30-06. What are my groups/ or lack of telling me?

[narmohare]

Hey guys. I have a Winchester XPR chambered in 3006. I have taken it out and put about 100 rounds through it over the past few weeks. I have been shooting from a table, using shooting bags filled with small stones as a rest. What are my groups, or lack of, telling me? A few things I have noticed.

1. Recoil from the 06 tends to throw my finger to the right or left after I pull the trigger.
2. The gun tends to jump up a bit after every shot, thus causing me to need to reset the gun on the rest which does not allow for constant conditions.
3. I do not let the gun cool between each shot. I know different people have different opinions on letting barrels get hot. Should I be always shooting with a cool gun?

Shooting conditions:
Firearm: Winchester XPR Caliber: 30-06
Scope: Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32 Magnification used: 7x
Ammunition: Hornady American Whitetail
Distance: 91.44m/100 yards
Bullet: 150-grain interlock soft point BC: .338
Humidity: 60%
Temp: Varied between 73-75F
Wind: Around 12 mph South (12mph headwind)
Elevation: 680 feet
Pressure: 29.78 Hg

With those things in mind, the trigger is really bothering me. The trigger on the Winchester has no take-up, for my other rifles I could close my eyes, and while pressing the trigger tell you exactly when it was going to fire (rifles like Marlin model 60, or any of the savages). With the XPR, the lack of take-up means that once you reach a certain pressure, the gun fires.

One last thing; My father and brother have also shot it. All in all the gun has been shot about 160 times. With accuracy in mind, how often should I be cleaning the gun (round count)?

I appreciate any and all feedback. If this post annoys you because I can find this information elsewhere, please refer me to that elsewhere so I can seek the information out.

The 10-shot group was shot first and the 4-shot group second. Both groups were shot within 3-4 minutes max. 14 shots fired, 14 hits on target.

 

[marazzi59]

Based on you saying the gun jumps, I would put a bipod on it and try loading the legs up to prevent it from jumping. As well as checking that everything is tight on the gun. Cleaning wise, every couple hundred rounds could be ok for it once you figure out your issue. You could also try call Winchester if it's a newer gun and see what they say.

 

[LHSmith]

I would hold the forearm when testing this gun, and place the front sand bag as close to the fore-end as possible to minimize muzzle jump. It's a sporter weight big game rifle so I would shoot 3-shot groups and let the barrel cool to just warm before starting another group. Remember it is not a target or benchrest rifle. You need sand in the bags and not stuffed hard. Be conscious of pulling the trigger straight back. The grouping is what I would expect from your equipment.

 

[LHSmith]

For cleaning, I would clean after every shooting session with bore solvent and patches to get the carbon before it gets hard. Every 100 rounds a more thorough cleaning with a brush.

 

[KMart]

Get several different brands of bullets, all the same weight, and see if some shoots better than others. The round you are shooting may not be what the rifle shoots the best.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

You need to hold on to a sporter 06 there is torque besides recoil. Have someone, from behind,watch the muzzle. The support needs to minimize jump and twist. Your trigger hand thumb should be parallel to the tang. Your not shooting left handed, with right hand bolt? Does the scope hold a zero? Of course if the ammo used is the issue, nothing will help. Or if the crown is damaged, or the scope or mounts are bad.

 

[Bc'z]

I shoot my 06 with a very loose hold, if'n it hits me back so be it.
I'm running 185gr jugs with H4350 right at 2850 into .25" groups at 100 opening up to about an inch @300
The rifle is gonna buck, get use to it.

 

[narmohare]

Based on you saying the gun jumps, I would put a bipod on it and try loading the legs up to prevent it from jumping. As well as checking that everything is tight on the gun. Cleaning wise, every couple hundred rounds could be ok for it once you figure out your issue. You could also try call Winchester if it's a newer gun and see what they say.

I have been meaning to get a bipod just have not done enough research yet. I also have a hard time justifying it because it was a 350$ rifle and good bipods seem to start around 75-100$. I think I may buy one soon though after doing some more research.

 

[narmohare]

I would hold the forearm when testing this gun, and place the front sand bag as close to the fore-end as possible to minimize muzzle jump. It's a sporter weight big game rifle so I would shoot 3-shot groups and let the barrel cool to just warm before starting another group. Remember it is not a target or benchrest rifle. You need sand in the bags and not stuffed hard. Be conscious of pulling the trigger straight back. The grouping is what I would expect from your equipment.

I will try this next time. I did not have the bag close to the fore-end. I will also be changing out the small rocks for sand. Someone originally recommended sand, but a buddy said that after time sand gets too compacted. Do you find this to be true?

 

[narmohare]

For cleaning, I would clean after every shooting session with bore solvent and patches to get the carbon before it gets hard. Every 100 rounds a more thorough cleaning with a brush.

So the reason I asked about cleaning is a lot of websites say that it is important for rifles to build up a bit of fouling apparently to tighten groups up. If that is not true however then I am more than willing to clean after every time I go practice.

 

[narmohare]

Get several different brands of bullets, all the same weight, and see if some shoots better than others. The round you are shooting may not be what the rifle shoots the best.

I will have to try this as well. I have been using the same ammunition because right now it's the cheapest 06 ammunition I can get aside from reloading which I have not started yet.

 

[narmohare]

I shoot my 06 with a very loose hold, if'n it hits me back so be it.
I'm running 185gr jugs with H4350 right at 2850 into .25" groups at 100 opening up to about an inch @300
The rifle is gonna buck, get use to it.

Nice shooting. I was using 180 grain before but the only thing I could find last time was 150. I prefer 180 personally. As far as recoil, the recoil isn't much of an issue. I have been shooting shotguns my whole life and IME a slug kicks about as hard as the 3006 if not more. The big issue the recoil is giving me is the muzzle jump. What kind of rifle do you use?

 

[narmohare]

You need to hold on to a sporter 06 there is torque besides recoil. Have someone, from behind,watch the muzzle. The support needs to minimize jump and twist. Your trigger hand thumb should be parallel to the tang. Your not shooting left handed, with right hand bolt? Does the scope hold a zero? Of course if the ammo used is the issue, nothing will help. Or if the crown is damaged, or the scope or mounts are bad.

I am shooting the proper hand. I may be holding far too loose though. I am used to shooting small caliber rifles and shotguns with heavy loads. Either way, you can hold the gun pretty loose without it trying to jump up or anything like that. The ammunition could be the issue, and I will have to try a few different brands soon, but I can say for certain the crown is not damaged and the scope mounts are not bad. I just had the rifle into the gunsmith for a full functionality checkup.

 

[K22]

I would hold the forearm when testing this gun, and place the front sand bag as close to the fore-end as possible to minimize muzzle jump. It's a sporter weight big game rifle so I would shoot 3-shot groups and let the barrel cool to just warm before starting another group. Remember it is not a target or benchrest rifle. You need sand in the bags and not stuffed hard. Be conscious of pulling the trigger straight back. The grouping is what I would expect from your equipment.

Let me echo this sound advice. In my experience, the best results meaning results that will closely replicate how the rifle will shoot in the field for big game, heavy recoiling rifles is the hold the forearm. It will be much easy to control the recoil of a rifle of this caliber and felt recoil will be less. The point of impact will more closely match the manner in which this rifle will be shot in the field.

Also, in a hunting rifle, the cold barrel shot is the most important. Therefore, shooting sustained fire in this type of rifle is of little value. It can induce flinching and shot drift due to overheating of sporter weight barrels. The 3 shot group sequence is an effective approach.

 

[Bc'z]

Nice shooting. I was using 180 grain before but the only thing I could find last time was 150. I prefer 180 personally. As far as recoil, the recoil isn't much of an issue. I have been shooting shotguns my whole life and IME a slug kicks about as hard as the 3006 if not more. The big issue the recoil is giving me is the muzzle jump. What kind of rifle do you use?

Modified R700 Kreiger barrel throated .160 over for heavies 1n11 twist.
Thumb pointing down range, not over the wrist, light hold with bottom 3 fingers lite cheek weld.
Lapua brass
56gr H4350, CCI250
Work up to this load it safe in my rifle, maybe not in yours.

 

[nakneker]

I shoot my 06 with a very loose hold, if'n it hits me back so be it.
I'm running 185gr jugs with H4350 right at 2850 into .25" groups at 100 opening up to about an inch @300
The rifle is gonna buck, get use to it.

This might sound harsh but it’s how I got use to shooting rifles with heavier recoil. The more I shot them the more I got use to it including my Ruger #1 30-06 which has some punch to it.

 

[Pyscodog]

14 rounds in 3-4 minutes from an 06, that barrel has got to be scorching hot. Shoot 3 shot groups and let that barrel cool down. Just me but my rifles get cleaned after every range trip if I shoot one shot or 30. I don't put my guns away dirty. Just me and how I do it.

 

[loinhunter]

Agree with k22, you’ll be firmly holding the rifle on that deer come fall. Try both loose hold and a firm rearward hold into your shoulder with five shots each. Crosshairs will wobble a little more on a firm hold , but I find after some practice you can adjust for this. Also, I wouldn’t look for tiny groups much with a 7x power scope. Have fun at this level of shooting . Once you start reloading, your wife will disown you, your banker will avoid you and your dog won’t even look at you.

 

[Pyscodog]

I went back and re-read the OP's post, then did a Google search for his rifle. Seems he is not alone with accuracy issues. He said he is shooting the cheapest ammo he can get. That seems to be an issue because after 160 rounds he is getting the same results. The XPR is a massed produced rifle and on it best day will probably never shoot as well as Bc'z custom barreled 700. He's using a 2-7 power scope which is fine for a hunting rifle but not the best for shooting tight groups. And lastly, shooting way to many rounds before letting his barrel cool. Its a sporter barrel and a 30-06. That's a bunch of powder going through a thin barrel. My 243 gets really hot after 3 rounds so the 06 probably does to. He's using a bag filled with rocks and I would think that doesn't help either.

My thoughts, Empty out the rocks and fill your bag with sand and use a rear rest as well. Even though they aren't cheap, buy a few different box's of ammo as you know by now that what your shooting isn't working. Above all, keep an eye on barrel temp. Limit your shots to 3 shot groups and then let the barrel cool. If it were mine, I'd give it a good cleaning before doing any of the things I listed above. It won't hurt it. Of course there are other things you could do like putting it in a better stock or bedding the stock you have. Floating the barrel if it isn't already. Sorry for the long winded post but hope it might help.

 

[Beiruty]

1) Light hunting rifle
2) Light barrel
3) Shoot using bags instead of bipod
4) Do not expect too much from hunting rifle with hunting trigger
5) Shoot more