Range Report Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

[Hooplehead24]

I have a Remington 700 SPS .300 win mag. Whenever I shoot (usually 100yds due to lack of a good range)my groupings are an issue. The first 2-3 rounds will always be consistently close but the last couple will always be pulled in someway. I am a former Army Cavalry Scout and I know that it's not my breathing or technique. The stock is a pretty crappy synthetic one from the factory. I also use an "ok" scope( Nitrex Tr Two ). I was wondering what I should do to fix this. Also, I understand that my shots are roughly 1-1.5 inches off to the right, just working on fixing my groups. Thank you!

 

[Guest]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

Too much zoom, parallax, loose mount. I have experienced this and found out I put the screws for the base in wrong. Long in the short end and short in the long end.

 

[Augustus]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

Here are a few of the possible culprits: Failure to adjust parallax, loose base, loose rings, bad scope, loose guard screws, bedding, lugs need lapping, bad chamber job, ammo, bad barrel. Eliminate these one at a time easiest to hardest. Oh, have a couple of other proficient folks shoot it before you start the elimination process.

That group don't look all that bad, you have to understand there, there are lot more 1/4 min rigs on the Internet than there is on the range.

 

[caseyru67]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

What makes shooting challenging and rewarding is finding the right rifle ammo combination for best accuracy.

 

[Hooplehead24]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

Aug,
Thanks I'll have to take it one step at a time I guess. I guess the grouping isn't all that bad but I'd like to keep it consistent with how close I know it can get.

 

[Hooplehead24]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

This brings up a good point...I'm using Rem Express Core-lokt. Any suggestions on good loads to use that won't break the bank? Thanks.

 

[Hooplehead24]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

SWammo,
I'll give it a try and see if it helps. Unfortunately I won't be at the range till Friday...

 

[Guest]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

It could be the ammo, I do not have the experience with that type to give a good opinion. Parallax in most cases is the issue.

There is a video on here for the proper installation of optics by user name "skinny." I use it as a check list to make sure I do it correctly.

My groups when I did the install wrong were a lot worse.

 

[Hooplehead24]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

Do you have a link to that? I can't seem to find it in here.

 

[Guest]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

https://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3395731

scroll down and you will see the video.

skinney

I spelled the name wrong.

 

[Augustus]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

Ok, don't panic. You could put that ammo in most custom rifles and get those results. Good hand loads will almost certainly tighten up your groups. Some of the 300 WM shooters can probably recommend a good match grade factory load that will help.

 

[Radar360]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

You've likely already checked this, but FWIW, maybe... take it very slow from your first shot to the last. Check not only your position, but the position of the rifle itself, ensure that the rifle is in exactly the same position.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hooplehead24</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This brings up a good point...I'm using Rem Express Core-lokt. Any suggestions on good loads to use that won't break the bank? Thanks. </div></div>

You can reload ammo of FGMM quality levels for less than the cost of the ammo you state.

But you might try out a box of FGMM to see if the gun shoots or if other thinigs need diddled with.

 

[Cologgi]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

Ditch the 300, get a 308. If 100 is the range you mostly shoot you have too much gun...aka....too much recoil...expensive ammo...lack of good factory ammo. Just my opinion. The 300 is a decent choice for more long range shooting and is a good caliber for large game. Not the ideal setup for 100-500 yard shooting with factory ammo and a less expensive optic

 

[Hooplehead24]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

Honestly the main reason I got this rifle was for bear hunting in Alaska while still allowing the ability to use it for bear and deer hunting in Wisconsin. I'm starting to get more interested in long range shooting but the closest range for that is about 2ish hours away.

 

[Powder_Burns]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

Your barrel is getting hot and POI is walking on you. Thats my bet. Give your gun time to cool, most of the production guns come with sporter contours that just don't tolerate heat that well. If you have a .22lr with you, fire a shot or two from your 300 then switch to your .22 for about 10 minutes. Then go back to your 300 and fire another 2 shots. If you allow the barrel to cool I think you will see less spread in your group. These sporter barrels are intended for hunters who will likely hike a fair distance and only take 1 or 2 shots for the day.

 

[Hooplehead24]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

Understanding that I don't have the means to upgrade to a heavy barrel, is there an alternate solution besides waiting between shots? Something that I could get done or possibly do myself?

 

[Cologgi]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hooplehead24</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Understanding that I don't have the means to upgrade to a heavy barrel, is there an alternate solution besides waiting between shots? Something that I could get done or possibly do myself?</div></div>


Yes, sell your gun, buy a used LTR or PSS in 308 for the same price, all of these problems fixed. You have the wrong gun for this game.

 

[tsavo303]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

nope, you are going to have to wait b/w shots. nothing wrong with a sporter, but thats the downside

 

[Hooplehead24]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

Bobcat,
Not an option for my future hunting endeavors.

 

[Hooplehead24]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

tsavo,
Well I'll just have to deal with it like you said for now. I'm probably going to get a heavy barrel for it later though.

 

[ms6852]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

Buddy of mine had same issue with his 300 mag. Turned out his rifle did not like the light bullets. Had to move to 200gr. and up (ouch!). Try different bullet weight and see how your rifle reacts. The heavier bullets closed his groups and shot moa to 400 yds.

 

[Hooplehead24]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

Hmmm, I'll have to put that on my quick-fix list. Thanks.

 

[wvlapua]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

Make sure the barrel is free floated. If not, sand down the barrel channel until it is. This will help when the barrel heats and when shooting off bipods or front bag. Also check and torque your action screws..40 inch lbs usually works good for me. You can also torque the front vs back action screws at different values to further fine tune accuracy. After shooting a string your barrel will cool faster if you pull the bolt out and stand the rifle up..heat rises.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Trouble grouping at 100 yards, need fix please!

IMHO, Rem Express Core-Lokt won't usually group much better than that. Do check the scope, bases and mounts. Check your bedding on the rifle. Try this: place your forefinger of one hand across the underside of the barrel against the tip of the fore end of the rifle feeling both the fore end and the barrel at the same time. With the other hand, loosen and tighten the forward guard screw. If you detect movement (you can usually tell a thousandth that way) the rifle needs bedding. Check for binding of the barrel along the stock, look for the bolt handle contacting the stock when the handle is down and locked. Take out the bolt and examine the rear of the bolt lugs for contact. There should be significant contact on the rear of both lugs (indicated by shiny spots/areas) Remove the barreled action from the stock and examine the barrel underside where it is covered by the stock. If you have shiny spots along the side that could be barrel harmonics or faulty bedding causing the barrel to swing and bounce. So many places to begin. Ammo is also an issue, but as you mention, expensive. Before you buy and try expensive match ammo, do the easy exams first. When you eliminate the other things, then spend $30 or so on a box of premium ammo and try that. If no joy...could be the barrel itself. Good luck.