looking for a tighter group

[CharlieNC]

Ditch load development at 100yd for 300yd comp, 100 lacks the sensitivity and resolution. Ditch the 14X scope, get 30plus power. Ditch the 77 and get the 80.5 full bore.

Then do a disciplined load development for charge weight and jump. Don't worry about extensive brass prep at this stage, its probably not going to help, at least for your application.

 

[rebs]

Thank you guys for all the help I appreciate it. I will start looking for a higher power scope. What power and brand do you guys recommend ? I am considering a sightron 8-32 with the .125 dot and 1/8 click adjustments. I also ordered some 80.5 full bore bullets. Any recommendations on powder for the 80.5 bullets ? I have RL 15, varget, arcomp, imr4895 and imr 3031.

 

[Ned Ludd]

The Sightron 8-32/.125 dot/.125 moa turrets would be a great choice. H4895 would probably be my powder of choice with the 80.5s, followed by Varget. However, you could probably use any of the powders you have. Each will give slightly different velocity (faster/slower) in a tuned load.

FWIW - load development at 100 yd is more than sensitive enough and has plenty of resolution, as long as the shooter and setup have the capability to shoot tight groups. Check out the following thread started by Erik Cortina: http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/long-range-load-development-at-100-yards.3814361/. Load development at 100 yd also has the benefits of less potential interference from any wind, and the fact that almost every range goes out to at least 100 yd, whereas as not all go out to 300 yd or longer. There is nothing wrong with doing load development at 200, 300, 600 yd, or even farther, and you should always confirm and validate a load at the distance you intend to shoot it. However, the longer the distance you use for load development, the greater the burden on the shooter to assess wind conditions and perform at a level that doesn't adversely affect interpretation of the groups.

 

[grovey]

I've used 8x32 sightrons in 300yd competition and you can see bullet holes at at 300 with 24x which was the limit on magnification in that class. I have one with the dot and one with the mil dot. I prefer the mil dot reticle over the dot because the dot covered the 1" hollowed out bullseye used at 300yds in these matches. It wasn't terrible, but I could see my hold better with the thinner mil dot crosshair. That's just me, but those scopes will get it done.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

A t24 or t36 weaver would be your best bet. You can get them used on here cheap enough and thats one less thing to worry about. And id keep on shooting 100yd til you get it dialed in. Theres a lot of conditions between 100&300yd to miss and skew your results. If it wont shoot small at 100 it aint gonna get better 200yd later with conditions for sure

 

[Homerange]

Thank you guys for all the help I appreciate it. I will start looking for a higher power scope. What power and brand do you guys recommend ? I am considering a sightron 8-32 with the .125 dot and 1/8 click adjustments.

Forget a dot scope and get the absolute finest reticule you can.
The ability to quarter the bull or shoot at some corner of a square bull will result in better precision of shot placement.
The best target scope doesn't always match the best hunting scope as target work requires much more precision.

 

[cw308]

If something went wrong with my 6.5 x 24 x 40 Bushnell I would go as Dusty Stevens recommended a Weaver fixed power in 24 or 36 most likely the T36 , I'm only able to shoot 200 yards , maximum distance for the ranges in my area . Alone with a scope a good base and rings are just as important .

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Forget a dot scope and get the absolute finest reticule you can.
The ability to quarter the bull or shoot at some corner of a square bull will result in better precision of shot placement.
The best target scope doesn't always match the best hunting scope as target work requires much more precision.

Remember the overwhelming majority of short range br shooters use a target dot because they can aim finer with it than a crosshair. Thats shooting teen aggs over a weekend.

 

[Homerange]

Remember the overwhelming majority of short range br shooters use a target dot because they can aim finer with it than a crosshair. Thats shooting teen aggs over a weekend.

Sure, if you're using a regulation target, never used one !
Much like matching apertures to the the target and/or distance.

Shooting good groups is not easy for the average bear despite how good their rifle might be.