Hello All,
I have had a Howa 1500 chambered in 300 Win Mag for about 5 years now and have been very impressed with the accuracy with both factory ammo and loads I've developed(.75" at 100 yards) considering the cost of the rifle. I haven't made any changes to the rifle and have been using it mainly as a hunting rifle. Recently I started working on a new load based on the components that I had access to. I also saw this as a good time to get a new lot of brass to last me awhile(Hornady). Since then, I have tried loads with 2 different powders(H1000, H4831SC), 2 different bullets(180 Accubond, 180 Sierra Gameking), and 3 different primers(CCI Large Rifle Magnum, CCI Large Rifle, Federal GM215M) and the groups have been less than impressive(2.5" or larger at 100 yards). I shot about 80 rounds chasing my tail with the new loads.
Just out of curriosity, I put 5 rounds of my previous load down range and had about a 2" group(Federal Brass, Federal Large Rifle Primer, 180 Barnes TTS, 69.4gr IMR4831). I figured the barrel just needed a cleaning and spent some time scrubbing it good. Shot 30 rounds to foul it back up, but got a large group when I tried my proven load again. The groups were good last year when I put the gun away(about .75" at 100 yards), and I can't believe the groups would open that much in such a short time. Has anyone else ran into a similar issue or have suggestions on what to check next?
Thanks for taking the time to read through this.
I have had a Howa 1500 chambered in 300 Win Mag for about 5 years now and have been very impressed with the accuracy with both factory ammo and loads I've developed(.75" at 100 yards) considering the cost of the rifle. I haven't made any changes to the rifle and have been using it mainly as a hunting rifle. Recently I started working on a new load based on the components that I had access to. I also saw this as a good time to get a new lot of brass to last me awhile(Hornady). Since then, I have tried loads with 2 different powders(H1000, H4831SC), 2 different bullets(180 Accubond, 180 Sierra Gameking), and 3 different primers(CCI Large Rifle Magnum, CCI Large Rifle, Federal GM215M) and the groups have been less than impressive(2.5" or larger at 100 yards). I shot about 80 rounds chasing my tail with the new loads.
Just out of curriosity, I put 5 rounds of my previous load down range and had about a 2" group(Federal Brass, Federal Large Rifle Primer, 180 Barnes TTS, 69.4gr IMR4831). I figured the barrel just needed a cleaning and spent some time scrubbing it good. Shot 30 rounds to foul it back up, but got a large group when I tried my proven load again. The groups were good last year when I put the gun away(about .75" at 100 yards), and I can't believe the groups would open that much in such a short time. Has anyone else ran into a similar issue or have suggestions on what to check next?
Thanks for taking the time to read through this.
