Factory Rifle Accuracy Expectations

[harro]

I recently purchased a Howa Mini 6mm ARC Rifle and I’ve just started putting it through it’s paces .
With Factory Hornady 108gr ammo I got it sighted in and have nearly put 80 rounds of the Hornady ammo through it both to run in the barrel and get the brass to start reloading for it .
Now I’ve been a bit spoiled lately with some of my other Rifles and without realising it my brain has become accustomed to seeing bullet holes touching or very close to it .
I found myself walking up to the target and becoming despondent as I look at the groups I’ve just shot with my very Cheap Rifle using Factory ammo .
As I sat at my table measuring the results I dawned on me that it’s actually doing very well for what it is .
So far it has averaged 22mm at 100m ( 3 shot groups , the barrel heats up very fast ) which equates to a fraction over 3/4 moa .

Only a handful of years ago those kind of results would have had me proclaiming “ never sell that rifle “
If an El Cheapo rifle can shoot 3/4 moa straight out of the box with factory ammo and I’m despondent…… what have I become …..

Spoilt with more disposable income than in the past and the advances In modern manufacturing and cartridge / component design is my guess .

So I’m training myself to recalibrate my “ eye “ calipers and accept some space between holes .
Wish me luck .

 

[swd]

I’ve started off with hand loads that were that size that with tuning ended up quarter moa, so without trying a few different ammo brands and bullets I’d consider that an acceptable start with factory ammo.

 

[6.5 forever]

Don't settle for 3/4 yet....it's very possible you will do better. Update us after you reload those cases.

 

[FNSafari]

80 rounds should have broken the barrel in, did you use an accepted method of shooting a few, cleaning, shooting?
Bore scope the barrel to see how it looks.
Play with seating depth and a few diff bullets now. Use wind flags. Wait for a relatively calm day. You want to test the rifle and load, not your ability at this point, although good bag manners is important, assuming you are shooting off a rest setup. Good luck.

 

[linebaugh]

Factory ammo just isnt good compared to what we usually expect. I just reproduced your same shame with a custom barreled 700 I put together for my buddys boy. 3/4"-1" groups with factory and it makes me sick. They dont load and I wont load anymore for others and I am sure this is way above their threshold of accuracy but when we get used to guns that shoot under .5 moa with regularity its a bit painful.
You sir are lucky because you reload and I have no doubt you will best that factory ammo performance in a hurry.

On a similar note I put together a .358 and a .375 last month and those big holes make a group look big. When measured CTC they are actually very good but man do they look bigger, especially when I am used to .224 holes.

Check back in with the hand load results please.

 

[K22]

3/4 moa with factory rifle and factory ammo. Rare air but I have seen it at the range with factory Savage 6.5 Creedmoor's' and Federal Premium ammo. That's not saying that the shooter does this all the time on demand, but I have seen that capability which honestly surprises me.

The problem with factory ammo is consistency both in performance and supply. In this world of constant change and finicky buyers that fall for the latest marketing ploy, a factory offering that works well in your rifle may not be available next year.

The question that always come to my mind is what your accuracy requirements for your intended use. One might gain some valuable insight into this sport by watching Ryan Cleckner's short video on "Acceptable Accuracy."

Spending time and money chasing a few .1's group size reduction is often offset by the lack of time and money spent on meaningful practice to become a better shooter if your goal is to become an expert shooter.

 

[FNSafari]

Factory ammo just isnt good compared to what we usually expect. I just reproduced your same shame with a custom barreled 700 I put together for my buddys boy. 3/4"-1" groups with factory and it makes me sick. They dont load and I wont load anymore for others and I am sure this is way above their threshold of accuracy but when we get used to guns that shoot under .5 moa with regularity its a bit painful.
You sir are lucky because you reload and I have no doubt you will best that factory ammo performance in a hurry.

On a similar note I put together a .358 and a .375 last month and those big holes make a group look big. When measured CTC they are actually very good but man do they look bigger, especially when I am used to .224 holes.

Check back in with the hand load results please.

Is the 700 action trued up and barrel free-floated? RU shooting with wind flags, and some type of rest setup or offhand or just holding the rifle while seated?

 

[Riesel]

I recently purchased a Howa Mini 6mm ARC Rifle and I’ve just started putting it through it’s paces .
With Factory Hornady 108gr ammo I got it sighted in and have nearly put 80 rounds of the Hornady ammo through it both to run in the barrel and get the brass to start reloading for it .
Now I’ve been a bit spoiled lately with some of my other Rifles and without realising it my brain has become accustomed to seeing bullet holes touching or very close to it .
I found myself walking up to the target and becoming despondent as I look at the groups I’ve just shot with my very Cheap Rifle using Factory ammo .
As I sat at my table measuring the results I dawned on me that it’s actually doing very well for what it is .
So far it has averaged 22mm at 100m ( 3 shot groups , the barrel heats up very fast ) which equates to a fraction over 3/4 moa .

Only a handful of years ago those kind of results would have had me proclaiming “ never sell that rifle “
If an El Cheapo rifle can shoot 3/4 moa straight out of the box with factory ammo and I’m despondent…… what have I become …..

Spoilt with more disposable income than in the past and the advances In modern manufacturing and cartridge / component design is my guess .

So I’m training myself to recalibrate my “ eye “ calipers and accept some space between holes .
Wish me luck .

May need to get a "Bar Adjustment Tool." Bar is set a bit too high. Seriously, when we come to expect something and it doesn't reach the bar we are disappointed. If you're hoping for a good outcome the let down is not as bad. Reloading and tuning will probably produce something more to your liking.
Wasn't really that many years ago when Savage rifles raised the bar on out-of-the-box accuracy.

 

[243winxb]

El Cheapo rifle can shoot 3/4 moa straight out of the box with factory ammo

Most will not, if using this American Rifleman magazine method. 25 shots.

A true Accuracy Test . confirming the sub-m.o.a. guarantee that all M1500 rifles carry and found that we could meet it with two of our three types of ammunition. Although this guarantee is only based on a three-shot group, we were able to meet it with some five-shot groups as well.

 

[Tesoro]

A friend asked me to sight in his elk rifle this fall and make him a dope sheet. (he is excellent hunter but not too brainy on moa stuff). Rifle was a Browning X-bolt 6.8W with a Leup 3-15 HD. Nice scope. I shot his factory Win ammo and I wound up shooting the final 5 at .5 moa. Surprised the heck out of me. Fit, finish weight and balance was as good as any rifle I put together and trigger/bolt slide very nice. Makes me wonder why I go thru the hassle and extra expense to build my own field rifles which wind up being a couple grand if you can buy something like this for a grand. ps: A month later I got 15 lbs of elk steaks delivered to my door in return favor.