6BR not consistent

[AlNyhus]

A couple of wind flags would be the cheapest barrel you've ever put on.

 

[J.D.Erwin]

I built this rifle a couple months ago. The intended purpose was something to punch paper with while I waited for other guns to cool. This was something to challenge myself with and practice my fundamentals. No serious competition just my enjoyment. Turns out this thing has been the most aggravating and discouraging rifle I have ever messed with. Rifle specs are as follows.

Tikka T3x Action
Krieger HV 12 twist finished at 24"
Richards Wolverine target stock pillar and glass bedded.
Jard 12oz trigger
Leupold one piece rail
Burris Signature Zee rings
Sightron SII Target 36x42
ADG Brass
CCI 450 Primers.

I have tried 64gr Bergers, 70gr Sierras and 85gr Sierras all with Varget, N133, N135, Benchmark and H4895. All bullets seem to shoot about the same. Best 5 shot groups I have been able to get, are high twos to mid threes which I would be extremely happy with if I could do it consistently. This rifle will not repeat, ever. I can work up a load with any given combo find one that shoots really well, go home and load enough for three or four five shot groups and never shoot a group under a half inch on my next outing. I am an experienced shooter and don't feel that I am the cause. I have had my wife shoot it (she is a better shooter than I am) with the same result so I am fairly positive that it is not shooter induced error. I have pulled the bedding and re-bedded the rifle, changed scopes, checked all action and base screws and done the cotton swab around the crown. Everything checks out fine. The 70gr Sierra seems to be the most consistent bullet out of this rifle and has give me most of the better groups this rifle has shot. I purchased a bore scope to look at the barrel and I did find a concerning area about an inch from the muzzle and these marks go 360 degrees at this spot. I guess my question is, this the cause of all my inconsistency? I am also attaching a target photo from my last outing. All groups were shot at 100 yards from a bench rest and rear bag. 29.0gr of N133 and the Sierra 70gr Match King. I spent the day prior working up a load with that bullet and powder combo and shot a group in the high twos. Took it back out to confirm and shot these three groups. Chrony data showed a velocity of 3208fps and SD of 5 over the course of fire, using a buddies new Garmin Unit. Barrel probably has 400 rounds on it at this point and I have been giving it a good cleaning every 50 rounds or so generally before switching powders to try.

442
looking at your barrel pics I would order some of David Tubbs fire lapping bullets and throat maintenance bullets you may be happy with the results
aim/small shoot/small
Jerry

 

[6MMsteve]

is your headspace on your cases all within .005 to .001 if not I would go there first, would chk the FP, then maybe change primers, or do a 3 case primer test with same load or change bullets, I had a bad FP changed out groups went from .6 to .2 quick u never know till u try

 

[STOMP442]

442
looking at your barrel pics I would order some of David Tubbs fire lapping bullets and throat maintenance bullets you may be happy with the results
aim/small shoot/small
Jerry

I have used these in the past with good results and will go that route if needed.

 

[STOMP442]

I shot the riffle again this Saturday with N135 and the 80gr Bergers. I shot my smallest group to date in some pretty nasty wind. I am going to load up some more and do a seating depth test and see how it turns out.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

Try one of Erik Cortina's tuners. Worked for me.

 

[Bill Norris]

Try one of Erik Cortina's tuners. Worked for me.

The E C V-2 tuner is top quality. All my B R rifles wear one and proudly.

 

[Dave Zander]

Shot 450 primers all the time, switched to 205’s just much better results. Is also try Lapua brass.

 

[Lone Hunter]

Something else you might want to try is a new firing pin spring. Cheap but might help.

 

[STOMP442]

Try one of Erik Cortina's tuners. Worked for me.

I've had one in the cart multiple times and have just never done it. I am going to see what my seating depth test does and then determine from there what I need to do.

 

[Bill Norris]

I've had one in the cart multiple times and have just never done it. I am going to see what my seating depth test does and then determine from there what I need to do.

Very wise move. The tuner works as many have mentioned many times, BUT only after the load development has been completed and the loads accuracy has been maximized. The tuner only deals with barrel harmonics/bullet exit time and will not straighten a wobbling bullet or correct the wrong powder/primer combo.

 

[Dolomite]

Have you tried increasing or decreasing the neck tension?