What caused my groups to start sucking?

[Tyler Kemp]

Shot with Steve today (762 on here), attempting to work up a load with 155 palma SMKs for my 308.

Went well at 100 yards, the first group was under 1/4", with 46 grains Varget. We set a target out at 425 to test different powder weights.

Long story short, it blew massively. 46 grains was at least 4". 47 grains had a huge shift, only 3 shots were on a large piece of paper, and were all vertical.

47 grains Varget had an extreme spread of 16 Fps for 5 shots, so vertical shouldn't have been an issue. There was nearly no wind. Ive shot at 425 and much further, and never had a problem. This gun shoots 175 SMKs fine to 800+ yards. In fact I shot a 2 inch group on a target at 425 just before shooting the 155s

Any clue what could be wrong?

 

[BOL556]

Re: What caused my groups to start sucking?

When rounds are patterning up and down it means you breathing is jacked up or you holding your breath and your heart beat will cause the samething. If you could post a pic of your target might be able to tell more. hope this helps.

 

[jawa]

Re: What caused my groups to start sucking?

I think that vertical dispersion has to do with neck tension on your reloads as well, not to say what HAVOC said didnt have anything to do with it. The necks should be about .002"-.003" larger when loaded, if I remember correctly. Search it if you are more interested. Just sayin...

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Re: What caused my groups to start sucking?

I guess it's something I'm doing, but as 762 can attest, groups were literally under 1/4". I shot some 155 grain Scenar Southwest Ammo loads and those were even smaller, probably the smallest 100 yard groups I've ever shot. Doesn't make sense how they would open up so horribly, especially when I've had plenty of experience shooting at longer ranges.

 

[Jerkface11]

Re: What caused my groups to start sucking?

Check your action screws, bedding, and scope rings/base.

 

[Nostradumbass]

Re: What caused my groups to start sucking?

Some days for what ever reason, I really suck on paper. Then other days everything works like it should. That's with the same gun, same load, etc.

I think you may be premature on your conclusion. Go and shoot a couple more times, then see what you've got.

Stress, hunger, hangover, lack of sleep, nagging wife, bills, etc, all affect a person's accuracy....IMHO

 

[E3C3H3O3]

Re: What caused my groups to start sucking?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nostradumbass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Some days for what ever reason, I really suck on paper. Then other days everything works like it should. That's with the same gun, same load, etc.

I think you may be premature on your conclusion. Go and shoot a couple more times, then see what you've got.

Stress, hunger, hangover, lack of sleep, nagging wife, bills, etc, all affect a person's accuracy....IMHO

</div></div>

+1, I wouldn't assume its the rifle right off the bat, sometimes you can just have a bad day at the range, take it out again with the same loads, start at 100 again, then bring it out to 425, see what happens, could have just been a bad day at the range.

 

[turbo54]

Re: What caused my groups to start sucking?

I think the advice to try again is good. There have been several times I just *knew* a certain load was junk based on the paper, but nonetheless, tried it again another day to be sure, only to learn that it was me.