"SAVAGE SHOTGUN"

I've written about Savage Rifles before, so you know I think they are the best stock rifle made. When I went looking for a good shotgun you know Savage was my choice. It is a model 210F Camo Slug Warrior, bolt action 24" Button rifled barrel, 3" chamber, two round magazine, and a one-piece scope mount (included). Weight is 7.5 pounds, plus an over sized bolt handle and swivel studs. I then bore sighted, cleaned and lubed the barrel. I removed the stock, cleaned and lubed the rest of the shotgun. After putting it back together I mounted a Nikon 2-7x32 Team Realtree Camo scope in steel rings. Before going to the range, I treated the barrel with Darry Hollands break-in fluid. I use this in all my firearms old or new. Great stuff.

Now off to the range. I set a target at 50 meters. I brought three brands of slugs to try, Federal 2 3/4" Barnes Expander 3/4 oz, Fiocchi 2 3/4 " 1 oz Exacta Aero slug and Federal Fusion 2 3/4" 3/4 oz. At 50 meters the Fiocchi made big holes in the 7 ring. I moved to 100 meters. After taking a few shots, making some scope adjustments, I was on the 10 ring. Federal Fusion shot best, three shots touching. Federal Barnes came in second, 3 shots close but not touching. Fiocchi shot 5 inches low, but a good grouping. All my shooting was from a bag off the bench.

My mission was to see how accurate this Savage shotgun was. I've seen Varmint rifles that don't shoot as well. They also make this shotgun in a 20 gauge, probably easier on the shoulder. I'll let you know if I try one. Thanks Savage.

Always shoot safe. Remember you can't call a round back.

RUGER # IV

My wife loves single shot Ruger # 1's. She has a 1B stainless in 30-06 and a 1V stainless in 22-250. Her newest is a 223 with a great looking wood stock and a blued heavy barrel. On a Ruger # 1 after a good barrel scrubbing and lubing, I take apart the breech block , ejector, ejector rolles, breech arm, and links, clean and lube all parts and reassemble. I've done this so many times, its now becomes an easy process. Ruger # 1's come with scope mounting blocks and 1" rings, so all you need is the scope. I mounted a Leupold VXIII 3.5-10x40 mil-dot with target style windage and elevation knobs. I then treated the barrel with Darrel Hollands break-in fluid.

We are off to the range (Ill State Rifle Assoc). With our Dog-gone Good shooting bag on the bench and a target set at 50 meters, my wife was ready to zero at 50. We brought along a mix of 223 ammo. Federal Gold match 77 grain Sierra matchking, Remington 62 grain H.P. match, American Eagle 55 grain FMJ boat tail and Fiocchi 77 grain matchking. On her third shot my sharp shooter wife was in the bulls eye and smiling at me. Now lets see what she can do at 100 meters. American Eagle was over the target. The other three ammos were doing around 2 inch groups. This was a new rifle, and she was letting me clean the barrel after each shot. I thought the new #1 was performing well and my lovely wife was still smiling. Now lets move to 200 meters. She had only shot 25 rounds with her new rifle when I asked my wife if she was nervous. Her response was a big "No". At 200 meters she only used the Federal, Remington, and Fiocchi ammo. Shooting three shot groups with each ammo, all were great. The Federal turned in the best group 1 1/2 inch.

Needless to say, her smile was ear to ear. That rifle is a keeper. I would like to see Ruger extend the length of the strut and keep the forearm off the barrel. All in all the Ruger # 1's are great.

Have fun and always shoot safe. Why not take you son or daughter shooting.