Rem 700 / 223 not grouping / what to do?
- Thread starter markT
- Start date
O
2 - A good cleaning is not likely to hurt anything except it may take a few fouling shots before the barrel settles back down.
3 - Shoot 5 shot groups, statistically a 5 shot group has about a 40% higher confidence level than a 3 shot group. While 3 shot groups look good if they are close, if one is out a bit it can skew the odds in the other direction, this is why 5 shot groups are fairly standard for accuracy testing.
4 - For your accuracy testing use the same load that you were getting the .75" groups with, if you change loads at this point you are introducing another variable whereas if you use the same loads you have a baseline established.
5 - Take a look at the Nosler 223/40 gr data, there is a multitude of powders that give you 3800+
(the usual warning - work up cautiously)
6 - There is no reason why 40 gr bullets should not shoot well in either a 12 or 14 twist.
Remember - change only one thing at a time and test before changing something else. I suspect that you will see better accuracy just by going back to the other stock.
Good luck - drover
1 - There is an old troubleshooting adage that goes like this -"go back to the thing you changed before the problem occurred". In this case you changed stocks, that could very well be the problem. If you have the stock that you were using when it was grouping better put it back on and try some groups with it..
2 - A good cleaning is not likely to hurt anything except it may take a few fouling shots before the barrel settles back down.
3 - Shoot 5 shot groups, statistically a 5 shot group has about a 40% higher confidence level than a 3 shot group. While 3 shot groups look good if they are close, if one is out a bit it can skew the odds in the other direction, this is why 5 shot groups are fairly standard for accuracy testing.
4 - For your accuracy testing use the same load that you were getting the .75" groups with, if you change loads at this point you are introducing another variable whereas if you use the same loads you have a baseline established.
5 - Take a look at the Nosler 223/40 gr data, there is a multitude of powders that give you 3800+
(the usual warning - work up cautiously)
6 - There is no reason why 40 gr bullets should not shoot well in either a 12 or 14 twist.
Remember - change only one thing at a time and test before changing something else. I suspect that you will see better accuracy just by going back to the other stock.
Good luck - drover
See #8 at bottom / Rifle Basix / not sure, no creep and keep your finger off, unless you want it to go off.
Last edited:
Adjust your seater die to push the bullets in .005 inch deeper to crack the corosion. May help.
Well then I would say the trigger aint the problem!!! Multiple thousand rounds down the pipe would be my {as well as most reasonable persons} next guess.
I looked up Rem 700 VLS and it took me to gun broker. VLS Varmint Laminate Stock.. Where did you find yours? Someone posted some rifles on sales at Cabelas..I cant find thread.
timeout
Silver $$ Contributor
Here ya go:
www.cabelas.com
Remington Model 700 ADL Varmint Bolt-Action Rifle | Cabela's
Built on the proven Remington® Model 700®, the ADL Varmint Bolt-Action Rifle has all the features you need for successful varmint and predator hunting, as well as tactical long-range shooting.
I bought mine at Cabelas and there was a $50 rebate with it. So I wound up paying $345 with Camo stock and I forgot it also came with 4X12 scope that I sold to a friend for $50. So I wound up with $295 in it! For a prairie dog gun that's all you need to spend
That's a very good price.. And you are right for splattering pd's all a man needs..
Did you have wind flags out? Did you have a known good shooter try it? Did you try it with Federal Gold Medal Match ammunition?
There are any number of accuracy guides from Warren Page's The Accurate Rifle to Tony Boyer's marvelous book.
For the price I suggest a book by John Barsness on trouble shooting from Rifles and Recipes as cheap enough and comprehensive enough to be the best start. Rifle Trouble-Shooting and Handloading "is a must have book for any gun enthusiast. It covers reloading tips and tricks, scope mounting and testing, rifle trouble-shooting and even technical techniques."
I'd borescope myself and check for clean but then again I already own a pair of Gradient bore scopes and wind flags. Then again I already know the run-out on my reloads.
Scopes and scope mounting matter as much as any other part of the rig.
Agreed that with doing the right thing I would certainly expect better results. That said there are so many things to do that knowing what's the right thing means a long checklist.
There are any number of accuracy guides from Warren Page's The Accurate Rifle to Tony Boyer's marvelous book.
For the price I suggest a book by John Barsness on trouble shooting from Rifles and Recipes as cheap enough and comprehensive enough to be the best start. Rifle Trouble-Shooting and Handloading "is a must have book for any gun enthusiast. It covers reloading tips and tricks, scope mounting and testing, rifle trouble-shooting and even technical techniques."
I'd borescope myself and check for clean but then again I already own a pair of Gradient bore scopes and wind flags. Then again I already know the run-out on my reloads.
Scopes and scope mounting matter as much as any other part of the rig.
Agreed that with doing the right thing I would certainly expect better results. That said there are so many things to do that knowing what's the right thing means a long checklist.
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
3,000 rounds is considered about "broken in" for a .223 in my view. I'd just keep cleaning that barrel with copper cleaner till no blue comes out, work a bronze brush in the forward chamber to remove carbon build-up.
Get a tight fitting brush (like about .30 cal) and don' push/pull - but rather turn it clockwise around 50 revolutions after soaking in solvent with a wet mop. Then - I'd try some 50 V-Max loads. I think these are the most forgiving .223 bullets ever made in this weight. Try them with Accurate LT32, then (if need be) Accurate Reloader 7 or IMR8208XBR. Be sure your shoulders aren't getting set back more than .002" to .003"" and use book overall length. Be sure your cases are trimmed. Any primer should be OK with these bullets and powder. I've never see a .223 that couldn't be made to shoot better than your photos - so fear not. Good luck!
Get a tight fitting brush (like about .30 cal) and don' push/pull - but rather turn it clockwise around 50 revolutions after soaking in solvent with a wet mop. Then - I'd try some 50 V-Max loads. I think these are the most forgiving .223 bullets ever made in this weight. Try them with Accurate LT32, then (if need be) Accurate Reloader 7 or IMR8208XBR. Be sure your shoulders aren't getting set back more than .002" to .003"" and use book overall length. Be sure your cases are trimmed. Any primer should be OK with these bullets and powder. I've never see a .223 that couldn't be made to shoot better than your photos - so fear not. Good luck!
My 223 has 4200 rounds through it and still sub moa.... I don’t shoot it hot/long strings of fire though.
I d make absolutely sure it’s totally clean ( all copper out) and then 3-5 foulest and shoot groups. If it’s still not coming around bore scope it and see if you need a new barrel. As others have said a 223 should still be shooting good at your round count unless it’s had a hard life.
Good luck.
I d make absolutely sure it’s totally clean ( all copper out) and then 3-5 foulest and shoot groups. If it’s still not coming around bore scope it and see if you need a new barrel. As others have said a 223 should still be shooting good at your round count unless it’s had a hard life.
Good luck.
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
My Savage Swift had a 12" twist and shot factory Hornady 40 gr. VMax ammo under half inch, five shots, just a trigger job, no bedding.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.