a short-action cartridge. The Weaver base (Weaver 506) covers that entire length, which prevents my Simmons scope from mounting as far back as I want it. I took a file to the front of the base to allow a little more movement. I used a steel ruler and a spirit level to remove any cant from the scope. The scope rings I picked out were Medium Weaver Quad-Lok rings. They work well, and they are dirt cheap. We're getting down to the end of the experiment! One week from tomorrow I will be using the rifle in the 1,000-yard F-class match! -The Social Regressive

Before we take it to the range, it's obvious that the Simmons 44 Mag 6-24x44mm Mil-Dot rifle scope has some issues. It has some surprisingly upscale features for its price point, too. Our 1000-yard rifle is nearly complete. We selected the Savage Axis as our base rifle, swapped the barrel to 7mm-08 Remington, and added a Boyds Pro Varmint laminate stock. The next major piece of gear we need is a scope. The budget on this entire rig is $500, so we can't get the sort of optic I would prefer, like the SWFA 20X with its Mil-Quad reticle. Instead, I ordered this Simmons .44Mag for $130. After a mail-in rebate, the price was a mere $100. On the surface, it has the features I want. It has a Mil-Dot reticle in the second focal plane, it has a top-end magnification of 24X, and the target turrets adjust 1/8th MOA per click. Instead of an adjustable objective, you get side focus. That's a rich feature set for such an inexpensive scope, and it gets even better. In my tests, the turrets tracked reliably - all the way to 60 MOA. The glass resolution was higher than I expected. Now for the downside. The glass may resolve details fairly well, but the overall image is hazy. The sweet spot in the glass gives way to mush well before the edges. Brightness is inconsistent. Every kind of common distortion is present to some degree - astigmatism, color distortion, and barrel distortion. The worst of these distortions is the tendency for the scope to radically lose its parallax correction when adjusting elevation and windage. Annoyingly, the turret caps do not come off, so there is no way to reset the markings for my rifle's zero. We'll see how this scope performs in testing. Hopefully it will retain its zero under recoil. - The Social Regressive

Step-by-step instructions how to pillar bed the Savage Axis to a Boyds Pro Varmint stock. Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive

Boyds laminate stocks for the Savage Axis include a plastic trigger loop. I recommend that you buy their optional steel trigger guard, but if you want to use this plastic piece, you'll need to bypass it. If you want a nice, permanent solution, buy one of the steel trigger guards available through Midway, Brownell's, or other retailers. Otherwise, just drill out the front screw hole and get a true steel-on-steel connection. Bear in mind that I did a pillar bedding job on this rifle. - The Social Regressive

With a 1000-yard match looming, I need to answer two questions: What is my ideal rifle scope? Can I buy an optic that works for only $100? This rifle is nearing completion. I have developed a very precise 7mm-08 load using Hornady ELD Match bullets. I have finished a pillar bedding job and an action bedding job, solidly mating this Savage Axis to a Boyds Pro Varmint stock. My ideal rifle scope for a long-range match would start with high-quality glass from Europe or Japan. I would want a large-diameter tube for gross elevation and windage adjustments, and repeatable turrets with a zero stop. I would prefer a complex reticle in the second focal plane that would allow me to make minute adjustments as the wind shifts. I also want high magnification. That's my wish list, but if I am going to stick to my $500 budget, then I only have $100 to play with. From the beginning of this experiment I have had one scope in mind that could make this whole rifle work despite its ridiculously low price tag. It's the Simmons 44 Mag 6-24x44mm Mil-Dot scope. On the surface, it has a feature set that will accomplish the task at hand, but can it possibly be any good? In the next video we'll take a close look at this budget scope to see its ups and downs. - The Social Regressive

Swapping barrels is easy on Savage rifles. The Savage Axis uses the same barrel nut and replacement barrels as the more expensive centerfire models. Before you order a replacement barrel, bear in mind that while a barrel swap is easy and quick, it does require some special tools. You will need a barrel vise, a barrel nut wrench, and some headspace gauges. In this video we removed the .308 Winchester Axis barrel and replaced it with a 7mm-08 barrel we pulled off a Stevens 200. A few taps with a mallet, and the barrel nut spun right off. When we removed the action, however, we noticed that the threads were jammed with hundreds of small steel pellets. Other Axis owners have noticed this; they suspect that this is steel shot used to blast the action and barrel. In our case, the steel shot did not cause any damage or binding, so we just cleaned up the threads and proceeded. CAUTION! Proper headspace is extremely important. Make sure that you clean each headspace gage before you use it, and clean the barrel's chamber as well. A dirty chamber or gauge could result in a chamber that is too long. Also be sure to check your final headspace with that No-Go gage. If the bolt closes on a NOGO, then the headspace is not correct. - The Social Regressive

To ensure repeatable accuracy and a comfortable prone position, I am throwing out the plastic Savage Axis stock. With a little work, this Boyds Pro Varmint stock should be just about perfect. The "stock" Savage Axis stock is a classic sporter shape, and it's made of molded plastic. This plastic seems to be a higher quality than what Savage put on some of their older rifles. Despite that, I am not going to trust its rigidity to a 1000 yard competition. Boyds Hardwood Gun Stocks offers several laminate stocks for the Axis. Laminate is very strong and will resist warping and bending. The shape that I want is dictated by usage: I will be competing in the prone position, so I need a stock that has a vertical grip and a heavy forearm. The Boyds Pro Varmint (formerly Tacti-Cool) fits the bill. With a little work, I can turn this into a comfortable stock that ensures accuracy. I will make three different types of modifications: (1) Functional Modifications, (2) Ergonomic Modifications, and (3) Aesthetic Modifications. Functional Modifications will include relief of the barrel channel, a pillar bedding job, and a glass bedding job. Ergonomic modifications will include adding spacers to boost the length of pull, reshaping of the comb, and reshaping the pistol grip. Aesthetic mods will include straightening the crooked lines left by the CNC mill and reshaping the wrist. - The Social Regressive

Hornady ELD-M bullets should be efficient and precise. Let's see how they perform at the range. Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive

Months of work have paid off, and the 6.5 Creedmoor Savage 12FV is ready for its ultimate challenge: landing hits at 1 mile. Today's long range challenge includes two other 6.5 Creedmoor rifles as well: The CMMG Endeavor 300 and the Savage Stealth Evolution. Mile Target = ShootSteel.com 30"x40" Gong: https://bit.ly/2JAHpoX Target Stand: https://bit.ly/2uJ7Val Kyle Broderick's Rig: 1. Savage 12FV in 6.5 Creedmoor 2. Boyds At-One Stock in Coyote Laminate: https://bit.ly/2CkWMn8 3. Accurate Mag Bottom Metal: https://bit.ly/2EW91In 4. SWFA SS 12x42mm Scope: https://amzn.to/2qcXJ8h 5. Nikon FX1000 4-16x50mm Scope: https://amzn.to/2zZDCPO 6. Weaver 20-MOA Base: https://amzn.to/2yBDBB8 7. Weaver 30mm Low Picatinny Rings: https://amzn.to/2tPXTE2 8. Champion Bipod: https://bit.ly/2kmPAim 9. Hornady ELD-M 147-grain & Alliant Reloder 16 Powder Kyle Tate's Rig: 1. Savage Stealth Evolution in 6.5 Creedmoor 2. Bushnell XRS II Tremor3 Scope: https://amzn.to/2NkHOPS 3. Weaver 34mm Picatinny Rings: https://amzn.to/2JsgTPk 4. Blackhawk Traverse-Track Bipod: https://amzn.to/2Q8wveL 5. Hornady BTHP Match 140-grain & Alliant Reloder 16 Powder Kedrick's Rig: 1. CMMG Endeavor 300 AR-10 in 6.5 Creedmoor 2. Bushnell HDMR II Scope: https://amzn.to/2kTqKmF 3. Warne 20-MOA 34mm Mount: https://amzn.to/2lGJ2YE 4. Ultradyne Apollo Max Muzzle Brake: https://bit.ly/2m02TW7 5. Leapers UTG Recon Flex Bipod: https://amzn.to/2M8GCya 6. Hornady BTHP Match 140-grain & Alliant Reloader 16 Powder The big day's conditions were semi-favorable: hot and humid with winds below 8mph. However, a recent rain left the ground soft, with little chance for dust. As a result, we had a difficult time walking our projectiles onto target. Once we got on, though, the previously untested Savage 12FV made repeat shots with both scopes. The inexpensive fixed-power SWFA SS 12x had plenty of turret adjustment to get on target, and the excellent mil-quad reticle made wind adjustments easy and precise. The Nikon FX1000 4-16x50mm got on target quickly and landed two back-to-back mile shots before I ran out of ammo. If you want to see more videos like these, become a Patron of the Destructive Arts! For a buck or two a month, Patrons help keep the cameras running and receive sneak peeks and bonus footage. https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialRegressive Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive

If you use flat-top rings, you can outfit all the long range rifles in your collection with scope levels for less than $10. Spirit levels by the pack: 1. Long and round bubble levels: https://amzn.to/2PQAIaZ 2. Short and round bubble levels: https://amzn.to/2zUpuHs 3. Short and square bubble levels: https://amzn.to/2PRxrYE Optics & equipment used in this video: 1. SWFA SS 12x42mm Scope: https://amzn.to/2qcXJ8h 2. Weaver 30mm Low Picatinny Rings: https://amzn.to/2tPXTE2 Step 1: Make the ring top level with the base. Step 2: Glue the bubble level in place. Ta-da! If you want to see more videos like these, become a Patron of the Destructive Arts! For a buck or two a month, Patrons help keep the cameras running and receive sneak peeks and bonus footage. https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialRegressive Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive

Action bedding the Savage 12FV in 6.5 Creedmoor. These techniques also apply to the Savage 10, Savage 110, Savage 11, and Savage 16. Uses DEVCON 10110 plastic steel putty. Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive

How to pillar bed a Savage rifle, including the Savage 12FV, Savage Model 10, Savage 110, Savage Model 16, etc. Using DEVCON 10110 epoxy.

Boyds has some difficulties in their configuration functions. To get the right stock for a Savage 12FV INLETTED FOR BOTTOM METAL, ask for the stock for a Savage Model 10 Top Bolt Release, Detachable Magazine, Heavy Barrel.

We have a heckuva rifle, but if we're gonna take it to a mile, then we need a heckuva projectile and a heckuva precise load. Full Mile Rifle Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCzJy0eY5h1FBCTYsar8s3ZV43TmL27Tz Eagle Eye's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/acidia609 Equipment used in this video: 1. Savage 12FV in 6.5 Creedmoor 2. Nikon FX-1000 FFP Rifle Scope: https://amzn.to/2xLgJ1y 3. Weaver 20-MOA Base: https://amzn.to/2xI4ceX 4. Weaver 30mm Low Rings: https://amzn.to/2XZDcqe 5. Champion Bipod 9-13": https://amzn.to/30umVaf 6. Protektor Rear Bag: https://amzn.to/2XOfnxD 7. Champion Vanquish Electronic Hearing Protection: https://amzn.to/2WsUyMg 8. Shooting Chrony Beta Master Chronograph: https://amzn.to/2Y98sTW Reloading Equipment: 1. RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Reloading Press: https://amzn.to/2XMVuLX 2. RCBS Trim-Pro 2 Case Trimmer: https://amzn.to/32xxfAn 3. RCBS Brass Boss: https://amzn.to/32sVMXj 4. RCBS Chargemaster Lite Powder Dispenser: https://amzn.to/2Y9YH7U Ladder loads are fine, and OCW loads have worked well for me before, but there's something missing. Usually I hit an accuracy node just fine, but it might have wild velocities. The Satterlee load method can help me nail down a consistent velocity, but it doesn't account for the barrel's accuracy node. Time for something a little different. Eagle Eye (https://www.youtube.com/user/acidia609) is on the right track, simultaneously searching for precision in both placement and velocity. I'm looking for the sweet spot where they overlap. To hedge my bets I'm testing three different bullet seating depths. If you want to see more videos like these, become a Patron of the Destructive Arts! For a buck or two a month, Patrons help keep the cameras running and receive sneak peeks and bonus footage. https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialRegressive Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive

Back to work on the Mile Rifle! I have a weird plan for load development, but for now my big concern is consistent brass. I've found some quicker and more precise ways to prepare the brass for load-up. Full "1 Mile for $1K" Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCzJy0eY5h1FBCTYsar8s3ZV43TmL27Tz Eagle Eye's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/acidia609 Equipment used in this video: 1. RCBS Brass Boss: https://amzn.to/2IssXm4 2. Lyman 1200 Tumbler: https://amzn.to/2Fab5Kl 3. Hornady One-Shot Metal Polish: https://amzn.to/2KWghF8 4. Hornady One-Shot Case Lube: 2Fab88Z 5. RCBS 6.5 Creedmoor Dies: https://amzn.to/2ODeSWr 6. RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme: https://amzn.to/2IqT3pE 7. RCBS Trim Pro 2: https://amzn.to/2GbfPza 8. Lee Collet Neck Sizer: https://amzn.to/2Kgyz4N Today's brass preparation features a handful of excellent tools. First there's the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, a heavily overbuilt press designed to handle any cartridge up to 50 BMG. Next we take the sized brass to the RCBS Trim Pro 2. Finally there's the RCBS Brass Boss, a multi-tool brass cutting and cleaning station which speeds up the loading process in a BIG way. These three add to massive time savings, especially when paired with Hornady One-Shot Case Lube. If you want to see more videos like these, become a Patron of the Destructive Arts! For a buck or two a month, Patrons help keep the cameras running and receive sneak peeks and bonus footage. https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialRegressive Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive

The Savage 12FV in 6.5 Creedmoor will need some custom ammo to hit the 1-mile gong. Before we get down to business, though, I need a new press. The RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme is big, heavy, precise, and just the tool for the job. 1 Mile for $1,000 Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCzJy0eY5h1FBCTYsar8s3ZV43TmL27Tz Equipment in this video: 1. RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme: https://amzn.to/2IqT3pE 2. RCBS Brass Boss Case Prep Station: https://amzn.to/2IssXm4 3. RCBS Trim Pro 2 Case Trimmer: https://amzn.to/2GbfPza 4. RCBS Chargemaster Lite Electronic Powder Dispenser: https://amzn.to/2O2KuoV The RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme can handle any case from 17 Hornet all the way up to 50 BMG. It has a long enough ram extension, and it's certainly built sturdily enough for any job, including primer pocket swaging, case forming, and bullet swaging. The trick for me was figuring out how to get it solidly affixed to my bench. I ended up tacking on extra plywood to get the right dimensions. Once in place, it now feels like it's ready for anything. Sign up on Patreon to help produce videos like these! https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialRegressive Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive

The trickiest part of this Savage 12FV video series is adjusting the bottom metal to the right depth. We'll look at two ways to make sure the magazine sits at the right height. Equipment used in this video: 1. Savage 12FV (techniques apply to model 10, 11, 16, etc.) 2. Accurate Mag Bottom Metal 3. Dremel Tool 4. Drill Press 5. Vernier Calipers 6. Devcon 10110 Epoxy Diagnosis: The bolt rides right over the top round in the magazine. If I mush the mag up to its highest position, then the bolt can catch it. That height difference is 0.080". We need to move the bottom metal up that distance. Fix Method 1: Place the bottom metal on a belt sander or rub it by hand on a sheet of coarse sandpaper until the bottom metal is thinner by 0.080". Be sure to measure both sides for an even reduction. Fix Method 2: Reduce the thickness of the wood through a combination of Dremel work and precise sanding. Make sure to preserve four pads that will establish the proper depth of the bottom metal. The rest you can fill with epoxy and create a "bed" for the bottom metal. You'll probably need to shorten the action screws to prevent them touching the bolt. I used Fix Method 2, which took some time, but the end results feel perfect. The bottom metal fits snugly in the stock, and the bolt glides perfectly over the feed lips. It solidly picks up a round with each stroke and doesn't hang up at all. If you want to see more videos like these, become a Patron of the Destructive Arts! For a buck or two a month, Patrons help keep the cameras running and receive sneak peeks and bonus footage. https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialRegressive Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive

Point the rifle skyward with your elbow level with your shoulder. Put your finger on the trigger. The buttpad should touch your bicep. And they lived happily ever after. This video features the Boyds At-One furniture. Sponsor the Destructive Arts! https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialRegressive Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive

We have the Weaver base bedded and we figured out the length-of-pull. Time to mount and level the scope on the Savage 12FV. We'll take a look at two methods, choosing option #2 in this case. Equipment used in this video: 1. Weaver Extended Multi-Slot Base (SA, 20MOA): https://amzn.to/2yBDBB8 2. Weaver 4-Hole Picatinny Rings (30mm, Low): https://amzn.to/2tPXTE2 3. Weaver Torque Wrench: https://amzn.to/2rXGJUg Prerequisite videos: 1. Epoxy Scope Base Bedding: https://youtu.be/pln8Hw_ByTE 2. Finding Length of Pull: https://youtu.be/UEl4R-ecpcE Once you know your length of pull, find out your scope's perfect position by getting into your firing position with your eyes closed. Open your eyes. Now move the scope backward and forward until the picture is perfect. Mark that spot on the scope. You'll need it later. Level your rifle in a vise or other reliable rest. Using the mark as your guide, put on the top straps of your scope rings - not hard enough to prevent turning by hand; just firm enough to prevent turning by gravity. Set up a white card behind your scope, then point the beam of a flashlight back through the objective lens. Using a plumb line, cant the scope until the reticle lines up with gravity. Torque down the rings, and you're ready to go! Help sponsor the destructive arts! https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialRegressive Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive

How to epoxy bed the scope base for precision and repeat accuracy. Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive