How To Improve

[jrpowell3]

So, this is my first time trying to shoot for absolute precision with this rifle. It's a Remington 700 in .308 on a Greyboe A5 stock. It's the stock 26" barrel, and I was using Federal Premium with the 175gr Sierra Matchking bullets.

[baih777]

Is the rifle a factory varmint barre l? 1/12 twist ?

[jrpowell3]

Yes, factory varmint with 1/12 twist

Also, the center group, I definitely rushed it. And the bottom left group, that one flier halfway off the picture, I know I jerked the trigger.

[jimmykan]

Looks like you're getting about 1.5" groups.

What distance are you shooting from?

Are you shooting from a bench?

What are your supports? Benchrest? Sandbags? Bipod?

What scope are you using?

Is the rifle epoxy bedded into the Grayboe stock?

Are all the fasteners (scope rings, scope base, action screws) torqued to the recommended values?

[jrpowell3]

Looks like you're getting about 1.5" groups.

What distance are you shooting from?

Are you shooting from a bench?

What are your supports? Benchrest? Sandbags? Bipod?

What scope are you using?

Is the rifle epoxy bedded into the Grayboe stock?

Are all the fasteners (scope rings, scope base, action screws) torqued to the recommended values?

100yds, bench, bipod, vortex viper hst 4-16x44, no it is not glass bedded, everything is torqued properly

[jimmykan]

Here is a sample test target from load development with my Remington SPS Varmint 308.

Factory barrel, but had the muzzle threaded for a DPMS Miculek brake.
Timney 510 trigger
Magpul Hunter Stock
Weaver 20MOA Scope Base
Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 FFP MRAD
Vortex Rings

I can't find the test target where I tried some factory loads, but FGMM 175 grain shot about 1" groups for me. Only 2 of my loads shoot any better than that.

168 Nosler Customer Competition (HBN coated), 44.0 grains AA2495
175 Nosler Custom Competition (HBN coated), 44.5 grains RG4895

[MeatyMac]

If you don't already, start reloading. When you go searching for "the load" you'll get more trigger time, these two things will improve your groups.

I know a great stock guy in Venice Beach that can bed it for you, PM me if you want his contact info..

Good luck,
Mac

[JackEllis]

I think you're going to want a rear bag if you don't have one.

You'll be pleasantly surprised at what reloading can do for you. I went from 1 1/4 inch to 5/8 inch groups with my .223. Reloading takes time, patience and care, but the results are worth it, even though my objective is hunting and not precision shooting.

[jrpowell3]

Yeah, I figured reloading was the next recourse. I think bedding my stock might be in the cards, too.

[baih777]

Try a box of 168gr and 155gr. Match.

[jrpowell3]

Try a box of 168gr and 155gr. Match.

Roger, and that goes until finding which projectile is best for my gun.

[jrpowell3]

Mind you, I'm not excluding myself as part of the problem

[JackEllis]

Mind you, I'm not excluding myself as part of the problem

Most of the folks who will respond have probably forgotten more about shooting than I'll ever know, but you have recognized an important point. I nearly ditched a perfectly good hunting rifle because I was leaning toward "it's the rifle's fault" when in fact, the problems were with the shooter, not the rifle.

Make sure your barrel is clean, and that includes using a copper solvent to remove any fouling from jacketed bullets.

Get a rear bag, preferably one with "ears" that allows the gun to slide back and forth but not from side to side.

Do some dry fire practice and watch through the scope to see whether and how your point of aim shifts when you squeeze the trigger. I'm having to do this right now in order to make sure I can hit a 4" target at 200 yards from a portable rest. It's a lot cheaper than my $13/box practice ammo, even if it doesn't provide the same kind of feedback.

I use my rifles for hunting so I'm happy with 1" groups at 100 yards from the bench.

[musketjon]

Trigger time and technique.
Jon

[hj_S14]

OP, Since you mentioned this is your first time trying to shoot "precision" with the rifle, this is my suggestion.

If you can borrow or have someone let you shoot their precision rifle (of course, it has to be sub MOA and was shot/verified by the current owner/shooter) and shoot it. If you have the same grouping result like how you have with your own rifle; the issue can be the shooter. Maybe more practice, get some experience shooter to help, or take one of those precision class.

If the grouping of the loan rifle turns out to be better than the grouping from your rifle,.. then you know it's the rifle and maybe have a gunsmith to take a look at it. I would say AR15barrel is the best gunsmith in LA are that can help you improve that rifle. (again, in my opinion)