What would you be satisfied with in this type of rifle in terms of group size?

[LHSmith]

My range does have trees all around it so that probably helps. I have shot it out to 700 but it has to be calm. I know a faster twist/heavier bullets would be better. Anyway, I did shoot a Copenhagen can 3 times in a row at 400 and shot a 1.280" 3 shot at the same distance. I called it luck on the small group though.....

Simple flagging tape will work. What scope does it now wear? Try any other bullets?

 

[Arkyvarminter]

Simple flagging tape will work. What scope does it now wear? Try any other bullets?

It now has a Leupold VXIII 6.5x20x50mm. I'm just used to Leupold's. Yeah, I've shot a lot of Sierra's, Noslers, Hornady's, bergers, etc........

 

[Arkyvarminter]

Another thing I've noticed, and I have a Oehler Chrony. My groups open up a lot when I slow the bullets down....

 

[LHSmith]

My eldest used to compete in club matches using a gun/scope combo almost identical. He found H-380 and 55 v-max worked well. One handi-cap I see is the round fore-end on the stock. A better bag/rest set-up might also help with group consistency, along with verifying you are parallax free -don't trust the scope markings.

 

[Mozella]

One of the reasons I asked this question is I hear about all these factory rifles shooting under a half inch and I just think they are few and far between. I know that many guys shoot a 1/4" group one time and so they think they have a 1/4" rifle. I don't think that way. If I have a 1/4" rifle I should be able to take you out to the range and show you at any time but that is just my opinion....

You're absolutely right. I have a .223 practice rifle I shoot almost exclusively at 100 yards and I don't mind pumping thousands of rounds down the barrel. I chronograph and log all my shots. In my data base I have a lot of sub 1/4 MOA 5-shot groups, but in truth this is a 1/2 MOA gun.

It is reliable enough so that on a light wind day I'm willing to put five bucks on the bench and invite you to pick it up if the next 5 shot group is worse than 1/2 MOA. That's my definition of a "real" 1/2 MOA gun.

 

[bheadboy]

most of the 4-5 22-250's I have had experience with were best at about 3700-3750 with 55's, the 14 twist is marginal for some of the longer tipped pills, and those may shoot better with 53/50's at slightly higher velocity

Bob

 

[MarkS]

This is my first post on this forum. I've been loading for a long time and I'm on all the facebook shooting pages but from what I've seen this site probably has the best information. I know and understand the process of loading good accurate loads. This question is really relative and the answers vary a lot. I have a Remington 700 action that has been blueprinted with a 26" Shilen that was installed by a good smith. It is chambered in 22-250. I have a Timney trigger and the thing is bedded and sits in a Bell and Carlson Medalist stock with a VX III Leupold 6.5x20x50mm scope. Its a hunting rifle that I just enjoy shooting. The guy that did the work shoots competitively and has trophy's all over his shop so he must know something. Anyway, I have a 100 yard range in my backyard so I shoot ALOT. I farm and have close access where I shoot long range as well. My question is where would you stop in terms of five shot groups at 100? What would you settle with in terms of group size with this setup. I know everyone's rifle shoots in the "same hole" but I've never had one that would if you know what I mean. The reason I'm asking is I shoot a lot and know that barrel life plays a factor. Right now I'm shooting in the .3's consistently but there are a couple things left I can do. What do you think? Thanks........

You are there! I shoot 5 - 3 shot groups load testing, 5 shot group test you, the gun, and the conditions. If you are not shooting match with 5 shot groups, don't shoot them. If your load is shooting 0.3" regularly and a 0.1" now and then. You are there, stop working, just shoot it. I know I have been there. My first build was a 6AI. I wore the barrel out looking for that 0.1" group every time. A hunting gun with a round bottom stock, is not going to shoot 0.1" all the time. I looked back, after the barrel was gone, most of my groups were good enough.
Get you some clays or steel and shoot long range.

Mark Schronce

 

[drags]

You are there! I shoot 5 - 3 shot groups load testing, 5 shot group test you, the gun, and the conditions. If you are not shooting match with 5 shot groups, don't shoot them. If your load is shooting 0.3" regularly and a 0.1" now and then. You are there, stop working, just shoot it. I know I have been there. My first build was a 6AI. I wore the barrel out looking for that 0.1" group every time. A hunting gun with a round bottom stock, is not going to shoot 0.1" all the time. I looked back, after the barrel was gone, most of my groups were good enough.
Get you some clays or steel and shoot long range.

Mark Schronce

I agree with Mark, Mr. Arky has a very good shooting gun I would just shoot it.
Joe

 

[LHSmith]

Anyway, I have a 100 yard range in my backyard so I shoot ALOT.

I believe the OP has been bitten by the accuracy bug. The custom rig is very accurate, and is exactly what it takes to learn about shooting in conditions. You will learn far more shooting 5 shot groups with windflags and honing wind doping skills. It becomes pretty boring shooting a few small 3 shot groups especially from a build that should be reasonably expected to maintain accuracy through a minimum of 5 shots.

 

[ab_bentley]

I didn't see it mentioned, but an Anti Cant Device will help keep groups tight, especially off the bags where it can't be locked into position. The ACD shaved a good .5" of my 200yds group and even more at 600yds.

Adam

 

[Arkyvarminter]

I didn't see it mentioned, but an Anti Cant Device will help keep groups tight, especially off the bags where it can't be locked into position. The ACD shaved a good .5" of my 200yds group and even more at 600yds.

Adam

I have a level on my scope and it does help.....

 

[JAnderson94]

I'd be satisfied with those groups for sure. I have a 22-250 Ackley that shoots in the low .3's easy with 3 shot groups. I know it will shoot dang good all day long, so I am satisfied with only using 3 shot groups. Also, that will just extend its life a little more for when I'm hunting with it.

 

[roadkill61]

Years ago one of the gunwriters suggested to take 50 rounds go out every now and then (something like 3days) and shoot two rounds into the same target. after the 50 rounds measure your group size. He defined that as your hunting group size. If you are happy with it then that is all that matters. When you get a good shooter enjoy it. In factory rifles they are usually far and few. I am hoping that with the new computerized equipment that 1/2 inch factory guns will be commonplace.

 

[LHSmith]

Years ago one of the gunwriters suggested to take 50 rounds go out every now and then (something like 3days) and shoot two rounds into the same target. after the 50 rounds measure your group size. He defined that as your hunting group size. If you are happy with it then that is all that matters. When you get a good shooter enjoy it. In factory rifles they are usually far and few. I am hoping that with the new computerized equipment that 1/2 inch factory guns will be commonplace.

It boils down to what the OP's goal is .......varminting or learning how to shoot small with consistency.....minute of groundhog, or groups covered by a dime at any given part of the day.....not just dead calm.

 

[rcmark]

I only shoot 20 shot groups.

20 at 300 yards:

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

I'm a bipod shooter, so I'm typically happy with .5-.7" average on 5 targets of 5 shots. Sometimes you shoot some good groups and then blow it with a couple of "pulls". Such is life.

The internet is full of pictures of people's single best group; hardly ever do "1/4" shooters" ever post a multi group target. I often shoot at a very large public range and I can say it's rare to see one or two people that can hold MOA with any kind of consistancy. On Sunday I watched a guy with a $3,500 setup shoot 5" groups at 100yds, but he offered up all kinds of advice to people.

 

[critter_bill]

You nailed it, BB&G. I've been shooting 5 shot groups since 1987. Got my first 1 inch, .5 inch, and .25 inch groups with a Rem 700 .223 Varmint Special. It took full blown Benchrest rifles in 6PPC to get my .125" and .0625" groups with a lot of shotgun patterns shot between my personal bests. Those are single 5 shot groups. However, shooting 5 5-shot groups is a different animal altogether. I've only agged sub .20" in all my years of shooting: Different rifles, one 6PPC BR and one 6BR varmint rifle. The catch is: same barrel, 6PPC rechambered at 1500 rounds to 6BR for my varmint rifle. The barrel had 2500 rounds at the time the second sub .20 was fired ten years later. So, I stand in awe of those who shoot quarter inch groups all day long. Yep, I shoot some small groups but I shoot some whoppers too. I don't tend to take photos of those.

 

[snert]

If you are using it for hunting (since it is not a comp gun) I think if I were you I would be very happy and just go smak everything I aimed at till the barrel quit. BUT if you simply must keep trying to get it smaller, just because you might, then I guess you can try...but other than to know it could, why? For a hunting gun, that is fine shooting and should build a great deal of confidence