Been doing some load development for my 7SAUM F-Open gun. Mcree Precision stock; Savage Target action; Criterion 7SAUM 30' 1-9' tw bull barrel stainless; NF 12-42x56BR; NF base & rings; Sinclair F-class bipod. Base is bedded to action and scope to rings, using Loctite. All screws, bolts, etc. tightened to spec's with Fat Wrench torque screwdriver. Seems like I get 1 good/great group followed by a lousy one.The pics attached show 2 samples of my puzzling problem. There were other groups some good, some bad and some WTF? I did try to troubleshoot this problem over several days and range sessions. This included pulling the bullets on some rounds to check charge weight. Removing, cleaning, inspecting barrel, re-installing and headspacing. Checking action, base and ring screws at home and again at range(mid-30's at range).
#1: Aiming at large bull, get shotgun pattern at lower left. Dial in elevation and windage and get group at closer to intended aimpoint. Shot at 200 yards; Berger 180 Hybrids, Remington neck-turned and sorted brass, CCI 250 primers and 64.0 gr H1000. From bad to good. OK.
#2: Really had me gobsmacked. First group, aimpoint large bull, is .800 w/ flyer. Second group, smaller bull lower left, after dialing in corrections is a backwards 'L' 3" high by 2" wide! Shot at 200 yards; Berger 180 Hybrids, Remington neck-turned and sorted brass, CCI 250 primers and 64.0 gr H1000. From good to...ugly??
First, second and third thoughts were a scope problem. Sent it in and I have since been re-assured by tech support that there is no, repeat no, problem with my scope. And, yes I have considered it might be the trigger puller's fault too. But, I really think that the problem really does lie somewhere else.
#1: Aiming at large bull, get shotgun pattern at lower left. Dial in elevation and windage and get group at closer to intended aimpoint. Shot at 200 yards; Berger 180 Hybrids, Remington neck-turned and sorted brass, CCI 250 primers and 64.0 gr H1000. From bad to good. OK.
#2: Really had me gobsmacked. First group, aimpoint large bull, is .800 w/ flyer. Second group, smaller bull lower left, after dialing in corrections is a backwards 'L' 3" high by 2" wide! Shot at 200 yards; Berger 180 Hybrids, Remington neck-turned and sorted brass, CCI 250 primers and 64.0 gr H1000. From good to...ugly??
First, second and third thoughts were a scope problem. Sent it in and I have since been re-assured by tech support that there is no, repeat no, problem with my scope. And, yes I have considered it might be the trigger puller's fault too. But, I really think that the problem really does lie somewhere else.
