wierd accuracy problems

[skyelk]

recently bought a Desert arms tactical srs .308 with a leupold mark IV scope. first two rounds at 100 yds always within 1/2 moa. then inexpicably the next shots tend to vary by several inches!!!! no real pattern.
tried different ammo. doubt it is the gun. probably not me (i hope) as i have always been a consistent shooter. which leaves the scope and/or mount. i have always shot hunting rifle where the scope rings needed to be tapped. this gun has a picatinny rail. everything SEEMS nice and tight, but cannot figure what else it could be. any ideas?

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Not a lot to go on, maybe the bedding needs a look?

What do you mean, you tried different ammo? This is repeatable with different ammunition? Two shots within half an inch and the rest are more than an inch away?

That would indicate something is affected by recoil.

Maybe you could try a different scope, all else fails. BB

 

[turbo54]

What types of ammo did you try?

Has another qualified marksman had the same results?

If it wont shoot for another shooter, with several types of quality ammo, you should try another scope.

If it still won't shoot, it should go back to DTA.

 

[skyelk]

What types of ammo did you try?

Has another qualified marksman had the same results?

If it wont shoot for another shooter, with several types of quality ammo, you should try another scope.

If it still won't shoot, it should go back to DTA.

usa ammo, federal premium gold medal, remington express core-lokt, magtech

good idea on trying another shooter. have tried another scope and it gets no better (much inferior scope-redfield)
i have always wondered of the stability of screw scopes on picatinny rails.

 

[diverdon]

I think the reticle is loose inside your scope.

 

[skyelk]

that has been suggested by other folks far more knowledgable than i. but had similar results when i placed another scope one the same rifle

 

[turbo54]

usa ammo, federal premium gold medal, remington express core-lokt, magtech.

Were any of these (other than FGM) match ammo?

While FGM generally shoots nice in about any rifle than *can* shoot, I've ever seen one shoot poorly with it.

No experience with USA ammo or magtech but I've definitely seen an honest to goodness 1/2 moa rifle shoot 3 moa with corlokt.

Once you've tried another good shooter with several types of match ammo and it still shoots groups of several inches, condemn the rifle and send it in.

 

[jbell]

Have you removed and reinstalled the barrel just to verify it is installed correctly?

 

[skyelk]

yes, the federal premium gold medal is match grade. no difference

Hmmmmmm, jbell. reinstall barrel? interesting thought! will give it a try.
thanks one and all!

 

[turbo54]

yes, the federal premium gold medal is match grade. no difference!

I understand that FGM is match ammo. What other match grade ammo have you tried?

You can't honestly evaluate a precision rifle by trying 3 types of garbage ammo and one good one.

You need to try several types of good, quality match ammo.

 

[skyelk]

just the gold medal federal which was recommended by the manufacturer. yes, a lot of the ammo is not match grade, but am only shooting at 100 yds. shouldn't really need hyper pricey ammo at that range surely?
am just trying to get problems sorted out before going long. ALL the ammo shot well the first two rounds (1/2 moa), then for some reason all subsequent shots were off by 2 or more inches at 100 yds.

 

[Glockin' Bob]

Sounds like a bedding issue to me. Expansion of the barrel when it warms up is causing an issue, perhaps with the recoil lug? I'd re-bed.

 

[FALex]

just the gold medal federal which was recommended by the manufacturer. yes, a lot of the ammo is not match grade, but am only shooting at 100 yds. shouldn't really need hyper pricey ammo at that range surely?
am just trying to get problems sorted out before going long. ALL the ammo shot well the first two rounds (1/2 moa), then for some reason all subsequent shots were off by 2 or more inches at 100 yds.

Well, you might be surprised. Even at 100 yards, shitty ammo will perform, well, shittily. I'd look for some Black Hills Match, Hornady Match, Copper Creek, etc...Magtech is absolute shit for assessment of accuracy purposes. Remember, this is precision shooting. Bulk, mass-produced ammo is not consistent, hence the big ass price difference between that and "match" ammo.

 

[skyelk]

thanks guys. this has been really great help. if and when i get this figured out i will come back and let ya'll know
thanks again!!!!