looking for a tighter group

[rebs]

At 300 yds f class I am getting just under 2 inch groups. Would you try adjusting the powder or seating depth to tighten the groups ? Rifle is a Tikka T3x varmint in 223 cal. Bullet is a SMK 77 gr in Lake City cases with Reloader 15 powder seated at 2.260.

 

[ballisticxlr]

I'd be looking at seating depth PROVIDED you'd already done a charge weight test to get you where you're at. If not, then go up and down by a few tenths at a time on powder charge and see if it evens out on paper. If no real results in group size improvement happen with powder charge then check seating depth at .030 intervals up and down from your current seating depth. You'll probably see a trend in one direction or the other.

Make sure your cases are from the same year and the same production line.

 

[Cory porter]

Maybe consider switching to Lapua brass. I would guess it would be way more consistent than LC.

 

[rebs]

The powder charge was worked up and this is the best I could get. I even tried different powders and RL 15 came out the best groups. Taking your advice I will work with the seating depth.

 

[dolek]

Maybe consider switching to Lapua brass. I would guess it would be way more consistent than LC.

LC is fine brass,I doubt Lapua brass is the magic he is looking for .Seating depth would be my first thing to experiment with. 77s at 2.260" is an AR mag-length round...that's a long bullet and will probably shoot better seated out longer.

 

[Cory porter]

Why would you think that is the magic he needs without any real info ?

Because I saw significant improvement in accuracy when I switched from Lc brass to Lapua in my 223. Lc brass is not as consistent as Lapua, primer pockets were more consistent, ND was more consistent. I would take a guess that would have a potential impact in better accuracy and groupings.

 

[dolek]

Because I saw significant improvement in accuracy when I switched from Lc brass to Lapua in my 223. Lc brass is not as consistent as Lapua, primer pockets were more consistent, ND was more consistent. I would take a guess that would have a potential impact in better accuracy and groupings.

Were you shooting 2" groups with a varmint rifle at 300 yards when you saw the big improvement ? Was it range brass or new brass ?

 

[LCazador]

The powder charge was worked up and this is the best I could get. I even tried different powders and RL 15 came out the best groups. Taking your advice I will work with the seating depth.

if you're not neck turning, I'd say that's your problem. Uneven neck tension. Are you using a bushing die?

 

[chardog]

mo money, mo money, mo money...

 

[cw308]

I use 3 different brands of brass , HSM , FC and ADI . They are all a on the thick side and not at the top of the list in brass brands . What I do is prep all the brass the same from uniforming the primer pockets , deburring the flash holes and making sure all the flash holes are the same size . All are trimmed to the same length and sized to the same headspace . If LC brass is working for good for rebs changing brass now will change everything . If shooting from a magazine and getting good results with the powder charge at shorter ranges going another 100 I would start with seating .003 lower . Now on VLD bullets a long jump are giving much tighter groups then when they first came out everyone said jamming was the only way to seat a VLD bullet.

 

[Cory porter]

Were you shooting 2" groups with a varmint rifle at 300 yards when you saw the big improvement ? Was it range brass or new brass ?

Slightly better, I don’t remember define number but I do know seating consistency and concentricity improved. Point being I found my rifle to shoot better by switching. Other people may disagree.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Wind flags?
Id shoot some at 100 and see how you fare there. Your load may not be as good as it can be and it can be hard to tell out there at 300

 

[cw308]

Cory
I take alot of time with case prep , I only shoot 30 rounds per range trip . If shooting quantity I could see not spending the time I do in prep. With high end brass most of the case prep is what your paying for so I could see how it would improve things . Different brands most likely thickness would be different , changing case volume , may have to play with powder charge and seating depth . rebs is going to go another 100 yards , making one change at a time would make things easier . I'm testing with 3 different brands of brass and as long as all the cases are prepped the same way I'm finding all 3 case brands are grouping the same . I full size so my runout is average .001 I get all my brass from a shooting friend that doesn't reload . One day I'll give the high end brass a try . Be Well.

Chris

 

[JMayo]

Tight neck tension makes my groups spread. 6bra

 

[Gappmast]

mo money, mo money, mo money...

LMAO Your always $500 away from tighter groups

 

[MihiT]

That's as reasonable accuracy as I'd expect from a factory Tikka barrel and in 223.
Not to say you can't find a bit more consistency, but don't be too heart broken if it's to no avail.

 

[MihiT]

Deburr flash holes and use magnum primers.
Also, what velocities did you get on your ladder test?
Also, why did you choose that OAL?

 

[rebs]

Yes I did deburr the flash holes but I am not using magnum primers I am using CCI BR4's. I have not chronoed the load since I don't have a chronograph. 2.260 seemed to me to be the place to start.
Mihit could be very well be right about the accuracy, 2" at 300 yds is under one MOA. Maybe I can get better and maybe not but I am going to try, I am retired and have the time. I am shooting a Leupold scope on 14 x, maybe I could do better myself with a 6 - 24 power scope ? Many possibilities to explore but I am going to start with seating depth and go from there. Thank you guys for all the replies, I appreciate it.

 

[mike06]

Rebs I recently switch from R15 to ArComp in both my 223's and 308's results have improved comp is more stable with temp changes. It seems to be a little faster than R15 and I use the same amount.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

To shoot decent groups at any distance you need a way bigger scope. A 14x is too small for 100yd. A t36 weaver is your best bet for value