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Hi,
I know there could not be a definitive answer as too many variables are involved, but I'm rather looking for suggestions how to proceed on troubleshooting.
Here is what I have: a newly built rifle, shooting reloads, getting very inconsistent groups from 100 yards. Some are under half an inch and others are well over an inch. Here are two pictures from today's shooting, out of five groups:
Group 2
Group 3
Another group is around 0.5 (first one), fourth and fifth are also in 1.5 inch range
The rifle is a German 98 mauser action, heavy varmint profile ershaw 26" barrel, chambered 260 Rem, 1 in 8 twist. Basic accuracy tunes are made: action squared, bolt lugs lapped, glass bedded, barrel is free floated until about 2" before the action, bold trigger is set under 3lb. Yes I know this is not a competition configuration by any mean, but I still would expect it to be better than 1MOA
Out of three factors - rifle, ammo and shooter - I'm fairly certain that I am capable of doing better than 1MOA. I am shooting off sandbags, through 14x Leupold and clearly can see through the scope that rifle does not move more than 1/3 moa or less while I'm slowly pressing the trigger
Now, the ammo. My own loads, I am using new Lapua brass (first run of virgin brass), Lapua scenar 139gr bullets, 42gr IMR 4350 powder (1gr under max, no signs of over-pressure). Not sure how good the load is, and I didn't do any case preps yet but the brass is brand new so I don't expect it needs any.
So what would you recommend to do next? Decrease powder load? at what increments? Do case preparation (trim to length, turn necks)? I have not yet invested in the tools but eventually will do. Switch to a different powder? or bullets? Maybe replace factory mauser firing pin with Tubb speedlock? Barrel lapping with abrasive bullets?
Or maybe the whole config does not worth the efforts and I should rather invest into a better rifle?
I am still surprised by presence of those 0.3-0.4 inch groups, if the rifle itself can't do any better regardless of the loads...
I'm very new to accurate shooting, but really want to get better.
Thanks much for your time reading this
I know there could not be a definitive answer as too many variables are involved, but I'm rather looking for suggestions how to proceed on troubleshooting.
Here is what I have: a newly built rifle, shooting reloads, getting very inconsistent groups from 100 yards. Some are under half an inch and others are well over an inch. Here are two pictures from today's shooting, out of five groups:
Group 2
Group 3
Another group is around 0.5 (first one), fourth and fifth are also in 1.5 inch range
The rifle is a German 98 mauser action, heavy varmint profile ershaw 26" barrel, chambered 260 Rem, 1 in 8 twist. Basic accuracy tunes are made: action squared, bolt lugs lapped, glass bedded, barrel is free floated until about 2" before the action, bold trigger is set under 3lb. Yes I know this is not a competition configuration by any mean, but I still would expect it to be better than 1MOA
Out of three factors - rifle, ammo and shooter - I'm fairly certain that I am capable of doing better than 1MOA. I am shooting off sandbags, through 14x Leupold and clearly can see through the scope that rifle does not move more than 1/3 moa or less while I'm slowly pressing the trigger
Now, the ammo. My own loads, I am using new Lapua brass (first run of virgin brass), Lapua scenar 139gr bullets, 42gr IMR 4350 powder (1gr under max, no signs of over-pressure). Not sure how good the load is, and I didn't do any case preps yet but the brass is brand new so I don't expect it needs any.
So what would you recommend to do next? Decrease powder load? at what increments? Do case preparation (trim to length, turn necks)? I have not yet invested in the tools but eventually will do. Switch to a different powder? or bullets? Maybe replace factory mauser firing pin with Tubb speedlock? Barrel lapping with abrasive bullets?
Or maybe the whole config does not worth the efforts and I should rather invest into a better rifle?
I am still surprised by presence of those 0.3-0.4 inch groups, if the rifle itself can't do any better regardless of the loads...
I'm very new to accurate shooting, but really want to get better.
Thanks much for your time reading this