Accuracy achieved from a factory rifle

[moe africa]

Hi all
I'm currently shooting a Howa 6.5 creedmoor
With a 24" barrel
I'm using 43.3gr of Vihtavuori N555 with 142 SMKs
This gives me a velocity of 2670 fps with a SD of 8 and an ES of 29 fps
With .7" group at 100m (9 shots)
And 1.2" group at 300m (3 shots)
What would be a reasonable accuracy goal out of a factory rifle

 

[big5ifty]

It's not an answerable question.

Rather ask how to get maximum accuracy from a factory rifle.

A good rifle is quarter MOA capable.

Most shooters won't know if their rifle is quarter MOA, because they can't shoot quarter MOA.

 

[boltfluter]

I would say your work is very good so far! A 1/2 moa factory rifle is about all you can ask for. Nicely done.
Paul

 

[DumpHollow]

Howa has a number of different models in this caliber. I have a 6.5CM in the version that is in the H-S Precision stock with the internal aluminum chassis. I actually purchased the rifle because of the stock, vs the caliber. The only change that I made was to replace the Hact trigger with a Timney.

I haven't done a lot of load development with that rifle and have changed scopes a couple times. It was not difficult to get it to reliably shoot less than an inch at 100 yards. That is my expectation for a bone stock factory rifle. Until you start getting into custom premium barrels, I think that what you are showing is good precision for a Howa.

 

[Beiruty]

Hi all
I'm currently shooting a Howa 6.5 creedmoor
With a 24" barrel
I'm using 43.3gr of Vihtavuori N555 with 142 SMKs
This gives me a velocity of 2670 fps with a SD of 8 and an ES of 29 fps
With .7" group at 100m (9 shots)
And 1.2" group at 300m (3 shots)
What would be a reasonable accuracy goal out of a factory rifle

You are golden, man!

 

[ebb]

Congratulations, that is a very respectable group. if you want to push on. set those aside as your go to ammo and maybe try some 140 grain Bergers or Lapua secnars. i have a 6.5-284 and it did not shoot sie142s as well as the Bergers or JLKs. but the JLKs would be impossible to get down under. Lapuas not so much. Try N165 and see if you can get enough velocity to keep up happy as it will be way easier on your barrel the N555. N165 has a very low flame temp and is very clean .

 

[SeabeeKen]

Winchester 94ae, 45 Colt, Hornady 240 XTP Mag, N-110. 50 yds. Skinner peep sight

 

[piie]

Hi all
I'm currently shooting a Howa 6.5 creedmoor
With a 24" barrel
I'm using 43.3gr of Vihtavuori N555 with 142 SMKs
This gives me a velocity of 2670 fps with a SD of 8 and an ES of 29 fps
With .7" group at 100m (9 shots)
And 1.2" group at 300m (3 shots)
What would be a reasonable accuracy goal out of a factory rifle

Is it a heavy barrel?

I have the same barrelled action with heavy barrel. I fitted in an STG chassis, and got an ECTuner and the Arms trigger kit - including the trigger shoe. Use H4350 (41gr) and 139gr Lapua Scenar - I shoot 5 shots .25 MOA easily. Those Howa's are very underrated.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Winchester 94ae, 45 Colt, Hornady 240 XTP Mag, N-110. 50 yds. Skinner peep sight

Years ago we shot a lot of 100 yd best center offhand matches here in Central Pa. There was a big bore shooter , Bob L. who shot Camp Perry with his pair of 40x 308s, peep sights. To get in the top 3 in a relay you had to be inside a dime at 100 yds, usually touching the dot to win. Bob won often.

 

[moe africa]

Is it a heavy barrel?

I have the same barrelled action with heavy barrel. I fitted in an STG chassis, and got an ECTuner and the Arms trigger kit - including the trigger shoe. Use H4350 (41gr) and 139gr Lapua Scenar - I shoot 5 shots .25 MOA easily. Those Howa's are very underrated.

It is a heavy barrel
In a Warrior chassis with an arms trigger
Shooting with a suppressor at the moment looking at an ec tuner
I just want to know where is the limit with a factory set up

 

[wbm]

In an interview years ago Carlos Hathcock was asked the same type of question about a sniper rifle....his answer? 1"

 

[K22]

I've owned and shot many factory rifles over the past 50 years. Some shot sub 1/2 moa out of the box whereas others had difficulty holding 1 1/2 moa all with tailored load development ammo.

I should add that when I first began shooting a center fire rifle, I did not have the necessary shooting skills or knowledge to accurately evaluate a rifle's capability. It took a few years to develop those skills and bench technique to reach a point where I felt comfortable that I could accurately evaluate a rifle.

Those rifle that didn't perform to my standards almost were always improved with bedding / stock replacement / trigger improvement / load development.

The best way I know to answer your question is to first define your needs and goals then work towards that goal by load development / improve the equipment / enhance your shooting skills.

I don't believe there is absolute answer to what can be expect out of a factory rifle. If forced to state one, I would say 1 moa because that's what most mfg.'s claim. For example, my Tikka varmint 223 Rem is a sub 1/2 moa rifle out of the box, same for my Weatherby Super Varmint Master. Whereas my Weatherby Vanguard is a 1 moa out of the box rifle. I improved the Vanguard to about 5/8" moa with a B&C Medalists stock.

 

[lawman29]

1) "Factory Rifle " is just one part of the accuracy equation.
2) Optic - clarity and max magnification
3) Brass - consistency
4) Bullets - consistency
5) Scale - precision error +/- ??
6) Dies - Bushing to adjust neck tension, micrometer seater to refine seating depth
7) Shooting off bench with front rest and rear bag vs ??
8) I use 3 shot groups - because the more I shoot the more changes in environmental conditions and my consistency have opportunities to negatively influence group size

 

[Doug Casner]

Ive got a 6.5 creed in a out of business montana rifle co. rifle and it likes the 142 smk and h4350 to the tune of .250 at 100 not every time but Ive gotta flinch just right. Doug

 

[jelenko]

Years ago we shot a lot of 100 yd best center offhand matches here in Central Pa. There was a big bore shooter , Bob L. who shot Camp Perry with his pair of 40x 308s, peep sights. To get in the top 3 in a relay you had to be inside a dime at 100 yds, usually touching the dot to win. Bob won often.

Shooting offhand?

 

[Webster]

In an interview years ago Carlos Hathcock was asked the same type of question about a sniper rifle....his answer? 1"

I read an article recently that said the army sniper rifles are good to go if they shoot 1" groups. They have to shoot standard ammo. No load development. Unvarified article.

Not to many years ago the 50 cal sniper rifles only had mass produced machine gun ammo. Not to accurate. They are now getting match grade bullets.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Shooting offhand?

Yes, I stated that.

 

[DGP4]

All I can say is load development will take you a long way in my experience. In my heavy barrel Howa in .308, the trick was to use heavy 180-190 grain bullets and the accuracy went from.75 MOA to .5 MOA. In my heavy barrel Remington 700 Varmint SPS in .223, the trick was one specific bullet (Hornady Match 52 gr. BTHP) and a good jump to the rifling.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Once a year one of the club's had a 20 shot match on a regular 100 yd NRA target. When I first got into it in my 20s a score in the middle 150s won. We would get 60 to 70 shooters. Every couple years the scores would jump and we would loose some shooters. The last 2 years a friend and I won, we were in out late 40s. I don't remember the the exact scores we shot but the were both in the middle 190s. By then we were down to less then 20 shooters and in a couple years it went away. I had my first 6PPC to shoot offhand with, not to shoot bench matches with.

 

[AlNyhus]

Hi all
I'm currently shooting a Howa 6.5 creedmoor
With a 24" barrel
I'm using 43.3gr of Vihtavuori N555 with 142 SMKs
This gives me a velocity of 2670 fps with a SD of 8 and an ES of 29 fps
With .7" group at 100m (9 shots)
And 1.2" group at 300m (3 shots)
What would be a reasonable accuracy goal out of a factory rifle

Before doing anything else...get some wind flags if you're not already using them.

Good shootin' -Al