Can a rifle zero a given factory load well, but at 500 yards throw rounds all over?

[Jon Leary]

Get some 80 gr Sierra Matchkings and 24 grns of Varget.

 

[William Vogel]

Yep, factory loads only.

Does the scope have parallax adjustment? If it does not, I’d recommend using a scope with parallax adjustment and test the poa/poi. At that range parallax is real.

 

[William Vogel]

I know what you mean, but for the most part I was unexpectedly high and started spinning the elevation turret down, left and right. I got confused. “ All over the place” was a rather melodramatic description and probably didn’t give the best mental picture. I had some hits that were on line windage wise but were several inches high . Thanks.

Scope height over bore is a very important number also with your ballistic calculation to get an accurate estimate of dial up.

 

[Turkeytider]

Scope height over bore is a very important number also with your ballistic calculation to get an accurate estimate of dial up.

Yes. I took pains to measure that.

 

[Turkeytider]

Does the scope have parallax adjustment? If it does not, I’d recommend using a scope with parallax adjustment and test the poa/poi. At that range parallax is real.

Yes it does.

 

[Turkeytider]

Get some 80 gr Sierra Matchkings and 24 grns of Varget.

Would love to but I don’t hand load.

 

[dellet]

In your first post, you zeroed the rifle, moved to 500 yards and had problems. Was this the same day same range? Or completely different time and place?

You zeroed, possibly changed locations, then were shooting high. You then rechecked your zero on another day, and found it to be high.

Sounds like this was the first to or three range trips with a newly assembled rifle. If so, a good check of all mounting screws, scope, action and barrel torque wouldn’t be a bad idea.

 

[DLT]

Would love to but I don’t hand load.

You would come much closer to your goal if you did and probably faster and cheaper

 

[Turkeytider]

You would come much closer to your goal if you did and probably faster and cheaper

And there’s no doubt that that’s true. I don’t for a couple of reasons:
1. No room. I believe that to load properly one needs an organized, dedicated area in which to do it. I don’t have that.

2. I’ve found that as I’ve grown older my attention to detail in addition to my attention span have diminished. IMO, characteristics that are not compatible with working with things that can explode!

 

[ebb]

I bet if you knew who was putting together the factory ammo you are getting, you might change your mind about reloading. https://www.natchezss.com/reloading/tools-gauges/benches-stands/lee-reloading-stand-lee90688 If you were to reload on this it could be in steps, size all cases, next day prime all cases, that evening or tomorrow weigh charge 100 and seat bullets, next evening do 100 more, ect.

 

[ebb]

Try a box of Federal gold metal match in 223 or black hills 223. See if the same issue happens.

 

[DLT]

And there’s no doubt that that’s true. I don’t for a couple of reasons:
1. No room. I believe that to load properly one needs an organized, dedicated area in which to do it. I don’t have that.

2. I’ve found that as I’ve grown older my attention to detail in addition to my attention span have diminished. IMO, characteristics that are not compatible with working with things that can explode!

Can’t anybody fault those reasons !!!!

 

[Varminterror]

to load properly one needs an organized, dedicated area in which to do it.

One does not. Too many of us have done so with simple organization, without a dedicated reloading area.

I reloaded for 3 gun, Service Rifle, and CAS/SASS while I was living in a 293sq.ft. apartment.

Can't help with the inability to focus or lacking commitment, but in consideration of that aspect, I might recommend that adjusting expectations to align with realities of factory ammo might be the easiest adjustment to make.