Help with 6.5CM Rifle

[Jakes10mm]

I have a Remington 700 Tactical in 6.5CM and need help developing a good long range load. I have tried several bullet/load combinations and striking out on consistent grouping. I test primarily at 200 yds (max range available at the local club). In five shot groups, I've gotten as small as 3/4" groups if you pull out a flier. The problem is every group seems to produce 1-2 fliers that open the group to 2" or more. I've had the same results in the factory ADL stock, a floated HS Precision stock and a floated Boyd Pro Varmint stock. Have tried target bullets from Hornady, Sierra and Nosler, varied seating depth, powders and charges, etc. I have factory Remington 700s in 308 and 223 that consistently group 1/2MOA at 200yds.
Thanks.

 

[Kurz]

All you can do is run the obvious culprits to see if you can solve the problem. If you can't, it might be time to see a real gunsmith to assist with the vagaries.

Check the scope.
Check the scope mounts.
Check the scope base, both tightness and squareness.
Check to be sure that one or more of the rails screws is not touching the bolt (too long).
Check the crown for slight dings or abrasions.
Is the barreled action bedded? Stress-free?
Are you using a stable rest on a stable shooting surface?

There are a dozen more but require some measuring tools.

 

[jepp2]

The problem is every group seems to produce 1-2 fliers that open the group to 2" or more.

Without knowing your practices with how you prep your brass and what brass you are using, I would tend to look there first.

 

[chromatica]

Have you done a ladder test on distance to lands? Start out with jump of .020. Lengthen the COAL by .003 and shoot a five shot group of each until you reach the lands. I'm guessing one of those combinations will produce a winner.

 

[cjames]

I went thru the exact same thing with a 700 5R MilSpec in 308. At best it would occasionally shoot 3/4 MOA 3 shot not 5 shot group at 100yrds. I spent way to much money in bullets and powder trying to get that thing to shoot. I sent it back to Remington. That was a waste of time and money to ship it. The barrel had porosity all down it and chunks missing out of the rifling. They said it was in their specs. To date that is the worst looking barrel I have ever seen thru a borescope. I figured I had 2 options. Sell it or have it rebarreled. I sold it and bought a Savage in 6.5 CM and never looked back.

 

[Texas10]

Is the barrel a copper mine? I had an "accuracy barrel" in 6.5 cm that shot very tiny groups for about 8 rounds, then started to spread out and throw fliers. I cleaned it thoroughly and bore scope verified it was free of copper, then shot just 5 rounds of 142 SMK's into a very small group. Upon inspection it was coppered up the entire length of the bore. Off it came, and an X-Caliber 6.5 CM went on. Now it will consistently hit a 4 inch steel at 700 yds and I shot a BR score match with it and scored 242 out of 250 in my first ever match while using 140 smks.

IMOP a new rifle, or at least a new barrel is your best course of action. I've seen straight out the box, inexpensive Savage 12FV's shoot factory ammo into 2 1/2 inch groups at 300 yds. There's better ways to make use of your time and money than chasing your tail with a subpar rifle.

 

[Jakes10mm]

I went thru the exact same thing with a 700 5R MilSpec in 308. At best it would occasionally shoot 3/4 MOA 3 shot not 5 shot group at 100yrds. I spent way to much money in bullets and powder trying to get that thing to shoot. I sent it back to Remington. That was a waste of time and money to ship it. The barrel had porosity all down it and chunks missing out of the rifling. They said it was in their specs. To date that is the worst looking barrel I have ever seen thru a borescope. I figured I had 2 options. Sell it or have it rebarreled. I sold it and bought a Savage in 6.5 CM and never looked back.

Sorry to hear. I acquired my Mil Spec 5R 308 from a friend who had too many 308's and sold it to me unfired. My 5R has been incredible, winning many 200-300-500 yds groundhog shoots in factory class. I'm a "poor benchrest" shooter, relying on Hornady 168gr BTHP bullets for my competition adventures. This rifle has printed a 2.4" 5-shot group at 500 yds.

Regarding my prep work. I use a universal decapping die to prep brass for cleaning. I clean via SS pin and diluted Simple Green solution. Die set for size and seat is Whidden in a Bonanza press. I'm using weighed Starline brass. I've three powders: Varget, Reloder 15, Reloder 17. Bullet-wise, I've used Nosler 140 RDFs, Hornady 140 BTHP, Hornady 123 A-Max and Speer 120 SP. OAL - I've gone from ~.-020" into land to mag length.

 

[cjames]

Sorry to hear. I acquired my Mil Spec 5R 308 from a friend who had too many 308's and sold it to me unfired. My 5R has been incredible, winning many 200-300-500 yds groundhog shoots in factory class. I'm a "poor benchrest" shooter, relying on Hornady 168gr BTHP bullets for my competition adventures. This rifle has printed a 2.4" 5-shot group at 500 yds.

Regarding my prep work. I use a universal decapping die to prep brass for cleaning. I clean via SS pin and diluted Simple Green solution. Die set for size and seat is Whidden in a Bonanza press. I'm using weighed Starline brass. I've three powders: Varget, Reloder 15, Reloder 17. Bullet-wise, I've used Nosler 140 RDFs, Hornady 140 BTHP, Hornady 123 A-Max and Speer 120 SP. OAL - I've gone from ~.-020" into land to mag length.

I have a 5R MilSpec in .223 and it is a shooter. The 308 has always been a dud cartridge for me. I don’t know why but they don’t shoot for me. I have had several. Even custom rifles that I could take a factory rifle and out shoot them.

 

[Mr.quick]

when seating your bullets, do they seat at the same lbs? For example say 50lbs , 60 lbs. If you don't have a gauge on your press, that might be your issue. Some have more pressure than others.
Look at Erik Cortina's videos on you tube. That is what I do ,and boy I have learned a bunch form him.

 

[spudgun]

With you Rem, 6.5.

You didn't state if you are using only 1 brand of brass or have a mixture of range brass.

If using a mix of brass manufactures, try to stick with just one brand.

It's a rabbit hole for sure trying to find the magic bullet.

Good luck.

 

[Dave Zander]

I'd try reloader 16 and cci 450 primers and 140g Berger hybrid target bullets.
I'm at 40.5 grains. Also Lapua brass, small primer. I have used reloader 17 also with good groups but not as temp stable as 16. I'm .020" short of lands.

 

[FeMan]

If you have tried all those bullets, that much seating depth testing and have other rifles that shoot well/consistent, I would look at the rifle.

You might also look at the firing pin spring. A buddy was having similar issue with a newer Rem and when I took the fp spring out, I found it was a real mess! It hit the bolt body so bad I could hardly get it back in. Once we changed it to a new one, it shot consistently after that. I also had a recoil lug crack on a stock Rem and that acted the same way. It was impossible to really see too.

 

[dasherfan]

I shoot 41 grains of H4350 with a sierra 142smk with a cci 450 in lapua brass and it shoots very small groups in both of my 6.5CR rifles. 2 friends also shoot the same load in there rifles. 41 grains works for me with any quality 140 class bullet. It it not the fastest but works well out to 1000yards.

 

[swampthang]

I have a Remington 700 Tactical in 6.5CM and need help developing a good long range load. I have tried several bullet/load combinations and striking out on consistent grouping. I test primarily at 200 yds (max range available at the local club). In five shot groups, I've gotten as small as 3/4" groups if you pull out a flier. The problem is every group seems to produce 1-2 fliers that open the group to 2" or more. I've had the same results in the factory ADL stock, a floated HS Precision stock and a floated Boyd Pro Varmint stock. Have tried target bullets from Hornady, Sierra and Nosler, varied seating depth, powders and charges, etc. I have factory Remington 700s in 308 and 223 that consistently group 1/2MOA at 200yds.
Thanks.

I shoot a 6.5 creedmoore in ibs 1000 yd and have done quiet well.
My bartlein is a 1:8 twist 5r and for ME my load is 41-43.0 gr of h 4350 ( good luck finding any) fed 210m primer and berger 140gr vld. Seated. 10 off lands.
It consistently shoot in .1 at 200 and sub 6 in at 1000. Work your load up and watch for signs of pressure. I have never had an issue even in the heat of south ga summers. Im hearing that a 1:7.5 twist with the new hornady a tip are shooting lights out but have never loaded any.
Good luck