m70 Extreme Weather in 308 ::RANGE REPORT::

[neoinarien]

I'm pretty pleased with the purchase, pre-shooting it. The fit and finish are awfully nice for a factory rifle and the BC stock is again decent. I see no machining or tool marks. The bolt is factory numbered to the receiver.

I'm going to try to take it for a spin on Tuesday. This is actually my first 308, so I need to get my dies and loads straight though I have already picked up a box of Lapua brass. So I'm going to grab some factory ammo and get out there.

I'm hoping, with factory ammo (likely hunting ammo), and while breaking the barrel in, to get 1.25-1.5 MOA. With any luck, it will tighten up to about .75 MOA post break in and with tuned reloads. All indications are, from people I've spoken with, that this is entirely consistent with what to expect.

Just an update.

 

[neoinarien]

Re: Got the m70 Extreme Weather in 308

OK, got it to the range.

I did some break in with some SB in 168, 20 rounds, three cleanings. After the 20 rounds, I took it to the 100 yard range with some Black Hills 168 match ammo. (yeah, I know: barrel break ins are not in style, but worst case scenario I lost 15 dollars and thirty minutes)

After taking 5 shots to get it (relatively) dialed in with the new ammo, then the fun began. It was 31 degrees, a very gentle 5-8 mph left to right wind, cloudy with no sun. I shot almost everything in 3 shot groups, then allowed the barrel to cool which only took 3-5 minutes between strings. I also just threw a spare scope I had around, Nikon 3-9x40, and some Leupold mount+rings. All shots fired from a bench.

I shot 4 more 3 round strings and one 4 round string to kill the box of 20. Two of the five groups had called flyers. I think when I get

Groups measured:
0.65"
0.90"
2.75"
2.13"
0.77"

I KNOW I can improve on my groups, not only with some tuned hand loads but also with just doing a better job on it. Many of those groups started with two shots through the same hole almost, then the third bringing it to .90 or .77 (the 2.75 and 2.13 were both way off on all shots as I was trying new cheek and grips on the rifle).

I feel like this should be a reliable .5 to .75 once I do my work with some handloads. Maybe I got a good one from the factory and that most shoot worse, but needless to say, I am VERY happy with this for a $950 factory rifle AND wearing a Nikon scope.