Noob request: Sako 75V syn/stainless 300wm - accuracy?

[Tahoe333]

Sorry for the long winded story, A fews cocktails tend to do that sometimes.
My story is: Back in 2000 I purchased a new synthetic stainless Sako75V 300wm and I put on a Swarovski 1.5-6 power ffp with Leupold rings for moose hunting in AK. At that time I had only put @ 40 rounds of federal 200gr trophy bond through it shooting offhand and off a bag with only mediocre results back in 2000 when I received the rifle. Aprox 2"-3" of the bags at 115yrd. The rifle has been sitting since then.
A couple months ago I replaced the Swarovski with a uso sn3 3.8-22x44 and a Makuick 1 piece QD mount. What a bitch it was finding a QD mount for a 34mm scope on a sako 75 tapered dovetail. When I finally got to the range to sight in the USO the best I could do was @ 1.5" ish at 100yrd with 5 shots. I used (40 rounds) 208gr hornady A-max~2810 that I purchased from Chad at Dallas Reloads as well as (10 rounds) factory Federal premium 200gr trophy bonded rounds.



My Question that I have is:
1) Am I expecting to much from my limited experience? I have read many times about all of the the SH guys "tacking nails" "cloverleaf" with the Sako's and all I have been able to achieve is @ 1.5ish" 5-shot at 101yrd off of a sand bag rest. I have not yet performed a "box" shooting test to check reticle cant. I was only concerned with sighting the scope in. Also the barrel does not appear to have any copper fouling. I made sure to push the scope forward on the rifle before locking down the mount.
2) Could it be the torque on the lug bolts?

I am heading out tomorrow work on my technique and to also try out the hornady 180gr SST superperf. as well as the 208 a-max and the 200gr federals again.

For the record I was very meticulous in the scope mounting. I used a level on the rifle receiver and used the internal scope bubble as I alternately torqued the 4- screw ring to 23in/lbs.

When shooting the LWRC m6a2 556 16" I usually keep @ 1.75" - 2.25" at 101yrds with a H1 (m855 62gr green tips)
I have always been very proficient with a revolver and pistol but living in SF for 20+ yrs has made it difficult for rifle shooting/training. Things have changed in my life, 3+yrs ago I was really fuxked up in an accident (my health limits me with many physical activities) and in my "couch time" I have been reading / studying all of the SH posts, ALL of them, for the past year and now I am dead set on becoming proficient with a rifle.

I understand how hard it is to take a concerted effort in someone and NOT feel like you are wasting your time on them. I just want to say that I was extremely good at golf and was always asked for advice. If you know golfers you know how hard it is to teach/tell a golfer anything that they do not want to hear! It was a a real bitch sometimes counseling others on the correct way to do things when all they wanted was results without the practice. I PROMISE THAT I WILL NOT BE THAT PERSON. If I could get some help getting on the correct path, info on taking necessary/correct training to avoid the dumb mistakes I would really appreciate it. So far I have signed up for the 3-day Costa Ludas carbine class in October.

Thanks for the read.
David

 

[Tahoe333]

Is a 1.5" 5-shot group from 100yd slow-fire sand-bag bench-rest a result of shitty shooting or is this somewhat acceptable from a newb-ish shooter? I know I don't have time on the rifle but could it be possible that the rifle just isn't a shooter?

 

[Graywolf.260]

You can't conclude there is a problem with the gun or scope. Work on your technique and see if your groups tighten up, there's a lot of room for improvement but its not that bad.

 

[Tahoe333]

GreyWolf,
My first concern was if the 1.5" spread was completely out of line for a Sako75 using a high end scope at 22 power 100yd out?
1.5" seems rather large for a 100yrd shot and no real noticeable wind.

I was fairly sure that I can hold a rifle steady and ensure it isnt canted while using the internal bubble and replicate each shot. I did not rest the barrel on the bags during the shot. Although I did not wait for the barrel to cool after each shot. I also marked the scope to make sure that it didn't move after the shots.
I only left the range to clear my head because I did not want to waste more ammo "kicking the pig".


Maybe the scope mount its-self is shifting under load? I will try 180gr tomorrow. (1:11 twist)
I only ask because I have heard of the occasional story of a sako not shooting well but I am not confident in my techniques to assume that it isn't me.
I will seek help from some of the range masters tomorrow.

Thanks again for the response.

 

[fenwick253]

Maybe you should try shooting a rifle that has good documented accuracy. Then you can begin to single out your problems (i.e. equipment vs technique). If your groups are ~1.5moa on a gun that consistently shoots .5moa, you know that your technique is negatively affecting the group.

 

[Chanonry]

Not sure this helps but I have two Sako 75 varmint. One in 308. Rifle is a tad over .5 moa. Even on bad loads it is .75. It does not have synthetic stock though. My suggestion to you would be to get you out of the equation. Shoot it of a proper rest, or bag it up. Then see what it does. That should reduce the dispersion to what your rifle/ammo is capable of.

Federal Premium should give you a decent enough group but don't expect sub moa.

 

[Tahoe333]

I am going to making sure that the rifle is sitting "comfortably" on target without any undue influence from me before each shot. * I just picked up a set of proper Caldwell bags.
Thanks.

 

[Tahoe333]

Things went better today, The new sand bags helped a lot. I was playing around with how hard to pull the rifle into my shoulder or just let it ride on the bag without much tension.
What really made a difference was when I finally figured out how to "drive" the rifle? I concentrated on nothing but watching the round hit the target instead of leveling the gun and pulling the trigger. That is when things started to tighten up.
The one picture is an attempt to show the growing knot on the back of my hand. My support hand was carelessly resting under the bottom of the (palm swell?). It's starting to turn into a nice ripe plum.
Thanks for the support and advice, I am heading out to the range on Friday again.