MNDeerHunter.com

[Trois_beaux_canards]

So I got my rifle set up with a scope, bore sighted and ready to go.

My brother and I decide to head out to the range to test it out.

165 grain Hornady in the chamber, I proceed to fire the first round at 25 yards. Good shot, but not good enough.

We zero it in on that spot (as best as we can with a makeshift rest...)

The next 3 shots are all touching the first, and I am still aiming the reticle dead center.

We decide to move the target to 100 yards. I fire two shots, neither makes contact.

What do I do now? What am I doing wrong???
_________________
"So long as the new moon returns in heaven a bent, beautiful bow,
so long will the fascination of archery keep hold in the hearts of men."
-- Maurice Thompson, 1879

[big drift]

Depends on what your spacing between the shots at 100 yards is.

At 25 yards your angle variations are not as noticable as they would be at 100 yards.

What are you shooting again make model and caliber? Also what type of Hornady 165, SP?

It may be simple as changing your cartridge to tighten up your group, checking to be sure the scope mounts are tight, barrell contact, to warm of a barrell etc.

There are a lot of variables.

If your rifle is shooting within 1.5" at 100 yards your typically alright if the group is opened more then we need to fine tune.

Also was this done off hand or with a bench?

[Trois_beaux_canards]

first, this was done on a bench. (using a rim from a vehicle and sand bags for stabilization)

I am shooting a Mossberg 100ATR in 30-06 with 165 Gr...not sure how to be more specific at the moment. they have a red tip?

The wind was pretty good that day too, but it's hard for me to say how much it factored since it seemed to me a little irregular...

Thanks for your help BD. My brother set me up with these Hornady's because they are what he has shot out of his Rem 700 (30-06)...and I was all ready to go with Remington Core-Lokt's...
_________________
"So long as the new moon returns in heaven a bent, beautiful bow,
so long will the fascination of archery keep hold in the hearts of men."
-- Maurice Thompson, 1879

[big drift]

Ok, first thing first slow down your 3 shot group use a cold barrell for each shot. Preferably on a cool day.

The round your using is Hornady SST.

Once you get a 3 shot group look for a pattern to the bullett. Are two closer then another then you have a flier that could be attributed to other issues. If they pattern well in a group so be it.

It could just be your rifle does not like that load. Once you shoot for a group post up the results with a pic so we can look at the pattern.

Also is you never fired the rifle it may just need to get dirty first before she'll settle down.

Another Hornady round that is a good choice is the 165 gr Hornady SP.

Check for mechanical issues loose scope connections, any blemishes at the muzzle, stock to barrell fit you should be able to slide a dollar bill between them, trigger set to heavy.

I would also talk to folks to see if you can get 3 rounds from asstd. .30-06
manufacturers. It is cheaper to borrow some friends then buying a ton of different ammo for testing.

Plan on taking your time as I said a cool barrell is very important as most older folks are used to the heavy barrells from the past compared to the lighter ones now days.

In doing some research a lot of guys are talking the 150 gr. Remingtion is the preferred flavor for this rifle averaging 1 1/8 to 1.5 in pattern out off 3-5 shot groups.

[Trois_beaux_canards]

Excellent BD, I'll try it out. I've got a few rounds about and will start with that. I also have the original target and can put that up if ti helps....
I can say, from your description the shots look as you described and ther could be a wild one in there.

I'll keep you posted!
_________________
"So long as the new moon returns in heaven a bent, beautiful bow,
so long will the fascination of archery keep hold in the hearts of men."
-- Maurice Thompson, 1879

[Trois_beaux_canards]

an update:

I haven't yet tried the Rem 150 gr, but I did pick up some cheap Peters 180 grain bullets to try and dirty this piece up a bit. While the rifle seems to be shooting a little differently, I think I am getting closer.

All bullets made paper this time at 100yards, except the 165 gr Hornady's. Mind you, I just set out to dirty up this gun before attempting to again sight in it, so I wasn't using a bench at first....just standing. The best shots I got were still 2 clicks to the right, and 3 or 4 clicks up from the center.

I'm beginning to wonder if these loads will be the way to go, or if I should try the 150 grain core-lokt's yet...

It started pouring, so my testing was cut relatively short...basically I didn't even get around to adjusting the scope yet.
_________________
"So long as the new moon returns in heaven a bent, beautiful bow,
so long will the fascination of archery keep hold in the hearts of men."
-- Maurice Thompson, 1879

[big drift]

How big was the pattern?

If your pattern is within 2" I would adjust your scope so your 2" high from the bull and call it good for field hunting.

Especially as it was off hand.

[Trois_beaux_canards]

i'd say most of the pattern was within 5 inches in either direction...so it seems a lil too far off still.
_________________
"So long as the new moon returns in heaven a bent, beautiful bow,
so long will the fascination of archery keep hold in the hearts of men."
-- Maurice Thompson, 1879

[big drift]

Yeah, I'm thinking the 180's are tad bit heavy in any case. Walmart has 150 gr. federals and remingtons for around 15.00 on sale right now at least up here.

And remember shoot from a rest for a grouping to see what that does.

I personnally do not care for peter's rounds as the lead casting is weak and tends to fragment on impact.

In any event 5" offhand is not as bad as you would think.

[Trois_beaux_canards]

I originally just purchased the peters as a break-in round since they were cheap (17/box) The shots certainly got better when we pulled out the bench...though rain cut that short.
I'll be trying again next weekend.
_________________
"So long as the new moon returns in heaven a bent, beautiful bow,
so long will the fascination of archery keep hold in the hearts of men."
-- Maurice Thompson, 1879