Just starting out

[trapper99]

Here is what I have to start with. I have this gun in a .22-250.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_VL_SS_thumbhole_specs.asp

And here is the scope. It is resting on Leupold rings as well.
http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/vx-iii-riflescopes/vx-iii-4-5-14x50mm/
It has the Varmint Reticle.

What are the best ways to improve accuracy with this gun. I haven't shot to much with it and haven't found a good factory load to shoot through it yet. I haven't started loading but have been saving the brass for future. I started shooting the 50 grain hornady v-max's and had like a 4" group. Dropped to the 40Grains and dropped group to about 1 1/2-2 inches. I am wanting to get this under an inch. It should do it. What are the best ways to increase the accuracy, I need to shoot it more, get a good trigger,any ideas). I am wanting to be able to get out to about the 500 yard mark and hit what I am aiming at. I have a lot of questions and I am totally new to this so be a little patient with me please, thanx.

 

[MarkS]

trapper99,

You need to get in to Handloading. You will not see what the gun will do until you do.

You may find some that can load for you, or keep trying different Factory stuff until you find the right one.

Good luck

Mark Schronce

 

[trapper99]

I do plan on reloading, but that won't be until around fall. I know that will definately help out my groups.

 

[chadjamesr]

The scope you have is plenty for 100 yards and beyond. Your rifle only has a 1 in 14 twist which will not stabilize the heavier bullets, this is why the 40gr shoot better than the 50gr. Stay with the lighter bullets and buy match grade if possible. As mentioned before, hand loading with good equipment will make the biggest difference.

Other things you can do to the rifle would be to first bed the action to the stock. Working the trigger down to 2.5 - 3lb range will help your ability to shoot accurately but will not make the rifle more accurate. If you want to go to the next level, you can have the rifle re barreled and trued or just have the chamber re-cut to a match chamber. This is the more expensive route.

Right now, the lowest cost fix will be to reload your own rounds.

Hope this is the information you were looking for.

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

Trapper,

1:14 twist is enough to stablize a 50 grn bullet. That's what I have in my 22-250 and I shoot 53grn seirra'a.

Check your PM's. I may me able to load something up for you till you get things going.

 

[trapper99]

ok, I am confused. 1 in 14 doesn't stabilize a 50 grain, needs to be lighter/faster. Why does yours shoot 53 grains??? Like I said earlier, I have a lot to learn.

 

[Kodiak99317]

Randy Robinette is the best at stability factors, but here it is on a site with a graph for different calibers, it all depends on your bullet length... TWIST AND STABILITY
52g FB match custom bullets will be your best with a 1-14, ask Randy

http://www.varmintal.com/ashot.htm#Twist

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

ok, I am confused. 1 in 14 doesn't stabilize a 50 grain, needs to be lighter/faster. Why does yours shoot 53 grains??? Like I said earlier, I have a lot to learn.

No disrespect to Chad, but some of the info you get on this site is not always 100% accurate. He may be going on what he has always been told. I shoot Sierra 53grn HPBT match, and they shoot very nice in mine with 38.0 grains of H-380. This is a very mild load in my gun, but it seemed to be better in my gun. As a guide, you can always get other loads at http://www.reloadersnest.com/ and remember when you get your stuff... ALWAYS START OUT MILD and load up from there. Different guns like different things.

 

[eggman]

Ditto on 38 grs of H-380 it has shot in every 22-250 I have owned and it doesn't seem to matter if the bullets is 50, 52 or 55 gr. they all shoot with this load.

Rodney

 

[trapper99]

Thanx for the help guys. I am going to get started on the reloading stuff. I got a thread to help me get started.

 

[lewellan2]

the main reason your gun would not stabilize the 50 grain bullets is "total cartridge compatability". You may never find a factory load that will shoot lights out in your barrel. I remember when I first started shooting for accuracy, I had a Weatherby in .223 Rem. bought some cheap ammo and best I could do was 6" groups at 100 yards. thouhg the gun was crap, so I bought some better qaulity ammo and improved the groups, so I bought soem premium ammo,$20 for 20 rounds)and got it down to about 1-1/2" at 100 yards. Then I wathed a video on handloading. Me and buddy bought some reloading stuff and followed the suggestions from the video and prepped the cases,manufacturer's don't do this) etc. and began load testing with different powder/s primer and bullet weights/style and we got those groups down to 1" and better at 100 yards, but really improved the 200 yard plus groups. 1-1/2" at 200 yards. I have an older,1970's man.), never been touched Win. model 70 .300 Win. mag. that shoots quarter size three shot groups at 200 yards.
Case prep and load testing will find that near perfect cartridge combination. experiment with bullet seating depth. does that barrel like the bullet touching the lands, ot back about 10 thousanths?
Dano

 

[rino]

In my humble opinion if you are shooting 4" groups with that rifle and scope even with factory ammo you have a problem with the rig.
Handloading is essential to maximise the accuracy potential of you rifle, but its a long learning curve,lots of fun ) and when you get experienced enough to start worrying about twist rates you are well in sub moa territory.

Your current problems may be simpler and there is probably a combination of factors..

-Check your scope mounts for tightness and alignment.
-Try shooting your rifle with another scope.,borrow one)
- Are you cleaning your barrel properly?, Sorry but you did say you where beginning )
- Are you letting the barrell cool down between groups/shots?
If you're shooting at a range ask the guys there to help you'll make new friends and learn a lot.
If all else fails get the rifle checked by a gunsmith as that thing should shot MOA out of the box with PREMIUM factory ammo.
Above all remember that if it was easy it would not be fun.
Dont give up and if you cant get it shooting, sell it and buy another one.