David Sharp used his factory Savage rifle to post a group any benchrest shooter would be proud of. (Photo: AccurateShooter.com)
As gun manufacturers crank out higher quality production rifles, custom-barreled actions are becoming less necessary for shooting crazy-small groups. It’s tough to beat a skilled gunsmith, but shooters are realizing that a factory piece can be nearly as accurate and just as much fun.
That trend was on full display earlier this month when Scottish benchrest shooter David Sharp (yes, his real name) posted a 3.090-inch 1000-yard group using a Savage Model 12 F-TR barreled action chambered in .308 WIN, according to a report from AccurateShooter.com. That group set the UK record in the Factory Sporter Class, and his aggregate for all four five-shot groups (6.756 inches) also beat the previous 1000-yard UK record in that class.
SEE ALSO: Benchrest Shooter Posts Stunning 1.068” Group at 1000 Yards – New World Record!
Sharp replaced his factory stock with a Choate Varmint stock and his trigger with a Timney trigger. He mounted his Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60x scope on a 20 MOA Ken Farrell rail with Vortex rings. Otherwise, he made no other changes to his firearm.
“My rounds are nothing special,” he told AccurateShooter.com. “I’m using Sierra 2155 155 grain bullets over Vihtavuori N140 powder and CCI 200 primers. I use Lapua brass (large primer) full-length sized in a Redding S bushing die to give 0.002″ neck-tension.”
(Photo: AccurateShooter.com)
Sharp shot his record-breaking group at a 1000-yard range associated with the Galloway Small Arms Club in Ingliston, Scotland. While the rugged, mountainous range isn’t known for mild weather, at 9:00 a.m. on the day of the shoot the wind was still, and the temperature was already about 59 degrees F.
Sharp has been wildfowl hunting, clay shooting, and deer stalking for more than 50 years, but he only started benchrest shooting in 2016 when old age began to prevent him from clambering over hills in search of deer.
The UK Bench Rest Association operates under IBS/NBRSA rules for Light and Heavy Gun Classes, according to AccurateShooter.com, but they also host Factory Sporter Class competitions. In these events, shooters may only modify a firearm’s stock/chassis and trigger, but the barreled action may not be re-chambered or throated.
Full length size. Bet he used 2000 bump. You worked hard for that real hard you stuck to it and looked what you achieved you should be knighted .Mr stuck to it. Congratulations Sir. 308.Sierras bthp any weight any gun can’t be beat!
Yes Sir.. Congrats..
Would love to try this load , can anyone find out how many gr of powder his used
Awesome! Congrats! And in the FACE of all you Savage haters out there
This is a remarkable achievement for the .308 Winchester caliber.
It falls subsonic long before 1,000 yards (negatively affecting stability) and is more susceptible to wind than many of its more aerodynamic competitions, like many of the 6.5 cartridges.
In addition to his obvious experience and knowledge, Savage is known for factory out of the box accuracy. He likely found ways to maximize his guns potential and probably got an especially good bore and chamber.
Hard to believe that he shot that well with brass that was full length sized instead of shot once and fire formed!? I guess we all have to take him at his word and that what he says is true. I’m curious, what is the standard to verify a new world record? If it’s true, good shooting and congratulations to Mr. Sharp “shooter”
Congratulations!
It’s amazing and gratifying what regular shooters can do with lower-priced, unmodified, or only slightly modified, firearms today. My underhanded $500 CZ allows me to be competitive against fellow shooters with highly modified and much more costly rifles. When I do my job, the rifle can do its job!
“unenhanced” NOT ” underhanded”. STUPID spellcheck!
I feels yer pain. I turn that thing OFF on every device I use.
Well done, sir! Humble when he’s in all the right to gloat.
How is it a factory rifle when it does not have the factory installed Stock and Trigger in it? Was the Stock also bedded to?
But from a factory barrel?? Wow.
But I have a savage Scout rifle in .308 that puts 5 into .48, so I’m impressed but not surprised.
What? I thought only 6.5 Creedmoor could reach out to 1000 yards….LOL
Just proves sometimes it’s the Indian not the arrow