Shot a sub-moa group today finally

[JelloStorm]

Today my father and my son went to the range today while I did some shooting with my .308 rifle I use for hunting.

Background:

It's a R-700 Varmint .308 barreled action on a McMillan HTG with a Viper PST FFP 4-16 MRAD. It has been bedded but has not been trued or recrowned. My best group was (outside edges of bullet holes) about 1" or less on a 3-shot group, which was all the rounds I had left.

Last year when I got it I was shooting 150gr Core Lokt's and Federal 150gr Walmart ammo to some degree of accuracy. I got a box of 165gr SST bullets and had my father work me up two loads to try out. 45gr Varget and 45.5gr Varget, both loaded to the collar since they have to fit in my BDL internal box mag. No loading to the lands here.

I couldn't tell the difference between the two at 100 yards, and only had 10 round of each to try out. I would've moved to 200 but I keep moving the goddamn gun around too much.

Today I forgot my rear bag so I was using my pack with all the crap in it for a rear support which was less than ideal. My crosshairs were floating around the center dot shooting off a bench.

I'll grab a picture of the target tomorrow, and maybe one of you guys can figure out the exact spread using those neat (what look to me) like CAD programs to figure out accuracy.

What a bitch it was tho to figure what is accurate, what is YOU fucking everything up and what needs windage / elevation adjustment.

Maybe I really need to practice more, which I'm sure will help tons with improving overall accuracy. When I see guys putting up .25" or less groups @ 100 it's kinda disheartening.

Being that I can't tell which load shot the best, should I just consider it a wash and wait til a later date or use them for hunting season this year?

 

[ogonzalez13]

Re: Shot a sub-moa group today finally

I say dont sweat it so much. A lot of the guys on here are shooting those .25" groups with full blown custom builds and finely tuned ammo, others are getting close with factory rifle and ammo but that is certainly not the norm.

It seems to me that your main application for your rifle is hunting and as such there is nothing wrong with the groups are getting. I think it is more important to choose a good bullet that is designed to cleanly take the game you are hunting, at a reasonable distance. In my eyes hunting should be more about making that first shot count, and for me to do that, I take the shot only at distances that I am comfortable with, generally no more than 300 yards. I think it best to get as close to the animal you are hunting and make that clean shot. Many people, especially lately, have gotten into the "extreme long range hunting" and though I dont agree with it, I think it can and should only be done by a shooter who has practiced the shot many times over and understands what it takes to make that kind of shot.

Pick a good hunting round your rifle likes, 2" or under at 100 yards and get plenty of practice at distances and positions you anticipate shooting at. Dont be afraid to set limits, "A man must know his limitations".

Hope this helps and enjoy your hunting season!

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Shot a sub-moa group today finally

you are good to go hunting, don't sweat the size of your groups too much, nobody shoots groups on game.

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Shot a sub-moa group today finally

The sad thing is, I can't tell if the group was awesome because of the rifle, me, or just shit luck because I thought I pulled the 3rd shot but the group came out OK.

I need to shoot more, definitely.

 

[TB2Blazer]

Re: Shot a sub-moa group today finally

If you can, reload your own ammo. I tried a lot of factory ammo and it wasn't until I started reloading my own that my guns started shooting much better. Handloaded ammo really does make a huge difference, at least in my AAC it did. If you have reloading gear do a ladder test. And try to shoot groups of at least five, that will eliminate the "me or just blind luck" dilemma.

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Shot a sub-moa group today finally

Yeah they were handloads. I don't have the range to do a ladder test currently. Here in Northeast PA, there's mountains everywhere so at best most ranges have 200 yard targets.

Another member here on the Hide is working on a 385m / 421 yd range about an hour from me, so I'll just have to make due with what I got for now until I can push it farther out.

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Shot a sub-moa group today finally

Here's the beast. R700 Varmint 308 26", McM HTG bedded and a Viper PST FFP mil/mil 4-16. The barrel looks a lot longer than it actually is due to the angle I took the pic.

 

[stalski]

Re: Shot a sub-moa group today finally

nice shooting. Keep practicing... nobody on the hide was an expert their first year.

 

[DCR]

Re: Shot a sub-moa group today finally

Nice stick! Get some match grade ammo or get some reloads going. Either will shrink your groups up a bit. Keep shooting, reading, and learning. It will start falling together soon. I was shooting 1-1.25 MOA when I first got my R700. After almost a year and 500ish rounds I'm consistent sub MOA now. Sub MOA is good enough for me. Try not to buy 'accessories' and invest in ammo. Shoot shoot shoot..and when you can't afford to shoot? Dry fire!

 

[Boyscout618]

Re: Shot a sub-moa group today finally

That "CAD" program is actually a downloadable software you can get for free online, Here, and it's pretty nifty, fun to play around with.
Seeing as how I am a newbie myself, the only thing I can really recommend is .22 practice, as it is not only fun but also teaches you a lot about where you can improve.