Shot ONE really nice group this weekend...

[jetman624]

I felt like I was doing everything the same on all my shots, but this group came out much tighter than most. I wish I could remember if I was doing anything different while shooting this...

Only my second time behind a bolt gun, still lots to learn...

100yds
Rem 700P in .223 w/ 26" Barrel, SWFA SS 12x42mm scope
Sierra 55gr GK loaded to .002 off the lands on top of 24gr of Varget

[Justintoxicated]

50 yards?

[jetman624]

100 yards

[NorCalFocus]

How many rounds did you fire and within those rounds where were these fired?

[Hairball]

Only 5 shot groups count...just kidding

As this is your second time behind a bolt, how did you come up with .002 jump? Did you try other setups or just start there and see what happens. I usually go through all of my bullet weights first to see what the rifle shoots best and then I get down to the finer points of accuracy but that's just me. I just picked up a Mossberg MVP and will be heading off to the range here shortly with 5 different match weights to see which one is better.

[jetman624]

How many rounds did you fire and within those rounds where were these fired?

My little ammo cases hold 20 rounds and the targets have 5 targets, so I just figured I would shoot 4 shot groups for testing-- I was not expecting to see anything like this. I know for the day I had already shot 20 rounds of nosler match ammo, which I did not get good results from, but will try again. And then I went to this box of reloads, and I think this group was shots 5-8, or 9-12... I THINK. I had a first time shooter with me trying out my AR, so I wasn't able to focus as much as would have liked as he was asking me questions and ish...

The one that started to pull away at the top right was the 4th shot.

Only 5 shot groups count...just kidding

As this is your second time behind a bolt, how did you come up with .002 jump? Did you try other setups or just start there and see what happens. I usually go through all of my bullet weights first to see what the rifle shoots best and then I get down to the finer points of accuracy but that's just me. I just picked up a Mossberg MVP and will be heading off to the range here shortly with 5 different match weights to see which one is better.

Well when I first loaded these, I loaded them to SAMI OAL specs, and when I tried to chamber one, the bullet pushed ~.030 into the case (there is a thread in the reloading section about it). So with some input of people there I figured out at what length THIS bullet was hitting the lands and figured I would try it just a smidge off of that and see what it did. I will prob try this exact load again and see if this was just plain luck or if it is something the gun really likes.

[NorCalFocus]

I was just thinking if the first group dirtied your barrel and then these shot a good group before your barrel got to hot.

[r6guy85]

ok grouping but you missed the red bullseye

[ExtremeX]

ok grouping but you missed the red bullseye

[russ69]

Four shot groups are not statistically significant. Re-confirm with 10 shot groups. That will be a lot closer to real world results.

[bubbapug1]

Try 77 grain SMK's over 24.5 grains if Varget. Let the gun free recoil and don't grip the stock. Pull the trigger with your thumb behind the trigger guard and the tip if your index finger.

Shoot all shots in the exact same wind condition. I bet that group shrinks by up to half.

[jetman624]

Try 77 grain SMK's over 24.5 grains if Varget. Let the gun free recoil and don't grip the stock. Pull the trigger with your thumb behind the trigger guard and the tip if your index finger.

Shoot all shots in the exact same wind condition. I bet that group shrinks by up to half.

The barrel is a 1:9 twist, so I don't have anything over 70gr. I have some Sierra MK 69gr and some Berger 70gr VLD bullets I am excited to try out. If I see those 77's I will think about getting those too, just thought they may be too heavy.

I am pretty sure I was using that technique when I shot that group. I noticed I got much less shake on the gun vs having my entire hand around it... I thought the trigger on this gun was pretty light, but I can see how an even lighter trigger would be helpful when doing this sort of stuff.

[prometa]

I didn't. Until now. God so many pics in this forum make so much more sense now.

[mroels]

The barrel is a 1:9 twist, so I don't have anything over 70gr. I have some Sierra MK 69gr and some Berger 70gr VLD bullets I am excited to try out. If I see those 77's I will think about getting those too, just thought they may be too heavy.

I am pretty sure I was using that technique when I shot that group. I noticed I got much less shake on the gun vs having my entire hand around it... I thought the trigger on this gun was pretty light, but I can see how an even lighter trigger would be helpful when doing this sort of stuff.

I remember your thread with bullet setback? What was the OAL you used for the 55gr GK? Just asking because if I recall correctly you were having issues with 2.260"? With what you wrote above it seems like you settled on 2.23"? Not sure if you can or should seat 69gr or 77gr smk that far back. I could be wrong but just be careful when doing load development as most of the figures you'd be looking at in manuals are for 2.260" OAL.

[CK_32]

"Groups are nothing but luck making the same mistakes or close to the same mistakes in a row, good shooting is hitting what you wanted to hit, EVERYTIME" - Forgot who said it but words of truth.